Two Remains Perfect at Kisei League

The 35th Kisei League has come to its halftime. With 2 more games to go, things are heating up at both League A and League B.

Takao Shinji (9 dan) become the only leader with a perfect 3-0 score at League A. He beat Yamashita Keigo (Honinbo) to get this position. The game was very important for both, because Takao and Yamashita each had 2-0 record.


Takao Shinji

Here is the game record:
Takao Shinji (black) vs. Yamashita Keigo (white). Result: B+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[35th Japanese Kisei, league A]DT[2010-08-26]
PB[Takao Shinji]BR[9p]PW[Yamashita Keigo]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[qp];W[dc];B[oq];W[ci];B[nc];W[qj];B[ql];W[qg];B[qe];W[oj];B[fq];W[dn]
;B[dr];W[cq];B[hp];W[ol];B[kp];W[id];B[de];W[ed];B[ee];W[cd];B[ei];W[eh];B[fd];W[fh]
;B[ec];W[dd];B[ge];W[ff];B[fe];W[fb];B[ie];W[je];B[hd];W[if];B[ic];W[he];B[jd];W[qo]
;B[po];W[pp];B[op];W[pq];B[qq];W[pr];B[oo];W[qr];B[ro];W[qn];B[rn];W[hc];B[ie];W[rp]
;B[hf];W[rq];B[ce];W[bd];B[pm];W[mq];B[mp];W[or];B[di];W[dh];B[cj];W[bh];B[bi];W[ch]
;B[cl];W[lq];B[kq];W[bm];B[ek];W[lp];B[lo];W[mn];B[mo];W[pn];B[on];W[om];B[qp];W[qq]
;B[qm];W[qp];B[rj];W[ri];B[rk];W[sj];B[qi];W[pi];B[qh];W[rh];B[ph];W[qk];B[rl];W[og]
;B[pk];W[pj];B[ok];W[nk];B[pl];W[nj];B[nl];W[nm];B[ml];W[ln];B[kn];W[lm];B[kk];W[km]
;B[jm];W[jn];B[nn];W[ko];B[mm];W[jl];B[kr];W[nq];B[eb];W[fc];B[gc];W[md];B[nd];W[mf]
;B[db];W[cb];B[gb];W[be];B[cr];W[io];B[ip];W[em];B[cm];W[cn];B[bl];W[dj];B[bj];W[dk]
;B[bn];W[bo];B[am];W[ej];B[rf];W[mc];B[ng];W[of];B[ne];W[nf];B[me];W[le];B[ld];W[kd]
;B[lc];W[kc];B[mb];W[ig];B[mk];W[mi];B[ij];W[ho];B[go];W[gn];B[fo];W[jc];B[li];W[lh]
;B[kh];W[id];B[hb];W[ki];B[lj];W[lg];B[fn];W[fm];B[hk];W[br];B[dq];W[bq];B[ep];W[ji]
;B[ii];W[jh];B[hm];W[im];B[hn];W[gm];B[hl];W[in];B[jp];W[jo];B[mj];W[ni];B[rg];W[pg]
;B[fk];W[gj];B[do];W[cp];B[dl];W[el];B[en];W[dm];B[ih])

Yamashiro Hiroshi emerged as the sole leader of League B after defeating Ryu Shikun (9 dan). Yamashiro who is a hardcore influence lover will play O Rissei (9 dan) at the next round.


Yamashiro Hiroshi

Here is the ame record:
Yamashiro Hiroshi (black) vs. Ryu Shikun (white). Result: B+7.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[35th Japanese Kisei, league B]DT[2010-08-26]
PB[Yamashiro Hiroshi]BR[9p]PW[Ryu Shikun]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[B+7.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[pp];B[dq];W[dd];B[fc];W[cf];B[dg];W[df];B[fg];W[eg];B[eh];W[ef];B[fh];W[ci]
;B[qn];W[nq];B[od];W[jc];B[lc];W[gd];B[dc];W[cc];B[qj];W[je];B[hc];W[hd];B[ic];W[jb]
;B[id];W[ie];B[jd];W[kd];B[gc];W[ld];B[db];W[mc];B[cd];W[bd];B[fe];W[ff];B[gf];W[ge]
;B[cb];W[hf];B[co];W[ql];B[iq];W[qo];B[pn];W[ol];B[nn];W[oj];B[ph];W[kq];B[rn];W[oo]
;B[on];W[oh];B[rl];W[dm];B[nc];W[mb];B[og];W[nh];B[ng];W[pi];B[qi];W[mg];B[ne];W[hl]
;B[ik];W[hk];B[ij];W[hj];B[ii];W[pk];B[qk];W[kl];B[lk];W[kk];B[il];W[im];B[jm];W[ki]
;B[el];W[hm];B[em];W[ej];B[jl];W[ip];B[km];W[dn];B[fo];W[do];B[dp];W[fn];B[gn];W[fm]
;B[hp];W[jp];B[ho];W[eo];B[ep];W[fp];B[go];W[bo];B[hi];W[gi];B[gh];W[fj];B[gm];W[gl]
;B[fl];W[en];B[cn];W[cm];B[bn];W[bm];B[bp];W[hq];B[gq];W[hr];B[gr];W[ir];B[lj];W[kj]
;B[mm];W[bc];B[md];W[lb];B[le];W[ke];B[lf];W[kg];B[di];W[cj];B[hg];W[ig];B[qq];W[pq]
;B[qp];W[qr];B[rr];W[gg];B[hh];W[ob];B[bl];W[cl];B[am];W[bk];B[al];W[dj];B[mh];W[mi]
;B[lh];W[li];B[kh];W[nk];B[ll];W[pg];B[qh];W[lg];B[jh];W[mj];B[pj];W[ml];B[qb];W[pr]
;B[po];W[gs];B[fs];W[hs];B[fr];W[mf];B[me];W[pc];B[pd];W[ha];B[ga];W[bb];B[ed];W[ia]
;B[fb];W[rs];B[mp];W[no];B[oi];W[ni];B[lm];W[mk];B[qm];W[pl];B[lp];W[mq];B[lq];W[lr]
;B[kr];W[mr];B[nb];W[na];B[oc];W[de];B[fd];W[rq];B[rp];W[sr];B[gf];W[nf];B[of];W[gg]
;B[cg];W[bg];B[gf];W[pb];B[oa];W[pa];B[qc];W[gg];B[nm];W[nl];B[gf];W[oe];B[pe];W[gg]
;B[jg];W[kf];B[gf];W[pf];B[oe];W[gg];B[qa];W[sp];B[ro];W[mo];B[ko];W[ak];B[an];W[gf]
;B[kp];W[jq];B[ba];W[ch];B[dh];W[hb];B[gb];W[jn];B[jo];W[io];B[kn];W[in];B[np];W[op]
;B[ib];W[ja];B[fi];W[gj];B[so];W[sq];B[ab];W[ac];B[oa];W[ma];B[ca];W[aa];B[pi];W[ab])

Two Is Enough

In danger of being evened by the Senior team, Female team decided to send Lee Sula (1 dan) to face Seo Bongsoo (9 dan) who beat 2 Female team's members consecutively. The 18 years old Lee Sula did her job and won the game by resignation.


Seo Bongsoo (left) vs. Lee Sula (right)

The game started in an Anti Mini Chinese opening. Lee Sula abandoned her pinched two stones at the bottom right corner and tried to get a big moyo at the left side instead. However, she managed to escape the two stones as Seo Bongsoo decided to take the upper right corner and a big chunk at the right side.



Lee Sula found a good tesuji at move 59. Seo couldn't capture the attacking stone and soon his group in danger.



Lee again showed a strong attack with move 169. Seo who though his group was safe played a questionable K2. Lee responded with a splitting move at G14 and eventually captured the whole center with the cut at G11. Seo Bongsoo resigned at move 191.



With this victory, Female team take the lead again. Lee Sula will play Kim Soojang (9 dan) next week.


What? Don't mess up with me!

Here is the game record:
Lee Sula (black) vs. Seo Bongsoo (white). Result: B+R.

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rating game]EV[4th GG Auction Cup, game 12]
DT[2010-08-28]PB[Lee Sula]BR[1p]PW[Seo Bongsoo]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+R!]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[qp];W[dc];B[fq];W[op];B[cn];W[dn];B[dm];W[en];B[cp];W[cq];B[co];W[dr]
;B[mq];W[qq];B[jp];W[pp];B[qo];W[pr];B[ce];W[ql];B[em];W[ed];B[fn];W[do];B[ck];W[fo]
;B[ef];W[hd];B[jc];W[cd];B[be];W[qf];B[nd];W[qc];B[qd];W[rd];B[pc];W[rb];B[qb];W[rc]
;B[pn];W[no];B[om];W[pj];B[mm];W[lo];B[nj];W[lq];B[go];W[gn];B[fm];W[gp];B[ho];W[fp]
;B[hp];W[kn];B[qg];W[pg];B[qi];W[oi];B[ph];W[rg];B[oh];W[ni];B[og];W[qh];B[rh];W[qg]
;B[pi];W[mj];B[nk];W[oj];B[mi];W[mh];B[li];W[nh];B[lj];W[of];B[ng];W[nf];B[mg];W[lh]
;B[mf];W[jh];B[je];W[mk];B[lk];W[ml];B[ll];W[nl];B[km];W[in];B[kq];W[lr];B[lp];W[mp]
;B[kp];W[gq];B[jn];W[ij];B[ji];W[ok];B[mn];W[fg];B[eg];W[fh];B[eh];W[jf];B[kf];W[ii]
;B[jg];W[ki];B[mo];W[ej];B[ei];W[fi];B[dj];W[mr];B[np];W[nq];B[hb];W[bd];B[ad];W[de]
;B[df];W[cf];B[bf];W[cg];B[bg];W[ae];B[af];W[bc];B[pb];W[bp];B[bo];W[bq];B[rj];W[sh]
;B[pl];W[qk];B[hq];W[qm];B[on];W[hr];B[si];W[ri];B[qj];W[pk];B[gr];W[fr];B[rh];W[sg]
;B[ir];W[gs];B[ra];W[qe];B[fj];W[gj];B[fk];W[ao];B[bm];W[am];B[bl];W[il];B[mp];W[kr]
;B[fc];W[eb];B[fd];W[fb];B[gb];W[jr];B[gf];W[iq];B[im];W[hm];B[jm];W[hf];B[hg];W[ge]
;B[kg];W[ff];B[kh];W[rk];B[hh];W[gc];B[gi];W[hc];B[ic])

Seo Bongsoo Second Victory

Senior team climb up once more. Seo Bongsoo, Senior team's representative, beat Moon Dowon (2 dan) of the Female team.


Seo Bongsoo


Moon Dowon

There was an instructive sequence starting from move 69 to 84. At this point, many thought Moon Dowon will win the game. However, Seo showed his skill by creating a ko fight at the upper right corner. Seo gained bottom board as the ko result.



The game ended at move 261 with Seo Bongsoo 6.5 points victory. Seo Bongsoo will play Lee Sula (1 dan) tomorrow.


Post game interview

Here is the game record:
Seo Bongsoo (black) vs. Moon Dowon (white). Result: B+6.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rating game]EV[4th GG Auction Cup, game 11]
DT[2010-08-27]PB[Seo Bongsoo]BR[9p]PW[Moon Dowon]WR[2p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+6.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dp];B[cd];W[pp];B[qn];W[nq];B[pj];W[nc];B[od];W[jc];B[lc];W[nd];B[kd];W[oe]
;B[pf];W[qc];B[pd];W[pb];B[fc];W[mf];B[of];W[ie];B[kf];W[ig];B[hc];W[ic];B[hd];W[je]
;B[ke];W[kh];B[lg];W[nf];B[lh];W[nh];B[ki];W[ii];B[jh];W[ih];B[ph];W[jk];B[mb];W[nb]
;B[lk];W[ci];B[cg];W[cn];B[er];W[dq];B[iq];W[rp];B[dr];W[cr];B[br];W[cq];B[fq];W[kq]
;B[fo];W[fn];B[gn];W[fm];B[di];W[dj];B[dh];W[ej];B[cj];W[ck];B[rd];W[rc];B[bj];W[bi]
;B[bk];W[bl];B[cl];W[aj];B[dk];W[ak];B[ck];W[cm];B[ek];W[fj];B[bm];W[al];B[bh];W[bn]
;B[nj];W[oi];B[oj];W[sd];B[ro];W[qo];B[rn];W[gm];B[qq];W[qp];B[na];W[ld];B[le];W[oa]
;B[oc];W[ob];B[qa];W[qg];B[rf];W[ra];B[rb];W[sb];B[sa];W[kb];B[lb];W[ra];B[rq];W[rg]
;B[se];W[qb];B[or];W[pq];B[pr];W[rr];B[qr];W[sq];B[mq];W[pn];B[oq];W[qm];B[pm];W[rm]
;B[on];W[po];B[oo];W[pl];B[om];W[rj];B[pi];W[ip];B[hq];W[ko];B[op];W[sp];B[hn];W[jm]
;B[im];W[lj];B[mi];W[jl];B[ri];W[rk];B[gf];W[cc];B[bd];W[eo];B[gh];W[kj];B[gj];W[fk]
;B[rh];W[go];B[jp];W[io];B[kp];W[lp];B[jq];W[ln];B[lq];W[fp];B[fi];W[gk];B[cs];W[ib]
;B[hb];W[pe];B[qe];W[ne];B[pg];W[ei];B[ah];W[ai];B[eh];W[hj];B[bq];W[bp];B[sr];W[ss]
;B[qs];W[ha];B[ga];W[ia];B[gb];W[gi];B[fh];W[aq];B[jo];W[jn];B[lm];W[mn];B[mm];W[np]
;B[mp];W[no];B[nr];W[he];B[ge];W[eq];B[fr];W[ji];B[kg];W[mk];B[gp];W[hp];B[gq];W[in]
;B[ml];W[kk];B[ql];W[qk];B[pk];W[ol];B[nl];W[rl];B[md];W[sn];B[rs];W[so];B[sr];W[hg]
;B[bs];W[gg];B[fg];W[ar];B[kc];W[ka];B[lo];W[kn];B[mo];W[nn];B[ll];W[mj];B[ni];W[mh]
;B[li];W[oh];B[ch];W[am];B[sj];W[sk];B[si];W[hh];B[jg];W[ma];B[la];W[qj];B[hf];W[if]
;B[na];W[sc];B[ma];W[qi];B[qh];W[nk];B[ok];W[ql];B[nm])

Here Comes the New Gosei

When Cho won the third game, everyone though Cho will defend his title for another year, however Sakai put the tense up when he won the fourth game by 3.5 points thus dragged this year Gosei to its fifth game.

Today, the two meet again for the last and final game to determine who will become the 35th Gosei. The day started by Cho doing the nigiri to decide who will play which color. Sakai guessed it was odd, but then it was revealed Cho's nigiri was even number. Game started with Cho playing the first move.


Here come the king...


And his challenger


Nigiri result

The joseki started at move 11 was similiar with the third game of the 35th Japanese Tengen title match. Cho was playing white at that time. Sakai varied at move 16. He played keima at F6 where Cho played a two spaces extension to (in this case) K3. Cho lost the game back then.



Sakai successfully captured the left side, while Cho managed to get 3 corners. The game ended at move 281. Sakai was far behind in territory, bt he captured enough stones to win the game with komi's help. Sakai won the game by 2.5 points.

With his victory, Sakai Hideyuki was crowned as the new Gosei. Stealing the title from Cho U with 3-2 score. This is Sakai's first shot at the top 7 title and amazingly he didn't goof up during the series (I would be very nervous and goof up if it was my first shot).

Also, Cho lost his chance to win his first honorary title. He was Gosei title holder for 4 consecutive years. Winning the title this year will make him the Honorary Gosei. Too bad. Perhaps this is a karma because Cho prevented Yamashita from becoming Honorary Kisei early this year.


Sakai Hideyuki

Here is the game record:
Sakai Hideyuki (white) vs. Cho U (black). Result: W+2.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[35th Japanese Gosei, title match game #5 ]
DT[2010-08-27]PB[Cho U]BR[9p]PW[Sakai Hideyuki]WR[7p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+2.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[oq];W[qj];B[do];W[cm];B[cq];W[gq];B[fp];W[er];B[cn];W[dm]
;B[cr];W[fn];B[cf];W[dh];B[cc];W[cd];B[dc];W[ed];B[bd];W[be];B[bc];W[ce];B[fc];W[ge]
;B[qh];W[qm];B[pl];W[qo];B[po];W[pn];B[pp];W[on];B[ql];W[ol];B[pj];W[pi];B[ok];W[qk]
;B[qi];W[pk];B[oj];W[rl];B[oh];W[qc];B[pc];W[qd];B[qb];W[rb];B[pb];W[qf];B[pe];W[rg]
;B[ra];W[sb];B[fd];W[fe];B[hd];W[pf];B[of];W[jc];B[ic];W[jd];B[he];W[mc];B[qe];W[re]
;B[pg];W[gb];B[ec];W[ib];B[hb];W[ha];B[hc];W[kb];B[rd];W[rc];B[sd];W[rh];B[ri];W[sh]
;B[rf];W[sf];B[qg];W[se];B[rf];W[qf];B[ld];W[lc];B[bf];W[af];B[ag];W[ae];B[ch];W[dg]
;B[df];W[ef];B[ci];W[di];B[bk];W[bn];B[bo];W[dn];B[co];W[cg];B[bm];W[bl];B[an];W[ck]
;B[al];W[cl];B[jq];W[bj];B[gp];W[hq];B[io];W[jr];B[kr];W[ir];B[kq];W[dr];B[ro];W[nl]
;B[mk];W[np];B[mn];W[nn];B[nq];W[ml];B[lk];W[jf];B[fb];W[lf];B[ak];W[cj];B[rn];W[mo]
;B[kh];W[gk];B[lg];W[mf];B[jg];W[ik];B[gm];W[ko];B[im];W[hi];B[ds];W[fq];B[fm];W[eo]
;B[ep];W[gr];B[km];W[ll];B[kl];W[kk];B[kj];W[jk];B[es];W[fs];B[cs];W[hp];B[dp];W[gn]
;B[ho];W[eq];B[hm];W[li];B[ki];W[mg];B[kf];W[ke];B[if];W[kg];B[pf];W[rf];B[kf];W[ip]
;B[jp];W[kg];B[hs];W[hr];B[kf];W[jo];B[go];W[kg];B[si];W[sc];B[kf];W[mq];B[mr];W[kg]
;B[gs];W[is];B[kf];W[lq];B[lr];W[kg];B[gs];W[hs];B[kf];W[je];B[hh];W[gh];B[gg];W[fh]
;B[fk];W[fj];B[nb];W[ne];B[ln];W[lo];B[ek];W[aj];B[am];W[ej];B[mb];W[nc];B[em];W[en]
;B[fg];W[eg];B[ii];W[ij];B[hg];W[lb];B[il];W[hk];B[oc];W[qn];B[rm];W[pm];B[sk];W[sl]
;B[rk];W[rj];B[sj];W[ql];B[sm];W[ji];B[ih];W[jj];B[fa];W[ga];B[kg];W[lj];B[mj];W[mi]
;B[oi];W[nk];B[nj];W[lh];B[dk];W[dj];B[mm];W[kp];B[oo];W[no];B[nm];W[om];B[ks];W[jh]
;B[ig];W[ma];B[na];W[la];B[ad];W[ee];B[ng];W[nd];B[op];W[hn];B[in];W[jl];B[jm];W[gj]
;B[hf])

Five Players Two Seats

The 38th Myeongin (Meijin) league is burning up. Five players are competing with only two seats left for the semi-final. One seat at League A and 1 seat at League B.

At League A, Kang Dongyun (9 dan) came out as the first placer with 4-1 score. His only lost came from new rising player, An Kukhyun (2 dan). An thus put himself at the final round player decision match of league A. He will play the winner between Lee Changho vs. Lee Sedol match. Lee Changho won that game and won the right to play An Kukhyun to decide the second placer of the league. An previously beat Lee Changho at the league. The game will be played at September 5.


An Kukhyun

At league B, Park Yeonghun (9 dan) came as the winner with 4-1. Park's only lost came from Cho Hanseung (9 dan). Cho is one of the last three players who are competing for semi-final seat. Cho along with Weon Sungjin (9 dan) and Kim Kiyoung (5 dan) has 3-2 record thus creating a three way tie. Cho Hanseung will play Weon Sungjin first at August 30. The winner will play Kim Kiyoung to determine who will join Park Yeonghun in the semi-final.



Here is the game record between Lee Changho and Lee Sedol:
Lee Changho (black) vs. Lee Sedol (white). Result: B+R

(;
EV[38th Myeongin league]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Lee Sedol]
WR[9d]
DT[2010-08-19]
BR[Myeongin]
RE[B+R]
PB[Lee Changho]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[qp];W[dd];B[oq];W[qf];B[qi];W[nd];B[qe];W[pf];B[oe]
;W[qc];B[pc];W[re];B[qd];W[rd];B[rc];W[nf];B[rg];W[rf];B[of];W[og]
;B[qb];W[pi];B[pj];W[qj];B[qk];W[rj];B[ri];W[rk];B[pk];W[qh];B[ph]
;W[oi];B[qg];W[pg];B[rl];W[ne];B[nb];W[fq];B[mk];W[ob];B[mc];W[oc]
;B[pb];W[ke];B[jc];W[hc];B[hd];W[gc];B[id];W[if];B[gd];W[fc];B[gg]
;W[ih];B[kp];W[ln];B[gi];W[ce];B[fd];W[ed];B[gp];W[fp];B[cc];W[db]
;B[li];W[kk];B[ji];W[kh];B[lh];W[mg];B[lg];W[lf];B[kg];W[hj];B[ii]
;W[hi];B[hh];W[gj];B[fj];W[fk];B[ej];W[ek];B[dj];W[dk];B[cj];W[ck]
;B[ik];W[hl];B[il];W[jn];B[hm];W[gl];B[km];W[hg];B[gh];W[gf];B[ff]
;W[je];B[ld];W[le];B[jh];W[lb];B[cp];W[oh];B[do];W[ig];B[eg];W[co]
;B[dn];W[bp];B[cq];W[cn];B[fo];W[go];B[fn];W[ch];B[dh];W[hp];B[ep]
;W[kn];B[cm];W[bm];B[gn];W[ho];B[in];W[bq];B[bn];W[bo];B[io];W[jm]
;B[im];W[np];B[dr];W[cr];B[dq];W[nq];B[bl];W[dm];B[am];W[bk];B[em]
;W[dl];B[br];W[ar];B[cs];W[cl];B[or];W[rh];B[mo];W[lp];B[lo];W[nm]
;B[lq];W[nk];B[nj];W[ml];B[ok];W[nl];B[pm];W[no];B[ao];W[bm];B[ip]
;W[nr];B[cm];W[jq];B[iq];W[bm];B[lr];W[ir];B[hr];W[jp];B[jo];W[ko]
;B[mp];W[mn];B[cm];W[ij];B[jj];W[jk];B[oj];W[mi];B[mj])

Here is the game between Cho Hanseung and Park Jeunggeum (4 dan). This is Cho's last game at the league and the one that saved his neck.
Cho Hanseung (white) vs. Park Jeunggeum (black). Result: W+R

(;
EV[38th Myeongin league]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Cho Hanseung]
WR[9d]
DT[2010-08-26]
BR[4d]
RE[W+R]
PB[Park Jeonggeun]
;B[qd];W[dd];B[pp];W[cp];B[eq];W[od];B[cf];W[fc];B[dm];W[do];B[dj]
;W[fp];B[fq];W[gp];B[gq];W[hp];B[iq];W[ch];B[ep];W[eo];B[fn];W[em]
;B[el];W[fm];B[dh];W[fl];B[cg];W[jo];B[oc];W[pd];B[pc];W[qe];B[rd]
;W[nd];B[nc];W[md];B[qf];W[re];B[rf];W[se];B[pf];W[mc];B[pe];W[qc]
;B[rc];W[qb];B[rb];W[pb];B[qn];W[be];B[gd];W[gc];B[id];W[ge];B[cd]
;W[ce];B[de];W[cc];B[ed];W[dc];B[he];W[ee];B[df];W[fd];B[hg];W[ol]
;B[ip];W[io];B[kp];W[ln];B[nm];W[om];B[no];W[ql];B[nl];W[ok];B[ko]
;W[kn];B[mo];W[qq];B[pq];W[pr];B[or];W[rr];B[ps];W[qs];B[qr];W[bf]
;B[bg];W[pr];B[rp];W[qp];B[qo];W[rq];B[qr];W[lo];B[lp];W[pr];B[ho]
;W[hn];B[qr];W[ei];B[rs];W[di];B[ci];W[cj];B[bi];W[dk];B[bj];W[ej]
;B[cl];W[qi];B[kd];W[jc];B[ic];W[kc];B[qa];W[ob];B[hi];W[dr];B[cn]
;W[dl];B[cq];W[bq];B[dq];W[cr];B[bp];W[bo];B[fo];W[en];B[br];W[ap]
;B[bs];W[eh];B[bh];W[jg];B[gf];W[fe];B[ji];W[if];B[hf];W[jd];B[jh]
;W[ie];B[hd];W[ig];B[kg];W[kf];B[ih];W[lg];B[kh];W[gh];B[hh];W[rm]
;B[rh];W[ri];B[si];W[sj];B[sh];W[qh];B[qg];W[on];B[oo];W[ll];B[rj]
;W[lf];B[lj];W[mi];B[li];W[jk];B[ik];W[ij])

Okuda Aya Joins Mukai Chiaki Lead

Being the sole leader of the 23rd Female Meijin for 2 weeks, Mukai Chiaki must watch her back. Because the young and ambitious Okuda Aya (2 dan) also scored her second victory today.


Okuda Aya

Okuda Aya beat Koyama Terumi (6 dan) by 2.5 points. With this lost, Koyama is in danger with 0-2 score.

Here is the game record:
Okuda Aya (white) vs. Koyama Terumi (black). Result: W+2.5.

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[23rd Female Meijin, league]DT[2010-08-26]
PB[Koyama Terumi]BR[6p]PW[Okuda Aya]WR[2p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+2.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[oq];W[qf];B[qh];W[qc];B[qd];W[pc];B[od];W[rd];B[re];W[rc]
;B[qe];W[nc];B[co];W[gq];B[cf];W[di];B[ck];W[cm];B[fp];W[fq];B[cq];W[cr];B[dp];W[bq]
;B[eq];W[cp];B[dr];W[cq];B[fr];W[gp];B[gr];W[iq];B[go];W[ho];B[eo];W[bo];B[gn];W[hn]
;B[gm];W[hm];B[gk];W[hl];B[ek];W[gl];B[fl];W[fj];B[fk];W[em];B[fm];W[df];B[dg];W[ef]
;B[ce];W[cd];B[eg];W[fg];B[fh];W[gh];B[ch];W[fd];B[gi];W[gg];B[hi];W[mp];B[pk];W[nd]
;B[kp];W[ds];B[er];W[kq];B[lq];W[lp];B[ko];W[kr];B[mq];W[ln];B[kn];W[nq];B[nr];W[np]
;B[mr];W[lm];B[km];W[kl];B[jl];W[op];B[pp];W[ll];B[ip];W[jm];B[jq];W[jr];B[hq];W[jp]
;B[hp];W[jo];B[ic];W[gc];B[lc];W[nf];B[pf];W[ci];B[eh];W[kb];B[lb];W[kc];B[kd];W[ld]
;B[nb];W[ob];B[md];W[le];B[oc];W[mb];B[ne];W[na];B[mc];W[jd];B[nb];W[qn];B[ma];W[pb]
;B[cn];W[bm];B[ig];W[if];B[hf];W[hg];B[ka];W[jb];B[ie];W[jf];B[ke];W[je];B[kf];W[kg]
;B[lf];W[lg];B[me];W[ib];B[pn];W[pm];B[oo];W[om];B[no];W[mo];B[bn];W[an];B[bk];W[rp]
;B[rq];W[ro];B[pr];W[qk];B[qj];W[rk];B[rj];W[be];B[bf];W[bd];B[ql];W[rl];B[rm];W[qm]
;B[sk];W[pl];B[sl];W[ql];B[ok];W[qq];B[rr];W[ii];B[nn];W[nm];B[ih];W[nj];B[ji];W[oi]
;B[jg];W[id];B[nk];W[lj];B[pi];W[dl];B[dk];W[jk];B[mg];W[mh];B[nh];W[oh];B[mi];W[mj]
;B[og];W[pg];B[of];W[li];B[lh];W[mn];B[po];W[kh];B[ki];W[mh];B[sd];W[rb];B[lh];W[sc]
;B[mh];W[se];B[rf];W[ph];B[qg];W[af];B[ag];W[ae];B[bg];W[rn];B[io];W[in];B[sm];W[is]
;B[oj];W[ni];B[ml];W[mm];B[kj];W[lk];B[ij];W[hr];B[ik];W[il];B[oa];W[hk];B[hj];W[en]
;B[al];W[bl];B[de];W[ee];B[fn];W[ls];B[sp];W[ms];B[ns];W[lr];B[kk];W[gs];B[ja];W[ia]
;B[la];W[pa];B[sf];W[am];B[ak];W[sd];B[na])

Yamada Kimio Rechallenge Oza

Unsuccessfully challenging for Cho U's Oza title last year (losing 0-3), Yamada Kimio will take Cho U in another 5 games title match. Yamada Kimio won 58th Oza Final to become this year challenger.


Yamada Kimio

Yamada who has a terrible year this year after losing his seats at both Meijin league (with 2-6 record) and Honinbo league (with 2-5 record also lost to Cho Sonjin at the first round of 66th Honinbo final preliminary), seize his last chance to prove himself this year at the top 7 titles.

Yamada beat Mochizuki Kenichi (7 dan) in a tense wrecking game. I don't understand white's final decision when he played F11 (move 206). I think connecting at J13 is the only answer. White will be connected that way!


Mochizuki Kenichi

Here is the game record:
Yamada Kimio (black) vs. Mochizuki Kenichi (white). Result: B+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rating game]EV[58th Japanese Oza, final]
DT[2010-08-26]PB[Yamada Kimio]BR[9p]PW[Mochizuki Kenichi]WR[7p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+R!]
MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dd];B[pp];W[dq];B[fc];W[hc];B[oc];W[ec];B[ck];W[fd];B[co];W[cm];B[eo];W[gq]
;B[dl];W[cp];B[bo];W[qj];B[dg];W[qn];B[nq];W[mc];B[qh];W[rp];B[ql];W[on];B[pk];W[qq]
;B[nn];W[nm];B[no];W[mm];B[pj];W[kp];B[lo];W[ei];B[ci];W[me];B[ip];W[iq];B[jq];W[jp]
;B[io];W[kq];B[hq];W[jr];B[ir];W[kn];B[pq];W[gp];B[qp];W[rr];B[qr];W[rq];B[gr];W[ep]
;B[jn];W[ko];B[do];W[fr];B[gn];W[jm];B[im];W[il];B[gd];W[gc];B[fe];W[ed];B[jl];W[km]
;B[jk];W[hm];B[in];W[hk];B[go];W[ii];B[kj];W[ki];B[li];W[kh];B[fg];W[qm];B[pm];W[ol]
;B[hj];W[oo];B[pn];W[pl];B[po];W[om];B[ro];W[qk];B[rl];W[rm];B[qo];W[rk];B[pr];W[ij]
;B[ik];W[hl];B[mj];W[gj];B[pi];W[hp];B[jq];W[pg];B[iq];W[qg];B[lh];W[lk];B[lj];W[ni]
;B[kg];W[ih];B[gh];W[hh];B[mf];W[nf];B[ng];W[lf];B[mg];W[le];B[of];W[ne];B[og];W[rh]
;B[lg];W[if];B[bq];W[pe];B[oe];W[pd];B[od];W[pc];B[pf];W[qf];B[gi];W[hi];B[pb];W[qb]
;B[qc];W[qe];B[rb];W[ob];B[qa];W[nb];B[ph];W[qi];B[ok];W[gs];B[hr];W[nk];B[nj];W[nh]
;B[mk];W[bp];B[cq];W[dp];B[ap];W[cr];B[br];W[bs];B[dr];W[ds];B[cs];W[ml];B[oh];W[cr]
;B[ri];W[rf];B[sh];W[rg];B[sf];W[rj];B[sj];W[si];B[cs];W[oi];B[ri];W[sl];B[mi];W[cr]
;B[re];W[si];B[cs];W[rd];B[fp];W[rc];B[ce];W[cd];B[bd];W[bc];B[ie];W[jf];B[ge];W[id]
;B[je];W[he];B[hd];W[jd];B[hf];W[ke];B[be];W[ek];B[jg];W[fi];B[ig];W[he];B[hg])

Mukai Chiaki Once Again!

This year final of the 29th Female Honinbo is final of two people who each has a personal "grudge" against the current Female Honinbo, Xie Yimin. For Umezaw Yukari, winning the final will mean a chance to pay Xie Yimin back for the lost of her Female Kisei. Meanwhile, for Mukai Chiaki, winning this final will mean another chance to steal Xie's title after her unsuccessful Female Meijin challenge in early March.


Umezawa Yukari (left) vs. Mukai Chiaki (right)

Mukai Chiaki who played black chose to play Low Chinese Opening. After an early corner-side trade, Mukai aimed the upper board as her basis. White's early lost came when black successfully exploit white's weak groups at the center and right side. Black managed to split white and captured 3 white stones at the center.

Umezawa Yukari resigned at move 223. She was behind about 5 points including komi. With this, the youngest of the three Mukai sisters once again challenge Xie for her title. This is also Mukai's revenge to her lost at the 11th Female Kisei title match where she lost 2-0 to Umezawa Yukari who was the title holder that time.


Mukai Chiaki

The first game date is October 6. The game will be played at Hanamaki, Iwate.

Here is the game record:
Mukai Chiaki (black) vs. Umezawa Yukari (white). Result: B+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[29th Female Honinbo, final]DT[2010-08-26]
PB[Mukai Chiaki]BR[4p]PW[Umezawa Yukari]WR[5p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[Black Win by Resign!]
MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[pq];W[dd];B[qk];W[mq];B[fc];W[pp];B[qp];W[qo];B[po];W[op];B[qn];W[qq]
;B[ro];W[rp];B[qo];W[rq];B[cf];W[fd];B[gd];W[fe];B[ec];W[dc];B[dg];W[ce];B[be];W[df]
;B[bf];W[bd];B[cj];W[db];B[jc];W[qf];B[qe];W[pf];B[nd];W[pi];B[nf];W[qj];B[pk];W[rk]
;B[rl];W[ni];B[rf];W[rg];B[re];W[li];B[cn];W[fp];B[hq];W[jq];B[ho];W[fn];B[hm];W[cl]
;B[dm];W[dj];B[ci];W[dl];B[em];W[gn];B[hn];W[fl];B[cp];W[cq];B[do];W[dq];B[el];W[ek]
;B[fm];W[gm];B[gl];W[fk];B[fo];W[go];B[gp];W[eo];B[en];W[fo];B[fq];W[ep];B[cm];W[hl]
;B[gk];W[gj];B[hk];W[il];B[hj];W[hi];B[jk];W[bp];B[bl];W[jl];B[jj];W[ll];B[jp];W[kp]
;B[iq];W[jo];B[ip];W[jr];B[ko];W[lp];B[jn];W[gi];B[jh];W[hf];B[kg];W[jf];B[oo];W[np]
;B[mj];W[lj];B[kk];W[lk];B[kl];W[km];B[jm];W[rj];B[nk];W[mm];B[nn];W[rm];B[pr];W[qr]
;B[mi];W[mh];B[lh];W[ol];B[ok];W[qm];B[pm];W[ql];B[pl];W[mn];B[nh];W[hc];B[bo];W[co]
;B[hd];W[ic];B[id];W[jb];B[kb];W[kc];B[jd];W[lb];B[ib];W[ka];B[hb];W[oc];B[cp];W[mg]
;B[ng];W[le];B[mf];W[nc];B[ig];W[if];B[eb];W[co];B[rh];W[qh];B[cp];W[fr];B[bq];W[co]
;B[ef];W[de];B[cp];W[br];B[ap];W[gr];B[gq];W[er];B[sg];W[qg];B[fg];W[qb];B[qc];W[rb]
;B[od];W[ih];B[ii];W[hh];B[mc];W[nb];B[sp];W[sr];B[rs];W[or];B[jg];W[gf];B[qs];W[oq]
;B[fh];W[hg];B[ad];W[bc];B[ps];W[os];B[rc];W[md];B[pb];W[pc];B[sb];W[pa];B[ar];W[bs]
;B[so];W[rr];B[sm];W[sl];B[rn];W[sn];B[ra];W[ob];B[sm];W[ri];B[rl];W[sh];B[ir])

Chang Hao and Gu Li Were Not Seeded

It seems that both Chang Hao and Gu Li are on their edge. Due to their poor results at international event, both senior players, Gu Li and Chang Hao were not seeded as China's team players at 2010 Nongshim Cup. Instead, they seed the rising Kong Jie and Xie He who gave China 5 consecutive victories at the previous Nongshim edition.


Gu Li

Gu Li entered the preliminary tournament, but lost at the second round to Zhou Ruiyang (5 dan). However, he still has the chance, since he will play at the loser section. His first game at the loser section will be against Piao Wenyao (5 dan). Meanwhile, Chang Hao has lost the preliminary tournament. He lost to Hu Yaoyu (8 dan) at the first round, then lost to Ding Wei (9 dan) at the loser section.


Chang Hao

Fujisawa Rina First Official Victory

Surely that there are some burden being the granddaughter of the famous Fujisawa Shuko. Fujisawa Rina knows it best. Being the most famous new player, Rina seems to be always under the radar.


Fujisawa Rina

And for you who is curious about her, here is the game record of her first official victory.

Black is Fujisawa Rina (1 dan) and white is Kanda Ei (9 dan). Black won the game by resignation.

Rina made a rare move with black 11. The usual combination would be black 11 at M17 followed by white O16, black P18, R17, N18, O15, M16, N15, L16, P12. Kanda Ei's answer at white 12 is the only move. Black's position will be too promising if white played O18. Rina also showed a calm defense when her group is under fire. She played the correct escaping move, S7. It doesn't matter whether white played Q8 or Q9 next, since black's group will still get out of the hot water.

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[36th Japanese Kisei, preliminary]DT[2010-06-10]
PB[Fujisawa Rina]BR[1p]PW[Kanda Ei]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[pp];B[dd];W[dp];B[qn];W[nq];B[pj];W[nc];B[od];W[pb];B[ob];W[oc];B[pc];W[qb]
;B[mc];W[nd];B[nb];W[md];B[lc];W[oe];B[qf];W[ld];B[kc];W[pf];B[qe];W[ph];B[qg];W[nh]
;B[qh];W[je];B[cn];W[cl];B[en];W[fp];B[bp];W[cq];B[ci];W[el];B[gn];W[gl];B[ho];W[hq]
;B[im];W[hm];B[in];W[ip];B[il];W[fj];B[bq];W[df];B[cf];W[cg];B[bf];W[de];B[cd];W[ed]
;B[ec];W[fc];B[fd];W[ee];B[db];W[eb];B[dc];W[gd];B[dg];W[fe];B[eg];W[qc];B[pd];W[rd]
;B[re];W[sc];B[ic];W[oa];B[ma];W[hc];B[ie];W[ib];B[id];W[jb];B[kd];W[ke];B[ig];W[kg]
;B[rp];W[fg];B[ra];W[rb];B[se];W[sa];B[sd];W[rc];B[sb];W[ce];B[be];W[sa];B[mf];W[lf]
;B[sb];W[bd];B[bc];W[sa];B[fh];W[qa];B[hh];W[bn];B[do];W[eh];B[gg];W[dh];B[ff];W[ch]
;B[ge];W[gb];B[bi];W[dj];B[bg];W[bo];B[co];W[cm];B[ep];W[eq];B[cp];W[ql];B[pg];W[og]
;B[qq];W[qo];B[ro];W[pn];B[rn];W[pm];B[or];W[pr];B[pq];W[oq];B[nr];W[mr];B[qr];W[ns]
;B[ps];W[mp];B[dq];W[er];B[lq];W[mq];B[ko];W[jo];B[oo];W[po];B[jq];W[jn];B[kn];W[jm]
;B[mn];W[nn];B[mo];W[no];B[nm];W[om];B[kl];W[rj];B[pi];W[oh];B[qk];W[rk];B[hr];W[kp]
;B[lp];W[ir];B[iq];W[kq];B[kr];W[jp];B[jr];W[lr];B[hp];W[nl];B[ri];W[gq];B[gr];W[si]
;B[sg];W[rf];B[ok];W[qj];B[qi];W[nk];B[nf];W[of];B[nj];W[mj];B[ni];W[oi];B[mi];W[mh]
;B[oj];W[li];B[sh];W[rg];B[qm];W[pl];B[rl];W[sl];B[sm];W[rm];B[ne];W[le];B[rl];W[fo]
;B[mk];W[is];B[hs];W[mm];B[fn];W[fq];B[dr];W[fs];B[go];W[ks];B[js];W[ls];B[eo];W[lj]
;B[sk])

Seo Bongsoo Beat Kim Soojin

Only having half of their starting members, Senior team sent Seo Bongsoo (9 dan) as their representative. Challenging Kim Soojin, Seo Bongsoo who never won in the pevious GG Auction Cup edition successfully marked his first victory at the championship.



The game started classically. Up to move 9, the position was similiar to 57th NHK Cup game between Xie Yimin and Yamada Noriyoshi. However, at move 10 Kim (who played white again) played niken biraki at M17 while Xie decided to go with H17. Kim got a promising thickness after move 50. Several moves later, white trade her thickness for invasion at black lower left corner.


Post game interview

Seo Bongsoo won the game by 2.5 points after hard 330 moves. Seo Bongsoo will play Moon Dowon (2 dan) next week.


Kim Soojin replaying her game.

Here is the game record:
Seo Bongsoo (black) vs. Kim Soojin (white). Result: B+2.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[4th GG Auction Cup game 10]DT[2010-02-21]
PB[Seo Bongsoo]BR[9p]PW[Kim Soojin]WR[3p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+2.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dc];B[dp];W[pp];B[ce];W[ed];B[ci];W[oc];B[jc];W[lc];B[gc];W[qb];B[od];W[nd]
;B[oe];W[ne];B[pc];W[pb];B[nc];W[ob];B[nf];W[le];B[og];W[ge];B[lb];W[mb];B[kc];W[ld]
;B[qn];W[nq];B[pk];W[cg];B[bc];W[ie];B[cb];W[db];B[fb];W[df];B[hb];W[ck];B[cm];W[ek]
;B[de];W[ee];B[bg];W[bh];B[bf];W[ch];B[bi];W[di];B[eq];W[oi];B[pi];W[pm];B[pn];W[nm]
;B[on];W[pl];B[nn];W[ph];B[oh];W[pj];B[qi];W[qj];B[ri];W[oj];B[rj];W[rl];B[mm];W[nl]
;B[lq];W[lp];B[kp];W[lo];B[ln];W[ko];B[jp];W[jo];B[ip];W[lk];B[kl];W[kk];B[jl];W[ll]
;B[km];W[io];B[jk];W[hp];B[hq];W[gq];B[hr];W[ho];B[mq];W[np];B[ji];W[jr];B[kr];W[gr]
;B[ir];W[en];B[co];W[rp];B[hi];W[dr];B[er];W[gs];B[hs];W[bn];B[em];W[fm];B[bm];W[cq]
;B[es];W[cp];B[bo];W[do];B[cn];W[ep];B[dq];W[cr];B[fp];W[eo];B[gp];W[bp];B[bk];W[ds]
;B[fq];W[cc];B[bb];W[pf];B[of];W[rd];B[rc];W[qc];B[qe];W[ij];B[jj];W[ii];B[ih];W[hj]
;B[jh];W[lh];B[fl];W[el];B[gj];W[hk];B[gm];W[dm];B[gi];W[gl];B[hm];W[fk];B[gg];W[ic]
;B[hd];W[id];B[ib];W[he];B[ro];W[rm];B[hl];W[gk];B[go];W[mr];B[rq];W[sp];B[qp];W[qq]
;B[qo];W[rr];B[pq];W[qr];B[op];W[oq];B[po];W[pr];B[li];W[mi];B[mh];W[ki];B[lg];W[lj]
;B[kb];W[lr];B[ls];W[mp];B[kq];W[gn];B[nr];W[or];B[hn];W[fn];B[kh];W[ns];B[fr];W[re]
;B[rf];W[rb];B[li];W[ml];B[kn];W[lh];B[se];W[sc];B[li];W[no];B[mn];W[lh];B[so];W[nh]
;B[sr];W[qf];B[rg];W[mg];B[cj];W[mf];B[pg];W[ai];B[dj];W[ei];B[eg];W[fh];B[fg];W[cl]
;B[bl];W[aj];B[ak];W[fi];B[ef];W[dh];B[jf];W[hg];B[hf];W[if];B[ig];W[gf];B[gh];W[gd]
;B[hc];W[kd];B[kf];W[jd];B[pd];W[ja];B[jb];W[ag];B[cd];W[in];B[im];W[ah];B[bj];W[af]
;B[ae];W[rk];B[aq];W[ap];B[br];W[bs];B[ao];W[ar];B[as];W[ad];B[be];W[ar];B[ks];W[ms]
;B[as];W[iq];B[jq];W[ar];B[dk];W[dl];B[as];W[js];B[is];W[ar];B[md];W[me];B[as];W[lf]
;B[kg];W[ar];B[os];W[ps];B[as];W[fo];B[fs];W[ar];B[ej];W[fj];B[as];W[hf];B[cs];W[hh]
;B[bq];W[pp];B[oo];W[da];B[fd];W[fe];B[fc];W[cf];B[ca];W[la];B[ka];W[ma];B[qm];W[ql]
;B[om];W[ol];B[kj];W[li];B[sf];W[sd];B[sj];W[fa];B[ga];W[ea];B[jn];W[ik];B[il];W[rs]
;B[sq];W[sk];B[sm];W[rn];B[sn];W[dd];B[bd];W[pq])

Li Zhe or Jiang Weijie?

Gu Li must wait a little longer to know who will face him at the 23rd Mingren title match series as Li Zhe managed to win second game today by a bare 0.5 point.


Li Zhe (left) vs. Jiang Weijie (right)

The third game usually played a day after the second game.

Here is the game record:
Li Zhe (white) vs. Jiang Weijie (black). Result: W+0.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rating game]EV[23rd Chinese Mingren final game 2]
DT[2010-08-20]PB[Jiang Weijie]BR[5p]PW[Li Zhe]WR[6p]KM[7.5]HA[0]RE[W+0.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[qp];W[dc];B[oq];W[nc];B[qf];W[ci];B[kc];W[ic];B[ke];W[pg];B[qg];W[ie]
;B[pc];W[kg];B[jf];W[ld];B[kd];W[mf];B[hd];W[id];B[lf];W[lg];B[mg];W[nf];B[mh];W[pi]
;B[le];W[pf];B[ph];W[ni];B[qh];W[lj];B[ki];W[li];B[oh];W[nh];B[ng];W[og];B[pe];W[of]
;B[me];W[mi];B[hc];W[he];B[fd];W[de];B[ec];W[eb];B[ge];W[hg];B[gf];W[ig];B[df];W[ee]
;B[ef];W[cf];B[db];W[ed];B[fc];W[cb];B[fh];W[cg];B[jg];W[ii];B[jh];W[gi];B[ej];W[eg]
;B[fb];W[da];B[eh];W[dg];B[fk];W[hk];B[fg];W[gm];B[ib];W[jb];B[ia];W[jc];B[kb];W[ja]
;B[gb];W[jq];B[kj];W[jm];B[kk];W[pk];B[fq];W[gp];B[fp];W[go];B[fo];W[dn];B[fm];W[gn]
;B[fn];W[nq];B[cq];W[dq];B[dr];W[or];B[pq];W[cp];B[br];W[bq];B[cr];W[cl];B[pl];W[ol]
;B[om];W[pm];B[ql];W[nm];B[on];W[nn];B[no];W[oo];B[pn];W[mo];B[np];W[mp];B[op];W[mr]
;B[hq];W[qk];B[qm];W[ka];B[mb];W[nl];B[lq];W[mq];B[jr];W[iq];B[ir];W[gq];B[gr];W[hp]
;B[hr];W[kq];B[pr];W[ma];B[na];W[la];B[nb];W[bp];B[ck];W[bk];B[cm];W[dl];B[dm];W[bm]
;B[cn];W[bn];B[hj];W[gj];B[jl];W[ik];B[il];W[hl];B[im];W[kl];B[jk];W[jn];B[lk];W[ll]
;B[mk];W[nk];B[ml];W[mm];B[co];W[bo];B[do];W[rj];B[rl];W[sg];B[sf];W[si];B[rg];W[ps]
;B[qs];W[os];B[qr];W[kr];B[hn];W[io];B[ih];W[hh];B[ij];W[gk];B[cj];W[bj];B[di];W[dh]
;B[jj];W[hi];B[el];W[dk];B[dj];W[sh];B[qi];W[oi];B[qj];W[rk];B[ff];W[lh];B[oe];W[lb]
;B[lc];W[mc];B[ob];W[ne];B[nd];W[ar];B[pj];W[oj];B[re];W[er];B[eq];W[bs];B[fr];W[js]
;B[is];W[ks];B[fa];W[eo];B[en];W[ep];B[ea];W[db];B[es];W[sl];B[sm];W[sk];B[ri];W[ok]
;B[fi];W[aq];B[cs];W[mj];B[as];W[in];B[hm];W[gl];B[ho];W[bl];B[ek];W[bs];B[nr];W[ns]
;B[as];W[se];B[sd];W[bs];B[ce];W[be];B[as];W[rn];B[rm];W[bs];B[rh];W[sj];B[as];W[ha]
;B[hb];W[bs];B[cd];W[bd];B[as];W[kh];B[ji];W[bs];B[mg];W[ng];B[as];W[kf];B[je];W[bs]
;B[hf];W[if];B[as];W[jd];B[md];W[bs];B[km];W[lm];B[as];W[po];B[qn];W[bs];B[ms];W[ls]
;B[as];W[qo];B[ro];W[bs];B[fe];W[dd];B[as];W[qe];B[qd];W[bs];B[ch];W[bh];B[as];W[sn]
;B[so];W[bs];B[fl];W[as];B[fj];W[ip])

Kim Soojin Took the Wheel

After two consecutive blows to the Female team at the 4th GG Auction Cup, Kim Soojin (3 dan) managed to get the ship's wheel back to the girls' favor.

Kim challenged Senior team's representative, Jimmy Cha, who previously beat Park Jiyeon and Choi Jung of Female team. The game opened by Jimmy Cha playing the Kobayashi opening. After handling white's invasion at H3, black played a peep at R9 and then S7. The shape is kinda strange after the sequence up to move 79.



Kim Soojin showed quite an instructive game by handling black's tsuke at move 105. Black stubbornly tried to get his group out, however Kim showed that her calculation was correct. Black's 12 stones invading group successfully killed by Kim Soojin. The rest of game is easy for white since black didn't have many territories and his moyo at the bottom side is not perfect due to Q6 group. White won the game by 12.5 points.

Tomorrow Kim Soojin will be challenged by, no less than, Seo Bongsoo who was known as "gang of four" (along with Cho Hunhyun, Lee Changho, and Yoo Changhyuk) who dominated the Korean go scene at the 90s.


Hi honey. I won ^o^

Here is the game record:
Kim Soojin (white) vs. Jimmy Cha (black). Result: W+12.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[4th GG Auction Cup, game 9]DT[2010-08-20]
PB[Jimmy Cha]BR[4p]PW[Kim Soojin]WR[3p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+12.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[fq];W[cn];B[jp];W[qn];B[qp];W[pj];B[qh];W[on];B[pm];W[pn]
;B[mp];W[rj];B[fc];W[hc];B[cf];W[fd];B[cc];W[dc];B[cd];W[de];B[cb];W[db];B[nc];W[dr]
;B[fo];W[hq];B[eq];W[dq];B[io];W[gr];B[ir];W[ho];B[hp];W[gp];B[gq];W[hr];B[ip];W[iq]
;B[jq];W[jr];B[kr];W[is];B[go];W[qf];B[rd];W[kc];B[qk];W[qj];B[rm];W[rn];B[ok];W[rl]
;B[rk];W[ql];B[qm];W[pl];B[pk];W[om];B[sk];W[oj];B[nk];W[nj];B[mk];W[sm];B[rh];W[mj]
;B[lj];W[li];B[ki];W[lh];B[nh];W[kh];B[oh];W[mh];B[kj];W[ji];B[kd];W[lc];B[hd];W[id]
;B[ic];W[ib];B[jh];W[ii];B[gc];W[jc];B[jg];W[lf];B[gg];W[he];B[hh];W[gj];B[df];W[dj]
;B[jk];W[nf];B[of];W[oe];B[pe];W[ch];B[dk];W[ck];B[cl];W[ek];B[dl];W[el];B[dm];W[bk]
;B[bl];W[em];B[dn];W[en];B[co];W[do];B[bn];W[bo];B[cp];W[bp];B[cq];W[bq];B[ej];W[di]
;B[cr];W[br];B[cm];W[cs];B[fj];W[fi];B[fk];W[ei];B[gk];W[eo];B[gi];W[be];B[ce];W[bf]
;B[me];W[le];B[gd];W[ge];B[ee];W[fe];B[da];W[gb];B[eg];W[fb];B[mn];W[op];B[oq];W[gm]
;B[rp];W[so];B[ro];W[qm];B[ne];W[fh];B[fg];W[gh];B[hj];W[hi];B[hg];W[gj];B[bg];W[cg]
;B[gi];W[kq];B[lr];W[gj];B[cj];W[bj];B[gi];W[nb];B[ld];W[ke];B[mb];W[gj];B[md];W[je]
;B[gi];W[mc];B[ob];W[gj];B[bh];W[bd];B[gi];W[np];B[gj];W[nq];B[hm];W[or];B[pr];W[mr]
;B[os];W[lq];B[lp];W[mq];B[kp];W[ns];B[nr];W[hn];B[ms];W[gn];B[ls];W[fr];B[bc];W[bi]
;B[im];W[lb];B[ad];W[ah];B[na];W[ng];B[og];W[si];B[kg];W[mf];B[sh];W[mm];B[lm];W[nn]
;B[ml];W[mo];B[ln];W[sp];B[sq];W[sn];B[rq];W[in];B[jn];W[hl];B[il];W[gl];B[hk];W[ea]
;B[er];W[es];B[ca];W[if];B[nm];W[ed];B[ef];W[ol];B[lo];W[no];B[la];W[ka];B[ma];W[ig]
;B[ih];W[pi];B[lg];W[mg];B[ph];W[fn];B[fp];W[fl];B[ae];W[ag];B[ac];W[af];B[dh];W[nl]
;B[po];W[jd];B[od];W[js];B[mm];W[ep];B[gp];W[ci];B[ns])

Sakai Hideyuki Pulled to Game 5

After almost one month break since the third game of 35th Gosei title match, Cho U Gosei once again sit in front of the goban to face his challenger, Sakai Hideyuki.


Sakai Hideyuki (left) vs. Cho U (right)

Sakai who played white in this fourth game opened the game by a rare Niken Takagakari (2 spaces high approach). Cho U's answer was new! Instead of the usual Q3 or P3, he played P5. Sakai denied to answer and pinch Cho's approaching stone at the bottom left corner instead. Cho decided to play for influence by playing move 9-19 combination.

The game was close. Sakai once again showed his endgame skill and won the game by 3.5 points.

I'm impressed by Sakai. He can stand Japan's number 1 player so well. Seems that Iyama Yuta is not the only threat for Cho's dominance at Japanese go world.

The last game will be played August 27 at Chiyoda, Tokyo.

Here is the game record:
Sakai Hideyuki (white) vs. Cho U (black). Result: W+3.5.

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[35th Gosei title match, game #4]DT[2010-08-19]
PB[Cho U]BR[9p]PW[Sakai Hideyuki]WR[7p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+3.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[co];W[np];B[oo];W[cl];B[hp];W[cp];B[ep];W[eq];B[fp];W[bo]
;B[dp];W[cq];B[cn];W[bn];B[no];W[lp];B[nq];W[qi];B[mp];W[qf];B[qe];W[pf];B[nc];W[ql]
;B[pj];W[qj];B[rf];W[rg];B[fc];W[df];B[db];W[cc];B[hd];W[jc];B[ic];W[jd];B[cb];W[qc]
;B[pc];W[re];B[rd];W[sf];B[rc];W[if];B[ch];W[cj];B[eh];W[ff];B[gh];W[fi];B[eg];W[fd]
;B[gd];W[gg];B[fh];W[ih];B[ce];W[cf];B[ef];W[de];B[ee];W[ed];B[fe];W[bb];B[dk];W[dl]
;B[ck];W[bk];B[dj];W[ib];B[hb];W[id];B[hc];W[iq];B[hq];W[lq];B[ip];W[jq];B[ba];W[ab]
;B[bf];W[be];B[bg];W[bd];B[bj];W[nr];B[or];W[mr];B[qm];W[rm];B[qn];W[bl];B[pl];W[pk]
;B[rl];W[qk];B[ko];W[pr];B[oq];W[os];B[qr];W[pq];B[qq];W[lo];B[km];W[jo];B[jp];W[kn]
;B[jn];W[kp];B[in];W[lm];B[kl];W[ll];B[kk];W[lk];B[ki];W[kj];B[jj];W[lj];B[ji];W[mc]
;B[mb];W[lc];B[nd];W[lb];B[nb];W[kg];B[mn];W[li];B[kr];W[jr];B[ln];W[ks];B[ol];W[rn]
;B[ro];W[ok];B[nf];W[jb];B[el];W[em];B[fm];W[eb];B[ec];W[fb];B[dc];W[gb];B[ga];W[fa]
;B[gc];W[ha];B[hf];W[hg];B[gf];W[hi];B[jf];W[kf];B[ie];W[ig];B[je];W[ke];B[hj];W[ci]
;B[fl];W[bi];B[ii];W[ng];B[mg];W[mf];B[me];W[lf];B[gr];W[mq];B[op];W[fr];B[fq];W[er]
;B[kh];W[jg];B[nh];W[he];B[fg];W[og];B[lh];W[rk];B[dm];W[cm];B[en];W[mi];B[mh];W[nl]
;B[pp];W[pe];B[qd];W[di];B[ei];W[hh];B[gi];W[nm];B[ps];W[ko];B[ni];W[bh];B[cg];W[mo]
;B[nn];W[pm];B[pn];W[om];B[nj];W[oj];B[oi];W[pi];B[oh];W[ph];B[ge];W[oe];B[ne];W[ie]
;B[ir];W[lr];B[ns];W[ms];B[io];W[od];B[oc];W[ma];B[na];W[la];B[sd];W[of];B[ld];W[kd]
;B[se];W[rf];B[sn];W[sl];B[so];W[sm];B[ae];W[ad];B[ah];W[ai];B[is];W[gs];B[mm];W[ml]
;B[js];W[kq];B[hr];W[os];B[ag];W[ns];B[np];W[af];B[ia];W[ja];B[ae];W[nk];B[mj];W[af]
;B[fs];W[es];B[ae];W[le];B[md];W[af];B[hs];W[fs];B[ae];W[rb];B[qb];W[af];B[ca];W[ia]
;B[ae];W[pb];B[qa];W[af];B[jk];W[ae])

Jiang Weijie Won Game 1

The 23rd Chinese Mingren Cup is in its last stage before the title match. Two players, Jiang Weijie (5 dan) and Li Zhe (6 dan), brawl to determine who will challenge Gu Li in a 5 games title match.


Jiang Weijie (left) vs. Li Zhe (right)

Jiang Weijie took the first game by resignation. White played a hane at move 134 and eventually killed black's group. I personally think black should nobi at move 131.

Here is the game record Jiang Weijie (white) vs. Li Zhe (black). Result: W+R.

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[23rd Chinese Mingren, challenger decision match #1]
DT[2010-08-18]PB[Li Zhe]BR[6p]PW[Jiang Weijie]WR[5p]KM[6.5]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[qk];W[fq];B[fc];W[id];B[df];W[fd];B[cc];W[ec];B[cd];W[ch]
;B[bf];W[nc];B[pf];W[pb];B[qc];W[ld];B[mp];W[kp];B[ln];W[jn];B[iq];W[kr];B[ho];W[jp]
;B[hm];W[jl];B[dm];W[fn];B[eo];W[gp];B[cp];W[cq];B[co];W[do];B[dn];W[dq];B[fl];W[gn]
;B[cj];W[ek];B[el];W[ck];B[bk];W[cl];B[dk];W[dj];B[bl];W[ef];B[eg];W[dg];B[ee];W[ff]
;B[de];W[eh];B[fe];W[gd];B[di];W[dl];B[fk];W[ci];B[bj];W[ge];B[ok];W[qq];B[qp];W[pp]
;B[oq];W[rp];B[qo];W[ro];B[rq];W[qr];B[rr];W[qn];B[po];W[ql];B[rk];W[pn];B[oo];W[pl]
;B[pk];W[rm];B[eb];W[fb];B[gc];W[gb];B[hc];W[ed];B[db];W[hb];B[im];W[kn];B[kf];W[lf]
;B[lg];W[mf];B[jh];W[fg];B[mg];W[ej];B[sp];W[cm];B[bm];W[cn];B[bn];W[dk];B[gi];W[ei]
;B[jm];W[km];B[kl];W[ll];B[kk];W[lm];B[bq];W[qb];B[nf];W[ne];B[me];W[le];B[oe];W[lk]
;B[nd];W[mc];B[io];W[ip];B[so];W[nm];B[br];W[kj];B[jk];W[jj];B[ik];W[ij];B[hk];W[li]
;B[mj];W[mi];B[nh];W[hj];B[gj];W[fj];B[gg];W[kh];B[kg];W[ig];B[ih];W[gh];B[hh];W[fh])

Good Old Rival

It seems that the 58th NHK Cup will provide an interesting match next week. Four times NHK Champion, Cho Chikun will play his archenemy back in the 80s and 90s, two times NHK Champion, Kobayashi Koichi.

The two of them has met many times in many title match games. They also met once at NHK Cup's final back in 2004.


Kobayashi Koichi (left) vs. Cho Chikun at NHK Cup's final in 2004.


Kobayashi Koichi (left) vs. Cho Chikun (right) at the 47th Honinbo title match. Cho who was the title holder won the series by 4-3. He recovered from 0-3 score that time.


Kobayashi Koichi and Cho Chikun at the 10th Kisei title match series. Kobayashi won the series by 4-2.

The game was actually played at July 26, but it will be aired August 22. Kobayashi Koichi beat Lee Ishu (7 dan) at the first round, while Cho Chikun was seeded to second round. I'm looking forward for this match :)

Senior Team's First Streak

The Senior team is back to the game. Jimmy Cha got the first winning streak for Senior team by defeating Choi Jung (1 dan) by resignation.


Jimmy Cha


Cellphone out!

The game was down to it's climax when Choi tried to kill Jimmy's group. However, Jimmy Cha defended properly and it turned out that Choi's group at the upper right corner was the one who died.Choi resigned at move 154.


"How old are you?" (Jimmy). "I'm fifteen years old" (Choi)


Choi Jung

Here is the game record: Jimmy Cha (white) vs. Choi Jung (black). Result:" W+R.

(;DT[2010-08-14]EV[4th Korean GG Auction Cup, game 8]
PB[Choi Jeong]PW[Jimmy Cha]
KM[6.5]RE[W+R]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dp];B[fq];W[ip];B[cn];W[fp];B[gp];W[fo]
;B[eq];W[dq];B[go];W[dn];B[dm];W[gn];B[do];W[ep];B[hq];W[en]
;B[hn];W[gm];B[io];W[iq];B[kp];W[hr];B[gq];W[kq];B[lq];W[lr]
;B[mq];W[jp];B[ko];W[jr];B[jo];W[qj];B[ql];W[qf];B[qh];W[of]
;B[nc];W[pi];B[rd];W[ph];B[cl];W[bm];B[cm];W[cj];B[dj];W[di]
;B[ej];W[ck];B[dk];W[ch];B[cp];W[cq];B[bp];W[bl];B[em];W[gk]
;B[ei];W[il];B[dh];W[ci];B[dg];W[cg];B[df];W[fh];B[gj];W[hj]
;B[gi];W[fe];B[cf];W[bd];B[be];W[gc];B[cd];W[cc];B[de];W[ce]
;B[bg];W[bh];B[cd];W[mc];B[ed];W[dc];B[ee];W[fc];B[ge];W[oc]
;B[od];W[nb];B[nd];W[pb];B[md];W[lc];B[pc];W[ob];B[rf];W[qe]
;B[re];W[qg];B[mf];W[ol];B[kk];W[rb];B[fm];W[fn];B[ji];W[er]
;B[fr];W[es];B[fs];W[cr];B[rc];W[ke];B[oj];W[ni];B[cs];W[bs]
;B[ar];W[jk];B[jl];W[kl];B[jm];W[jj];B[kj];W[ki];B[li];W[kh]
;B[lh];W[lj];B[lk];W[mj];B[ll];W[ih];B[hk];W[ik];B[ii];W[hi]
;B[jh];W[kg];B[jg];W[jf];B[lg];W[kf];B[hh];W[hl];B[ig];W[ij]
;B[rg];W[rh];B[ri];W[qi])

Jimmy Cha Stops Female Team's Streak

After 2 weeks break, the 4th GG Auction Cup was back to action. Cha Minsoo (also know as Jimmy Cha) was sent as Senior team's sixth player.


Jimmy Cha

Jimmy who has 5 winning streak record in this championship didn't disappoint his fans. He beat Park Jiyeon by 3.5 points.



The game was difficult and full of fighthing. It seems that Park Jiyeon is a fighter.



Here is the game record. Jimmy Cha (white) vs. Park Jiyeon (black). Result: W+3.5

(;DT[2010-08-13]EV[4th Korean GG Auction Cup, game 7]
PB[Park Jiyeon]PW[Jimmy Cha]
KM[6.5]RE[W+3.5]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dp];B[fq];W[cn];B[lq];W[qf];B[qi];W[nd]
;B[pf];W[qc];B[pc];W[pg];B[qe];W[of];B[pe];W[rg];B[og];W[ph]
;B[nf];W[re];B[rd];W[pi];B[oe];W[qk];B[jc];W[gc];B[dr];W[ce]
;B[cq];W[je];B[ke];W[kf];B[kd];W[jf];B[id];W[jd];B[ic];W[he]
;B[lf];W[kc];B[lc];W[kb];B[lb];W[dj];B[fo];W[fn];B[gn];W[gm]
;B[en];W[fm];B[em];W[eo];B[el];W[fp];B[go];W[gp];B[hm];W[fk]
;B[ek];W[hp];B[io];W[hl];B[do];W[ep];B[cp];W[jp];B[ho];W[ip]
;B[fl];W[gl];B[il];W[hj];B[ej];W[co];B[dn];W[cl];B[ck];W[bk]
;B[cj];W[bj];B[ci];W[bm];B[bi];W[bo];B[fr];W[fi];B[cg];W[lp]
;B[mp];W[lo];B[fh];W[ik];B[jl];W[in];B[im];W[jn];B[nq];W[ll]
;B[ie];W[if];B[lg];W[ei];B[fj];W[gj];B[eh];W[gi];B[di];W[qn]
;B[jk];W[hn];B[ij];W[gh];B[hg];W[hf];B[lj];W[qq];B[pq];W[rp]
;B[rq];W[qr];B[ro];W[pp];B[qo];W[oq];B[op];W[po];B[or];W[rn]
;B[sp];W[on];B[rr];W[sd];B[sc];W[se];B[rc];W[ji];B[kj];W[bf]
;B[ef];W[fg];B[eg];W[fe];B[nj];W[kq];B[hb];W[gb];B[ok];W[gr]
;B[bp];W[lr];B[dm];W[br];B[eq];W[fs];B[es];W[ap];B[aq];W[ao]
;B[gq];W[hr];B[bq];W[dq];B[cr];W[gs];B[cs];W[hq];B[er];W[ff]
;B[ii];W[kh];B[hk];W[gk];B[nm];W[om];B[ol];W[pl];B[oo];W[pn]
;B[sg];W[sh];B[ga];W[fa];B[ha];W[fb];B[ee];W[ed];B[mr];W[mq]
;B[aj];W[ak];B[lq];W[le];B[ld];W[mq];B[km];W[nn];B[lq];W[qb]
;B[qd];W[mq];B[rh];W[si];B[lq];W[hc];B[jb];W[mq];B[pk];W[rl]
;B[lq];W[ia];B[ib];W[mq];B[am];W[cm];B[lq];W[ka];B[la];W[mq]
;B[an];W[ai];B[ah];W[al];B[lq];W[bg];B[cf];W[mq];B[be];W[bd]
;B[de];W[ae];B[lq];W[nl];B[kr];W[mq];B[aj];W[bn];B[lq];W[dl]
;B[dk];W[mq];B[am];W[an];B[lq];W[hd];B[ja];W[mq];B[cc];W[cd]
;B[lq];W[mi];B[oh];W[pj];B[nk];W[lh];B[ml];W[lm];B[ln];W[mm]
;B[kn];W[jo];B[mn];W[nl];B[sj];W[sf];B[nm];W[mj];B[mk];W[nl]
;B[ih];W[kg];B[nm];W[dh];B[ch];W[nl];B[mo];W[mq];B[ls];W[jj]
;B[ik];W[ni];B[oi];W[oj];B[lk];W[nm];B[kl];W[lq];B[qj];W[qg]
;B[jr];W[no];B[np];W[sn];B[rk];W[ql];B[ri];W[sg];B[sl];W[sm]
;B[gg];W[ng];B[mg];W[nh];B[of];W[ir];B[jq];W[ko];B[so];W[is]
;B[ks];W[ag];B[qm];W[sk];B[gf];W[ge];B[sl];W[ki];B[ig];W[ai]
;B[bh];W[aj];B[kk];W[mh];B[me];W[iq];B[pr];W[jm];B[hi];W[js]
;B[ms];W[li];B[hh];W[jh];B[rm];W[sk];B[gn];W[go];B[sl];W[pm]
;B[jg];W[sk];B[fd];W[ec];B[sl];W[nr];B[ns];W[sk])

Cho Sonjin Joined Honinbo League

The second player from four seats at the Honinbo league has been filled. Cho Sonjin, ex Honinbo title holder, followed Seto Taiki (7 dan) footsteps.


Cho Sonjin

Now there are only 2 seats left. The next league player will be decided at August 19. The game will be Kobayashi Satoru vs. Suzuki Shinji.

Mukai Chiaki Leads Female Meijin League.

Mukai Chiaki (4 dan) is surely ambitious to re-challenge Xie Yimin, the Female Meijin title holder after her unsuccessful challenge early this year.


Mukai Chiaki

Mukai beat Suzuki Ayumi (5 dan) by 3.5 points to become league's leader by 2-0. Meanwhile, Suzuki Ayumi is in danger since she has lost twice at the league.

At the same day, Umezawa Yukari (5 dan) escaped the 0-2 score by defeating Mannami Nao by resignation. Currently, Ms. Umezawa is 1-1 at the league.


Umezawa Yukari

Here is the game record between Mukai Chiaki and Suzuki Ayumi

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[23rd Female Meijin, league]DT[2010-08-12]
PB[Mukai Chiaki]BR[4p]PW[Suzuki Ayumi]WR[5p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+3.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[pq];W[dc];B[ce];W[qn];B[ql];W[qq];B[qp];W[pp];B[rq];W[qr];B[po];W[op]
;B[qo];W[rr];B[no];W[oo];B[on];W[oq];B[pn];W[dh];B[fe];W[fc];B[ed];W[ec];B[he];W[ic]
;B[cj];W[cm];B[ei];W[ef];B[ee];W[eh];B[fi];W[gg];B[hi];W[ig];B[je];W[kg];B[jh];W[jg]
;B[le];W[mg];B[li];W[lc];B[hc];W[hb];B[kc];W[id];B[ie];W[kb];B[mc];W[ld];B[md];W[mb]
;B[kd];W[lb];B[hd];W[jb];B[pf];W[ci];B[bi];W[bh];B[bk];W[ai];B[bj];W[gf];B[ge];W[nh]
;B[lf];W[lg];B[hh];W[hg];B[ph];W[df];B[cd];W[ji];B[jj];W[ki];B[kj];W[ih];B[ii];W[kh]
;B[ik];W[dq];B[oi];W[pc];B[qc];W[od];B[qd];W[cc];B[oe];W[ob];B[nd];W[nf];B[ne];W[ip]
;B[kq];W[iq];B[co];W[dn];B[bq];W[cr];B[br];W[bm];B[do];W[eo];B[bo];W[fn];B[em];W[en]
;B[bs];W[mp];B[ko];W[lp];B[kp];W[mn];B[in];W[dk];B[dj];W[hn];B[hm];W[io];B[gn];W[ho]
;B[gm];W[go];B[nn];W[ln];B[mr];W[mq];B[jn];W[kn];B[jo];W[qb];B[jr];W[ir];B[nr];W[rp]
;B[ro];W[sq];B[or];W[pr];B[oc];W[pb];B[rb];W[ra];B[sc];W[so];B[rn];W[sn];B[sm];W[sp]
;B[qm];W[fm];B[fl];W[el];B[ek];W[dl];B[gk];W[nl];B[ni];W[lk];B[bc];W[bf];B[cg];W[cf]
;B[ch];W[bg];B[di];W[be];B[bd];W[ae];B[nk];W[mk];B[ok];W[ao];B[ap];W[cp];B[bp];W[an]
;B[ar];W[bb];B[ab];W[ba];B[nb];W[na];B[kl];W[kk];B[jl];W[ll];B[dr];W[er];B[ds];W[es]
;B[cs];W[km];B[jm];W[ol];B[is];W[hs];B[js];W[gr];B[nc];W[pl];B[pk];W[mj];B[gc];W[gb]
;B[mi];W[og];B[pg];W[os];B[nm];W[mm];B[cq];W[lr];B[lq];W[ns];B[ls];W[gh];B[gi];W[dg]
;B[nj];W[ci];B[ch];W[mf];B[me];W[ps];B[ms];W[jc];B[of];W[ff];B[fh];W[fg];B[fd];W[oa]
;B[qa];W[pa];B[sb];W[ma])

Here is the game record between Umezawa Yukari vs. Mannami Nao

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[23rd Female Meijin, league]DT[2010-08-12]
PB[Mannami Nao]BR[2p]PW[Umezawa Yukari]WR[5p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[qp];W[dc];B[de];W[ce];B[cf];W[cd];B[fq];W[cm];B[cq];W[dq];B[cp];W[dr]
;B[cn];W[dn];B[do];W[eo];B[co];W[en];B[bm];W[cl];B[bl];W[ck];B[bk];W[cj];B[oq];W[jd]
;B[lc];W[le];B[nc];W[df];B[hd];W[kc];B[ld];W[jf];B[hf];W[ih];B[hh];W[ii];B[hi];W[hj]
;B[ef];W[dg];B[eg];W[dh];B[fi];W[kp];B[gj];W[hk];B[pj];W[re];B[qd];W[rd];B[rc];W[rb]
;B[qc];W[qh];B[rj];W[pf];B[ig];W[jg];B[iq];W[np];B[nq];W[mq];B[mr];W[lq];B[io];W[hp]
;B[ip];W[kn];B[gp];W[go];B[fo];W[fn];B[fp];W[ho];B[hq];W[fr];B[ep];W[eq];B[gq];W[cr]
;B[br];W[bq];B[aq];W[bs];B[ar];W[es];B[im];W[hl];B[is];W[gr];B[lr];W[kr];B[ks];W[jr]
;B[js];W[pm];B[ol];W[po];B[pp];W[nn];B[rn];W[pl];B[pk];W[rl];B[ph];W[pg];B[qi];W[rh]
;B[oh];W[me];B[sd];W[nd];B[od];W[nf];B[nk];W[eh];B[fc];W[fh];B[ic];W[gg];B[hg];W[lb]
;B[eb];W[nb];B[ob];W[mc];B[oc];W[oa];B[pa];W[na];B[qb];W[se];B[sc];W[ge];B[he];W[db]
;B[gb];W[jb];B[gf];W[fe];B[ff];W[ee];B[ib];W[gd];B[gc];W[da];B[ea];W[id];B[gh];W[fg]
;B[hc];W[mh];B[mm];W[nm];B[qe];W[rf];B[ml];W[kl];B[qk];W[rm];B[qn];W[pn];B[bj];W[bi]
;B[bh];W[ai];B[op];W[mo];B[ci];W[ch];B[gn];W[hn];B[dm];W[ej];B[gm];W[hm];B[em];W[ni]
;B[oi];W[nj];B[oj];W[mk];B[qf];W[qg];B[nl];W[ll];B[in];W[sn];B[ro];W[jl];B[nh];W[mj])

Breaking Tsumego

It's been awhile since the last tsumego I posted. Let's try to solve one today. Black to move and do something with white's formation. Enjoy :)

Lees Final

The 6th Prices Information Cup is down to the climax. The final game to decide who will be the 6th champion. This time, the finalist is the famous Lees. Lee Changho and Lee Sedol.


Lee Changho (left) vs. Lee Sedol (right) at the 27th KBS Cup final.

Lee Sedol beat Weon Sungjin (9 dan) by resignation at the semi-final game yesterday.

Here is the game record between Lee Sedol and Weon Sungjin. Black won by resignation.

(;CA[Windows-1252]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[6th Korean Prices Information Cup, semi-final]
DT[2010-08-08]PB[Lee Sedol]PW[Weon Seongjin]KM[6.5]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[fq];W[cn];B[ql];W[eq];B[fp];W[jp];B[lq];W[hp];B[fn];W[eo]
;B[fo];W[im];B[iq];W[ip];B[jr];W[pn];B[lo];W[pp];B[qq];W[np];B[oq];W[hq];B[hr];W[mo]
;B[mn];W[ln];B[lm];W[kn];B[no];W[mp];B[op];W[nn];B[mm];W[lp];B[oo];W[pl];B[pk];W[ol]
;B[qk];W[ok];B[oj];W[nj];B[oi];W[on];B[km];W[mk];B[kk];W[mh];B[jn];W[ko];B[kq];W[jm]
;B[jl];W[gm];B[kp];W[jo];B[kh];W[qm];B[og];W[mf];B[kf];W[hk];B[ni];W[mi];B[lj];W[mj]
;B[kd];W[md];B[oc];W[kc];B[jc];W[lc];B[jd];W[jj];B[ik];W[hj];B[ij];W[ii];B[hi];W[ih]
;B[ki];W[oe];B[pe];W[ji];B[lk];W[jk];B[fc];W[df];B[dm];W[em];B[ch];W[cj];B[eh];W[gf]
;B[dk];W[en];B[ck];W[ec];B[fd];W[cg];B[bg];W[hc];B[hd];W[hb];B[jb];W[ie];B[id];W[fb]
;B[hg];W[hf];B[ng];W[mg];B[jf];W[qi];B[qj];W[pf];B[of];W[od];B[qf];W[pg];B[ph];W[pc]
;B[ne];W[nd];B[me];W[le];B[nf];W[ld];B[lf];W[qg];B[qh];W[rg];B[rh];W[qd];B[sg];W[rf]
;B[qn];W[rm];B[rn];W[sf];B[sh];W[bf];B[ig];W[gi];B[dg];W[cf];B[ef];W[ee];B[fe];W[ff]
;B[eg];W[ei];B[ed];W[de];B[fh];W[gc];B[he];W[gr];B[bh];W[eb];B[ej];W[fi];B[di];W[jq]
;B[ir];W[hs];B[lr];W[bl];B[bk];W[cm];B[il];W[hl];B[kl];W[hh];B[ma];W[gh];B[gg];W[fg]
;B[dh];W[jg];B[if];W[kg];B[lg];W[jh];B[lh];W[mb];B[cq];W[er];B[fr];W[qo];B[ro];W[ri]
;B[rj];W[gq];B[cp];W[pi];B[sj];W[si];B[pj];W[ds];B[br];W[bs];B[dr];W[kj];B[li])

Samsung Cup Qualifiers

The Samsung Cup is back. The qualification tournaments for non seeded players were held from August 2-7. Players from South Korea, China, Japan, and Taiwan are fighthing for 19 spots at the main round.

As Friday, 15 players (Seven players from China and South Korea and 1 player from Japan) from the main qualification already won their seat at 15th Samsung Cup first round. They are:

Block A Winner : Weon Sungjin (South Korea, 9 dan)
Block B Winner : Park Yeonghun (South Korea, 9 dan)
Block C Winner : Peng Quan (China, 7 dan)
Block D Winner : Tan Xiao (China, 5 dan)
Block E Winner : Min Sangyoun (South Korea, amateur)
Block F Winner : Tuo Jiaxi (China, 3 dan)
Block G Winner : Park Jinsol (South Korea, 4 dan)
Block H Winner : Wang Lei (China, 6 dan)
Block I Winner : Han Sanghoon (South Korea, 5 dan)
Block J Winner : Zhou Ruiyang (China, 5 dan)
Block K Winner : Wang Tao (China, 3 dan)
Block L Winner : Murakawa Daisuke (Japan, 5 dan)
Block M Winner : Kang Yootaek (South Korea, 3 dan)
Block N Winner : Li Kang (China, 6 dan)
Block O Winner : Heo Yongho (South Korea, 7 dan)

Min Sanghyun shows how strong Korean amateur is. He beat 3 professionals to won his seat and one of the pros was Mok Jinseok, one of the top 10 Korean player.


Min Sanghyun

Another impressive victory is Murakawa Daisuke. This 20 year old player become the only Japanese representative who win the preliminary. It's been awhile since the last time a Japanese player won an international preliminary.


Murakawa Daisuke

Here are two game records from the preliminary.

Min Sanghyun vs. Zhong Wenjing (China, 5 dan). Result: B+R

(;
KM[6.5]
EV[15th Samsung Cup integration preliminary tournament final]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Zhong Wenjing]
WR[5d]
DT[2010-08-06]
BR[a6]
RE[B+R]
PB[Min Sangyoun]
;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[jb];B[eq];W[iq];B[dp];W[cq];B[co];W[do];B[bo];W[eo]
;B[dq];W[cr];B[fp];W[fo];B[bp];W[gp];B[gq];W[hq];B[gr];W[bq];B[go]
;W[hp];B[dr];W[cm];B[bm];W[bl];B[cl];W[dm];B[bn];W[ck];B[kc];W[jc]
;B[mb];W[mc];B[lc];W[kd];B[ld];W[le];B[nb];W[me];B[lb];W[dl];B[qn]
;W[np];B[nm];W[ph];B[pj];W[ol];B[pm];W[qo];B[nj];W[qh];B[pg];W[og]
;B[oh];W[oi];B[nh];W[rg];B[of];W[pi];B[oj];W[qj];B[ni];W[ri];B[kf]
;W[ke];B[jf];W[hd];B[gc];W[ng];B[mg];W[nf];B[pe];W[gd];B[gf];W[fd]
;B[eb];W[dd];B[cd];W[de];B[ce];W[eg];B[hg];W[ie];B[hj];W[dh];B[qq]
;W[qp];B[jk];W[lm];B[nl];W[lk];B[lj];W[re];B[rd];W[on];B[om];W[kk]
;B[kj];W[jl];B[pr];W[hr];B[aq];W[nr];B[mn];W[ik];B[jj];W[hk];B[gj]
;W[ro];B[rr])

Murakawa Daisuke vs. On Sojin (South Korea, 6 dan)

(;
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
WR[5d]
EV[15th Samsung Cup integration preliminary tournament final]
RE[W+R]
PB[On Sojin]
BR[6d]
DT[2010-08-06]
PW[Murakawa Daisuke]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[co];W[cj];B[ep];W[eq];B[fp];W[gq];B[oq]
;W[cp];B[bp];W[bq];B[dp];W[cq];B[ho];W[qj];B[ql];W[qf];B[nc];W[rd]
;B[hq];W[fq];B[hp];W[lc];B[ok];W[lk];B[og];W[le];B[lg];W[oe];B[ne]
;W[od];B[nd];W[oc];B[ob];W[pb];B[mb];W[oa];B[nb];W[pe];B[lf];W[ln]
;B[fc];W[df];B[ll];W[nq];B[np];W[mp];B[mq];W[nr];B[mr];W[kl];B[ml]
;W[km];B[no];W[jj];B[id];W[kq];B[lp];W[kp];B[mo];W[en];B[jo];W[je]
;B[ie];W[jf];B[if];W[jg];B[ig];W[ih];B[hh];W[ii];B[kh];W[jh];B[jd]
;W[kd];B[kb];W[lb];B[la];W[mh];B[nf];W[ko];B[jn];W[lm];B[fn];W[fm]
;B[dn];W[dm];B[cm];W[bn];B[dl];W[em];B[cn];W[bo];B[ck];W[dj];B[ek]
;W[gl];B[ej];W[bk];B[cl];W[gj];B[eh];W[dg];B[gi];W[eb];B[hj];W[hk]
;B[fj];W[hm];B[fo];W[kc];B[cb];W[ec];B[ce];W[bc];B[bf];W[cd];B[bd]
;W[cc];B[ci];W[ch];B[bi];W[bh];B[di];W[qh];B[dh];W[cg];B[de];W[ee]
;B[ef];W[eg];B[ff];W[fg];B[fe];W[ed];B[gg];W[ag];B[fh];W[ad];B[mk]
;W[lj];B[rk];W[jb];B[oi];W[mj];B[nj];W[nm];B[ae];W[cf])