From: markyesme2 MSN COM> Date: 26 sep 2002 Subject: Re: Promoting Shogi overseas (was: HABU INTERVIEW (revised)) Hi Dana (and Group): > > While I hate to disagree with a member of this list, as a relatively new Don't hate to disagree. That is the point of a "discussion" list. I would hate for anyone to "hate to disagree" on my account. Disagreement is great!! > shogi player (less that one year), it only took me a few weeks to learn the > moves using a "japanese" shogi set. I found it no harder than learning the > moves using a "standard" chess set. While I have seen both shogi and chess > sets with the moves shown on the pieces I do not find this helpful, > especialy in the long term (more than the first month). I think you will > find that almost anyone that can come to understand how to move that > "horse" or "pointy headed" piece in chess can learn the japanese shogi > pieces in short order. Even if they were "forms" Westerners could identify with... I think that would work... But I could be wrong, seeing as I have seen Chinese Chess sets with figures and images and I don't see any Chinese Chess clubs in my area either... > > And while I would very much like to see a profesional "tour" in Denver CO > (my home town), I would much rather see a series of books on shogi in > english taking you from beginner to sho-dan skill level, and a monthly > shogi magazine (in english) covering the latest tournaments and filled with > great games, problems and leasons. I think that active groups of people playing would be the first step. There have to be people who understand enough to want to go and see a professional Shogi player. I will be trying to convince at least a few people that Shogi is a good thing. I will start with my cheaters Games Gang board with the letters and arrows. And I will order a "real" set. Then I will slowly replace the pieces on the board with the "real ones, until without really thinking about it, we'll all be using the Kanji ones. Then maybe with 6 to 12 people playing, maybe that will create interest in my area... Who knows... we'll see what things people think would work best for promoting the game here in the US. Mark :)