How about a game of Japanese Chess, i.e. Shogi? Now playing Shogi4 — Page 14

darth_ender said:

Perhaps, but you are one tough egg to crack.  I analyzed every possible outcome before having my bishop retreat, and though I could nearly checkmate you, I couldn't quite pull it off, and ultimately would lose material.  I don't mind little sacrifices in chess, but in shogi every loss without a successful gain in position or getting closer to checkmate adds fuel to the furnaces that construct your armies.  You're doing quite well, and I've probably never had so difficult a time breaking through against any player I've gone against.

That's quite a compliment, considering this is only my fourth Shogi game (fifth including the one with Twister).

Nx3g+

 Nx3g

RicOlie_2 said:

darth_ender said:

Perhaps, but you are one tough egg to crack.  I analyzed every possible outcome before having my bishop retreat, and though I could nearly checkmate you, I couldn't quite pull it off, and ultimately would lose material.  I don't mind little sacrifices in chess, but in shogi every loss without a successful gain in position or getting closer to checkmate adds fuel to the furnaces that construct your armies.  You're doing quite well, and I've probably never had so difficult a time breaking through against any player I've gone against.

That's quite a compliment, considering this is only my fourth Shogi game (fifth including the one with Twister).

Good, you should take it as a compliment.  Truthfully, I don't know if anyone has ever played more than two games with me before, so perhaps that might sound deflating, but I mean it when I say I can't believe how quickly you've caught on. :)

Nx3g+

 Nx3g

 S*2f

P*5f

darth_ender said:

RicOlie_2 said:

darth_ender said:

Perhaps, but you are one tough egg to crack.  I analyzed every possible outcome before having my bishop retreat, and though I could nearly checkmate you, I couldn't quite pull it off, and ultimately would lose material.  I don't mind little sacrifices in chess, but in shogi every loss without a successful gain in position or getting closer to checkmate adds fuel to the furnaces that construct your armies.  You're doing quite well, and I've probably never had so difficult a time breaking through against any player I've gone against.

That's quite a compliment, considering this is only my fourth Shogi game (fifth including the one with Twister).

Good, you should take it as a compliment.  Truthfully, I don't know if anyone has ever played more than two games with me before, so perhaps that might sound deflating, but I mean it when I say I can't believe how quickly you've caught on. :)

Well, I certainly enjoy it (definitely more than Chess), so that's a big factor. Being able to play while not under pressure to hurry up and make the next move has certainly helped develop my skills. I much enjoy playing over a long period of time than playing a quick game because I can spend more time analyzing the board and planning ahead.

B-8h+

Man, how to break through that fortress!  In any case, I gotta sign in, though I feel we're nearing the end.  Any picks for our next game?  I'd like to start one of the smaller variants, and I have an idea for some software that can allow you to play a few games not found on the software you currently have.  My thought is that we can start with something like Judkin's shogi, then move to smaller and smaller variants till we get tired of them.  I can't tell you how pleased I am to have a shogi partner who seems to enjoy the game as much as I do.  Thanks for playing with me. :)  Good night, and sorry I can't finish tonight.

darth_ender said:

B-8h+

+Sx8c

Man, how to break through that fortress!  In any case, I gotta sign in, though I feel we're nearing the end.  Any picks for our next game?  I'd like to start one of the smaller variants, and I have an idea for some software that can allow you to play a few games not found on the software you currently have.  My thought is that we can start with something like Judkin's shogi, then move to smaller and smaller variants till we get tired of them.  

Since I haven't played any variants, I'll let you choose.

I can't tell you how pleased I am to have a shogi partner who seems to enjoy the game as much as I do.  Thanks for playing with me. :)

And I'm glad you taught me. I hadn't played much Chess in ages because I lost interest in it, but now I have discovered a new interest in Shogi.

Good night, and sorry I can't finish tonight.

 I'll probably be heading off to bed soon enough as well, so "see you" tomorrow.

L*4f

The larger variants take far too long to play and do not have drops, which is what interests me most about shogi.  They are closer to chess in that a captured piece is permanently removed.  The smaller variants have some interesting rules that keep them challenging in spite of their size, yet they still go pretty quickly.  Tori shogi is pretty popular, but I want to wait to try that one till we've tried smaller ones, as I hope to get some quick games in, and tori is probably a bit longer than the others.  These are the games I'd like to try and the order I suggest we play them:

Judkin's shogi 6x6
Goro goro shogi 5x6
Kyoto shogi 5x5
Mini shogi 5x5
Micro shogi 4x5
Tori shogi 7x7
Chu shogi 12x12

Some of these will be quick and I'd probably like to play a few rounds of them.  But chu will definitely take a long time, when we eventually get to it.

darth_ender said:

L*4f

P*6g

The larger variants take far too long to play and do not have drops, which is what interests me most about shogi.  They are closer to chess in that a captured piece is permanently removed.  The smaller variants have some interesting rules that keep them challenging in spite of their size, yet they still go pretty quickly.  Tori shogi is pretty popular, but I want to wait to try that one till we've tried smaller ones, as I hope to get some quick games in, and tori is probably a bit longer than the others.  These are the games I'd like to try and the order I suggest we play them:

Judkin's shogi 6x6
Goro goro shogi 5x6
Kyoto shogi 5x5
Mini shogi 5x5
Micro shogi 4x5
Tori shogi 7x7
Chu shogi 12x12

Some of these will be quick and I'd probably like to play a few rounds of them.  But chu will definitely take a long time, when we eventually get to it.

 Sounds good. Kyoto, Micro, and Tori Shogi are not included in the BCM Games Shogi, but the other ones are so we can commence a game of Judkin Shogi once we're done this game.

Lx4h+

darth_ender said:

Lx4h+

 Sx4h

+B-7g

I was saving this for the end, but I will teach you where I erred, and what is dragging this game out so long.  In shogi, the pieces are all extremely forward-oriented.  I thought when I dropped my rook to 1d that I could quickly break through your defenses and checkmate you.  But your pieces had you extremely well defended, and even now I still can't break through that way, though I've weakened your front lines.  Better would have been a side assault, as that is a vulnerable direction with most pieces, but not with the rooks.  Often that's how I win at this game: break through the flank opposite the king, then pin him against the side.  You live and you learn, I guess.

darth_ender said:

+B-7g

S-4g

I was saving this for the end, but I will teach you where I erred, and what is dragging this game out so long.  In shogi, the pieces are all extremely forward-oriented.  I thought when I dropped my rook to 1d that I could quickly break through your defenses and checkmate you.  But your pieces had you extremely well defended, and even now I still can't break through that way, though I've weakened your front lines.  Better would have been a side assault, as that is a vulnerable direction with most pieces, but not with the rooks.  Often that's how I win at this game: break through the flank opposite the king, then pin him against the side.  You live and you learn, I guess.

 Well, it can't be that long now before you shatter my defenses. I've lost a lot of pieces and the most I can do is hold you at bay for a few more turns now that you've scattered my pieces.

R-8h

Despite how much I've stolen from you, your defenses are better than you may realize, especially with the undropped pieces.  If I were to try to break through, a couple of strategic drops could set me back drastically.  I'd rather take my time.  Hang in there, tough guy!

darth_ender said:

R-8h

S-5h

Despite how much I've stolen from you, your defenses are better than you may realize, especially with the undropped pieces.  If I were to try to break through, a couple of strategic drops could set me back drastically.  I'd rather take my time.  Hang in there, tough guy!

 Maybe, though I think a couple strategic drops on your part could turn the game around in a hurry.

I wonder what Twister is up to--my game with her isn't going very far right now.

Perhaps.  Still gotta remove at least one piece from its spot.

+P-6i

darth_ender said:

Perhaps.  Still gotta remove at least one piece from its spot.

+P-6i

 I'm taking a bit of a risk here, but I think I would be worse off if I didn't take it.

Sx6i

Sorry, I think we're really close here, but I'm signing in for the night.

Sx3g+

darth_ender said:

Sorry, I think we're really close here, but I'm signing in for the night.

Sx3g+

 I think we're getting close, but unless I do something stupid or you do something really smart, I think I can hold off for another twenty turns or so (granted, that is slightly optimistic, but if I play well...).

S-5h

EDIT: I just realized that after so many lost games of Chess and Shogi my goal is no longer to checkmate my opponent's king, but to rather to survive as long as I can. :P

I don't think you have 20 turns left, but I am a little frustrated at how I've played, as it's taking longer than it should have.

Sx2h+ check (not sure how you mark that in shogi notation)

JEDIT: When you get the chance, would you post a link of our position and include the pieces we both have in hand.  I'm about to head out to work and won't be home till tonight, but I should have time to make a couple of moves while there.

darth_ender said:

I don't think you have 20 turns left, but I am a little frustrated at how I've played, as it's taking longer than it should have.

Well, I was being optimistic, but you're probably right. All you need is a couple well-placed drops and we're done.

Sx2h+ check (not sure how you mark that in shogi notation)

Kx2h

JEDIT: When you get the chance, would you post a link of our position and include the pieces we both have in hand.  I'm about to head out to work and won't be home till tonight, but I should have time to make a couple of moves while there.

 Here it is.

Since the diagram generator doesn't show how many pieces are in hand (captured and ready for dropping), would you mind listing those for each of us as well?  I can't remember.  Thanks :)

JEDIT: You'll hate me for this, but whatever changes you made to the diagram, you forgot to save.  That happened to me a couple of times when I confused you.  After changing the position, you have to click on "Export as URL" on the left.  Then you have to copy and paste the new URL.  Hope that works for you.  Right now I can only see an old position.

Oops, sorry.

You have:

2 Gold Generals,

2 Knights,

and 5 Pawns.

I have:

1 Lance,

1 Silver General,

2 Knights,

and 1 Pawn.

Thanks for that.  See also my JEDIt, since you probably missed it ;)

And here is your link.

EDIT: It's not working, give me a minute.

...OK, I think I've got it now.