Takodori's Entrance to Shogi World

Tsume in 9 or less from pro games

I just posted the fiftieth tsume(mate) problem taken from games played by professional players. It consists a screenshot of the tsume problem position with solution and some annotation by me. If you like to practice tsume problems to be better at the endgame of shogi, please check it out. I think many composed tsume problems are of too much puzzle and unbelievable-looking sacrifice to be often applicable for a real game. By solving these problems extracd from professional games, you are supposed to be able to learn how to deliver checkmate in real situations.

• The 81-Square Universe • View topic - Tsume in 9 or less from pro games.

ISPS started uploading short move tsume problems

ISPS which stands for International Shogi Popularization Society started uploading short move tsume problems from mate in one to five.

• Tsume in one
• Tsume in three
• Tsume in five

"Joseki at a Glance" to be published on October 2

The first book of Shogi Grance Series will be published on October 2 by Nekomado. For more details, please refer to the following page and the press release both in Japanese and English.

• New English Book Series "Glance Shogi Series" is out!!
• Press Release(PDF File)

Kifu database is on again

Kifu database is on again. I hope it will be available permanently.

Kifu database is temporarily down

Kifu database is temporarily down hopefully up to May 29, reportedly due to the fact the that the administrator of the site is moving to Kansai area.

 

Electronic Book of Shogi Sekai Magazine has started since today December 9

Electronic Book of Shogi Sekai magazine has started since today on December 9. It's for iPad. The notable difference compairing with paper version is that you can replay the variation on the diagram as you see in the following short video.

 

Here are the links to the source information and articles in Japanese on this epoch-making endeavor.

• マイコミ[毎日コミュニケーションズ] － ニュースリリース －

• 駒の動きをタッチで再現──将棋専門誌『将棋世界』がiPad向け電子書籍に | ブック | マイコミジャーナル

• 駒の動きをタッチで再現──将棋専門誌『将棋世界』がiPad用電子書籍に | iPad | iPad*iPhone Fan

HIDETCHI's vew video - Oui Hirose vs Ryuo Watanabe

Hidetchi uploaded a new shogi video on YouTube. It's about very interesting game between oui Hirose and Ryuo Watanabe.

 

"Assessing your Strength"

I found the following articles which explain how to participate in the your strength assessment broughted by Mainichi Newspaper web version.

• Assessing your Strength

SHOGI FOUNDATION published a new book titled "Master of Shogi"

I got to know about the publication according to shogifan's post to shogi-l.

• Masters of Shogi

'This collection includes mainly games by Ohashi Sokei III, Ito Sokan II, Ito Kanju, Amano Soho, Kimura, Tsukada, Masuda, Oyama, Naito, Kato, Yonenaga, Nakahara, Tanigawa, Sato, Habu, Moriuchi. 19th Lifetime Meijin Habu gives key comments to each of the 80 games.  The rest of the notes incorporate further professional analysis.

A video of shogi for chess players were uploaded on YouTube

The following video of shogi for chess players was uploaded on YouTube. It's using "International Pieces" and for beginners and/or novices.

Here is the duplication of the description of this video by the author.

This video is the first part in a series of videos that will introduce Shogi, the Japanese form of Chess, to Chess players. This first video introduces some Shogi equipment that is suitable for Chess players who don't know any Japanese, namely my Symbolic set, and it explains why Shogi uses wedge-shaped, double-sided pieces. It does not cover all the rules or even how all the pieces move. I will cover these subjects in subsequent videos.