From: "T. Lawrence Pitts" <tlpitts <at> ORO <dot> NET>
Date: 18 sep 2002
Subject: unmoved drop in promotion zone always unpromoted?

Please forgive a simple rules question regarding drops in standard (9x9)
shogi.

If I read the rules correctly, when a piece is dropped in the promotion
zone, it remains in its unpromoted state until completing a turn in which it
has actually been moved. Only then does it have the option of being
promoted.

So, one cannot ever have a piece remain at the spot on which it was dropped
and assume promoted status there on a subsequent turn during which some
other piece is moved.  Correct?

It may interest some list posters here to know that my son and I have taken
up shogi after having viewd the film Zatoichi Jigoku tabi (1965)...
sometimes translated as "Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman & the Chess Expert".

Reference: http://us.imdb.com/Title?0059942

This was one of a series of 26 films about Zato Ichi, a blind masseur -- all
played by the Japanese actor, Shintarô Katsu, from 1962 until the final one
in 1989.

It was watching Zato Ichi playing shogi with a masterless samuri character,
Jumonji, which inspired my son and me to purchase a shogi set and learn to
play.

In the movie, however, they play blindfolded -- something that I doubt we'll
ever attempt!

Best wishes to all,

improvateur


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