From: "Ignacio Fco. Suárez Boville" <ignacio <at> informaticosmix <dot> com>
Date: 19 mar 2001
Subject: name of the pieces, colours, symbols, notation...

  Yes, the use of "local" names is
unavoidable. As it has been pointed out,
Spanish and Italian names (the original
names for western chess) did not remain and
were translated to English, Russian, etc...
Moreover, some of those translations are
erratic and I personally think that where
merely mistakes (like rook).

  Now, we internationally use those wrong
translations and I don't whink this may
hinder the game in any way. We keep using
our names in Spain (and in Italy they should
be using theirs too). The main problem with
shogi is that there are not enough players to
play it locally so we are more forced to play it
internationally. This is a different case.

  The use of figurine notation when possible
makes it easier for international players. So
far, there is no way to play shogi but
learning those japanese symbols (kanji),
then let's use them as figurine notation. The
main problem is that for some western
people those glyphs look very similar and are
therefore more difficult to learn.

  The idea of colouring beginner sets is not
bad. Leaving the kanji symbols black for
unpromoted pieces and red for promoted
ones, we have room for colouring the rest of
the piece.

  The mixed use of local and japanese names
makes it more difficult for the newcomer. At
least, we have a good vocabulary at Reijer's
page. It would be a neat idea to split it to
make a simpler one for beginners.

  We all insist in making it easier for the
chess players. Experience shows that most if
not every western shogi player plays chess
too. As stated in this list, this discussion is
relevant not only to the names of the pieces,
but to everything related to shogi: squires,
openings, strategies...

P.S.: Are there no public domain TrueType
fonts for shogi pieces?


=============================================
Ignacio F. Suárez Boville


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