Choi Cheolhan Took the Lead

Choi Cheolhan (9 dan) is a step closer for his third Kuksu title. He won the third game of the 54th Kuksu title match and leads the series by 2-1.


Lee Changho (left) vs. Choi Cheolhan (right)

The game opening is quite unusual with white invaded with white 12 instead of finishing the joseki at the left side. Things became difficult for white when black cut white's group with black 149 and threatened the whole white group at the upper side. I personally think white 168 is the losing move. Perhaps white should solidly defense at F18 and avoid the dangerous ko fight.


Choi Cheolhan

Here is the game record:
Choi Cheolhan (black) vs. Lee Changho (white). Result: B+R

(;
EV[54th Kuksu title match 3]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Lee Changho]
WR[Kuksu]
DT[2011-01-25]
BR[9d]
RE[B+R]
PB[Choi Cheolhan]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[qk];W[fq];B[nc];W[fc];B[cj];W[cl];B[cf]
;W[re];B[rd];W[qe];B[qd];W[qi];B[mp];W[oi];B[ok];W[qo];B[qp];W[rp]
;B[rq];W[oo];B[np];W[qm];B[qg];W[rg];B[nm];W[om];B[nl];W[pp];B[qq]
;W[rk];B[hq];W[ch];B[bh];W[bg];B[cg];W[bi];B[bf];W[ci];B[cc];W[cd]
;B[bd];W[dc];B[bc];W[ic];B[cn];W[cp];B[fr];W[er];B[dm];W[dl];B[fm]
;W[hp];B[iq];W[gp];B[el];W[ek];B[fk];W[ej];B[fj];W[ei];B[fi];W[gl]
;B[fl];W[ah];B[eh];W[dh];B[ip];W[hn];B[ho];W[go];B[io];W[en];B[gq]
;W[gn];B[eq];W[ep];B[fp];W[em];B[dr];W[cb];B[bb];W[jm];B[bq];W[bp]
;B[eg];W[gh];B[ij];W[ih];B[kj];W[jk];B[ik];W[hl];B[jl];W[kl];B[il]
;W[kn];B[ff];W[hf];B[lh];W[mc];B[nd];W[nb];B[ob];W[lf];B[le];W[ke]
;B[ld];W[kk];B[jj];W[lj];B[li];W[mj];B[ni];W[qj];B[kd];W[je];B[nj]
;W[kb];B[lb];W[sd];B[pg];W[qh];B[jb];W[ib];B[jc];W[rc];B[jd];W[id]
;B[ia];W[ha];B[ja];W[db];B[hb];W[ee];B[ef];W[fh];B[ba];W[hj];B[hi]
;W[hk];B[hh];W[gi];B[hg];W[ig];B[he];W[gg];B[ie];W[ce];B[be];W[gf]
;B[ge];W[fa];B[gc];W[eb];B[im];W[in];B[ii];W[if];B[jo];W[jn];B[ga]
;W[fe];B[gd];W[qb];B[fb];W[gb];B[dk];W[ck];B[fb];W[ki];B[jh];W[gb]
;B[bl];W[ha];B[bk];W[dj];B[bj];W[cm];B[dn];W[bm];B[bn];W[am];B[an]
;W[aj];B[fn];W[fo];B[eo];W[fq];B[al];W[ak];B[fp];W[cr];B[gj];W[kf]
;B[fq];W[en];B[do];W[br];B[ga];W[mg];B[lm];W[lo];B[ko];W[ln];B[mn]
;W[lp];B[lq])