From: Larry Kaufman <lkaufman <at> COMCAST <dot> NET>
Date: 14 dec 2002
Subject: Re: My last comment on the grades issue

----- Original Message -----
From: "bogin" <bogin <at> YAHOO <dot> CO <dot> JP>
To: <SHOGI-L <at> TECHUNIX <dot> TECHNION <dot> AC <dot> IL>


> > >By the way, I would point out that many clubs in Japan, including
> > >the Shinjuku (the world's largest), don't generally recognize NSR
> > >5 Dan ranks unless they were earned in national Japanese
> > >championships.  So when I play there (and I presume the same if
> > >Gert plays there), I am 4 Dan.
> > >
> That's interesting to me as well. The only time I played there they
> accepted my card and recognize the rating I had gotten at the Osaka Renmei
> Club. Of course, I wasn't ranked at the 5dan level but was only 1kyu at
> that time. Actually, they had even wanted to start at me at even lower
than
> that until I showed them my card. Maybe, I was just lucky the day I went
> and got someone nicer behind the counter than when you went.
>
> The only information they have on their web site states that if possible
> they would like an accurate ranking assessment or official card stating a
> rank already achieved from first time visitors there. Perhaps you didn't
> have that with you when you went their the very first time.

      No, that's not the point; the people at Shinjuku center know all about
me.  They do indeed normally recognize NSR grades, such as yours; they just
don't recognize ranks above 4 Dan unless they were earned in certain major
Japanese tournaments, presumably because the Shinjuku center itself doesn't
promote beyond 4 Dan.  To their way of thinking, 4 Dan simply means
something like "competent player", while 5 Dan means someone who can contend
for national championships.  To me, this is ridiculous; it means that
players recognized there as 5 Dan can probably give bishop or rook handicap
to their average 4 Dan.  But I guess they have their reasons, probably
related to maximizing revenue.

> The head Pro at the Shinjuku Club is Mr. Futagami Tatsuya and since he is
> also the President of the NSR it is indeed truly strange that they didn't
> recognize your rank.
>
     I think that's just a nominal position; the club is run by a very
strong amateur, Mr. Kaneda (I'm not sure of spelling).

> Crazy world, isn't it?
>
            Not so crazy in this instance.

     Larry