New Women International Tournament

There will be a new women international tournament started in China this April. Thanks to John Fairbairn who shared the info in Life in 19x19.

Here is what John wrote at the forum

In early April, the Chinese are launching a rival to the Korean Cheongkwanjang Cup. Korea's version is for China, Japan and Korea and promotes ginseng. China's version is for China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan and promotes Taiwan - I think.

The event is the Huang Longshi Jiayuan Cup. It is to be held in Jiangyan City in Jiangsu Province. Jiangyan is very proud of being the birthplace of go genius Huang Longshi. It does not escape notice that it is also the birthplace of Chinese President Hu Jintao. Jiayuan, as far as I know, is a Taiwanese electrical goods manufacturer. I infer they have seen an opportunity in the wake of Joanne Missingham's startling success. Her career (as Hei Jiajia) is being closely followed in China.

The HLJ Cup is a team event for teams of three, run as a "league" (i.e. a round-robin) and, praise be, with reasonably sensible time limits of 2 hours each, the last five minutes being 1-minute byoyomi. The winners will get 200,000 yuan (about US$ 30,000), with 100,000 yuan for second and 50,000 for the other two teams. It opens on 6 April and play is on 7 ~ 9 April.

Igo Masters Cup

There is a new domestic tournament in Japan named Igo Masters Cup. It's a veteran tournament for players above 50 and had at least one of the 7 big titles in his pocket. The sponsors of this tournament are S.T Corporation, which makes a wide range of household goods and Fumakilla which makes things like insecticides. So far there are only 2 games played.

The first is between Rin Kaiho (Honorary Tengen) who has won 35 titles in his career and Kudo Norio who has only won Tengen and Oza during his professional career. Rin won the game after he successfully invade black's bottom right corner.


Rin Kaiho


Kudo Norio

Here is the game record:
Rin Kaiho (white) vs. Kudo Norio (black). Result: W+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rated game]EV[1st Igo Masters Cup, round 1]
DT[2011-02-23]PB[Kudo Norio]BR[9p]PW[Rin Kaiho]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dp];B[nq];W[qj];B[ql];W[qg];B[fc];W[id];B[mc];W[ec];B[fd];W[df]
;B[gf];W[rd];B[if];W[ld];B[md];W[lf];B[pi];W[qi];B[qe];W[re];B[qf];W[rf];B[pg];W[ph]
;B[oh];W[qh];B[og];W[lc];B[le];W[ke];B[me];W[jf];B[ig];W[hc];B[jg];W[mb];B[nb];W[lb]
;B[ch];W[eg];B[dj];W[bg];B[cn];W[fq];B[hq];W[bp];B[kg];W[ge];B[cc];W[cd];B[dc];W[eb]
;B[ed];W[fb];B[db];W[bc];B[bb];W[da];B[cb];W[gb];B[bd];W[be];B[ac];W[kp];B[ho];W[kn]
;B[he];W[bh];B[mp];W[dm];B[jo];W[ko];B[mn];W[im];B[fr];W[er];B[fp];W[gq];B[gp];W[dn]
;B[hm];W[ip];B[hp];W[hl];B[gm];W[ll];B[cq];W[eq];B[il];W[jl];B[ik];W[cm];B[jk];W[jm]
;B[lm];W[kl];B[ml];W[mk];B[nk];W[iq];B[hr];W[nl];B[mm];W[io];B[ir];W[kk];B[lj];W[kj]
;B[li];W[hj];B[hk];W[gk];B[gl];W[ij];B[gj];W[fk];B[jj];W[ji];B[hl];W[ki];B[ii];W[hi]
;B[gi];W[ih];B[hh];W[ii];B[gh];W[nj];B[lk];W[ok];B[lh];W[kr];B[jr];W[mr];B[lq];W[pq]
;B[nr];W[pp];B[po];W[qo];B[qq];W[qr];B[ro];W[qn];B[rn];W[kq];B[lr];W[ks];B[pn];W[fl]
;B[gr];W[fm];B[do];W[no];B[lp];W[on];B[mo];W[eo];B[ep];W[dq];B[fo];W[gn];B[en];W[hn]
;B[cp];W[bn];B[co];W[bo];B[dh];W[or];B[op];W[rq];B[rp];W[sq];B[os];W[ps];B[oq];W[bq]
;B[cr];W[ns];B[pr];W[pq];B[oi];W[qk];B[pl];W[ae];B[ad];W[oj];B[ck];W[bl];B[qc];W[kf]
;B[hd];W[ci];B[di];W[bj];B[pp];W[pr];B[rs];W[rr];B[ls];W[ss];B[rc];W[na];B[ob];W[om]
;B[rk];W[rj];B[sl];W[mf];B[nf];W[ng];B[of];W[eh];B[ei];W[cj];B[sd];W[rh];B[ie];W[jd]
;B[gc];W[ib])

The second game is between Hane Yasumasa, the father of Hane Naoki who won Oza title as his top 7 title, and Kataoka Satoshi who won Tengen in 1982 and 1983 as his ticket to this tournament. Kataoka won in 124 moves.


Hane Yasumasa


Kataoka Satoshi

Here is the game record:
Kataoka Satoshi (white) vs. Hane Yasumasa (black). Result: W+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rated game]EV[1st Igo Masters Cup, round 1]
DT[2011-02-24]PB[Hane Yasumasa]BR[9p]PW[Kataoka Satoshi]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+R]
MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[cp];B[ep];W[eq];B[fq];W[dq];B[gp];W[fo];B[fp];W[dn];B[mp];W[qk]
;B[qm];W[qh];B[qf];W[ok];B[pj];W[pk];B[ri];W[rh];B[rj];W[pi];B[rk];W[oj];B[om];W[md]
;B[oh];W[mj];B[jd];W[lf];B[fc];W[rd];B[re];W[qd];B[pe];W[pc];B[oc];W[pb];B[rb];W[qb]
;B[rc];W[sd];B[ra];W[qc];B[ob];W[rf];B[rg];W[sf];B[sg];W[se];B[qg];W[qe];B[of];W[ng]
;B[nf];W[og];B[pg];W[ph];B[mg];W[nh];B[mf];W[sh];B[pf];W[kd];B[kc];W[lc];B[ke];W[le]
;B[ld];W[pp];B[qq];W[kd];B[lg];W[kf];B[ld];W[pn];B[pm];W[kd];B[sc];W[qa];B[ld];W[no]
;B[ni];W[mh];B[mi];W[lh];B[li];W[kh];B[oi];W[kj];B[ki];W[ji];B[jh];W[kg];B[jj];W[ii]
;B[lj];W[qj];B[lb];W[kd];B[oa];W[sb];B[ld];W[od];B[nd];W[kd];B[jc];W[lk];B[kk];W[nj]
;B[kj];W[ll];B[ld];W[me];B[oe];W[ij];B[kl];W[km];B[ik];W[hk];B[il];W[hm])

Cho U Leads Kisei Defense

Cho U Kisei is close to defense his title as he won the fifth game by 2.5 points from challenger, Iyama Yuta Meijin.


Cho U (left) vs. Iyama Yuta (right)

The opening was unusual. Black tried to get a wall at the right side, but I think the wall is not effective due to J14. Day 1 ended with Iyama did the sealing move for black 57.


Iyama handling the sealed move to the referee, Takemiya Masaki.

Day 2 started with Iyama played O3 as his sealed move. The most interesting part of this game is the end game. As move 159, black captured white's group at the bottom but white got a big territory at the upper side. Cho later successfully captured 7 stones by attacking black's weak group around D10. Cho played a worth study end game move at white 190. Black started a ko fight at move 199, I'm not sure that this is the best idea, since white has more ko threads, but the normal way (connecting at H13 at black 199) gave an uncertain result. The game was really close for both side. Finally Iyama decided to capture the 3 stones and disrupted the upper side in retun of white's seki at the bottom board. The sixth game will be played at March 10-11. It will be a crucial game for Iyama if he wants to capture Kisei title.


Cho U

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

(;
KM[6.5]
EV[35th Kisei title match 5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Cho U]
WR[Kisei]
DT[2011-02-24,25]
BR[Meijin]
RE[W+2.5]
PB[Iyama Yuta]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[qp];W[dc];B[op];W[de];B[nc];W[pj];B[qh];W[jp];B[cn]
;W[cl];B[en];W[fp];B[dk];W[ck];B[dj];W[cj];B[di];W[co];B[bo];W[dl]
;B[el];W[ci];B[cq];W[bp];B[eq];W[do];B[fq];W[gp];B[gq];W[hq];B[hr]
;W[hp];B[dh];W[ir];B[bq];W[bn];B[oi];W[id];B[oj];W[pl];B[ok];W[qo]
;B[po];W[qn];B[rp];W[pn];B[kc];W[if];B[ch];W[mq];B[mp];W[nr];B[lq]
;W[lp];B[nq];W[mr];B[or];W[pq];B[pr];W[lo];B[lr];W[mo];B[np];W[qc]
;B[qd];W[rd];B[re];W[rb];B[hh];W[kd];B[ld];W[jc];B[ke];W[jd];B[pb]
;W[lc];B[mc];W[kb];B[le];W[br];B[ar];W[ao];B[cr];W[rh];B[ri];W[pc]
;B[rg];W[oo];B[pp];W[ob];B[oc];W[qb];B[no];W[nm];B[mn];W[ml];B[kl]
;W[km];B[lm];W[ll];B[kn];W[jm];B[kp];W[kk];B[jl];W[jk];B[il];W[mj]
;B[ik];W[ji];B[mh];W[lh];B[li];W[ih];B[jj];W[kj];B[ij];W[ki];B[jo]
;W[lg];B[mg];W[mi];B[gg];W[mf];B[nf];W[ff];B[be];W[cd];B[hn];W[kq]
;B[ln];W[kr];B[ls];W[lf];B[ne];W[gf];B[gr];W[fn];B[gn];W[fm];B[fo]
;W[em];B[ep];W[io];B[jq];W[iq];B[ho];W[eo];B[go];W[jr];B[is];W[hm]
;B[in];W[im];B[jn];W[gm];B[gj];W[gk];B[fk];W[fl];B[ii];W[fh];B[fg]
;W[gi];B[fi];W[hj];B[fj];W[hi];B[gh];W[hk];B[ig];W[jh];B[cf];W[bd]
;B[bh];W[ce];B[ol];W[bf];B[bg];W[ae];B[eg];W[om];B[pk];W[ql];B[rk]
;W[sd];B[df];W[rf];B[qf];W[sf];B[nb];W[pa];B[ee];W[ef];B[hf];W[he]
;B[ge];W[hg];B[hl];W[gl];B[hf];W[dq];B[fe];W[dr];B[er];W[ds];B[ip]
;W[bs];B[hc];W[io];B[eb];W[ib];B[ip];W[ec];B[fc];W[io];B[fs];W[hs]
;B[ip];W[ks];B[ko];W[io];B[lb];W[jf];B[ip];W[lp];B[lo];W[io];B[jg]
;W[kf];B[ip];W[ms];B[ns];W[io];B[nl];W[mm];B[ip];W[fd];B[gb];W[io]
;B[cb];W[ed];B[gd];W[ip];B[cc];W[bc];B[bb];W[ac];B[db];W[dd];B[aj]
;W[se];B[sg];W[qe];B[pe];W[me];B[md];W[la];B[kc];W[nh];B[ng];W[lc]
;B[bm];W[bl];B[al];W[cm];B[kc];W[ni];B[oh];W[lc];B[sn];W[mb];B[rl]
;W[na];B[am];W[rn];B[sm];W[od];B[re];W[qk];B[qj];W[qe];B[qg];W[ek]
;B[on];W[hb];B[ab];W[hd];B[mk];W[lk];B[nk];W[ro];B[bi];W[oe];B[pf]
;W[so];B[sp];W[pm];B[rm];W[kg];B[hg];W[je];B[nd];W[ga];B[fa];W[ha]
;B[ag];W[af];B[ej];W[bj];B[el];W[nn];B[ek];W[dn];B[ak];W[js];B[oo]
;W[es];B[gc];W[re])

Rui Naiwei Defended Female Myeongin

Rui Naiwei is still the strongest female player in Korea. Eventhough there are many young and strong players, it seems that no one will able to break Rui's domination for awhile.


Cho Hyeyeon (left) vs. Rui Naiwei (right)

The third game was played at February 18. The score was 1-1 and the winner of this match will take it all.

The game was very solid. Both players played solid move like white 38, white 54, and black 61. The game was even for most of the time, but Rui later strongly attacked white's group and got a big advantage from the attacking. Cho resigned at move 205.

This is Rui's seventh consecutive Female Myeongin and tenth in collective. Only 2 other players ever held this title. They were Park Jieun in 2000 and Cho Hyeyeon in 2004. Also interesting is, Cho Hyeyeon has a total of 8 Female Myeongin title match series and it was all against Rui. Cho only success once in 2004.


Rui Naiwei

Here is the game record:
Rui Naiwei (black) vs. Cho Hyeyeon (white). Result: B+R

(;
EV[12th Female Myeongin title match 3]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Cho Hyeyeon]
WR[9d]
DT[2011-02-18]
BR[Female Myeongin]
RE[B+R]
PB[Rui Naiwei]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[qp];W[dc];B[de];W[ce];B[cf];W[cd];B[fq];W[cn];B[df]
;W[fc];B[dj];W[op];B[lp];W[qo];B[ro];W[po];B[rn];W[qq];B[rq];W[pp]
;B[rp];W[qr];B[ql];W[mq];B[lq];W[lr];B[kr];W[mr];B[cq];W[dq];B[dr]
;W[cp];B[br];W[bq];B[cr];W[cl];B[ck];W[dl];B[qf];W[pb];B[nb];W[qc]
;B[qd];W[rb];B[rd];W[oc];B[mc];W[md];B[ld];W[me];B[hc];W[od];B[le]
;W[lf];B[pi];W[mg];B[nf];W[mf];B[jd];W[ci];B[dd];W[cc];B[di];W[bh]
;B[ch];W[cg];B[dh];W[bf];B[dg];W[bg];B[jq];W[fp];B[gp];W[eq];B[fo]
;W[er];B[bp];W[bo];B[aq];W[fk];B[fm];W[dk];B[bi];W[bk];B[cj];W[fr]
;B[gq];W[gr];B[hl];W[hr];B[ip];W[pg];B[qg];W[hb];B[ib];W[pk];B[pl]
;W[ol];B[qk];W[ao];B[ap];W[hd];B[gc];W[gd];B[gb];W[id];B[je];W[ic]
;B[jc];W[fb];B[ha];W[hk];B[il];W[eo];B[ep];W[lc];B[lb];W[fp];B[gh]
;W[go];B[ho];W[fn];B[fd];W[hn];B[in];W[hg];B[kg];W[hh];B[gi];W[hi]
;B[hj];W[gj];B[ij];W[fe];B[ek];W[fi];B[fh];W[gm];B[gf];W[hf];B[ed]
;W[gg];B[fg];W[jh];B[kh];W[ki];B[li];W[kf];B[jf];W[jg];B[lh];W[ff]
;B[bj];W[jj];B[ik];W[lj];B[ni];W[nc];B[kc];W[of];B[ii];W[ji];B[kk]
;W[kj];B[ng];W[nh];B[oh];W[mh];B[mi];W[mk];B[og];W[ne];B[pf];W[oj]
;B[oi];W[ob];B[fl];W[gl];B[gk];W[ar];B[as];W[hk];B[sb];W[na];B[mb]
;W[jo];B[jn];W[io];B[hp];W[ko];B[hm];W[gn];B[ln];W[kn];B[lm];W[eg]
;B[eh];W[kl];B[km];W[jm];B[im];W[jl];B[gk])

Or you can download it here.

Piao Wenyao Won LG Cup

It was an all China final at the 15th LG Cup. Kong Jie, whose career is rising fast in the last 2 years, met his country mate Piao Wenyao. Piao came to international attention when he reached the final of the 4th World Oza (Toyota Denzo cup) but lost to Gu Li.


Piao Wenyao (left) vs. Kong Jie (right)

At the first game, Piao who played black didn't get any trouble. He used the aji of his stone at C15 well. He made it alive when Kong decided to connect the end the ko fight at move 114 and practically made Kong short of territory. Kong resigned at move 123.

Here is the game record:
Piao Wenyao (black) vs. Kong Jie (white. Result: B+R

(;
KM[6.5]
EV[15th LG Cup final round 1]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Kong Jie]
WR[9d]
DT[2011-02-21]
BR[9d]
RE[B+R]
PB[Piao Wenyao]
;B[qd];W[dc];B[dp];W[pp];B[ce];W[ed];B[nc];W[ch];B[cn];W[df];B[qn]
;W[nq];B[rp];W[qq];B[qk];W[jc];B[lq];W[rq];B[eq];W[cf];B[nr];W[or]
;B[pi];W[cl];B[lc];W[je];B[dl];W[dk];B[el];W[cm];B[dn];W[kp];B[np]
;W[oq];B[lp];W[kn];B[ko];W[jo];B[lo];W[im];B[ek];W[dj];B[km];W[jm]
;B[ln];W[kl];B[jn];W[in];B[ej];W[jk];B[di];W[ci];B[kj];W[lm];B[kn]
;W[oe];B[pd];W[lf];B[mj];W[li];B[mi];W[lh];B[lj];W[ii];B[jb];W[ib]
;B[kb];W[hc];B[ng];W[me];B[pf];W[hq];B[ll];W[pn];B[pm];W[qo];B[rn]
;W[fi];B[ei];W[fh];B[ki];W[bn];B[bo];W[bm];B[ck];W[cj];B[an];W[jh]
;B[bk];W[bj];B[kh];W[ro];B[on];W[sn];B[sm];W[so];B[qm];W[kg];B[am]
;W[ak];B[dg];W[eg];B[dm];W[bl];B[hp];W[iq];B[jp];W[ip];B[io];W[ho]
;B[gp];W[jo];B[cc];W[jq];B[bd];W[db];B[bb];W[ac];B[bf];W[bg];B[af]
;W[od];B[oc])

At the second game, Kong who played black was behind since the opening thanks to black 23 and 25. However, white later overplayed and gave black a chance. Black later tried to invade the bottom area, but white successfully killed it. Kong resigned at move 140.

Here is the game record:
Piao Wenyao (white) vs. Kong Jie (black). Result: W+R

(;
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
EV[15th LG Cup final round 2]
GM[1]
PB[Kong Jie]
PW[Piao Wenyao]
BR[9d]
RE[W+R]
DT[2011-02-23]
WR[9d]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dq];B[qk];W[mq];B[po];W[jp];B[cn];W[cp];B[ck]
;W[ci];B[ek];W[cf];B[mc];W[en];B[qe];W[gk];B[fm];W[fn];B[gm];W[dl]
;B[dm];W[cl];B[em];W[dk];B[gn];W[gp];B[fk];W[ok];B[mo];W[pi];B[ni]
;W[pk];B[qj];W[oi];B[qm];W[nh];B[mh];W[ng];B[mi];W[mg];B[lg];W[lf]
;B[kf];W[le];B[kg];W[ne];B[oc];W[mk];B[lk];W[ml];B[lj];W[op];B[oo]
;W[fh];B[pg];W[qg];B[pf];W[ph];B[jd];W[km];B[ll];W[pm];B[lm];W[qn]
;B[pl];W[ol];B[ql];W[pn];B[om];W[on];B[nm];W[nn];B[mm];W[ri];B[rj]
;W[qi];B[no];W[lc];B[qo];W[md];B[mb];W[rf];B[fi];W[ei];B[gh];W[fg]
;B[ej];W[di];B[hq];W[hp];B[jq];W[kq];B[ip];W[io];B[iq];W[kr];B[jo]
;W[kp];B[ho];W[in];B[gq];W[fp];B[er];W[fq];B[fr];W[jr];B[dr];W[cr]
;B[gs];W[es];B[bq];W[cq];B[ko];W[im];B[il];W[lo];B[ln];W[ir];B[hm]
;W[hr];B[gr];W[jm];B[jl];W[eq];B[db];W[gi];B[fj];W[dc];B[eb];W[cb]
;B[gc];W[hd];B[gg];W[gf];B[bb];W[ca];B[hf];W[he])

With his victory, Piao Wenyao not only got 250 Million Won (about $ 223,934), but also a promotion to 9 dan and the honor to become the youngest international title winner. Congratulations to Piao Wenyao!.

Cho U Won By A Slim Margin

Cho U Kisei definitely doesn't want to step back, at least no t now. He won the fourth game of the 35th Kisei title match and evened the score to 2-2.


Cho U Kisei

The game started with a new (or at least I think so) variation of the recent Japan's joseki at the lower right corner. At the end of day 1, Iyama created strong walls toward the center while Cho had a solid territory at the right side. Iyama did the sealing move for move 82.


Iyama handled the sealed move.

Iyama played F2, his sealed mov, and opened day 2 of the fourth game. Cho invaded the left side at move 85 and a ko fight started. Cho won the ko and connected his group to his lower left, however he was only able to save half of his group as Iyama captured 10 stones from the fight.


Iyama Yuta Meijin

Cho played the vital point at move 165, the game became really close and finally Cho won the game by 0.5 point.

The fifth game will be played at February 24-25.

Here is the game record:
Cho U (black) vs. Iyama Yuta (white). Result: B+0.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[35th Japanese Kisei, title match #4]
DT[2011-02-17]PB[Cho U ]BR[9p]PW[Iyama Yuuta]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[B+0.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dd];B[pq];W[po];B[qm];W[qq];B[mq];W[od];B[pf];W[pp];B[pr];W[np];B[lq];W[pl]
;B[pm];W[om];B[ql];W[pk];B[qk];W[pj];B[qi];W[nl];B[dp];W[pg];B[qg];W[of];B[ph];W[og]
;B[oh];W[nh];B[pe];W[oe];B[pc];W[oc];B[hc];W[jc];B[jb];W[kb];B[eb];W[cn];B[fp];W[dj]
;B[dc];W[ed];B[fc];W[hq];B[mo];W[nn];B[dn];W[dm];B[co];W[en];B[do];W[bn];B[em];W[dl]
;B[ho];W[jq];B[ip];W[fq];B[eq];W[gp];B[go];W[er];B[dr];W[fo];B[fn];W[ep];B[dq];W[kr]
;B[jp];W[cd];B[eo];W[pd];B[qb];W[pb];B[qc];W[qj];B[rj];W[oi];B[ro];W[fr];B[ib];W[kd]
;B[ch];W[dh];B[dg];W[eh];B[cf];W[ci];B[bi];W[bj];B[be];W[ec];B[db];W[gd];B[fd];W[fe]
;B[ge];W[ff];B[he];W[bd];B[bg];W[ai];B[ee];W[ef];B[de];W[bb];B[ah];W[bh];B[kq];W[id]
;B[hd];W[ir];B[bi];W[fb];B[gc];W[bh];B[eg];W[fg];B[bi];W[ae];B[aj];W[af];B[bk];W[cj]
;B[ce];W[cc];B[cb];W[ca];B[gb];W[ac];B[fh];W[gg];B[fi];W[di];B[ek];W[df];B[cg];W[hh]
;B[bl];W[cl];B[bo];W[ag];B[bm];W[qf];B[qe];W[rh];B[ri];W[qh];B[pi];W[rg];B[qp];W[re]
;B[ob];W[nb];B[pa];W[sb];B[rb];W[sd];B[ra];W[ni];B[cm];W[ad];B[ij];W[kj];B[lr];W[ks]
;B[jl];W[ii];B[hj];W[kl];B[km];W[jk];B[ll];W[kk];B[mm];W[pn];B[qn];W[ik];B[mk];W[si]
;B[rk];W[if];B[mj];W[ml];B[lk];W[li];B[oj];W[nj];B[ok];W[nk];B[ol];W[mn];B[na];W[mb]
;B[ie];W[je];B[hi];W[ji];B[lm];W[nm];B[ab];W[aa];B[hf];W[hg];B[ic];W[jd];B[ln];W[mp]
;B[lo];W[ds];B[cs];W[es];B[cr];W[no];B[il];W[hk];B[hl];W[gj];B[gk];W[gi];B[fj];W[gh]
;B[ig];W[jf];B[gf];W[jj];B[ak];W[bf];B[jr];W[iq];B[ls];W[js];B[fp];W[ma];B[oa];W[oq]
;B[or];W[nq];B[nr];W[lp];B[hp];W[gq];B[ai];W[bh];B[sj];W[jm];B[fl];W[gm];B[gl];W[el]
;B[rd];W[qo];B[rp];W[sc];B[sh];W[jn];B[jo];W[mi];B[ko];W[sg];B[ka];W[la];B[ja];W[da]
;B[fa];W[ba];B[ea];W[si];B[fm];W[sh])

Cho Hyeyeon Evened the Score

Cho Hyeyeon (9 dan) evened the score to 1-1 at the 12th Female Myeongin title match. Previously, Rui Naiwei the title holder beat Cho by resignation. However, Cho found her shape in this game and won by 7.5 points. The last game will be played at February 17.


Cho Hyeyeon (left vs. Rui Naiwei (right)

Will Cho finally break Rui's jinx over her?


Cho Hyeyeon

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rating game]DT[2011-02-16]PB[Rui Naiwei]
BR[9p]PW[Cho Hyeyeon]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+7.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[do];W[co];B[cn];W[cp];B[oq];W[qj];B[fc];W[cf];B[qh];W[qo]
;B[qm];W[pp];B[pq];W[pm];B[rp];W[ql];B[dn];W[fq];B[dj];W[db];B[ic];W[qc];B[pc];W[qd]
;B[qe];W[re];B[rf];W[pb];B[ob];W[oc];B[pe];W[nb];B[qb];W[oa];B[rb];W[kc];B[qn];W[pn]
;B[ro];W[ol];B[ch];W[kq];B[go];W[hp];B[ho];W[ip];B[eb];W[ec];B[fb];W[ef];B[mc];W[mb]
;B[po];W[rh];B[pk];W[pj];B[ok];W[pl];B[nk];W[qg];B[ni];W[rg];B[rd];W[mm];B[kl];W[io]
;B[in];W[jm];B[lm];W[jn];B[ml];W[oh];B[rk];W[qk];B[rl];W[bn];B[bm];W[bo];B[oi];W[pi]
;B[cl];W[mq];B[ko];W[im];B[hn];W[jo];B[hm];W[ik];B[mn];W[nm];B[hk];W[hj];B[ij];W[hl]
;B[gk];W[gl];B[jk];W[il];B[hi];W[bg];B[bh];W[ke];B[jb];W[kb];B[me];W[ie];B[rj];W[of]
;B[ng];W[og];B[gf];W[nh];B[mh];W[nf];B[od];W[mg];B[lh];W[ge];B[fe];W[gd];B[fd];W[ff]
;B[hb];W[gg];B[hf];W[id];B[de];W[ee];B[jc];W[kd];B[cb];W[da];B[ea];W[ce];B[hg];W[gc]
;B[gb];W[nr];B[nc];W[lf];B[or];W[jg];B[fg];W[jj];B[gj];W[ji];B[kj];W[ki];B[lj];W[jl]
;B[kk];W[li];B[mi];W[kg];B[mp];W[eg];B[gh];W[eh];B[kp];W[jq];B[cg];W[bf];B[ei];W[fl]
;B[ob];W[ep];B[fn];W[oc];B[nq];W[mr];B[ob];W[ah];B[ai];W[ag];B[bj];W[oc];B[cc];W[dc]
;B[ob];W[nn];B[no];W[ln];B[mo];W[kn];B[km];W[cd];B[ri];W[oc];B[qi];W[ph];B[ob];W[ja]
;B[ia];W[ka];B[hc];W[oc];B[jd];W[je];B[ob];W[ha];B[ga];W[oc];B[gp];W[gq];B[ob];W[mk]
;B[lk];W[oc];B[pf];W[pg];B[ob];W[nl];B[mj];W[oc];B[kh];W[jh];B[ob];W[oj];B[nj];W[oc]
;B[el];W[fk];B[ek];W[lc];B[ob];W[eo];B[en];W[oc];B[ns];W[ob];B[nd];W[oo];B[op];W[ms]
;B[os];W[on];B[lq];W[lr];B[lp];W[kr];B[fj];W[qa];B[ra];W[si];B[sj];W[fh];B[fm];W[sg]
;B[qf];W[sf];B[se];W[fi];B[dh];W[am];B[al];W[an];B[if];W[jf];B[gm];W[ii];B[hj];W[pa]
;B[dp];W[fp];B[cq];W[bq];B[cr];W[dr];B[gg];W[sh];B[rc];W[mf];B[ej];W[df];B[hh];W[hd]
;B[ne];W[le];B[np];W[jp])

Choi Cheolhan Won Kuksu

Choi Cheolhan is truly on fire. After winning Chunwon title , Choi scored his second title this year by winning Kuksu title over Lee Changho.


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

The game started by both sides played a Low Chinese opening. Lee made the approach at G3 and white answered with the simplest move. Choi quickly invade Lee's moyo with a probe at White 16. The game quickly turned to be a semeai. However. black's shape wasn't very strong and Choi cut black's group apart with M11. Lee Changho resigned surprisingly quick. At move 98!

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

(;
SZ[19]
KM[6.5]
GM[1]
EV[54th Kuksu title match 4]
FF[3]
DT[2011-02-14]
PB[Lee Changho]
BR[Kuksu]
RE[W+R]
PW[Choi Cheolhan]
WR[9d]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dq];B[qk];W[ck];B[gq];W[do];B[jp];W[nc];B[pf]
;W[pb];B[qc];W[kc];B[po];W[qq];B[qp];W[oq];B[pr];W[op];B[pp];W[lq]
;B[kq];W[lp];B[kn];W[mn];B[ll];W[nl];B[nm];W[ko];B[jo];W[km];B[lm]
;W[ln];B[jn];W[mm];B[pl];W[ml];B[lk];W[mj];B[lj];W[pj];B[mi];W[nj]
;B[qi];W[df];B[ek];W[gp];B[cp];W[fq];B[co];W[cq];B[dn];W[eo];B[cl]
;W[bl];B[bm];W[dl];B[cm];W[dk];B[bk];W[bj];B[al];W[hq];B[cj];W[dj]
;B[ci];W[di];B[ch];W[jl];B[il];W[jk];B[jm];W[dh];B[cg];W[cf];B[eb]
;W[fc];B[kh];W[fb];B[no];W[ik];B[mo];W[lo];B[lr];W[mr];B[kr];W[qj]
;B[qh];W[rk];B[qm];W[ri];B[rh];W[rl];B[om];W[pk];B[ql];W[li])

Rui Leads Female Myeongin

Rui Naiwei (9 dan) doesn't show any sign that she is getting weaker. In fact, she is still competitive and this reflects in her victory at the first game of the 12th Female Myeongin.


Rui Naiwei

Rui beat Cho Hyeyeon challenger by resignation in a fierce battle. The second game will be played at February 15.

Here is the game record:
Rui Naiwei (white) vs. Cho Hyeyeon (black). Result: W+R.

(;
KM[6.5]
EV[12th Female Myeongin title match 1]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Rui Naiwei]
WR[Female Myeongin]
DT[2011-02-10]
BR[9d]
RE[W+R]
PB[Cho Hyeyeon]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dq];B[do];W[po];B[cf];W[fc];B[fp];W[qf];B[ph]
;W[of];B[nd];W[rd];B[qc];W[rh];B[og];W[nf];B[qg];W[rg];B[pf];W[pe]
;B[qe];W[pg];B[cd];W[qd];B[pf];W[re];B[dc];W[od];B[oc];W[pc];B[pb]
;W[mc];B[ed];W[fd];B[id];W[md];B[ff];W[gf];B[if];W[gg];B[ih];W[gi]
;B[pd];W[oe];B[nb];W[mb];B[rc];W[ij];B[lh];W[lj];B[fh];W[gh];B[hj]
;W[hi];B[ii];W[jj];B[hk];W[fg];B[lf];W[nc];B[mj];W[mk];B[nj];W[lk]
;B[qm];W[on];B[om];W[nm];B[nn];W[pm];B[ol];W[pl];B[nl];W[mm];B[pk]
;W[no];B[ql];W[pn];B[qj];W[nq];B[ro];W[hp];B[fr];W[hn];B[pp];W[qo]
;B[rp];W[gq];B[fq];W[co];B[cp];W[dp];B[cq];W[cr];B[bo];W[cn];B[dn]
;W[bn];B[br];W[dm];B[fn];W[dr];B[bs];W[ao];B[bq];W[fm];B[em];W[el]
;B[en];W[bp];B[ep];W[gm];B[dl];W[cm];B[dk];W[ek];B[bl];W[dj];B[bj]
;W[aq];B[ds];W[bm];B[iq];W[ip];B[kq];W[ir];B[ml];W[lm];B[cj];W[cl]
;B[ll];W[kl];B[km];W[kn];B[ck];W[al];B[jm];W[jl];B[ej];W[fj];B[jp]
;W[jo];B[hq];W[kp];B[jq];W[lq];B[im];W[il];B[lp];W[ko];B[hm];W[hl]
;B[gn];W[ei];B[mq];W[lr];B[ho];W[io];B[in];W[mp];B[gp];W[na];B[oa]
;W[ob];B[gl];W[fl];B[nb];W[cg];B[dg];W[ch];B[dh];W[di];B[ak];W[ci])

Iyama Continue His Rivalry With Cho U

It seems that this year's Kisei is not the last time we will see Iyama-Cho U's clash as Iyama Meijin beat Takao Shinji (9 dan) at the final of the 49th Judan final.


Takao Shinji (left) vs. Iyama Yuta (right)

Iyama Yuta succesfully enter the final by winning the winner section. The road was not as steady for Takao as he lost at the first round from So Yokoku (8 dan), but he gained back his form and drove all the way at the Loser section and eventualy became the winner.


Iyama Yuta Meijin

Takao actually broke his jinx against Iyama with his 4.5 points victory over the Meijin at the 4th Daiwa Cup Grand Champion tournament but it wasn't enough for him to break Iyama's tight wall.

The first game will be played at March 3.

Here is the game record:
Iyama Yuta (white) vs. Takao Shinji (black). Result: W+R

(;
EV[49th Judan challenger decision match]
PW[Iyama Yuta]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
WR[Meijin]
PB[Takao Shinji]
RE[W+R]
DT[2011-02-10]
BR[9d]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[fq];W[cn];B[jp];W[qn];B[po];W[rp];B[pl]
;W[pn];B[qo];W[ro];B[rm];W[qq];B[rn];W[pr];B[on];W[nc];B[pf];W[kd]
;B[fc];W[ec];B[fd];W[df];B[ic];W[qc];B[pc];W[pb];B[ob];W[qb];B[oc]
;W[re];B[kf];W[nb];B[na];W[qf];B[pg];W[id];B[hd];W[ie];B[jc];W[ke]
;B[lf];W[ig];B[gg];W[jh];B[lh];W[eg];B[hf];W[hh];B[gh];W[gi];B[hi]
;W[ii];B[hj];W[fi];B[kc];W[ik];B[hg];W[ih];B[fj];W[ij];B[gj];W[gl]
;B[ei];W[fh];B[ek];W[fp];B[im];W[dj];B[ej];W[jm];B[in];W[il];B[fm]
;W[gm];B[fn];W[gn];B[fo];W[fl];B[el];W[gp];B[ep];W[eo];B[eq];W[go]
;B[do];W[en];B[em];W[dn];B[cq];W[cl];B[ck];W[bk];B[bl];W[bm];B[bj]
;W[al];B[cg];W[dg];B[ch];W[bf];B[bg];W[be];B[cj];W[dl];B[dk];W[di]
;B[dh];W[ah];B[ai];W[ag];B[bh];W[dq];B[dr];W[cp];B[af];W[fb];B[gb]
;W[ag];B[ci];W[cr];B[er];W[gq];B[bq];W[br];B[bp];W[co];B[ar];W[bs]
;B[ds];W[fr];B[gr];W[fs];B[hr];W[iq];B[bo];W[bn];B[ir];W[jq];B[gs]
;W[aq];B[jn];W[jr];B[is];W[km];B[kn];W[li];B[lm];W[ll];B[mi];W[mj]
;B[lj];W[ln];B[mm];W[mn];B[lp];W[nm];B[ml];W[lk];B[nl];W[kj];B[op]
;W[nq];B[md];W[nn];B[no];W[om];B[ol];W[oo];B[np];W[mq];B[mp];W[me]
;B[pp];W[nd];B[or];W[qr];B[eb];W[db];B[fa];W[ma];B[qg];W[ni];B[ng]
;W[qi];B[pi];W[rg];B[oi];W[qj];B[lq];W[mh];B[qe];W[rf];B[mf];W[ql]
;B[qm];W[rl];B[pm];W[mc];B[qh];W[rh];B[ps];W[oe];B[pk];W[rr];B[hq]
;W[pe];B[bb];W[cb];B[bc];W[ee];B[ed];W[dc];B[cf];W[ce];B[fg];W[bd]
;B[eh];W[qs];B[os];W[ka];B[qk];W[rk])

Iyama Leads Kisei Fight

After successfully balanced the score at the second game of the 35th Kisei title match series, Cho U is faced with the hard fact. Iyama took the wheel of the competition by winning the third game.


The young Meijin in control

The fourth game will beplayed at February 17-18 in Takarazuka, Hyogo.


Cho must step up his game or he will lost his title to Iyama again

Here is the game record:
Iyama Yuta (black) vs. Cho U (white). Result: B+1.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[35th Japanese Kisei, title macth game 3]
DT[2011-02-03,04]PB[Iyama Yuta]BR[9p]PW[Cho U]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+1.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[pp];B[dc];W[cp];B[eq];W[hp];B[cm];W[ep];B[dp];W[do];B[dq];W[cn];B[cq];W[dm]
;B[fp];W[eo];B[fo];W[bq];B[bp];W[bo];B[co];W[ap];B[cp];W[bm];B[br];W[ce];B[ed];W[ch]
;B[kc];W[qn];B[jq];W[io];B[lp];W[pg];B[od];W[pj];B[fn];W[gq];B[em];W[dn];B[fq];W[kn]
;B[nq];W[kp];B[jp];W[kq];B[kr];W[lq];B[lr];W[ko];B[mq];W[or];B[pq];W[oq];B[op];W[nr]
;B[mr];W[oo];B[np];W[qq];B[po];W[qp];B[jo];W[jn];B[in];W[hn];B[im];W[hm];B[il];W[hl]
;B[ik];W[kl];B[lm];W[jl];B[jj];W[fl];B[on];W[kj];B[ki];W[lj];B[el];W[fj];B[ll];W[jk]
;B[ij];W[li];B[kh];W[lh];B[kg];W[pn];B[lo];W[ir];B[jr];W[om];B[no];W[lg];B[kf];W[ek]
;B[dl];W[cl];B[dk];W[dj];B[ck];W[bk];B[cj];W[di];B[df];W[gh];B[gf];W[ih];B[ii];W[fm]
;B[en];W[ff];B[fg];W[gg];B[fe];W[me];B[ld];W[pc];B[oc];W[pd];B[pe];W[qc];B[qe];W[ob]
;B[nb];W[pb];B[ne];W[of];B[oe];W[rb];B[bg];W[hf];B[ef];W[ie];B[rd];W[mb];B[nc];W[jd]
;B[kd];W[jc];B[jb];W[ib];B[kb];W[rc];B[hd];W[ke];B[le];W[je];B[lf];W[hc];B[gk];W[fk]
;B[ig];W[jg];B[jm];W[bh];B[cf];W[km];B[gb];W[gc];B[fc];W[jf];B[fi];W[gi];B[ei];W[jh]
;B[ji];W[hk];B[bj];W[aj];B[ai];W[ak];B[oh];W[ph];B[oj];W[ok];B[nj];W[nk];B[mk];W[nh]
;B[ng];W[nf];B[mh];W[mg];B[pk];W[ni];B[pi];W[qj];B[qi];W[mj];B[oi];W[og];B[ri];W[qk]
;B[rg];W[mf];B[rj];W[rk];B[sk];W[pl];B[rl];W[rm];B[ql];W[pk];B[oa];W[pa];B[na];W[ah]
;B[ag];W[qm];B[gr];W[hr];B[fs];W[nm];B[ln];W[kk];B[aq];W[gd];B[sd];W[sc];B[ao];W[bn]
;B[ge];W[md];B[mc];W[cg];B[bf];W[sl];B[he];W[gn];B[dh];W[dg];B[eh];W[ej];B[ci];W[bi]
;B[eg];W[ai];B[sj];W[ms];B[js];W[qg];B[rh];W[ml];B[hi];W[hh];B[hj];W[gj];B[lk];W[mm]
;B[mn];W[fb];B[eb];W[ja];B[ka];W[pr];B[ls];W[ns];B[fa];W[ia];B[qf];W[hs];B[gs];W[qo]
;B[oo];W[an];B[ap])