From: Eric Cheymol <shogi <at> FREE <dot> FR>

Subject: Habu's magical tour in Paris (round 9)

Here are my comments after the last round ;

A great fighting spirit has been shown during all the tournament. Even 
for this last round. Well, except perhaps for both leaders Marcelin et 
Guidarelli who prefer to share the point after 27 moves. But this game 
was really important for both.

No draw without fighting for the GM neither : Lupu lose a second game in 
a row against Mark Taimanov. Inkiov plays all his chances but can not 
break the good defense of Yoshiharu Habu, despite the win in the middle 
game of the queen against rook, knight and pawn.

After a big suspense, the french IM Cyril Marcelin confirms his 
ambitions and wins the tournament alone.

1. Marcelin, 6,5 out of 9
2-3. Guidarelli, Inkiov, 6 points
4. Bonnet, 5 points
5-6. Habu, Taimanov, 4,5 points
7-8. Lupu, Midoux, 4 points
9. Serafimov, 2,5 points
10. Marchand, 2 points

To summarize Yoshiharu Habu's performance in this tournament : he gets a 
good win against the winner of the tournament, draws twice against two 
GM, and his fantastic start gave all hopes to the numerous Japanese who 
followed the tournament in live despite the jet lag. Rounds 7 and 8 
showed all IM norm hopes vanish, despite an advantage on the board.

This tournament, organized with a grand master's hand by Joël Lautier, 
will stay as a great chess - shogi event for all. Many chess players 
have shown some interest for shogi : the main chess database editor 
ChessBase has just published an article about the event 
<http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=314>. And many Japanese 
have followed with a great interest the chess games of Yoshiharu Habu.

A TV team has followed the event from the beginning to the end. For 
those who can get Japanese TV channels, give a look at the programs 
around end of june / beginning of july.

Before flying back to Japan on wednesday evening, Yoshiharu Habu will 
give a simul in the Ambassy of Japan in Paris, you still have the time 
to be there.

Last report of the "Habu's magical tour in Paris" tomorrow evening with 
this simul, I will be able to take new photographs too :-), if I am not 
too busy with my game.

Best shogi and chess wishes,

Eric Cheymol

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