Chu Shogi set for sale (v.rare - made by the late George Hodges)

[Ian Stanley]

Reason for selling

I am selling off my collection of rare Shogi sets due to a change in lifestyle [ I want to start cycling and (i). I need to raise funds for a new road bike and (ii). the only place I can store it is clogged up with my collection of chess variants from around the world - which my wife has wanted me to get rid of for years] .

I have just sold my Tai Shogi set after only a day on eBay. If you are interested do take the time to look at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment

I thought I would inform the shogi list opportunity of purchasing this rare item as I am listing it on eBay

Chu Shogi  (or Middle Shogi)  (As new condition, extremely rare) Own a bit of chess history.  Chu Shogi is one the largest chess variant of any kind with 27 pieces per side and was devised in the 16th century. It's pieces all come from the animal kingdom which adds a nice theme to the game.  A BOOKLET CONTAINING FULL INSTRUCTIONS IN ENGLISH ARE INCLUDED Also included is the Middle Shogi Manual CD  (The main reference work on Chu Shogi - also written by George) This set was designed and hand made by the late George Hodges.  The pieces are made hand made from resin and the board is a hard-wearing vinyl that rolls up for convenience into it's own storage tube. Label on storage tube betrays it's age but contents are in mint condition and have been stored in a dry safe environment. George Hodges started promoting shogi in 1970's long pefore the Internet became popular. According Aono(9-dan) who visited London and met him in 1980,  he was very surprised, at that time, that there was a person who was much more than a shogi fan, publishing a shogi book for beginners, issuing bi-monthly shogi magazine in English, studying not only shogi but also old shogi variants, making those shogi sets by himself, and so forth. This hand made set by George has remained unplayed in my collection. The original storage tube shows some signs of age to the label  but the board, pieces and instruction booklet is in mint condition. It has been stored in a dry clean environment since purchase. I will consider offers

item for sale here  http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170660245108

rules http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chu_shogi  but rule booklet and pdf book will be supplied with sale