From: "STOUTEN, PIETER [R&D/0467]" PHARMACIA COM> Date: 28 oct 2002 Subject: Italian Open Shogi Championship, Milan, 7-8 December 2002 Hello Shogi fans, I cordially invite you all to participate in the 3rd Italian Open Shogi Championship on Saturday/Sunday 7/8 December and the 1st Italian Open BLITZ Shogi Championship on Friday evening 6 December. Both Shogi Championships are part of "Giochi Sforzeschi" (the Italian Mind Sports Olympiad), featuring more than 60 Mind Sports including Chess, Go, Renju, Xiang Qi (Chinese Chess), Bridge, Mah Jong, Draughts, Backgammon, Mancala, Othello, Scrabble, Abalone, Risk and Stratego. The Italian Open is also part of the European Grand Prix circuit, so it represents a great opportunity to score points for this prestigeous GP title. All information below and much more can be found at . Schedule -------- * First Italian Open BLITZ Shogi Championship FRIDAY 6 DECEMBER 17:00-19:30 (7 rounds plus prizegiving). Format: 7 rounds. 8 minutes, no byoyomi. * Third Italian Open Shogi Championship SATURDAY 7 DECEMBER 10:00 - 18:40 (4 rounds). SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 10:00 - 15:30 (2 rounds plus prizegiving). Format: 6 rounds. 40 minutes, 30 seconds byoyomi. * Giochi Sforzeschi: THURSDAY 5 through SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER. Venue ----- Conference Centre "Palazzo delle Stelline", Corso Magenta 61, Milan, Italy. The venue is in the centre of the city. Nearby underground stations are Cadorna (MM1 "Red" and MM2 "Green" lines) and S. Ambrogio (MM1 "Red" line). Accommodation ------------- The Giochi Sforzeschi organizers have negotiated very attractive arrangements with hotels in the vicinity. Of those, "Hotel Palazzo delle Stelline" is the most convenient option as it is right next to the playing venue. Refer to for detailed information on the various options and on how to make reservations. Participation & registration ---------------------------- * Participation in both the regular and Blitz Championships is free of charge. Previous years have shown that rank beginners as well as stronger players will have a very enjoyable time. * If you are interested in participating, please contact Pieter Stouten shogi net> as soon as possible. Registration at the venue starts 30 minutes before the first round of each event (16:30 on Friday 6 for the Blitz Championship, 9:30 on Saturday 7 for the regular Championship). * First-ever European Champion Hans Secelle of Belgium has already confirmed his participation in this year's events, along with two other players from Belgium (Albrecht Heeffer and Eddy Verhaeven), Asle Olufsen, Terje Christoffersen and Antje Rapmund (Norway), Fabien Osmont and Eddy Camacho (France) and Italian Champion Giuseppe Baggio. Fun --- In addition to Giochi Sforzeschi 2002 and its Shogi Championships, Milano has quite a bit to offer: the Cathedral, Cimitero Monumentale, Leonardo Da Vinci's "Last Supper", Castello Sforzescho and the nightlife in the Navigli district are major tourist attractions. For all details on the venue, schedule, format, registration and accommodation, please refer to the Italian Shogi Championship 2002 page at . Hope to see you all in Milan in December! Pieter Stouten