From: bogin YAHOO CO JP> Date: 9 nov 2002 Subject: Thank you Dear Mr. Kaufman, Thanks for all of the extra information. You're right. I misread the part in Mr. Stouten message about the strongest players. I stand corrected. I still think that his comparison of the ISF and the Pro Mejin tournament is way off, but to each his own. I never heard of the players you mentioned. I'm quite far from the Tokyo area so perhaps some of players in that area can give you more information. When I was talking about strong players the first person that came to mind was Mr. Grimbergen. Occasionally, I've heard strong stories about other strong foreigners but the only other high dan player I've seen was a man from Russia. I don't remember his name and it was a few years ago. But, I think he was 4dan strength. Otherwise, I have also heard that there are many strong non-Japanese players (Korean and Chinese) who play in the parks in the Kansai area. I have also heard that there's a strong gentleman from Africa who's supposed to be of 4 dan and above strength. I'm sure that there must be some other strong foreigners out there playing somewhere. Whether or not they would be willing to play in such a tournament is another story. I don't think that the NSR prohibits foreigners living in Japan to qualify for such a tournament. I would imagine that the rules for qualifying are made by each countries organizing committee not the NSR. But, simply going back to the U.S. for a weekend of shogi is really not viable option for me. Perhaps, the NSR doesn't even know that there are foreigners in Japan who would be interested in playing in such a tournament. Maybe if they knew then they would be more than happy to have more people play. At least it wouldn't hurt to ask before the next ISF. Maybe we can get a team made up of foreigners living in Japan. Anybody out there interested? Also, again I made a mistake about the strength of the Japanese champions. The strongest amateurs are probably 6dan and beyond as you say. Well, It's all apples and oranges anyway. Mr Schnider won the tournament fair and square. Whether he lives up to his new rank or not is completely irrelevant. You can't fault someone for playing their best and winning a prize. This debate about whose stronger, Japanese or Westerners, is all subjective anyway. There's a Japanese proverb thats translated as "10 people 10 colors." There'll probably never be a definite answer either way. Regardless of your nationality or rank, if you're strong you'll win lots of games. If you're not you probably won't. It might by interesting to talk about but in the long run it doesn't really matter. Most people play for the enjoyment of the game. Win or lose the idea is to have fun, right? Thanks again for the all the information. Bill Gaudry __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! BB is Broadband by Yahoo! http://bb.yahoo.co.jp/