takodori: Thank YOU! This is it- sorry I didn't log in here for several weeks. This is it exactly.

FromHell: This is a different database, but it contains almost the same information. THANK YOU!

I used to have a link to a database that listed various openings and what professional games they were played in- I used it in conjunction with Grimbergen's pages. I have lost the link- anynoe know what I'm talking about?

How do I send a note to the other player that is on the page where the game is being played?

Any news on who won the third Meijin game?

Fencer: Larry Kaufman- an amateur 5 dan- has a series of articles about the best play with each of the standard handicaps. They are at Mindzine- Google handicap shogi to find them. They were very helpful to me when I started to play shogi last year.

takodori: I can get the page to show up ok. I see the board, BUT when I try to get the pieces to move along the board nothing happens. I have flash player so I dont think that is the problem.

YuryShpilev: Is anyone else having trouble replaying that game? I can get the site to come up- but I can't get the pieces to move across the board. Thank you for telling me who won.

bengood24: I would recommend shogi.net and if you want to learn about handicap Shogi, Google "Handicap Shogi by Larry Kaufman." I hope this helps.

takodori: Thank you for the information about the Chu shogi site. I think the large variations of Shogi are very interesting. I have a question about handicaps though- What exactly is a "3 Lions" handicap? All the rest I understand. Thank you!

takodori: Thank you! That is great news! I think Moriuchi is in fine form to defend his Meijin title. What is your opinion? Has a contender been decided yet to play against him for that title? Thanks again!

takodori: Would you please tell me who won?

Nasmichael: I don't know how to give you a link- I have it in my favorites- but if you type "Takodori's Entrance to Shogi World" in Google you will find it. Hope that works! It's a great site to keep up with pro shogi.

ughaibu: Thank you. I had a chance to see the analysis of this game on Takodori's blog. (And "Thanks" to him for all the work he does!) What an interesting final position. Habu's King has wandered almost to the top of the board- but is safe. While Moriuchi has a Rook, Gold, Silver, Lance, 2 Knights and 3 Pawns in hand- but he can't avoid checkmate in no less than 8 different variations! I love it when Habu and Moriuchi play! The next game is scheduled for March 3rd. I can't wait to see how this plays out.

Does anyone know who won the third Kio between Habu and Moriuchi that was played today? I've seen a link to the game- but I don't read Japanese so I'm not sure who played black or what the outcome was. (I'm hoping that Moriuchi won in a sweep as great preparation to defend his Meijin title!)

Does anyone if the second Kio match game between Habu and Moruichi took place? I went to the site expecting the game to be broadcast and they still have the info from the first game. Was the second game cancelled? Or internet problems?

playBunny: Thank you for the suggestion. I am uncomfortable requesting the game ressume- because I really do feel that would be unfair to everyone in the tournament in general and to Niccar in particular- eventhough he has indicated his willingness to do so. I do not know what happened- it is possible that I resigned without realizing I had done so- perhaps I was confusing it with another game- but now- being as I am confused- I will not pursue it. I wanted to raise the question just in case it ever happens again.
Thank you to everyone for your advice.

playBunny: I have no memory of resigning- But I do distinctly remember making my last move- the Gold. Having considered the situation- it would be unfair to everyone else in the tournament to request the game start again- eventhough Niccar has graciously agreed to do so. But I want to go on record saying I feel a mistake was made- I had no reason to resign- if there had not been so many games at once I would have noticed right away. I apologize for the inconvenince- but I am mystified as to how this happened.

I have a question about my christmas special game with nicar. I dont remember resigning that game and based on the position I dont know why I did. Is it possible that there was a mistake made? My position is precarious- but I made my last move of the gold and then was waiting for nicars next move. Did I time out and not realize it? I obviously lost track of the game- to ask this question so late- But I dont think I resigned. Thank you.

takodori: What do they do at ama tournaments about sennichite? Do they switch colors and replay immediately? If there is time for that- there would also be time for the other? Or not?

lukulus: Lukulus- Welcome back. I'm glad everything worked out.

playBunny: I see. Do days off etc. apply in tournamnets as well?

I am in the Christmas Special tournament and one of my opponents appears to be unable to continue. He has only moved once and will forfeit in a few hours. His rating is almost 300 points above me- so I assume he is an experinced player. Is there someway I can allow him to withdraw, so he does not have to forfeit?

ughaibu: So sennichite is a draw from the position being repeated 3 times- including pieces in hand. Is that correct? I'm not familiar with jishogi.

playBunny: Thank you. I understand now. I thought the middle digit- (15/0/7) was for loses and not draws. That expalins the last question too- because I thought there were too many draws in these stats. (Although I do think the software should be changed to prevent draws from being offered. Just for the sake of the rules.)

What constitutes a counted game? When I see a player's ranking and it says something like 16(15/0/1) that would be 16 counted games, with 15 wins, no losses and 1 draw? Is that correct? Then why do I see lisitngs like 53(51/0/7)? What are the games that are not counted? Does anyone know the average percentage of Shogi games that are draws? I concerned because it appears that players here can agree to draws and I thought that was against the rules of Shogi. Thanks!

emmett: What is the GNU Shogi manual? Is it on line? AND have you taken a look at Tai Shogi? The board is 25x25 with a total of 354 pieces. There is some suggestion that an even larger form of Shogi once existed called "Tai-Kyoku" where the board size was thought to be 36x36! A game with those porportions might take weeks or even months to finish. Maybe we shogi players should revive these games and make them team sports!

emmett: Do you know that you can play all these variants using Steve Evans' Shogi Variants software? It's invaluable because there is complete information on every variant, including the pieces and rules. The only drawback is that the playing strength of some of these larger variants is a little weak- but since everyone is really still a beginner with most of these variants- the strength isn't that important at first anyway.

emmett: I would like to have Chu shogi- there are a few good sites with game kifu and other information about Chu on the net.

ughaibu: Ok- But what is the difference between 4th Dan amateur and 4th Dan pro? I thought it counted down from like 15 kyu to 1 kyu then 1 dan or shodan? Then up tp 9 dan? Like Mouriuchi, Sato, Habu, etc.?

How are the ratings here calculated? Does it relate to the way shogi professional ratings are figured? A similiar system? For example, our best players here are about 2200. So, based on that- what number would Mouriuchi or Habu have? I undretsand how FIDE rates chess players- so I'm wondering if our ratings here relate to the upper ranks of shogi in any way. Thanks!

flummoxed: Have you tried Amazon.com for shogi books? At least two good books for anyone new to shogi.

takodori: Did Watanabe win that game? In 72 moves? I don't read Japanese, so it is sometimes difficult to tell from a final position who has won. It would seem that Kimura had an advantage because of all his pieces in hand. This is one of the aspects of shogi that I am still learning. I always think the player with more peices in hand should win- perhaps I am too dependent on western chess- where a player in that position would most likely win.

ughaibu: Perhaps it is similiar to the vanguard pawn, but in a mino castle somehow? Thank you!

Would someone tell me what a "mino" pawn and "mino" castle are? I"m going over a kifu and the notes tell me to watch the attack on the mino pawn. I have also seen references to a mino castle elsewhere. Thank you.

playBunny: So each time either SG1 Fan or I move, then the clock starts again? The time I see is the total time remaining for the next move to be made? Regardless of whose move it is? I think I understand now. THANK YOU. That explanation was specific and understanable.

DragonKing: I have checked my profile and I see i have 5 vacation days. But, just to clarify- if time runs out- say over night or something like that and It's my turn to move- then afetr all my vacation days are up- I would lose? It seems that to won- all someone has to do is wait till the very last minute and then move- regardless what the situation is on the board. I realize that over the board games always have time limits- but this seems very different to me. My objection is that at least one of my opponents hasn't moved in several days.

playBunny: Thank you for the reply- HOWEVER I don't think I understnad. You said if I don't make A MOVE- you mean to start the game? All these games are in progress- does that mean they must be over by the deadline? I'm trying to undertsand what I have to do not to lose these games. I am not a member. Do I have vacation days? This is very confusing.

I ahve a question about the time limits in the beginner's tournament. Most of my games say 2 days 23 hours right now. What happens when that time is up? I am not a paid member here. Does that make a difference?

I am in this tournament- But I dont undertsand who am I playing in this first round? My main page tells me I am in like 15 games at once? How do I bring up these games to make my moves? When I click on my opponets name- I dont get the game board- instaed I get the chart with the names of all the first and second round people who are in the tournament. How do I start to play?

jolat: Ah Oui! Je comprends maintenant! Merci beaucuop! (Et, je crois que tu parle anglais bien!)

jolat: Yes I downloaded bookbin to the directory of csa- but how do I get those games to come up?

In that post from Manabu- he mentions a file of games that Bonanza can play. Has anyone downloaded those games? I have Bonanza 1.2 with CSA 3.01 and XT 1.22- but when I downloaded the bin file I can't see how to bring up the games for Bonanza to play. Anyone know what I did wrong? Thanks!

Did Habu win the final game of the Oi? So he defended his title? He really does seem unbeatable at times. Makes me fear for Mouriuchi and the Meijin title.

DragonKing: Ah! The Japanese version of, "Give me a break!" Got it! Thank you. I have been trying to find that translation for days now.

So it means "I hope to please you?" In loose translation?

Who won the last game? Did Habu tie the match up? I'm pulling for Sato, eventhough Mouriuchi is my favorite player. Does anyone know what "onegai shimasu" means? I'm told it's part of a ritual greeting at the start of a game. Thanks!