Date: Mon, 28 Jul 1997 10:19:54 -0400
From: Amanda Allen (amandal@ctron.com)
Subject: I'm looking for a certain game...
Hi! I'm hoping maybe you or someone on your staff (do you have a staff?) might be able to help me. My boyfriend was reading a book on Japenese strategy games once and came across a board game that we play and like very much. However, we have no idea what the name is...
The board is a 9x9 grid. Both players have 18 pieces - one in each square of the two 'bottom' rows nearest a player (like Checkers). All pieces move like rooks in Chess. When you capture any number of your opponent's pieces in between yours, you take them off the board (like Othello - except they get removed). There are 2 ways to win. One is to remove all of your opponent's pieces and the other is to get 5 of your pieces in a straight line (outside of the original 2 row starting area).
Do you have any idea what the name of this game is and perhaps anything about the history?
Thanks,
Amanda
amandal@ctron.com
Date: Mon, 04 Aug 1997 22:20:29 -0400
From: Daniel U. Thibault (selinur@io.com)
Organization: Centre for Really Weird Studies
Subject: July's Stump The Net
Astonishing! This seems to be an exact description of Ludus Latrunculorum, as it is surmised to have been played by the Romans!
Now *I* wish I knew the story behind that Japanese game...
Daniel U. Thibault
a.k.a. Urhixidur
a.k.a. Bohˇmond de Nicˇe
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 1997 20:18:35 -0700
Subject: July 'stump the net' question
From: Scott Huddleston (scotth@ichips.intel.com)
You're describing Hasami Shogi, which is described in Klutz Press's The Book of Classic Board Games. I've seen it often, so it should be easy to find and must be in print.
It says a move can also be a single jump (which doesn't capture), and right-angle sandwich captures can be made in the corner.
It doesn't say much about history, though.
Enjoy,
Scott
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 1997 17:29:20 -0500
From: Feikema (sfeikema@mach3ww.com)
Subject: net stump
I've heard of the Japanese game, it's called Hasami Shogi. I have the rules in a book somewhere.
The thing I found interesting is it's obvious similarity to Latrunculorum, the Roman game mentioned in your last issue. There is even another version of HS in which the objective is to eliminate the enemy instead of get 5-in-a-row, which is even more similar.
Does anyone know if Hasami Shogi is descended from Latrunculorum, or if they have a common ancestor?