Cho U Broke the Spell

It seems that Cho U finally broke the spell cast on him. He is the current top player in Japan with multiple titles and only few players can took him down. But one player has very positive result gainst him. He stole Meijin and Ryusei from Cho's hand last year. Yup, it is Iyama Yuta.

Cho seems to be weak against Iyama recently. He lost his Meijin title by 4-1 score (all lost by resignation) and lost at Ryusei final by 3.5 points to Iyama.


Cho U(left) vs. Iyama (right) at 2009 Meijin.

However, Cho successfully broke the spell by winning the game between the two of them at the second round main tournament of 36th Tengen sen. Cho won the game by resignation.

Sadly I can't find the game record.

New Go Forum

There is a new go forum called Life In 19X19

Seems to be a blog that try to cover the problem old forum Go Discussions has (which seem to be worse)...

FII Survival Team Tournament

Recently Indonesia Igo Federation (it's called FII here) held an online team tournament. It's a team tournament using win and continue system, like the one Nongshim and Jeongganjang use.

I also enter the tournament. The first game is between Mr. Edy and me. Luckily I won the game by 6.5 points ^ ^

Here is my review over the game:

(;CA[utf-8]ST[2]RU[Japanese]OT[5x30 byo-yomi]GM[1]C[Biondy [1k\]\: halo
EdyLie [-\]\: onegaishimashu
Biondy [1k\]\: onegaishimasu
]
AP[CGoban:3]SZ[19]FF[4]DT[2010-04-25]PC[The KGS Go Server at http\://www.gokgs.com/]
PB[Biondy]BR[1k]PW[EdyLie]KM[6.5]TM[3600]RE[B+6.50]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd]BL[3587.02];W[dd]WL[3595.48];B[pq]BL[3583.2];W[dp]WL[3592.25];B[qk]BL[3580.7]
;W[po]WL[3585.39]LB[mp:A][mq:B][nq:C][gq:D]C[It's usually considered bad to approach from this side. A-D is more usual.]
;B[np]BL[3576.7];W[qq]WL[3563.14];B[qr]BL[3573.31];W[qp]WL[3561.93];B[or]BL[3568.78]
;W[qm]WL[3531.86];B[ok]BL[3559.07]SQ[qm][po][qp][qq]C[White's position is narrow. This is why the approach considered bad.]
;W[nn]WL[3522.03];B[cf]BL[3547.83];W[fc]WL[3518.35];B[bd]BL[3543.87];W[cc]WL[3516.54]
;B[ci]BL[3541.16]
(;W[id]WL[3512.13]C[Perhaps should play in aother place...];B[mc]BL[3534.93];W[cm]
WL[3508.84];B[iq]BL[3503.94];W[fq]WL[3503.37];B[cp]BL[3451.72];W[co]WL[3493.54]
;B[dq]BL[3447.91];W[cq]WL[3490.58];B[ep]BL[3443.97];W[bp]WL[3483.28];B[eq]BL[3442.55]
C[The exchange is favorable for black.];W[eo]WL[3475.57];B[fp]BL[3439.66];W[hp]
WL[3470.56];B[hq]BL[3431.72];W[gp]WL[3464.56];B[gq]BL[3425.26];W[fo]WL[3463.01]
;B[fr]BL[3423.8];W[jp]WL[3455.26];B[ip]BL[3421.08];W[io]WL[3453.89];B[jo]BL[3419.57]
;W[in]WL[3451.01];B[ko]BL[3417.72];W[qc]WL[3420.13]C[Dubious invasion. This invasion helps black to strenghten his position.]
;B[qd]BL[3393.4];W[rd]WL[3415.05];B[re]BL[3390.31];W[rc]WL[3413.3];B[qf]BL[3387.49]
;W[ob]WL[3404.63];B[pc]BL[3361.84];W[pb]WL[3402.47]
(;B[kd]BL[3359.36]C[A slack move. I try to solidify this side. Perhaps iken tobi os better.]
;W[nd]WL[3398];B[nc]BL[3356.05];W[oc]WL[3396.87];B[od]BL[3353.9];W[md]WL[3392.82]
;B[ld]BL[3350.03];W[mf]WL[3385.94];B[kg]BL[3334.95];W[mh]WL[3383.85];B[ng]BL[3331.64]
;W[mg]WL[3380.85];B[ki]BL[3329.84];W[mk]WL[3375.23];B[nj]BL[3326.1];W[mj]WL[3373.58]
;B[ni]BL[3305.99];W[mi]WL[3369.84];B[ih]BL[3280.84];W[kf]WL[3351.97];B[jf]BL[3272.32]
;W[je]WL[3345.83];B[lf]BL[3267.22];W[ke]WL[3342.73];B[le]BL[3265.74];W[nf]WL[3334.03]
;B[lg]BL[3259.2];W[nh]WL[3331.84]SQ[kd][ld][le][lf][lg][kg][jf][ih][ki][mc][nc]
C[I damaged this side and my group is not settled...];B[ph]BL[3252.46];W[if]WL[3325.4]
;B[jg]BL[3241.81];W[nk]WL[3304.86];B[ol]BL[3231.68];W[oh]WL[3302.07];B[pi]BL[3228.27]
;W[pg]WL[3296.52];B[qg]BL[3226.65];W[nl]WL[3289.33];B[bc]BL[3213.26];W[bb]WL[3286.16]
;B[cd]BL[3206.91];W[dc]WL[3282.11];B[ab]BL[3203.03];W[cb]WL[3280.76]
(;B[rr]BL[3200.98]LB[ck:A]C[Maybe extension at A is better];W[dj]WL[3266.63];B[cj]
BL[3197.51];W[ck]WL[3260.47];B[ik]BL[3186.35];W[hj]WL[3257.72];B[ij]BL[3169.9];W[hk]
WL[3253.08];B[hi]BL[3164.03];W[di]WL[3249.04];B[hl]BL[3150.66];W[ch]WL[3246.22]
;B[bh]BL[3148.11];W[cg]WL[3232.19];B[bg]BL[3145.43];W[il]WL[3221.4];B[gj]BL[3142.49]
;W[gk]WL[3220.08];B[fk]BL[3141.01];W[gl]WL[3219.06];B[fl]BL[3139.87];W[gm]WL[3217.9]
;B[fi]BL[3138.39];W[gh]WL[3213.67];B[gi]BL[3135.3];W[bk]WL[3198.22];B[bi]BL[3109.33]
;W[lb]WL[3193.74]
(;B[kb]BL[3091.29]C[A mistake...];W[lc]WL[3186.71];B[kc]BL[3089.65];W[mb]WL[3185.12]
;B[ic]BL[3079.46];W[hc]WL[3182.76];B[ib]BL[3077.47];W[hb]WL[3180.68];B[om]BL[3063.47]
;W[on]WL[3173.57];B[rl]BL[3051.96];W[rm]WL[3170.12];B[jd]BL[3003.05];W[ie]WL[3167.19]
;B[dh]BL[2967.61];W[ef]WL[3127.15];B[dg]BL[2943.69];W[dm]WL[3083.05];B[gf]BL[2933.25]
;W[fg]WL[3068.23];B[hg]BL[2922.45];W[ge]WL[3063.69];B[ff]BL[2917.43];W[hf]WL[3052.22]
;B[gg]BL[2915.46];W[fe]WL[3047.78];B[eg]BL[2909.7];W[df]WL[3039.84];B[sm]BL[2880.27]
;W[sn]WL[3038];B[sl]BL[2877.51];W[ro]WL[3036.56];B[cr]BL[2834.23];W[br]WL[3031.47]
;B[dr]BL[2829.24];W[lo]WL[3021.87];B[lp]BL[2825.68];W[mp]WL[3015.24];B[mo]BL[2814.8]
;W[ln]WL[3012.65];B[mq]BL[2810.81];W[jn]WL[3007.05];B[kp]BL[2808.5]
(;W[jk]WL[3001.25]LB[jl:A]C[A is better. There is no aji that black can use like in the real game.]
;B[jj]BL[2796.28];W[kk]WL[2998.59];B[kn]BL[2794.7];W[km]WL[2976.37];B[lm]BL[2737.19]
;W[mn]WL[2969.48];B[jm]BL[2733.85];W[kl]WL[2940.14];B[im]BL[2719.88];W[jl]WL[2894.99]
;B[ho]BL[2715.58];W[hn]WL[2891.43];B[go]BL[2714.02];W[gn]WL[2889.84];B[nm]BL[2712.45]
;W[mm]WL[2887.76];B[ha]BL[2709.21];W[ga]WL[2885.19];B[ia]BL[2707.14];W[fb]WL[2883.95]
;B[pf]BL[2703.74];W[ql]WL[2881.11];B[rk]BL[2701.75];W[oi]WL[2878.13];B[oj]BL[2699.99]
;W[og]WL[2869.56];B[aj]BL[2693.88];W[ak]WL[2863.88];B[ek]BL[2691.4];W[dk]WL[2862.5]
;B[fm]BL[2686.69];W[fn]WL[2859.07];B[bs]BL[2682.57];W[ar]WL[2856.93];B[sp]BL[2662.91]
;W[rq]WL[2837.59];B[sq]BL[2660.82];W[no]WL[2835.75];B[mp]BL[2655.57];W[op]WL[2833.72]
;B[oq]BL[2645.7];W[pm]WL[2812.84];B[so]BL[2622.87];W[rn]WL[2808.78];B[sd]BL[2615.96]
;W[sc]WL[2805.1];B[se]BL[2614.53];W[oe]WL[2801.26];B[pe]BL[2608.96];W[kj]WL[2795.72]
;B[li]BL[2603.54];W[ei]WL[2780.84];B[em]BL[2571.12];W[eh]WL[2775.41];B[fh]BL[2568.12]
;W[lh]WL[2756.2];B[kh]BL[2563.25];W[lj]WL[2743.49];B[de]BL[2541.9];W[ee]WL[2741.25]
;B[ce]BL[2540.33];W[pk]WL[2728.47];B[pj]BL[2537.07];W[pl]WL[2727.16];B[la]BL[2519.41]
;W[ma]WL[2719.01];B[ka]BL[2517.61];W[rp]WL[2685.59];B[sr]BL[2491.59];W[ej]WL[2643.36]
;B[fj]BL[2488.52];W[en]WL[2641.01];B[dl]BL[2462.22];W[cl]WL[2639.03]
(;B[el]BL[2456.77]LB[bj:A]C[A mistake. I can gain 2 or 3 points better by playing A.]
;W[bj]WL[2637.69];B[ai]BL[2453.9];W[as]WL[2634.4];B[cs]BL[2451.47];W[me]WL[2628.28]
;B[of]BL[2440.93];W[pp]WL[2621.44];B[ne]BL[2435.28];W[qj]WL[2616.84];B[rj]BL[2433]
;W[oe]WL[2615.44];B[ac]BL[2426.36];W[ba]WL[2610.53]
(;B[qi]BL[2412.71]LB[qh:A]C[A silly mistake =_=
I thought my stones will be captured if white cuts at A!!]
;W[ig]WL[2597.49];B[ne]BL[2361.61];W[ji]WL[2582.95];B[ii]BL[2357.95];W[oe]WL[2582.05]
;B[aa]BL[2350.59];W[ne]WL[2580.4];B[]BL[2350.59];W[]WL[2580.4]TB[sf][ag][cg][fg]
[rg][sg][ah][ch][gh][jh][qh][rh][sh][hh][ji][ri][si][qj][sj][sk][gp][hp][jp][fq]
[jq][kq][lq][nq][er][gr][hr][ir][jr][kr][lr][mr][nr][pr][ds][fs][gs][hs][is][ae]
[js][ks][ls][ms][ns][os][ps][qs][rs][ss][ja][jb][jc][ad][es][be][qe][af][bf][rf]
TW[ca][da][ea][fa][na][oa][pa][qa][ra][sa][db][eb][gb][qb][rb][sb][ec][gc][mc][nc]
[ed][fd][gd][hd][he][ng][lk][al][bl][hl][ll][ml][am][bm][hm][im][jm][lm][an][bn]
[cn][dn][qn][ao][bo][do][oo][qo][ap][cp][aq][bq][pn][nb]C[I didn't play well in this game =_=

Hopefully I can do better in the second game.])
(;B[aa];W[qh];B[qi];W[ri]
(;B[rh]LB[qj:A]C[Definitely not connecting at A!!])
(;B[qj];W[rh]SQ[pi][pj][ni][nj][oj][ok][ol][om][nm][ph][qi][rj][qj][qk][rk][rl]
[sl][sm]C[Black will be captured.])))
(;B[bj];W[pp];B[of];W[ne];B[el];W[ba];B[ac];W[as];B[cs]C[This way I got two points better.]))
(;W[jl];B[kn];W[km]))
(;B[lc];W[jb];B[jl];W[im];B[kk]))
(;B[ck]SQ[fo][eo][cm][co][io][in][hp][gp][dp][cq][bp][ih][jg][jf][kg][lg][ki][lf]
[le][kd][ld][mc][nc]C[It reduces white's wall and help my group on the right.]))
(;B[me]))
(;W[nc];B[pf];W[jd]C[I'm thinking about this])
(;W[gq]C[Or this]))

Chen Yaoye Defended Tianyuan

Chen Yaoye (Tianyuan) successfully defended his title from challenger Gu Li. He won the third game with white stone by resignation. An interesting similarity between Tianyuan (which means Tengen) with the last Tengen title match is the fact that all games were won by one color. In Tengen, Black won all the game by resignation, while in Tianyuan, it is white who won all the game by resignation.


Chen Yaoye

Here is the game record:

(;
KM[7.5]
EV[24th Tianyuan title match 3]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PB[Gu Li]
DT[2010-04-23]
BR[Mingren]
RE[W+R]
WR[Tianyuan]
PW[Chen Yaoye]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[co];W[ck];B[cf];W[ce];B[df];W[fd];B[fp]
;W[ep];B[eo];W[fq];B[gp];W[gq];B[hp];W[hq];B[ip];W[jq];B[ci];W[ek]
;B[ei];W[gk];B[hc];W[eb];B[cq];W[cr];B[nc];W[qj];B[qh];W[qm];B[oq]
;W[id];B[hd];W[he];B[ge];W[hf];B[gd];W[md];B[mc];W[kd];B[gi];W[kg]
;B[ij];W[en];B[dp];W[eq];B[fn];W[dn];B[do];W[fm];B[gn];W[gm];B[cm]
;W[dl];B[pl];W[ql];B[pj];W[pk];B[ok];W[qk];B[pi];W[ol];B[qe];W[nk]
;B[oj];W[nl];B[il];W[cn];B[bn];W[bm];B[br];W[bp];B[bo];W[bq];B[bl]
;W[dm];B[kc];W[ic];B[pn];W[pm];B[am];W[hl];B[ld];W[le];B[lc];W[je]
;B[lq];W[im];B[bk];W[qq];B[pq];W[rp];B[rq];W[qo];B[qr];W[bf];B[bg]
;W[be];B[fc];W[rh];B[rg];W[ri];B[me];W[mf];B[ne];W[rf];B[qg];W[ec]
;B[fe];W[sg];B[jr];W[iq];B[qf];W[bh];B[cg];W[cp];B[kr];W[hi];B[mi]
;W[gh];B[fh];W[gj];B[gg];W[fi];B[hh];W[gi];B[hg];W[lg];B[if];W[ie]
;B[ro];W[rn];B[sp];W[fg];B[eh];W[gf];B[ff];W[ih];B[ig];W[jg];B[eg]
;W[lj];B[mj];W[lk];B[jm];W[jl];B[kl];W[ik];B[jk];W[jn];B[km];W[kn]
;B[mm];W[mn];B[nn];W[mo];B[li];W[ki];B[nm];W[np];B[mk];W[ml];B[ll]
;W[kj];B[po];W[mr];B[ii];W[jh];B[il];W[ln];B[lm];W[jl];B[lp];W[nq]
;B[il];W[jf];B[fg];W[jl];B[sn];W[sm];B[il];W[jc];B[no];W[kq];B[or]
;W[lr];B[nr];W[mq];B[cc];W[bb];B[in];W[jl];B[op];W[kp];B[il];W[se]
;B[re];W[jl];B[om];W[qn];B[sf];W[il];B[ag];W[rf];B[af];W[bc];B[sf]
;W[cj];B[bj];W[rf];B[sk];W[so];B[jo];W[ko];B[sn];W[rk];B[sf];W[sh]
;B[sl];W[so];B[ae];W[ad];B[sn];W[sj];B[rm];W[rl];B[ed];W[dc])

1st Female Mingren

The 1st Female Mingren is on! You can see result,photos, and game records in Women In Go

Tianyuan Went to Third Game

The 24th Chinese Tianyuan went all the way to the third and decisive game after title holder, Chen Yaoye won the second game by resignation.


Chen Yaoye (left) vs. Gu Li (right)

Gu Li the challenger won the first game by resignation. He opened the game by playing low Chinese as white. A difficult battle arose in the center when Chen attacked white's weak group. However, Gu Li successfully alive after a long fight. Chen resigned at move 224.

Here is the game record:

(;
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
EV[24th Tianyuan title match 1]
GM[1]
PW[Gu Li]
WR[Mingren]
PB[Chen Yaoye]
BR[Tianyuan]
RE[W+R]
DT[2010-04-20]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[oq];W[ck];B[jc];W[qf];B[nd];W[rd];B[qg]
;W[qc];B[rf];W[ob];B[re];W[mc];B[gc];W[ec];B[ip];W[gq];B[co];W[cp]
;B[ep];W[go];B[dl];W[dk];B[ek];W[el];B[dp];W[cq];B[dn];W[fr];B[ej]
;W[fl];B[cl];W[ci];B[fn];W[di];B[gj];W[hl];B[ij];W[fo];B[eo];W[gn]
;B[bl];W[hi];B[gk];W[fh];B[in];W[fm];B[il];W[qo];B[qm];W[pp];B[pq]
;W[qn];B[rm];W[on];B[op];W[rp];B[po];W[pn];B[rq];W[pl];B[qj];W[ml]
;B[ce];W[cd];B[ef];W[cf];B[eh];W[ei];B[fi];W[fg];B[dj];W[gi];B[cj]
;W[fj];B[fk];W[pj];B[qi];W[mo];B[cg];W[bf];B[bg];W[bj];B[eg];W[de]
;B[ff];W[fi];B[hf];W[bk];B[en];W[im];B[jl];W[jm];B[km];W[kn];B[bh]
;W[bi];B[ll];W[jn];B[mm];W[jh];B[nl];W[mk];B[nk];W[mj];B[nn];W[no]
;B[nj];W[kk];B[kl];W[oo];B[gg];W[ge];B[fe];W[jj];B[gl];W[gm];B[hk]
;W[ii];B[hm];W[ln];B[ki];W[mi];B[lh];W[mh];B[lk];W[lg];B[kh];W[kg]
;B[kj];W[mg];B[ig];W[ji];B[lm];W[jk];B[lj];W[jg];B[pi];W[qk];B[md]
;W[je];B[id];W[kd];B[nc];W[nb];B[pc];W[pb];B[lc];W[mb];B[le];W[ke]
;B[kc];W[ie];B[he];W[lf];B[rk];W[pp];B[qq];W[io];B[if];W[jf];B[lq]
;W[bp];B[bn];W[df];B[dg];W[gb];B[fb];W[fc];B[hc];W[og];B[oh];W[nf]
;B[kp];W[hn];B[eq];W[er];B[hp];W[oj];B[ni];W[fq];B[rb];W[qb];B[hr]
;W[pg];B[qe];W[sd];B[nh];W[ik];B[hl];W[hj];B[ga];W[mq];B[mr];W[lp]
;B[kq];W[hq];B[iq];W[eb];B[hb];W[ea];B[pf];W[fd];B[gd];W[nq];B[np]
;W[mp];B[nr];W[lb];B[kb];W[ph];B[oi];W[pm];B[ql];W[pk];B[qd];W[rc]
;B[sn];W[ro];B[sq];W[rn])

The second game was played at April 22. Gu Li who played black chose to play territorially in the opening.


Move 27 is rare. Usually black play at D14. Black tried to save his stone at move 84, though it turned out to be problematic for him. Chen separated the group and attacked black's weak group strongly. He even sacrificed his group in the left side (C11 group) and a group of 14 stones to kill black's weak group! An excellent game by white.

Here is the game record:

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[24th Chinese Tianyuan Game 2]PB[Gu Li]
BR[9p]PW[Chen Yaoye]WR[9p]KM[7.5]RE[White+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dp];B[fq];W[ip];B[cq];W[dq];B[cp];W[do];B[dr];W[er];B[cr];W[eq]
;B[cn];W[op];B[oq];W[nq];B[pq];W[np];B[qn];W[om];B[fr];W[fp];B[fc];W[hc];B[dg];W[ec]
;B[cd];W[cc];B[ce];W[fd];B[bc];W[cb];B[dn];W[en];B[em];W[fn];B[es];W[gq];B[gr];W[hq]
;B[fm];W[gm];B[gl];W[ci];B[ch];W[ei];B[gn];W[hm];B[fo];W[eo];B[go];W[gp];B[co];W[ep]
;B[hl];W[im];B[fh];W[bh];B[bg];W[fi];B[gh];W[fk];B[hj];W[eh];B[eg];W[dh];B[cg];W[ck]
;B[ir];W[hr];B[hs];W[jq];B[jr];W[kq];B[jc];W[ff];B[fl];W[dl];B[bb];W[nc];B[gc];W[gd]
;B[hb];W[gb];B[fb];W[ib];B[ga];W[ic];B[jb];W[ia];B[eb];W[jd];B[lc];W[ne];B[le];W[ig]
;B[kf];W[je];B[oc];W[md];B[ld];W[mb];B[lb];W[ob];B[jh];W[jg];B[kh];W[ih];B[jj];W[qc]
;B[dj];W[kg];B[ek];W[lh];B[pg];W[re];B[mg];W[mf];B[gi];W[pi];B[rf];W[qe];B[oi];W[oj]
;B[oh];W[pj];B[nj];W[li];B[mi];W[lj];B[mk];W[qm];B[ok];W[pk];B[lg];W[ji];B[ol];W[pl]
;B[nm];W[on];B[kl];W[lk];B[ll];W[ml];B[nf];W[ng];B[iq];W[mm];B[hp];W[db];B[pn];W[rm]
;B[mn];W[lm];B[oo];W[nl];B[no];W[po];B[mp];W[pp];B[qo];W[nr];B[or];W[lq];B[ko];W[ln])

The third game is played today, Let see who will won the title today.

LG Cup Preliminary

The LG Cup is back. The big event hosted by Lucky Goldstar company along with Chosun Ilbo is back with its 15th edition. Players from South Korea, China, Japan, and Taiwan gathered for a one week prelim in Korea.



So far the prelim already entered semi-final. There are lot of surprises this year.
Three amateur players made it to the semi-final and 5 female players made it through so far. Quite an unusual number.

Kang Seungmin is the first ama in the semi-final. He beat Ryu Shikun (9 dan and ex-title holder) from Japan in the second round, he he beat Kim Donghee (2 dan) of Korea to made his way.

In Sangyoun is the second ama. He won from 3 pro players to won his semi-final seat. Honestly, I don't know many about the pros he beat, so I can't compare Kang and him.

The last ama is Kim Namhoon. He beat Kim Younghwan (9 dan) of Korea and Tan Xiao (3 dan) of China.

Many low dan (1-3 dan) players also made it to the semi-final.

Cai Jing (2 dan) of China is one of them. He'll play Han Sanghoon (4 dan) of Korea in the semi-final. Han is more famous than Cai, so perhaps many people will rooting to him.

Kim Kiwon (1 dan) of Korea will face Shuto Shun (7 dan) of Japan.

Lee Wondo (3 dan) who beat Diana Koszegi in the first round will play Jiang Weijie (5 dan) of China in the semi-final.


Lee Wondo (right)

Two low dan players will play each other in the semi final. Lee Hyeonho (2 dan) of Korea and Lin Yuxiang (3 dan) of Taiwan. It'l be nice for Yuxiang to win. Taiwan's go need some boosts in international area.

Fujita Akihiko (2 dan) of Japan will play Kang Changbae(1 dan) in the semi final.


Fujita Akihiko

Wang Tao (3 dan) of China will play Cho Kyungho (2 dan) of Korea.

Hirata Tomoya who just became pro in 2009 will play one of top China's female player Lu Jia (2 dan). I'm interested in the result.


Hirata Tomoya

There are still many low dan players in the semi-final. Good luck for them :)


Break time!!

The semi final will be played at April 22 and the final games in the next day.

You can read the list of female players who managed to the semi-final here.

Middle Exam

I'm currently in my middle semester exams. I can't update the blog until, perhaps, next week.

Sorry guys =_=

Fujitsu Cup First Round Result

The first round of the 23rd Fujitsu Cup ended today. Eight players will continue their journey to the top by advancing to the second round.

The first who won his game was Kim Jiseok of Korea who beat Alexander Dinerchtein of Russia. Kim played a strong game and led all the way until the end.

Here is the game record: Kim Jiseok vs. Alexander Dinerchtein

Next, we have Park Junghwan who beat Chang Hao by resignation. Park won an early corner fight. Chang Hao tried to use his influence in the bottom, by expanding it. He got a big framework in the center, but he got a troubled group as a compensation. He tried to revive his group, but Park put a nice kill on it. With this loss, Chang Hao add a bad record this year to his international event's result.

Here is the game record:

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rating game]EV[23rd Fujitsu Cup, round 1]
DT[2010-04-10]PB[Chang.Hao ]BR[9p]PW[Park Junghwan]WR[7p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[fq];W[cn];B[qk];W[np];B[lp];W[pp];B[op];W[oo];B[oq];W[qq]
;B[no];W[qp];B[nn];W[on];B[om];W[pm];B[pl];W[mp];B[lo];W[nr];B[qm];W[po];B[lq];W[mr]
;B[qr];W[nq];B[pr];W[rr];B[rs];W[rp];B[lr];W[fp];B[gp];W[go];B[hp];W[nc];B[pf];W[kc]
;B[cf];W[ce];B[df];W[fd];B[ep];W[fo];B[eo];W[eq];B[en];W[fr];B[gq];W[dq];B[dl];W[ho]
;B[gr];W[em];B[fn];W[dm];B[gm];W[di];B[gk];W[fi];B[hi];W[gg];B[ci];W[ch];B[dh];W[bh]
;B[eh];W[dj];B[cj];W[fk];B[fl];W[ck];B[fh];W[gh];B[gi];W[fj];B[gf];W[ih];B[gd];W[ff]
;B[ee];W[fe];B[ed];W[fc];B[ec];W[db];B[dc];W[cc];B[bd];W[be];B[cd];W[bc];B[ad];W[bf]
;B[eb];W[de];B[ef];W[fb];B[fa];W[fg];B[gb];W[gc];B[bg];W[ac];B[ib];W[hb];B[ha];W[ga]
;B[cb];W[bb];B[gb];W[hc];B[ic];W[ga];B[sr];W[rq];B[gb];W[kd])

Next, we have Takao Shinji. He met the famous ex-insei, Fernand Aguilar of South America. I personally think the game was quite easy for Takao Shinji. Fernand Aguilar tried to create a moyo around move 164, however Takao Shinji easily broke it.


Takao Shinji (left) vs. Fernand Aguilar (right)

Here is the game record:

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rating game]EV[23rd Fujitsu Cup, round 1]
DT[2010-04-10]PB[Fernando Aguilar]BR[6d]PW[Takao.Shinji]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+R]
MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[oc];W[qn];B[qp];W[pj];B[qh];W[on];B[mq];W[jc];B[cf];W[fd]
;B[bd];W[cg];B[dg];W[ch];B[dh];W[ci];B[bf];W[df];B[di];W[cj];B[dj];W[dk];B[ek];W[dl]
;B[el];W[em];B[cc];W[ef];B[fj];W[db];B[cb];W[fm];B[cq];W[cp];B[dq];W[eq];B[er];W[fr]
;B[fq];W[ep];B[gr];W[dr];B[fs];W[cr];B[oh];W[qi];B[rh];W[mc];B[nj];W[hq];B[hr];W[iq]
;B[ir];W[jq];B[pm];W[qm];B[gg];W[ie];B[fp];W[op];B[oq];W[hm];B[ig];W[hj];B[ii];W[ob]
;B[pb];W[ij];B[hi];W[jj];B[go];W[fh];B[gj];W[eg];B[gh];W[in];B[bn];W[co];B[bq];W[br]
;B[ck];W[cl];B[bk];W[bl];B[pk];W[qk];B[ql];W[rl];B[pl];W[rj];B[oj];W[pi];B[ph];W[nl]
;B[nk];W[ri];B[ml];W[lq];B[mr];W[nb];B[ge];W[gd];B[il];W[hl];B[kd];W[pc];B[qc];W[pd]
;B[pe];W[od];B[kf];W[kc];B[oe];W[nd];B[eb];W[fb];B[ec];W[dc];B[da];W[fa];B[ed];W[ee]
;B[cd];W[de];B[ea];W[fc];B[ca];W[he];B[gf];W[fe];B[eo];W[dn];B[bg];W[bj];B[nm];W[lo]
;B[km];W[jl];B[pn];W[kl];B[lm];W[qo];B[po];W[mp];B[ro];W[rn];B[sn];W[rm];B[kp];W[ko]
;B[lr];W[kq];B[jm];W[im];B[io];W[jn];B[me];W[ne];B[nf];W[qb];B[rb];W[pa];B[ld];W[kh]
;B[jh];W[kg];B[ki];W[ji])

Qiu Jun of China won his game against Sakai Hideyuki of Japan by 2.5 points. I think the game was quite event at the opening, though Qiu Jun came out ahead during th end game.

Here is the game record:

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rating game]EV[23rd Fujitsu Cup, round 1]
DT[2010-04-10]PB[Sakai.Hideyuki]BR[7p]PW[Qiu.Jun ]WR[8p]KM[6.5]RE[W+2.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dp];B[fq];W[dn];B[kq];W[qj];B[qh];W[pm];B[qn];W[qm];B[pn];W[om]
;B[on];W[nm];B[nn];W[lp];B[kp];W[ln];B[ko];W[mn];B[mp];W[nc];B[pc];W[kd];B[cf];W[df]
;B[dg];W[ce];B[ef];W[de];B[eg];W[fd];B[cl];W[di];B[dk];W[ch];B[cg];W[ej];B[fl];W[gj]
;B[hg];W[gf];B[fi];W[fk];B[hf];W[gl];B[fm];W[ge];B[gg];W[ie];B[cq];W[dq];B[dr];W[gi]
;B[dh];W[bi];B[bh];W[ci];B[ei];W[dj];B[dm];W[er];B[cr];W[eq];B[bo];W[fp];B[lc];W[kc]
;B[nd];W[qg];B[pg];W[rf];B[qe];W[rh];B[qf];W[rg];B[kb];W[jb];B[gq];W[gm];B[fn];W[gp]
;B[hq];W[hp];B[eo];W[iq];B[ir];W[jr];B[jq];W[ip];B[hr];W[ep];B[kn];W[im];B[rm];W[rl]
;B[mc];W[qq];B[pq];W[pp];B[qr];W[rq];B[oq];W[no];B[rn];W[np];B[mq];W[mo];B[nq];W[cp]
;B[bp];W[cn];B[bn];W[po];B[rp];W[km];B[lb];W[jh];B[jg];W[kg];B[jf];W[ic];B[ih];W[ji]
;B[oh];W[cm];B[bm];W[em];B[el];W[dl];B[ck];W[ek];B[dm];W[gh];B[fh];W[dl];B[ii];W[ij]
;B[dm];W[rr];B[ps];W[dl];B[rk];W[ql];B[dm];W[lh];B[je];W[jd];B[lf];W[dl];B[ee];W[ed]
;B[dm];W[le];B[lm];W[bf];B[bg];W[af];B[kf];W[jm];B[mh];W[mi];B[li];W[lj];B[ni];W[ki]
;B[en];W[me];B[mg];W[sm];B[qo];W[sc];B[rd];W[sd];B[rc];W[ne];B[he];W[hd];B[se];W[pi]
;B[ph];W[nj];B[oi];W[oj];B[qi];W[ri];B[pj];W[pk];B[fr];W[od];B[nb];W[re];B[sb];W[oc]
;B[ob];W[oe];B[sn];W[sl];B[rj];W[qk];B[sf];W[pf];B[ng];W[pe];B[qd];W[lg];B[mf];W[bk]
;B[bj];W[cj];B[bl];W[sg];B[sd];W[sj];B[ak];W[lo];B[lq];W[mm];B[es];W[gn];B[co];W[do]
;B[io];W[ai];B[hi];W[hj];B[hn];W[go];B[in];W[hm];B[aj];W[ka];B[la];W[ja];B[md];W[ff]
;B[fe];W[gd];B[fg];W[hh];B[ig];W[jn];B[jo];W[fj];B[pi])

A success round 1 for Japan.

Piao Wenyao of China won his first round against Jie Li of North America. Piao launched a splitting attack early in the game and managed to stay ahead during the game, though later Jie attacked black's group in the upper left board strongly, but Piao managed to stay alive.

Here is the game record:

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rating game]EV[23rd Fujitsu Cup, round 1]
DT[20020101 [00\:09\]]PB[Piao Wenayao]BR[5p]PW[Jie Li]WR[7d]KM[6.5]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[cq];B[nq];W[qj];B[qh];W[qm];B[fc];W[hc];B[cc];W[dc];B[cd];W[de]
;B[db];W[eb];B[cb];W[ec];B[cf];W[nc];B[pc];W[kd];B[ne];W[iq];B[dp];W[dq];B[ep];W[bo]
;B[kq];W[dn];B[eq];W[hn];B[en];W[em];B[fn];W[fm];B[hp];W[kp];B[gm];W[gn];B[gl];W[dm]
;B[hq];W[jq];B[io];W[lq];B[im];W[oq];B[pq];W[or];B[op];W[nr];B[pr];W[np];B[no];W[mp]
;B[rn];W[oo];B[on];W[pp];B[po];W[op];B[qn];W[pm];B[pn];W[rm];B[fb];W[fa];B[ic];W[gb]
;B[ie];W[kf];B[le];W[ke];B[hd];W[ib];B[jc];W[fd];B[ih];W[kh];B[mh];W[qq];B[qr];W[rq]
;B[rr];W[rp];B[qo];W[nm];B[nn];W[om];B[co];W[cp];B[do];W[cn];B[er];W[mn];B[sq];W[ch]
;B[cg];W[dh];B[bn];W[bm];B[mc];W[kc];B[mb];W[dr];B[jb];W[kb];B[ia];W[mf];B[nf];W[ij]
;B[gf];W[rh];B[rg];W[ph];B[qi];W[pi];B[pg];W[mg];B[ef];W[ee];B[oh];W[ri];B[qg];W[pj]
;B[ds];W[an];B[jg];W[kg];B[bh];W[bi];B[bg];W[md];B[me];W[ld];B[nd];W[nb];B[ob];W[nh]
;B[oi];W[hg];B[hf];W[eg];B[fg];W[df];B[gj];W[hi];B[hh];W[gi];B[ff];W[jf];B[if];W[jh]
;B[ig];W[cs];B[ni];W[ng];B[og];W[es];B[gr];W[fj];B[il];W[fh];B[fk];W[ek];B[ii];W[kj]
;B[bj];W[ci];B[ej];W[fi];B[ai];W[fl];B[gk];W[cj];B[bk];W[ck];B[ji];W[mj];B[mi];W[ki]
;B[nk];W[mk];B[ir];W[jr];B[kl];W[ok];B[sh];W[rj];B[nj];W[jj];B[gd];W[gc];B[so];W[sm]
;B[sn];W[si];B[sg];W[is];B[hr];W[jo];B[in];W[hb];B[bl];W[cl];B[aj];W[nl];B[ip];W[fs]
;B[jp];W[kr];B[ko];W[fr];B[fq];W[kn];B[lo];W[mo];B[km])

Anzai Nobuaki of Japan shockingly beat one of the strongest Taiwan player, Chen Shiyuan. Anzai had a bad start where he has a weak group in the center. Anzai later sacrificed a group to make his group alive in the center. He eventually won the game by 2.5 points.


Anzai Nobuaki (left) vs. Chen Shiyuan

Here is the game record:

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rating game]EV[23rd Fujitsu Cup, round 1]
DT[2010-10-04]PB[Chen Shiyuan]BR[8p]PW[Anzai Nobuaki]WR[6p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+2.5]
MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dc];B[pp];W[dq];B[do];W[co];B[cn];W[cp];B[ce];W[di];B[fe];W[gc];B[hd];W[hc]
;B[id];W[ic];B[jd];W[kc];B[dm];W[cl];B[dl];W[ck];B[bm];W[fq];B[fi];W[cg];B[cc];W[fj]
;B[ej];W[ei];B[dj];W[cj];B[fl];W[fk];B[ek];W[hk];B[hl];W[gl];B[gm];W[gk];B[hm];W[fm]
;B[fn];W[el];B[dk];W[ik];B[gp];W[gq];B[fh];W[eg];B[dd];W[ec];B[db];W[eb];B[ip];W[ee]
;B[bg];W[bh];B[cf];W[dg];B[ih];W[kk];B[np];W[cb];B[bb];W[da];B[bd];W[qj];B[ql];W[qg]
;B[oc];W[hq];B[jm];W[jq];B[ph];W[qh];B[pj];W[ki];B[fg];W[km];B[jl];W[kl];B[ko];W[qk]
;B[pk];W[pl];B[qm];W[ol];B[pi];W[qi];B[pg];W[qe];B[ml];W[kn];B[kq];W[mm];B[nm];W[nl]
;B[mn];W[lm];B[mk];W[nn];B[om];W[jn];B[io];W[pm];B[on];W[pn];B[no];W[qn];B[lj];W[gn]
;B[em];W[ii];B[kj];W[fl];B[go];W[im];B[hn];W[jj];B[il];W[jh];B[jk];W[hh];B[ed];W[ff]
;B[gf];W[ef];B[hg];W[ig];B[gd];W[fc];B[fd];W[bf];B[lh];W[li];B[mi];W[mh];B[kh];W[ji]
;B[mg];W[nh];B[ni];W[ng];B[kf];W[gi];B[pe];W[pf];B[of];W[qf];B[oe];W[kr];B[lq];W[oo]
;B[nn];W[rd];B[qc];W[qp];B[qq];W[pq];B[rp];W[qo];B[qr];W[lr];B[mr];W[nr];B[mq];W[jr]
;B[lc];W[kd];B[jc];W[jb];B[ld];W[ke];B[kb];W[lb];B[le];W[ka];B[je];W[kb];B[jg];W[if]
;B[jf];W[hj];B[bo];W[bp];B[ap];W[aq];B[ao];W[bq];B[mb];W[ro];B[oq];W[jp];B[jo];W[rc]
;B[sq];W[bl];B[rm];W[rn];B[ls];W[ks];B[ms];W[qb];B[pb];W[rb];B[ep];W[eq];B[be];W[ag]
;B[ba];W[am];B[bn];W[ma];B[nb];W[fp];B[fo];W[dp];B[eo];W[kp];B[iq];W[ir];B[lp];W[hp]
;B[ho];W[eh];B[gg];W[sm];B[ca];W[db];B[nk];W[ok];B[oj];W[pa];B[oa];W[qa];B[ae];W[hf]
;B[af];W[bg];B[so];W[rl];B[op];W[po];B[cm];W[ib])

Hane Naoki Honinbo won by a small margin against one of Korea top player, Choi Cheolhan. Hane played a good example on how-not-to panic when your opponent breaks your moyo. He build a strong influence in the center, but Choi later break it little by little. Hane even damaged his bottom territory to gain full influence in the center. Hane won the game by 1.5 points.


Hane Naoki (left) vs. Choi Cheolhan (right)

Here is the game record:

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rating game]EV[23rd Fujitsu Cup, round 1]
DT[2010-04-10]PB[Choi Cheolhan]BR[9p]PW[Hane Naoki]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+1.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[pp];B[dc];W[cp];B[cf];W[nc];B[pc];W[jd];B[hc];W[ne];B[md];W[nd];B[qg];W[eq]
;B[kc];W[kd];B[jc];W[id];B[ic];W[ld];B[co];W[do];B[cn];W[bp];B[em];W[ge];B[nq];W[lq]
;B[no];W[pn];B[kp];W[oq];B[nr];W[kq];B[jp];W[lp];B[lo];W[jq];B[ip];W[iq];B[qo];W[po]
;B[mo];W[hp];B[ho];W[gp];B[ql];W[pl];B[pk];W[ol];B[qn];W[qk];B[qm];W[pj];B[qq];W[qp]
;B[rp];W[pm];B[rk];W[ok];B[rj];W[jn];B[pr];W[dk];B[fl];W[ch];B[de];W[ik];B[fj];W[gk]
;B[dl];W[fk];B[dp];W[dq];B[ck];W[ek];B[cj];W[di];B[hl];W[il];B[hm];W[fd];B[fb];W[dn]
;B[en];W[ep];B[cm];W[io];B[ff];W[fh];B[ko];W[hn];B[bo];W[bi];B[bj];W[bl];B[bm];W[dg]
;B[fe];W[ed];B[hd];W[ee];B[he];W[dd];B[cd];W[cc];B[bc];W[cb];B[bb];W[hf];B[ie];W[gf]
;B[lc];W[me];B[ec];W[jg];B[oh];W[pe];B[qe];W[nh];B[ll];W[ph];B[pg];W[og];B[kk];W[qh]
;B[rh];W[kj];B[ks];W[mk];B[im];W[jm];B[is];W[lm];B[mm];W[kl];B[ln];W[km];B[if];W[ig]
;B[kf];W[mc];B[jf];W[kg];B[hr];W[hq];B[gr];W[or];B[os];W[ob];B[ml];W[lk];B[pb];W[fr]
;B[ap];W[aq];B[ao];W[br];B[bg];W[aj];B[ak];W[ai];B[cl];W[df];B[ce];W[hk];B[gn];W[go]
;B[lf];W[lb];B[kb];W[pa];B[qa];W[na];B[oa];W[fc];B[db];W[pa];B[qb];W[qj];B[ri];W[of]
;B[qi];W[pi];B[lg];W[lh];B[pf];W[ir];B[js];W[gm];B[gl];W[fn];B[eo];W[gc];B[gb];W[ka]
;B[ja];W[la];B[oa];W[nb];B[mg];W[mh];B[nl];W[pq];B[rr];W[nn];B[nm];W[nk];B[fo];W[gq]
;B[dj];W[ej];B[gd];W[ef];B[fp];W[fq];B[ci];W[bh];B[cg];W[fs];B[hs];W[ag];B[af];W[pd]
;B[od];W[oe];B[oc];W[le];B[ah];W[dh];B[ag];W[on];B[mn];W[pa];B[fm];W[gn];B[oa];W[ng]
;B[mf];W[pa];B[dm];W[dp];B[oa];W[lr];B[ls];W[pa];B[hg];W[gg];B[np];W[oa];B[ms];W[in]
;B[ps];W[el];B[ns];W[nf];B[mr];W[ke];B[hb];W[je];B[mq];W[oo];B[op];W[om];B[mp];W[kn]
;B[kr];W[jo];B[jr];W[gs])

The biggest victory award for today goes to Ishida Yoshio! Many didn't expect this 62 year old veteran to win against the younger and still active Mok Jinseok of Korea. However, Ishida showed that he is not too old to beat the youngster. He won from Mok Jinseok by resignation.


Ishida Yoshio (left) vs. Mok Jinseok (right)

Here is the game record:

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rating game]EV[23rd Fujitsu Cup, round 1]
DT[2010-04-10]PB[Ishida Yoshio]BR[9p]PW[Mok Jinseok]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dc];B[dp];W[pq];B[ce];W[qn];B[oc];W[di];B[cg];W[cd];B[ed];W[ec];B[fd];W[be]
;B[dd];W[cf];B[de];W[bd];B[df];W[gb];B[bf];W[cn];B[co];W[dn];B[fq];W[ck];B[qi];W[jq]
;B[bn];W[bm];B[bo];W[qk];B[oi];W[op];B[kd];W[nh];B[ni];W[nd];B[nc];W[qe];B[pd];W[qg]
;B[ph];W[rd];B[rc];W[of];B[mh];W[rf];B[sd];W[mg];B[lh];W[rh];B[ri];W[re];B[mp];W[md]
;B[lb];W[qc];B[qb];W[lg];B[kg];W[kp];B[mn];W[ml];B[lm];W[ll];B[km];W[kl];B[jm];W[ik]
;B[ng];W[nf];B[pk];W[pl];B[ol];W[ok];B[nk];W[pj];B[nl];W[og];B[lj];W[hm];B[gk];W[hk]
;B[gm];W[gj];B[gl];W[hi];B[hl];W[mq];B[lq];W[lp];B[nq];W[mr];B[np];W[nr];B[oo];W[pp]
;B[ir];W[gp];B[fp];W[fk];B[el];W[ek];B[lr];W[or];B[ks];W[fo];B[eo];W[gn];B[en];W[il]
;B[im];W[iq];B[hr];W[fm];B[fl];W[em];B[dl];W[hn];B[dm];W[fn];B[cm];W[hq];B[gq];W[ho]
;B[fi];W[fj];B[ei];W[dk];B[do];W[dh];B[bi];W[fg];B[gh];W[kh];B[mm];W[lo];B[gg];W[jh]
;B[jl];W[kf];B[jj];W[ig];B[qh];W[jr];B[js];W[fh];B[gi];W[gr];B[fr];W[dg];B[gf];W[oh]
;B[pi];W[bj];B[ci];W[cj];B[ii];W[hh];B[jk];W[hj];B[hg];W[ih];B[hc];W[gc];B[hd];W[hb]
;B[jc];W[rj];B[pm];W[qm];B[jo];W[io];B[ib];W[gd];B[ge];W[ie];B[fc];W[fb];B[he];W[si]
;B[po];W[qo];B[pn];W[bl];B[ae];W[bb];B[aj];W[ak];B[ai];W[kr];B[gs];W[ms];B[ls];W[ha]
;B[oj];W[pk];B[ke];W[je];B[lf];W[jg];B[le];W[li];B[mi];W[ki];B[kj];W[ad];B[af];W[mo]
;B[no];W[am];B[mc];W[an];B[ao];W[id];B[ic])

Kim Jiseok Won the Game

The first game that was concluded at the first stage was the game between Kim Jiseok (7dan) of Korea vs. Alexander Dinerchtein (3 dan) of Europe.

Kim Jiseok launched a strong attack at the end of the game. Starting from move 193, Kim successfully attacked all white's weak groups. Alex resigned at move 243. I think he was behind about 20 points.

Here is the game record:

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rating game]EV[23rd Fujitsu Cup, round 1]
DT[20020101 [01\:31\]]PB[Kim Jiseok]BR[7p]PW[Alexander D]WR[3p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+R]
MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[pp];B[dc];W[ce];B[dp];W[oc];B[dg];W[qf];B[pe];W[pf];B[oe];W[lc];B[pj];W[ee]
;B[fd];W[oi];B[oj];W[ni];B[nj];W[mi];B[pi];W[ph];B[qh];W[og];B[pc];W[qm];B[lk];W[ji]
;B[ob];W[ic];B[cd];W[jq];B[pq];W[qq];B[oq];W[qr];B[no];W[fq];B[cn];W[mq];B[po];W[qo]
;B[op];W[qp];B[pm];W[dr];B[fg];W[cg];B[ch];W[df];B[dh];W[gf];B[hd];W[gb];B[ff];W[bd]
;B[bc];W[bf];B[bh];W[ac];B[ab];W[ad];B[id];W[jc];B[bg];W[ed];B[ec];W[bb];B[cc];W[fc]
;B[fe];W[eb];B[ba];W[aa];B[fb];W[fa];B[ab];W[cb];B[db];W[aa];B[gc];W[ca];B[fb];W[af]
;B[ea];W[fo];B[le];W[nb];B[nc];W[mc];B[nd];W[oa];B[pb];W[hb];B[qg];W[kh];B[mg];W[hi]
;B[pg];W[dm];B[cm];W[dl];B[kj];W[lg];B[lf];W[mh];B[kg];W[lh];B[ik];W[gj];B[lp];W[cq]
;B[cl];W[dk];B[ck];W[of];B[jg];W[gk];B[jo];W[lq];B[iq];W[ir];B[jp];W[kq];B[pn];W[ql]
;B[hm];W[gm];B[gn];W[fm];B[mb];W[lb];B[na];W[kd];B[cp];W[hl];B[il];W[hn];B[hj];W[ij]
;B[hk];W[gh];B[gl];W[fl];B[hq];W[im];B[hr];W[nr];B[hl];W[jk];B[jl];W[kl];B[jm];W[jj]
;B[kk];W[ho];B[in];W[mj];B[mk];W[bq];B[er];W[re];B[fr];W[bp];B[bo];W[bs];B[pr];W[is]
;B[qn];W[rn];B[qs];W[rk];B[rr];W[rq];B[cf];W[be];B[dj];W[rc];B[rd];W[sd];B[rb];W[mp]
;B[mo];W[kp];B[lo];W[gg];B[ih];W[mf];B[me];W[ng];B[fi];W[gi];B[ii];W[do];B[oh];W[rg]
;B[rh];W[sg];B[dn];W[en];B[rj];W[qe];B[sp];W[rs];B[ss];W[sq];B[ks];W[ls];B[lr];W[kr]
;B[ms];W[ns];B[dq];W[ds];B[gp];W[go];B[ro];W[sn];B[fp];W[qc];B[ek];W[ej];B[fj];W[fk]
;B[el];W[em];B[ek];W[if];B[ig];W[je];B[hf];W[he];B[ie];W[jf];B[ge];W[hg];B[kf];W[he]
;B[sk];W[pd];B[rm];W[ne];B[od])

23rd Fujitsu Cup

The annual Fujitsu Cup is back. The oldest international go championship celebrates its 23rd edition this year.

The first round was started this morning in Japan. Sixteen players competes in the first round to decide who will advance to the next round. Here is the match pairing and my impression of the game so far (it was about 50 moves or less when the last time I watched it online)


The seeded players.

Chang Hao (9 dan) of China vs. Park Junghwan (7 dan) of Korea
A fight started in the corner and Park able to won it and got a corner.

Anzai Nobuaki (6 dan) of Japan vs. Chen Shiyuan (8 dan) of Taiwan
The game was hard for Anzai. He has one weak group in the center and his group in the left side is not settle yet.

Takao Shinji (9 dan) of Japan vs. Fernando Aguilar representative of South America
Takao got a big side in the left board, while Aguilar still has a weak group in the center. I think Takao Shinji was leading.


Korea players

Piao Wenyao (5 dan) of China vs. Jie Li representative of North America
Piao launched a splitting attack at two Jie Li's groups in the bottom board. The fight seems hard for Jie Li.

Kim Jiseok (7 dan) of Korea vs. Alexander Dinerchtein (3 dan) of Europe
The game is still even I think. Alex didn't defend his two stones in the upper left corner, but it still has a big aji which he can use later.

Choi Cheolhan (9 dan) of Korea vs. Hane Naoki (9 dan) of Japan
Hane has a strong attack in the upper board. The game is still even.

Qiu Jun (8 dan) vs. Sakai Hideyuki (7 dan) of Japan
Sakai Hideyuki was doing well against Qiu Jun. Both got a big corner, but Qiu has a strong influence in the right side.


China players.

Ishida Yoshio (9 dan) vs. Mok Jinseok (9 dan) of Korea
Ishida Yoshio is the biggest surprise this year!! Ishida got a ponuki in the left side, but I personally think it's a little bit hard for him to use the ponuki. Actually I'm kinda rooting on Ishida sensei. It'll be amazing if he can beat Mok.


Japan players.

Women In Go

Don't forget to visit my new blog Women In Go

A blog covering about what's going on at the female go world. It also has player profile, tsumego, and game record section.

Cho U Defended Judan

It seems that Cho U regains his form this year. After a sloppy year in 2009 (where he lost two of his titles, Meijin and Tengen), Cho started out this year by winning Kisei title, thus making him as the second person ever to held all 7 titles at least once (the first one was Cho Chikun).



This year, Cho U Judan was challenged by Yamashita Keigo Tengen. Cho won the first game by resignation at March 4. Then he won again in the second game by a small 1.5 margin. Today, he completed his title defense by winning the third game by resignation.

Here is the game record for the third game. Congratulations for Cho U!

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]PB[Cho U]BR[9p]PW[Yamashita Keigo]WR[9p]
KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[qp];W[dd];B[fq];W[dn];B[dr];W[op];B[mq];W[qq];B[qm];W[pp];B[rp];W[jp]
;B[or];W[pr];B[oq];W[pq];B[mo];W[on];B[mm];W[ol];B[pk];W[ln];B[no];W[qn];B[rn];W[pm]
;B[qo];W[pn];B[ql];W[ok];B[ko];W[gq];B[gp];W[hq];B[fp];W[cq];B[in];W[fr];B[er];W[gr]
;B[co];W[ep];B[eq];W[ho];B[cp];W[jn];B[jo];W[io];B[bq];W[kp];B[lo];W[kn];B[im];W[kl]
;B[mk];W[ll];B[ml];W[pj];B[nm];W[oj];B[gm];W[jk];B[kr];W[jr];B[kq];W[jq];B[fn];W[hl]
;B[hk];W[gl];B[fl];W[gk];B[hm];W[hp];B[mi];W[hj];B[fk];W[fj];B[ej];W[fi];B[js];W[lq]
;B[lr];W[lp];B[mr];W[is];B[oh];W[rk];B[rl];W[qk];B[sk];W[sm];B[sl];W[pl];B[ci];W[sj]
;B[rm];W[rq];B[sp];W[lg];B[ki];W[jg];B[lk];W[cg];B[ei];W[eh];B[dc];W[ec];B[eb];W[cj]
;B[bi];W[db];B[cc];W[fb];B[dh];W[dg];B[mc];W[ek];B[dk];W[el];B[fm];W[dl];B[ck];W[ch]
;B[di];W[cl];B[bk];W[bl];B[al];W[bn];B[ak];W[bh];B[ai];W[ed];B[jc];W[pc];B[qc];W[od]
;B[oc];W[lc];B[lb];W[nc];B[pb];W[md];B[mb];W[kc];B[kb];W[nb];B[ld];W[kd];B[le];W[jd]
;B[oe];W[ne];B[nd];W[go];B[fo];W[od];B[id];W[kf];B[nd];W[bj];B[cn];W[od];B[of];W[nf]
;B[nd];W[bm];B[dm];W[od];B[ib];W[ni];B[ks];W[hc];B[nd];W[mh];B[os];W[fs];B[nq];W[od]
;B[ic];W[ob];B[nd];W[ms];B[ns];W[od];B[fh];W[eg];B[nd];W[bo];B[bp];W[od];B[ir];W[hs]
;B[nd];W[ah];B[em];W[od];B[hi];W[gh];B[nd];W[mp];B[hh];W[fg];B[if];W[np];B[ij];W[ik]
;B[kk];W[jl];B[ig];W[jh];B[ii];W[je];B[ie];W[od];B[pc];W[nd];B[ng];W[pg];B[ph];W[li]
;B[jj];W[qg];B[og];W[qe];B[qh];W[rh];B[ri];W[rf];B[sh];W[sg];B[rg];W[am];B[ao];W[rh]
;B[mf];W[lf];B[rg];W[dj];B[aj];W[rh];B[na];W[ke];B[oa];W[me];B[rg];W[hg];B[gf];W[gg]
;B[ih];W[rh];B[rj];W[qi];B[rg];W[cj];B[cm];W[rh];B[gi];W[gj];B[rg];W[dj];B[an];W[rh]
;B[si];W[rd];B[rg];W[ma];B[pa];W[rh];B[rc];W[rg];B[se])

Trivia: Top Pros

Can you name these two top pro players?

Yun Junsang promoted to 8 dan

Yun Junsang, ex-Kuksu title holder was promoted to 8 dan.



Congratulations!

A Game to See (6)

Yamashita Keigo has been one of the top Japanese player for the past (more or less) 10 years.

In his early year, he was recognized to be "the one whose playing style is a fresh air for Japanese go." as he played bold and innovative fuseki, including mokuhazushi and takamoku combination, tengen, and go-no-go (5-5 point).

Here is one of the game example where he used his 5-5 move and won the game by an early resignation against the famous Kobayashi Koichi at game 2 of the 25th Japanese Gosei.

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[25th Japanese Gosei, title match #2]
DT[2000-07-13]PB[Yamashita Keigo]BR[6p]PW[Kobayashi Koichi]WR[9p]KM[5.5]RE[B+R]
MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[oe];W[dp];B[qo];W[pc];B[nc];W[qe];B[pg];W[dd];B[rg];W[nb];B[mb];W[ob];B[mc];W[op]
;B[oo];W[no];B[on];W[qp];B[np];W[pp];B[nq];W[rn];B[mo];W[qn];B[pm];W[qk];B[fp];W[dn]
;B[fn];W[dl];B[fl];W[fc];B[dk];W[ck];B[cj];W[cl];B[pk];W[qj];B[pj];W[gm];B[fm];W[hq]
;B[dq];W[cq];B[ep];W[jp];B[jn];W[ho];B[cp];W[do];B[cr];W[bq];B[er];W[im];B[bp];W[bo]
;B[aq];W[bj];B[in];W[hn];B[hl];W[jm];B[kn];W[hm];B[jk];W[kr];B[rd];W[re];B[rc];W[sd]
;B[sf];W[se];B[qd];W[pd];B[pe];W[rb];B[km];W[ik];B[ij];W[id];B[cc];W[dc];B[cd];W[ce]
;B[be];W[bf];B[gc];W[gd];B[fb];W[ec];B[cf];W[de];B[bg];W[bd];B[af];W[bc];B[bi];W[mr]
;B[dj];W[co];B[br];W[ak];B[jf];W[jc];B[qf];W[qc];B[kd];W[jl];B[kk];W[hf];B[pr];W[ii]
;B[hj];W[ig];B[lq];W[lr];B[po];W[ro];B[rq];W[rp];B[nr];W[ri];B[io];W[ip];B[kq];W[jq]
;B[ir];W[hr];B[gp];W[hp];B[hs];W[gs];B[is];W[fr];B[gq];W[gr];B[ms];W[kl];B[ll];W[hk]
;B[gl];W[il];B[gj];W[lk];B[mq])

Yamashita Keigo Challenges Hane Naoki

It seems that Yamashita Keigo is in his best condition. While he is still challenging Cho U for the Judan, Yamashita again challenges for another title. This time is one of the top 3 title, Honinbo.

Both Yamashita Keigo and Iyama Yuta ended up with 6-1 score at the end of the league, so a challenger decision's game was set to be played today. Many thought that Iyama will win the game, however, Yamashita showed his power as one of the four emperors by beating Iyama Meijin, thus winning the challenger's seat.



Since November 2009 until now, Yamashita has been playing in 4 title matches. Starting from Tengen (where he won the title from Cho U by 3-2 score), Kisei (he lost his title by 4-1 to Cho U), Judan (he is in losing 2-0 position against, again, Cho U), and then Honinbo (which first game will be played in the May 11,12).

Let see how thing will going on for Yamashita this time.

New Blog

I created a new blog. It is a go blog dedicated for female players at the go world.
Check it out!

http://womeningo.blogspot.com/

New Template

I change the template from the old Cosmic template to this Chinese Art template.

Hope you like it :)

A Game to See (5)

This is an interesting game from 30 years ago. The game was between Takemiya Masaki (black) and Kato Masao (white)from the fourth game of the 35th Japanese Honinbo title match series.

Takemiya opened the game by playing Kato's favorite opening, high Chinese opening. Later, Takemiya attacked two white's weak groups and managed to kill one of them.

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[35th Japanese Honinbo, title match #4]
DT[1980-06-18]PB[Takemiya Masaki]BR[9]PW[Kato Masao]WR[9p]KM[5.5]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[pq];W[cc];B[pk];W[nc];B[pf];W[pb];B[qc];W[kc];B[jp];W[po];B[qp];W[op]
;B[oq];W[mp];B[nq];W[mm];B[fq];W[dn];B[df];W[fd];B[ci];W[ck];B[cq];W[dq];B[dr];W[cp]
;B[br];W[bq];B[cr];W[bf];B[ei];W[ff];B[ek];W[dl];B[dc];W[cd];B[dd];W[dh];B[fc];W[gc]
;B[cb];W[bb];B[eb];W[ca];B[gb];W[hc];B[hb];W[de];B[ee];W[ce];B[fe];W[ge];B[ed];W[ef]
;B[gf];W[he];B[fg];W[eg];B[fh];W[gg];B[hf];W[gh];B[gi];W[if];B[hg];W[hh];B[ig];W[hi]
;B[hj];W[jg];B[ih];W[ii];B[jh];W[ij];B[kh];W[hk];B[di];W[cg];B[gj];W[ik];B[eh];W[dg]
;B[dk];W[cl];B[fj];W[db];B[gd];W[hd];B[fd];W[ib];B[ic];W[jc];B[id];W[ie];B[jd];W[ke]
;B[jb];W[kd];B[ia];W[mg];B[mh];W[ng];B[mj];W[pg];B[qg];W[ph];B[ll];W[kn];B[jm];W[ml]
;B[mk];W[jn];B[im];W[kl];B[km];W[lm];B[lk];W[in];B[hm];W[gl];B[fm];W[gm];B[hn];W[gn]
;B[ho];W[kp];B[kq];W[lq];B[ko];W[lo];B[lp];W[cj];B[dj];W[kp];B[kf];W[je];B[lp];W[fa]
;B[ea];W[kp];B[lf];W[lg];B[kg];W[me];B[lp];W[lh];B[ki];W[kp];B[md];W[nd];B[lp];W[fb]
;B[ga];W[kp];B[le];W[ne];B[lp];W[kj];B[li];W[kp];B[kb];W[mc];B[lp];W[oj];B[ok];W[kp]
;B[pj];W[qf];B[lp];W[nl];B[pi];W[qh];B[kp];W[qo];B[mo];W[ql];B[om];W[pm];B[on];W[ol]
;B[pl];W[oo];B[nn];W[mn];B[no];W[np];B[ln];W[rp];B[rq];W[lo];B[pn];W[qm];B[ln];W[rr]
;B[lo];W[sq];B[mq];W[qq];B[fn];W[fo];B[eo];W[en];B[el])

Weiqi to Make Debut in Asian Games 2010

Perhaps you already know, but if you haven't, igo (I'll use the term weiqi in this post) will make its debut in Asian Games 2010.

The international sports event designed for Asian countries will be held in November. Looking at the list of sports that will be played, weiqi is also in it.

Actually, weiqi is categorized under the term "chess", but the picture of the sport "chess" is using weiqi picture.


Photo source:http://www.gz2010.cn/09/0318/18/54N5ELF40078007E.html

I'm actually happy with this news, though it seems that China has the upper hand for this category, but I bet other countries will do their best to win also.

Indonesia will also take part in the championship. We will held a preliminary to decide the athletes, though I still don't know the exact date of the prelim.

Honinbo Challenger's Poll

Who Will Challenge Hane Naoki for This Year Honinbo?
	Yamashita Keigo
	Iyama Yuta
pollcode.com free polls

The Next Challenger to be Settled

The last round of the Honinbo league has been played yesterday. At my previous report, both Yamashita Keigo and Iyama Yuta were tied in the first place with 6-1 score, while Takao is third with 5-2.

With all games were played yesterday, there are still two candidates for the Honinbou challenger's seat. And it goes, of course, to either Yamashita or Iyama as they both won their games.


Iyama Yuta

Iyama Yuta won from Takemiya Masaki by resignation (W+R), while Yamashita won from Yuki Satoshi also by resignation (B+R).


Yamashita Keigo (right)

Four players who demoted from the league are:
Yamada Kimio (he already in the league for more than 5 years. In 2006 he successfully became the challenger, but lost to Takao Shinji by 4-2).

Takemiya Masaki (he surprised everyone when he successfully entered the league last year. Sadly, he doesn't show good performance in the league as he finished in the last place by 1-6 score).

Yuki Satoshi (Yuki lost his chance for a shoot at one of the big 3 title. The last time he challenged for one of the 3 title was in 2005 at the 29th Kisei).

Mimura Tomoyasu (the last time Mimura won a title was in 2000 where he won the NHK cup).

The challenger decision's match will be played at April 5.

Iyama Yuta Won Shusai Prize

Here is a good news for all Iyama Yuta's fans.



The 47th Shusai Prize, for the most outstanding player of 2009, was awarded to Iyama Yuta Meijin for his achievement in becoming the youngest player to win a top-three title.

Gu Was Summoned for A Dressing-Down

I found an interesting story from English Nihon Kiin's website, considering Gu Li. Here is the story I quote from the site:

One interesting point was that China did not field Gu Li as their final player. Gu has had dismal results in recent international tournaments, and it seems Chinese officials have lost confidence in him. In his Nihon Ki-in blog, Mimura Tomoyasu 9-dan reported rumours that after his Nong Shim loss Gu was summoned by the Chinese coach for a dressing-down. He was admonished to change his lifestyle and to study more. We were under the impression that he already put in extra time on study on top of the compulsory daily sessions at the Chinese Go Association's headquarters. Being a national hero in China does not come without a price.

Well, it is never easy to be a hero. Good luck for Gu Li!

Twitter Account

I just made a Twitter account. You can follow it here:
http://twitter.com/biondyalfian