From: "'Shigeki Masui'" <smasui <at> BANET <dot> NET>
Date: 31 may 2000
Subject: Re: Shogi World Championship

Dear Antje Rapmund,
Many thanks for your warmest message. All of NY Club members will be very happy
to read this.
Next Time? You do not need any Kyu Players. You will be Dan players very soon,
which was guaranteed by Kondo-Sensei. He said you are one of the best pupils
among all and it was fun for all professionals to teach you. This was the reason
they chose you to give the trophy of Pros' Recognition. I heard you were
wondering if they gave that big trophy because you were the only woman
participant. You are wrong. They gave it because they recognized your attitude
toward shogi.
We are very glad to hear that all of the participants from Norway enjoyed the
tournament.
Watch, Mr. Bjerke! He will soon become very strong competitor for European
Champion. It was shocking to us that he could win the qualifying tournament to
join A-Class within only several months after starting shogi.
Regards,
Shigeki Masui

Antje Rapmund wrote:

> We were three players from Norway - Terje Christoffersen as the qualified
> player, Richard Bjerke and I as ordinary participants, who had to fight the
> qualification. We really enjoyed the tournament, even if our results were
> not among the bests.
> The tournament was very well organised as a result of a very god team work.
> Thank you once again.
> I believe that the tournament was important to spread the game in Western
> countries. There were many activities in the participating countries in
> preparing of the tournament. This has a value per se.
> We could play many games, as a part of the tournament, in Shogi Dojo or free
> games. I learned especially quite a lot in many teaching games which I was
> able to play with the professionals Kondo, Ishikawa, Iizuka and Sato.
> The transport to and from the Ramada Inn was very well organised, as
> mentioned before. We arrived already days earlier and made several
> sightseeing tours to New York. Before we went home to Norway two of us were
> invited to stay in Larry and Ray Kaufmans house and we visited the shogi
> clubs both in New York and Washington. This was really nice.
> We hope to see you all again. Next time I hope that there will participate
> several kyu-players and especially women.
> This was really a great event and it was a good experience to be a part of
> such a great shogi community.
>
> Antje Rapmund
> Norwegian Shogi Association