From: Larry Kaufman <lkaufman <at> COMCAST <dot> NET>
Date: 24 may 2002
Subject: Re: Habu's magical tour in Paris (the simul)

----- Original Message -----
From: "Eric Cheymol" <shogi <at> FREE <dot> FR>
To: <SHOGI-L <at> TECHUNIX <dot> TECHNION <dot> AC <dot> IL>
Sent: Friday, May 24, 2002 3:39 PM
Subject: Re: Habu's magical tour in Paris (the simul)

> Thank you very much for all the detailed story. Anyway, I don't have
> seen Marc's game, but I would be very curious to replay them.

     I have only the general description I supplied, not the game scores.

This rook
> handicap opening interests me, I would like to fully study this line
> before playing at bishop, if I have the time for this task. I would like
> to see how other pros play the white side.
>
     I found George Hodges letter, in which he states that he beat Murooka 4
Dan Pro with the system.  George didn't claim to be a strong player, only a
great enthusiast, so this is quite a tribute to the system.  George also
says that he tried to play the system three times against then (or former)
ladies' meijin Hayashiba, but she never allowed the bishop swap and so
George lost all three games.  He doesn't say exactly how she avoided the
trade; perhaps by the 7...G5b I mentioned (which was also mentioned
(suggested?) by Shoji 6 Dan in his handicap book.

> Perhaps games prior to July 18, 1972 with the same idea exist. Kurokawa
> could say more about it ?
>
     If anyone knows who he is or how to contact him.

> >      Does all this mean that rook handicap is "busted" or solved?  Not
> > quite.  It seems to me that once the bishops are exchanged, the game is
> > indeed pretty difficult for white.  One possible solution: meet 7 P4e by
> > G5b, avoiding the bishop trade.  Pros rarely do this, because after 8
> > R4h
> > they have been "tricked" into playing a defense (G5b) that was not their
> > intended defense to 7 R4h (namely 7...N7c).  Nevertheless, the G5b
> > defense
> > is quite playable and theory exists on it.  Still, black can be
> > satisfied
> > that he has avoided the "best" defense (7...N7c), which experience
> > shows is
> > quite difficult to defeat.
>
> You mean 7... N3c.

     Sorry about that.

What about writing everything in a long article such
> as the very good series on the MindSports site ?
>
> >      All of this and more was going to appear on my handicap series on
> > the
> > MindSports site, but since that site has not shown any signs of coming
> > back
> > to life I thought I'd go ahead and tell the story here.
>
> If your article is finished, what about putting everything in a Pieter's
> shogi.net page ?

     I should add the full game score, plus a summary of the 7...G5b system
from Mr. Shoji's book.

I can help for building the html pages and if Pieter
> can not handle it now, my page is open to your series of handicap
> openings. Your article could include already played games.
>
     OK, let me know privately exactly how to proceed with this.

> Best shogi wishes,
>
> Eric
>
     Regards, Larry