Xie Yimin Took the Lead

The third title match of 27th Female Honinbo has been played.Xie Yimin, the title holder won against Suzuki Ayumi, the challenger by 1.5 points.

The game was peaceful. No big fight or semeai on the board. I think Xie Yimin won the game in the yose. He played a probe at move 159, which then allowed her to split Suzuki Ayumi's group (eventhough she lost sente as the result).

Xie Yimin (B) vs. Suzuki Ayumi (W), B+1.5, up to move 53

It seems that Xie Yimin is back to her shape. After lost to Suzuki Ayumi in the first title match, she won the last 2 matches. Recently she won a gold medal with her partner, Zhou Junxun, in the 1st World Mind Sports Games (WMSG) for C.Taipei in the Mixed Pair division.

Suzuki Ayumi, along with Aoki Kikuyo and Koyama Terumi also won a medal for Japan in that tournament. They won bronze medal in Teams Women division.
The fourth game will be played in November, 5.