From: "Dr.Eduard Werner" <edi.werner <at> GMX <dot> DE>
Date: 20 feb 2001
Subject: Re: Computer games

On Monday 19 February 2001 22:41, you wrote:
> A couple of beginner's question:
>
> 1. Having only a passing familiarity with Shogi from some time spent in
> Japan nearly 13 years ago, I was planning on going out and finding a decent
> computer game to re-introduce me to the game. But I haven't been too
> successful finding any games for Windows (English, Win2k or Win98). Any
> Windows Shogi-playing computer programs recommended for a novice?
>
> I'd probably put a premium on a decent graphical user interface (Kanji
> pieces preferred) and some good tutorial features. Strength of play is
> probably less of an issue at this point, short of not getting me into any
> bad habits. Is there anything analogous to Fritz or ChessMaster 8000 for
> the Shogi world?
>
> I'm trying out some Shogi software (e.g. Steve Evan's Shogi Variants
> v1.55a), but before I invest in any commercial package, I want to get a
> sense of what packages are best. I'd be happy with a Japanese program, too,
> as long as it works with U.S. versions of Windows (i.e., I can deal with
> Japanese menus, etc.).
>
> Shogi Professional by Oxford Softworks seems like a candidate. What do
> people think of this? Are there other programs I should consider?

Shogi Professional is a very good choice, I think, probably the best.
They ship extremely quick (you download from their site and purchase a key
you get after a few minutes/hours) and the program can give handicaps, hints
etc. so it can be adapted to weaker players. It plays pretty strong, however,
and on the highest level it still beats me more often than not (I'm 1-kyu).
It also plays rather decent style so it should not get you into bad habits.
There's  no tutorial, however, so you'll have to look into a book. I think
the best choices for beginners are J.Fairbairns "Shogi for Beginners" and
"Guide to Shogi Openings" by Aono Teruichi (Japanese-English). You should get
both of them.

Another choice would be AI Shogi 2000, but you should get a Japanese Windows
for this if you want to be able to read anything in the menus/kifu/hints/etc.
Otherwise you'll only see underscores.

Quite strong (but I think a bit more expensive than Shogi Professional) is
Sekita Shogi. I've only seen the Shareware Version which still beats the hell
out of a beginner.

Steve's Shogi Variants is nice for keeping track of your variant games, but
as a computer opponent it's absolutely horrible.

On a fast machine, gnushogi is acceptable (and should beat the hell out of
a rookie as well ;-) but the playing style, interface and everything else
is not as good as Shogi Professional. The same is true for Shocky. Links to
both are on http://www.shogi.net/shogi-soft-eqp.html

> 2. I'm familiar with the modern 9x9 game, but variants seem to be very
> common. What is the significance of all the variants and is there any
> reason why I would try those as opposed to the standard game? I don't
> remember seeing any of these variants in use when I was in Japan, but they
> appear to be prevalent in the Shogi computer game world.

They are also existent in the real world. There are several new small variants
like Micro-Shogi, Kyoto Shogi etc., from the historical variants Chu Shogi and
Tori Shogi are most widely played (though not in Japan) and some people play
(yes, play) Wa, Tenjiku, Daidai and even Tai! (A look at
http://www.shogi.net/variants/ shows the computer programs for Shogi variants
I'm aware of)

Hope this helps

Best

Edi