I haven't updated much this year because there's been hardly any news about the Louisiana shogi scene, aside from introducing the game to a few friends who weren't very interested in becoming serious players.
However, like I did last year, I attended the Mechacon anime convention (this time in New Orleans, LA), and I hosted a How to Play Shogi panel once again.
Many things went wrong about the panel. Firstly, I forgot the reference sheets I had printed to hand out at home. I was also supposed to be given a panel room with a projector so I could make presentations with BCMShogi, but for some reason I was moved without anyone in charge being told, so I ended up having to do the same thing I did last year: Simply explain the rules with my boards, but thankfully I brought along a copy of John Fairbairn's Shogi for Beginners which helped with a lot of my attendees' questions.
Overall, it went better than I expected. Once again, about 25-30 people showed up for the panel, including several people who attended my panel last year. One of my repeat attendees, Thomas, was kind enough to help me explain the rules for people who couldn't see the board I was using.
Thomas, I learned, became so interested in shogi after my panel last year that he went home and watched many of Hidetchi's videos to try to learn how to play the game, but he had no one to play with. We've traded contact information, and I hope to play with him soon.
Another repeat attendee of mine, Chris, was interested by my panel last year but didn't get a chance to play, so he went home and read the rules on Wikipedia. He was so fascinated by the game that he made his own shogi set and has taught about 10 people how to play the game, including his roommate whom he often plays games with. He told me he is trying to start a shogi club in Baton Rouge! I'm so glad I've finally found another person who wants to popularize shogi in Louisiana! We spent a long time discussing holding the first Louisiana tournament.
Here are some photos from the end of the panel when a few people stayed behind to play with each other:
Two of the attendees playing their first game of shogi. Thomas is commenting on the game like he did last year.
One of the above pictured players making a move.
Seven of the thirteen people who stayed after the panel to play with each other.
Chris and Vincent decided to play a game on BCMShogi when the boards were full.
Chris and Vincent playing on BCMShogi.
Even though it was almost a disaster with the convention making mistakes with my room request, it turned out to be several times better than last year's panel! And I've met three Louisianians who are very interested in the game, so now I know I'm no longer alone! I'm starting to see the fruits of my labor, and maybe soon I'll finally be able to host Louisiana's first shogi tournament!
