You Better, You Better, You Best
by Jake Jacobs
10 December 2009
Jake Jacobs
Yoshiharu Habu, aka just plain Habu, has the highest IQ in Japan. Truth be told (and would I lie to you?) I doubt anyone can really know who has the highest IQ in Japan, but the Japanese think Habu is ichiban. There is no doubt that he is a brilliant fellow. He came to fame as a shogi prodigy. Shogi is an Oriental game often referred to as the Japanese version of chess. Habu is the greatest shogi player of all time. Among his many accomplishments is winning all seven majors, a feat that is his alone. Calling him the "Babe Ruth of shogi" would be to damn him with faint praise.
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1.
Subject: Re: You Better, You Better, You Best
From:
Rockwell
Date:
10 Dec 2009 15:48 EST
Thanks for the attention Jake, especially for landing Linda. Update your address card on me. I've been playing at the Chicago Bar Point Club ever since you left town and I realized I wouldn't have to face you there.
2.
Subject: Re: You Better, You Better, You Best
From:
tobaksa
Date:
10 Dec 2009 20:34 EST
Hi David:
Next time I'm in town I'll know who to call for directions to the Bar Point's current location.
Happy Holidays!
Jake
3.
Subject: Re: You Better, You Better, You Best
From:
bazooka
Date:
11 Dec 2009 16:47 EST
The best backgammon player ever to achieve table tennis success has to be Dick Miles. He won the US Table Tennis Championship 10 times. Even though his greatest success was during the hard bat era, you have to measure success against your peers. Another name that comes to mind is Sam Ahmed. I think he played for the Egyptian national team. And talking about great athletes with catlike reflexes, how about Paul Weaver. I remember him as an 1800 player with a 2400 serve and a 1200 rating for the rest of his game. Paul was always an expert when it came to openings.
4.
Subject: Re: You Better, You Better, You Best
From:
Timothy075931
Date:
21 Dec 2009 22:32 EST
Great article! I would love to know who you would pick for Othello (David Rockwell?) and checkers.
For table tennis, I must admit that I would not have expected a North American. I would have expected an East Asian or possibly a European. Maybe you're just not that familiar with table tennis outside of North America?
5.
Subject: Re: You Better, You Better, You Best
From:
tobaksa
Date:
22 Dec 2009 03:47 EST
Hi Timothy:
I don't know who the best Othello player is (David, I know, is good). Of course Masanori uses the name Othello online, so I have a feeling he might be good.
As for table tennis I don't think any of the Asian international players play backgammon. So Bob Glass's nominee Dick Miles, who was the US champion ten times seems like a solid bet.
Best,
Jake
6.
Subject: Re: You Better, You Better, You Best
From:
Easytake
Date:
01 Jan 2010 21:56 EST
Tobias Christensen is an IM in chess with a FIDE rating of 2352 but as far as I know he rarely plays backgammon anymore.
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