From: SECELLE JOHANNES F L A MINFIN FED BE> Date: 12 dec 2002 Subject: Re: Proposal Dear all,

Introducing the title of "Absolute European Champion" would inflate Boris' 2002 title,
which, in my humble opinion, is unacceptable.

Furthermore, with all due respect to Gert, Eric, Boris and Stephen, what about Arend Van Oosten
Mike Sandeman, Tony Hosking, Frédéric Pottier and your servant (all former European Champions)
and of course, Reijer in the first place ??

Furthermore, what would such a tournament prouve ??

Does FESA need this tournament to be "credible" ??

Are "grades" really the "nec plus ultra", when grades are mere reflections of a "peak performance".

Back in 1985 I won 11 games in a row against dan players (including Sandeman, Loftus, Yamamoto, etc.)
and although I must have had a TPR far above 2200, I was "awarded" the long awaited 2-dan grade,
so what does all that mean ???

In western chess, the same thing applies: International Grandmasters have ratings between 2350 and
2800, but for invitations to tournaments, it's the ELO that counts.

If NSR accords ratings, then so be it.
Time (and shogi games) will tell .....

My 5 eurocents,

Hans Secelle
 
 
 
 

Larry Kaufman schreef:

    With all the recent talk about ranks, ratings, tournament fairness, etc., I'd like to make a proposal.  I think it's time to settle the questions of who is the top European and/or Western player by actual play, not by talk.  So here is my idea.     At present there are four serious contentenders (based on rating and on recent tournament accomplishments) for the title of top European player: Gert Schnider, Eric Cheymol, Boris Mirnik, and Stephen Lamb (I exclude Reijer as a long time Japanese resident).  Why not organize a quadruple round robin of these four players, at a time and place convenient to all, for the title of "Absolute European Champion"?  Not being a European myself, I'll leave it to others to discuss expenses and other details, but I think such a twelve round event should answer the question rather decisively.  If Stephen Lamb is unavailable due to living in Canada, FESA would select the most suitable replacement.  This would be rather like the way the World Chess Championship was organized back in 1948, when the recognized champion had died.  Since all of the players except Lamb live fairly close together, expenses should not be excessive.     If such an event is held, I would make a commitment to travel to the winner's home country, at my own expense if necessary, for the purpose of playing a long match for the Pan-Atlantic Championship or some other similar name.  The winner could then defend his title every year or two against a worthy challenger, just as is done in chess (at least until recently).     I think such events could stir up more interest in shogi in the West, and perhaps we could even get backing from Japan.      Larry Kaufman, amateur 5 Dan