From: "George I. Fernandez" MINDSPRING COM> Date: 2 oct 2000 Subject: 2000 U.S. Shogi Championship and 5th Amateur Ryu-O Tournament Dear Shogi-L subscribers, On behalf of United States Shogi Federation and the New York Shogi Club, I'd like to cordially invite all of you to attend the 2000 U.S. Shogi Championship and 5th U.S. Amateur Ryu-O Tournament. This year it will be held in New York City, New York, on 3-5 November. This 5th installment of the annual event, which was moved from it's customary April date to November (in order to accommodate the scheduling needs of the Shogi World Championship held in New York earlier this year), is certain to be among the premier amateur shogi events held outside of Japan this year. All of the established shogi clubs in the U.S. will be represented. Individuals at-large will also be coming. This first notice will be followed by weekly updates regarding the event, as more information becomes available. Corporate sponsorship for the event is still in the process of being arranged. I sincerely hope that many of you will be able to come. Best regards, George ----------------------------------------------------------------- 2000 United States Shogi Championship & 5th U.S. Amateur Ryu-O Tournament 2000 U.S. Open Shogi Tournament 2000 U.S. Team Match Competition 2000 U.S. Blitz Championship ***** Special Guest: Mr. Akio Ishikawa, Professional 6 Dan ***** Past Individual Winners: 1996 (New York) Masanori Watanabe (NY) 5 Dan 1997 (Washington, DC) Masanori Watanabe (NY) 5 Dan 1998 (Los Angeles) Makoto Kotera (DC) 5 Dan 1999 (Chicago) Yoshihisa Suzuki (NY) 4 Dan Past Team Winners: 1996 DC Shogi Club 1997 DC Shogi Club 1998 DC Shogi Club 1999 LA Shogi Club Host: New York Shogi Club. Sponsors: Nihon Shogi Renmei, United States Shogi Federation (USSF), Shukan Shogi and others to be announced [TBA]. Date: 3-5 November, 2000. Place: Oikawa Restaurant, Large Party Room (2nd Floor), 805 3rd Avenue (at 50th Street), New York, New York. Honorary Tournament Director and Chief Arbiter: Mr. Akio Ishikawa, pro 6Dan. Advisor and liaison to Mr. Ishikawa: Minoru Hayashi (NY). Directors: George Fernandez (NY), Larry Kaufman (DC), and Hiroki Inoue. Format: 8 Round McMahon Swiss. Players begin the tournament with extra points, according to their official Elo rating, and are paired with others of similar point totals. This system generally allows for a maximum number of close games between players of similar levels. 4-6 Dans 4 points at the start 3 Dans 3 Points at the start 2 Dans 2 Points at the start Shodans 1 Point at the start 1 Kyu and below 0 Points at the start Based on current Pan-Atlantic Elo ratings. Players with Official (or Honorary) Dan ranks that are higher than their corresponding Elo ratings can choose which starting group to join. After seven rounds, the top 4 players who are eligible to become U.S. Champion [Minimum of 1 year U.S. residency] will play a Semi-Final play-off (8th Round) and Final (9th Round) in the U.S. Championship and Amateur Ryu-O Tournament, while all others, in the U.S. Open portion of the event, play an 8th (and final) Round. Only the first eight rounds will count toward a player's official score in the U.S. Open. The U.S. Championship Team event will be conducted differently this year. Five designated players from each team will have their results, occuring naturally against opposing team members, tallied during the tournament. The team with the best percentage of wins will be declared the winner. During the two-day tournament we will methodically pair one official game for all players with Mr. Ishikawa, pro 6 Dan. The handicaps for these games will be according to the following guidelines: 4-6 Dans play at Bishop [Kaku]; 3 Dans play at Rook [Hissha]; 2 Dans play at Rook and Lance [Hissha + Kyo]; Shodans play at 2 Pieces [Ni-Mai]; And 1 Kyu and below will play at 4 Pieces [Yon-mai]. Entry Fee: USSF members $45. Non- USSF members $50. Price is for both days and includes refreshments only (NO MEALS). Discounts are available for juniors (under 18) and seniors (60 and over). USSF Membership: Associate Membership $10; Full Membership $15. Detailed information regarding the USSF and the various membership benefits will be posted separately on Shogi-L in the very near future. Prizes: At least two-thirds of the entry fees collected will be returned in cash prizes, in addition to any cash contributions received from tournament sponsors. Cash prizes will be divided as follows: 2000 U.S. Shogi Championship and 5th U.S. Amateur Ryu-O Tournament [25% of prize fund] The winner will receive the title of U.S. Champion and U.S. Amateur Ryu-O. 1st (50%), 2nd (30%) & 3rd (20%). Trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers. The winner will also receive a special rotating trophy from Nihon Shogi Renmei, on which his or her name will be inscribed. 2000 U.S. Open Tournament [55% of prize fund] 1st (20%), 2nd (15%) and 3rd (5%). Top 3 Dan, Top 2 Dan, Top Shodan and Top Kyu. (15% Each). Depending on number of entries received, we may add a second prize in any Dan category and increase the available funds. U.S. Blitz Championship [10% of prize fund] 1st (50%) and Trophy , 2nd (30%) & 3rd (20%). U.S. Team Championship [10% of prize fund] 1st place Team only (100% to be divided among team members). The winning team will also receive a large rotating trophy, on which the team name will be inscribed. Schedule: Friday, 3 November 1) Registration for main event 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM 2) 1st U.S. Blitz Championship 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM 8 or 9 Rounds. 8 minutes for each player, sudden-death. No byoyomi! Saturday, 4 November 1) Registration 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM 2) Round 1 10:00 AM 3) Round 2 11:30 AM 4) Lunch 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 5) Round 3 2:00 PM 6) Round 4 3:30 PM 7) Round 5 5:00 PM 8) USSF Board of Directors Meeting and Officers Meeting 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM. Meeting place to be announced. Sunday, 5 November 1) Round 6 10:00 AM 2) Round 7 11:30 AM 3) Lunch 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 4) Round 8 [U.S. Open final round] 2:00 PM 5) Semi-Finals [U.S. Championship] 2:00 PM 6) Finals and 3rd Place game [U.S. Championship] 3:45 PM Mr. Ishikawa, Pro 6 Dan, on a large magnetic display board, will analize and give commentary during the Final game. Time Control: 20 Minutes, followed by 40 seconds byoyomi each or 30/30 (TBA). The Finals will be 30/40. Recommended accommodations: The NY Marathon will be run during this particular weekend. Please make your reservation as soon as possible. Red Roof, Secaucus, NJ. 1(800)THE-ROOF. Some rooms are already reserved here. George I. Fernandez President United States Shogi Federation 28-30 34th Street, Apt.#6-O Long Island City, NY 11103 USA Home Telephone: (718)956-5382 Pager: 1(800)Sky-Page, Pin#1149515 E-Mail: g.fernandez mindspring com