From: Jonathan Tisdall C2I NET> Date: 12 dec 2002 Subject: Re: Proposal Really none of my business since I am just here to keep up on news of the game and have had more than my fill of closely following chess/game related ... debate in a lifetime, but this discussion has gotten so lively I can't help but tossing another few cents in. Martin Danerud made a very eloquent case for the original discussion - ratings and titles are something for committees, and it is really rather depressing when there is public debate about a player's merits, abilities, etc. even when it is civilized. Why so much hostility towards Internet competition? Shogi in the west is so impoverished and far-flung that this alone is a good argument for trying to make and take such events seriously. I can't see any real reason why a well-run virtual event should be any less serious than one in the real world. And the practical advantages are immense. I am glad that Larry finally emphasized the most attractive part of his idea - an event producing a regular European and/or Western champion would not only be fascinating for the public, but it would provide a media hook that would allow the press to understand what they were covering, or *could be* covering. I would argue that this would be such a positive step that it would be well worth shelving any protracted arguments about how big and fair the first one should be. Set it up and get it running, it could do wonders for the game. jt On Thu, 12 Dec 2002 11:04:37 -0500, Larry Kaufman wrote: > > >Furthermore, what would such a tournament prouve ?? > >Unless the result is a tie for first or a near-tie, it should establish >just who is Europe's best player. > >Does FESA need this tournament to be "credible" ?? > >Not at all; I just think it would be a great event both for the players and >for increasing interest in shogi. > >Hans Secelle > > >Larry Kaufman > > > > >