From: "George I. Fernandez" MINDSPRING COM> Date: 19 sep 2000 Subject: Time limits Dear shogi friends, Here are some general comments, my current opinion on this matter, and clarifications regarding the history of time limits used during the past 11 years in U.S. Shogi tournaments. First, I must say something a bit revolutionary. I feel that the aim of establishing a standard time limit should not be exclusively to produce slightly better quality games, but rather to produce better shogi players in the least amount of time possible. To this end, judging the relative merits (both short-term and long-term) of quantity of games vs. quality of games is essential. In the U.S., we have generally favored much shorter time limits than our European counterparts. Our standard, used at most events, is 20'/30". The 20'/40" or 30'/30" time limits are reserved for special events and 30'/40", 40'/40" or 45'/40" are used only in semi-finals and finals of major events. Shorter time limits have allowed us to schedule many 5 Round Swiss, one-day tournaments, over the years. When two days are available, our preference has been to have a Handicap [Komaochi] event on the first day and an Even-game [Hirate] event on the second day. By contrast, within the European shogi community, the preference seems to be to hold 6 or 7 Round, even-game tournaments, over the same two days. There is a significant difference between the U.S. and Europe in the approach to, and use of, handicap games in tournaments. Here in the U.S., there has always existed a strong commitment to teaching the various handicaps to newcomers. By carefully integrating handicap games into our rating system, and monitoring the results, we've been able to use handicaps in approximately half of our shogi tournaments and, I would guess, in about one-fourth of our official club games (this percentage varies from 10%-80% depending on the particular club). The U.S. practice of rating of handicap games and regularly holding handicap events is a completely separate issue from that of time limits. Generally, these two issues should be discussed separately, however, they ARE related in that adhering to longer time limits (i.e., anything over 20'/40" or 30'/30") in tournaments precludes the possibility of holding two separate events during a two-day weekend. While, I personally prefer the U.S. method of employing handicaps and using shorter time limits, I do, at the same time and wholeheartedly, respect the current European preferences to not rate handicap games, to have fewer handicap events, and to generally use longer time limits. The enthusiasm that we share for the game and the mutual respect that we have for one another, both as individuals and organizationally, amply allows for such minor differences to coexist. In time, as we continue to have international tournaments, and gain experience with each other's methods, some shogi organizations (both within the U.S. and abroad) may want to experiment with new methods and set their own guidelines. Currently, we have an agreement in effect between USSF (U.S. Shogi Federation) and FESA (Federation of European Shogi Associations) that allow, with some minor limitations, for events to be conducted and rated (or not rated) according to the host continent's, or country's, rules and regulations. The issue of the "delay" and "increment" methods as alternatives to the current byoyomi is an interesting one that I suspect will gain popularity over the years to come. Currently, in the U.S., we DO allow for games using these methods to be officially rated, provided that the following minimum time limits are used: Delay: 30" Delay and 10 Minutes. [30 seconds are given/restarted each move and BEFORE the 10 minutes start to be deducted permanently]. Increment: 5 Minutes and 30" Increment. [30 seconds are added to a player's time AFTER each and every move]. At present, I personally have only two concerns that prevent me from endorsing these two methods as superior to the regular byoyomi. Firstly, is that clocks featuring these options are not as readily available (among the currently active shogi players) as the blue Citizen clocks that we now use, and already own, in abundance. Secondly, the way that the clocks with "delay" and "increment" beep is different from that of the blue Citizen clock. More specifically, they seem to beep more sofly and they typically ONLY give five short beeps, during the last FIVE seconds (some of the clocks may give ONE short beep at 10 seconds as well), whereas, the Citizen clock gives five short beeps (from 10 to 6 seconds) and then one long beep from 5 to 0 seconds. This limitation in warning beeps will certainly lead to double or triple the number of time forfeits that we now see, if it cannot be corrected, because it takes much longer to complete a move on a shogi board, when compared to chess. Lastly, for those who see our shorter time limits as a prohibitive infringement on keeping score of their games, I want to mention that in the U.S. we do offer and employ a unique option and legal way for games to be recorded. A player wishing to keep score is given an additional 7 minutes on the clock to start. Later, if the player enters into byoyomi, the "stop" button [the second button from the right on the Citizen clocks] is used, immediately after the opponent's move, while the move is written down. The the clock is then restarted by pressing down on the opponent's clock. Three important conditions apply to players wanting to use this option: 1) A player MUST, personally, continue to keep a complete score throughout the game; 2) A player MUST START TO WRITE AND COMPLETE WRITING DOWN EACH AND EVERY MOVE IMMEDIATELY UPON COMPLETION; And 3) A player must not talk to, or otherwise involve, his opponent in the process of keeping an accurate scoresheet. If, a violation of any of these conditions should occur, then, the opponent can summon the Tournament Director and an official warning will be issued. A second violation will result in a forfeit. A few years ago, during a couple of big tournaments here in the U.S., we in fact mandated (!) that White [the second player (GOTE)] keep score (by any legible standard scorekeeping format), using the method outlined above, and had no problems whatsoever. In fact, now that the USSF plans to start publishing a National Shogi newsletter, we may, from time to time, consider adopting such a strict scorekeeping policy again. Everyone likes to have a record of their games (especially the good ones ;-) ), and seeing their games published and annotated by experts. Additionally, annotated gamescores in general are an invaluable and essential ingredient of a successful shogi newsletter. Are there any other fair and less intrusive scorekeeping ideas out there? By the way, many thanks to the MSO organizers for a running a great event! I regret not being able to meet more of the European players this time, due to the very busy tournament schedule, but I'm determined to attend all future MSO events. In addition, I'm hoping to take an extra shogi-related trip to Europe at some point next year. If I can find the time, I'll write more about my experience at the MSO soon. I'll stop now, before I put you all to sleep. Regards, George 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