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| Three-time Othello world champion Takeshi Murakami
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Takeshi Murakami won the Othello world championship 2000 in Copenhagen to become the oldest player ever to regain the title - despite being a youthful 36 years old. An earlier Murakami reign as champion made rather frightening headlines when he accepted the challenge of the fearsome computer program Logistello and lost 0-6 - a match he has never regretted playing.
This conversation with the Mindzine editor offers a rare glimpse into the thoughts of a top-flight player of one of the world's major mind sports. The blend of modesty, honesty and reflection is a rare mix from someone tough enough to win and regain a world title - his third.
The Mind Sports Zine has secured permission to publish Takeshi Murakami's fascinating feature article on his first title victory and the Logistello challenge - first published in the Japan Quarterly - and hope to bring this to our readers soon.
- Becoming world champion - again - The obstacles to a successful assault on the throne, and how it feels to be a member of the 'old guard' at a relatively tender age: "... I am 36 now, and playing at the world championship is getting more and more physically draining.."
- The decisive moment - In-depth commentary and analysis of the crucial moment in the 2000 World final against Brian Rose. "Rose stared at the board and began to think. He took only a minute to make the next move, but it felt to me like an eternity."
- Othello in the Computer age - A look back at the bold decision to play super-program Logistello, and some thoughts on how the Internet is changing the Othello landscape. I play in tournaments in Tokyo once or twice a month, and nowadays I face many players who have gained most of their experience on line. And I occasionally lose to them!
- Murakami on Murakami - Some facts about the man himself.
Photo: Emmanuel Lazard
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