A shogi player's rant

"What? Shogi again?"

Everytime I read Shogi-related books or play a game of Shogi with my friend, my acquaintances or my friends would say the same words to me. But what they don't know is, everytime they said the very words it would make me feel depressed. Very depressed. Not only that, they would give me this weird look and make sarcasm remarks about it... or just ignore me. Maybe they're just youngsters, or they didn't understand my dream to become a professional Shogi player. Even if I did explain why I work so hard improving my Shogi skills, they would think I'm an idiot chasing after a stupid dream.

Hate to admit it but chess is an un-cool game after all. Not like basketball, badminton, bowling, bowling, swimming, Counter-Strike, Defense of the Ancients (DotA) and etc etc. As long as the activities involved with physical sports and video games, it is considered as a 'cool' thing. Shogi is not a physical sport nor a video game - it is a board game or most 'cool' youngsters would prefer to call it 'bored game'. I myself even do all these 'cool' things before I encounter Shogi. After I have gotten serious about Shogi, I spend most of my time with Shogi and rarely with these 'cool' activities. So why am I playing Shogi since it's un-cool? To be honest, I have no idea. I don't even know why I want to become a professional Shogi player in the first place. What I do know is that's what my heart desires and I want to follow it. Also I have a great passion in Shogi, which itself should have answered why I'm working so hard improving my Shogi skills.

In Malaysia, people are actually looking down on chess games - except chess-lovers. They think it's boring and a waste of time and most importantly 'un-cool'. It just pisses me off when people actually do give bad comments about it. If you're not fond of chess then please let me ask you back the same questions. Why are you playing tennis? It improves your physical strength and endurance? Why it's almost the same thing as Shogi! By playing Shogi we're actually improving our thinking abilities and concentration! What did you just say? By playing tennis it keeps you in shape? But playing Shogi helps us study well in studies! But did you know it's almost impossible to become a professional tennis (or any other sports) player even if you work hard on it? And when you grow old I'll doubt you will have the same strength/skills as you do when you're young. In Shogi, it is possible to become a professional if you work hard on it and your skills won't deterioate even when you grow old. Unless you are aiming to be an athlete, then I would have nothing to say against you.

Now to all the video gamers. Let me ask you something. How does a video game helps you in your life? Maple Story? DotA? Counter-Strike? Please tell me how. And I'm highly positive that you're not going to play the same game forever in your life. Video games are just something for you to waste away your leisure or boring times and does not benefit you in any ways. Well, except that you will get more friends/conversations since you're playing a temporary 'cool' game. Next time please think about the things you have done before commenting me about playing Shogi.

Enough questioning. But what I don't understand is why people think it's stupid every time I said I'm going to be a professional? It is something illegal? It is something stupid? It is something that is impossible to achieve? Or is it just because it is 'un-cool'? I actually have some people mocking at me just because I said it is my dream to become a professional. Shogi is a proper mind sport. Unless I said I'm going to be a yoyo professional or a 'Magic the Gathering' professional, then I would understand why people are laughing at me.

That's all for my rant. To all the chess-players in the world. Have you ever experience something similar like mine where people mock or tease you when you said you are going to become a professional chess player? Please share your thoughts and opinions with me.

Nevertheless I am going to continue chasing after my dream no matter what people said about Shogi.

Regards,
Ryou Takehito