From: Pieter Stouten SHOGI NET> Date: 22 sep 2002 Subject: Italian Open Shogi Championship, 7/8 December 2002 Hello Shogi fans, I cordially invite you all to participate in the 3rd Italian Open Shogi Championship (the Italian Grand Prix) on Saturday/Sunday 7/8 December in Palazzo delle Stelline in Milano. In addition to the regular Championship, we will also have a Blitz Championship. The Shogi Championships are part of Giochi Sforzeschi, also known as the Italian Mind Sports Olympiad , and are open to everybody. As previous years showed, everybody, rank beginners as well as stronger players will have a very enjoyable time. First-ever European Champion Hans Secelle, Albrecht Heeffer and Eddy Verhaeven (Belgium), Asle Olufsen, Terje Christoffersen and Antje Rapmund (Norway), and Italian Champion Giuseppe Baggio have already signed up (provided they can get off from work). Dates ----- Shogi Championship: Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December. Blitz Shogi Championship: probably Friday evening 6 December. Giochi Sforzeschi: Thursday 5 through Sunday 8 December. Venue ----- Conference Centre "Palazzo delle Stelline", Corso Magenta, close to the centre of Milan. The venue is easily reached by underground: Cadorna on the Red (1) and Green (2) lines; S. Ambrogio on the Red (1) line. Tentative Shogi schedule ------------------------ * First Italian Open Blitz Shogi Championship Format: 7 rounds, 8 minutes, no byoyomi Fri 6 Dec 17:00 - Rounds 1-7 Fri 6 Dec 19:00 - Prizegiving * Third Italian Open Shogi Championship Format: 6 rounds, 40 minutes, 30 seconds byoyomi Sat 7 Dec 10:00 - Round 1 Sat 7 Dec 11:50 - Lunch Sat 7 Dec 13:10 - Round 2 Sat 7 Dec 15:00 - Round 3 Sat 7 Dec 16:50 - Round 4 Sat 7 Dec 18:40 - Close Day 1 Sun 8 Dec 10:00 - Round 5 Sun 8 Dec 11:50 - Lunch Sun 8 Dec 13:10 - Round 6 Sun 8 Dec 15:00 - Prizegiving Accommodation ------------- Discounted arrangements with hotels in the vicinity will be available. Palazzo delle Stelline itself, the playing venue, also offers accommodation. More information will be forthcoming. Hope to seee you all in Milan in December. Ciao, Pieter