Yamashita Leads 2-0

The Honinbo title match continued! The second game was played on May 24-25 in Kagoshima. This time, Yamashita Keigo Honinbo played black against chalenger, Hane Naoki.


Yamashita Keigo (left) vs. Hane Naoki (right)

Hane Naoki played a Low Chinese Fuseki and quickly developed the game into a moyo game with the right side as his main framework. Day 1 ended with Yamashita did the sealing move for move 43.


Yamashita handling the sealed move

Day 2 continued with Yamashita playing his sealed move, which turned out to be a probe at B6. Hane started a fight with White 46 and used that stone as an aji to live inside Yamashit's moyo. However, he ended up in gote.

At move 107. white went into a trouble where his stones around O17 got attacked. Hane made a ko fight to survive, but a lack of threat soon sent himinto resignation.

With this, Yamashita leads the title match with 2-0. The next game will be played at June 2-3.


Yamashita Keigo

Don't forget to cast your vote on who do you think will win the 66th Honinbo title below.

do you think will win the 66th Honinbo?
	Yamashita Keigo
	Hane Naoki
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Here is the game record:
Yamashita Keigo (black) vs. Hane Naoki (white). Result: B+R

• First
• Back
• Forward
• Last
• Pass

Variations:

none

Tool:

► Play → Jump to Move ● Black Stone ○ White Stone ▲ Triangle ■ Square ● Circle × X A Letter 5 Number Ç Custom Label ▓ Dim ░ Clear Marker Corner Search Center Search

Handicap:

0

Komi:

6.5

Result:

B+R

Date:

25 May 2011

Event:

66th Honinbo title match, game 2

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

Done

Done

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 matches found. Showing -

White Black Result Date

Hane Naoki , 9p

captures: 0

time left: --

captures: 0

time left: --

Handicap:

0

Komi:

6.5

Result:

B+R

Date:

25 May 2011

Event:

66th Honinbo title match, game 2

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

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Who Will be the 36th Gosei

Who Will be the 36th Gosei?
	Sakai Hideyuki
	Hane Naoki
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Hane Naoki the Gosei Challenger

Hane Naoki (9 dan) is in his shape! After winning the right to be Honinbo challenger, Hane went for his second challenger's seat at the 36th Gosei.


Hane Naoki (left) vs. Rin Shien (right)

Hane beat Rin Shien (7 dan) at the final. Hane who played white showed a great invading skill. Rin who played a moyo game got his moyo destroyed after Hane saved his group with white 162.


Rin Shien

This will be the first time Hane play at Gosei title match. He will challenge Sakai Hideyuki Gosei at 23rd June. Based on the previous meeting, Sakai is leading the tally with 2-0, but both game came from 2004. Almost 7 years ago! I believe both got stronger in 7 years, so it will be interesting to see who's gonna win this.


Hane Naoki

Here is the game record:
Hane Naoki (white) vs. Rin Shien (black). Result: W+R

• First
• Back
• Forward
• Last
• Pass

Variations:

none

Tool:

► Play → Jump to Move ● Black Stone ○ White Stone ▲ Triangle ■ Square ● Circle × X A Letter 5 Number Ç Custom Label ▓ Dim ░ Clear Marker Corner Search Center Search

Done

Done

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 matches found. Showing -

White Black Result Date

captures: 0

time left: --

captures: 0

time left: --

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Here are the games between Sakai and Hane:

52nd Japanese NHK Cup, round 3
Sakai Hideyuki (W) vs. Hane Naoki (B). Result: W+R

• First
• Back
• Forward
• Last
• Pass

Variations:

none

Tool:

► Play → Jump to Move ● Black Stone ○ White Stone ▲ Triangle ■ Square ● Circle × X A Letter 5 Number Ç Custom Label ▓ Dim ░ Clear Marker Corner Search Center Search

Komi:

6.5

Result:

W+R

Date:

12 December 2004

Event:

52nd Japanese NHK Cup, round 3

Created with:

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Done

Done

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 matches found. Showing -

White Black Result Date

Sakai Hideyuki, 6p

captures: 0

time left: --

captures: 0

time left: --

Komi:

6.5

Result:

W+R

Date:

12 December 2004

Event:

52nd Japanese NHK Cup, round 3

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

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30th Japanese Meijin, preliminary
Sakai Hideyuki (W) vs. Hane Naoki (B). Result: W+R

• First
• Back
• Forward
• Last
• Pass

Variations:

none

Tool:

► Play → Jump to Move ● Black Stone ○ White Stone ▲ Triangle ■ Square ● Circle × X A Letter 5 Number Ç Custom Label ▓ Dim ░ Clear Marker Corner Search Center Search

Komi:

6.5

Result:

W+R

Date:

28 October 2004

Event:

30th Japanese Meijin, preliminary

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

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Done

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 matches found. Showing -

White Black Result Date

Sakai Hideyuki, 6p

captures: 0

time left: --

captures: 0

time left: --

Komi:

6.5

Result:

W+R

Date:

28 October 2004

Event:

30th Japanese Meijin, preliminary

Created with:

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Life and Death - Capturing

White just played the marked stone. Black to play the best continuation. Enjoy :)

Iyama Won Bosai Cup

After yesterday's victory, Gu Li (9 dan) went to the final game against day 1 winner, Iyama Yuta.


Gu Li (left) vs. Iyama Yuta (right)

Iyama played white in this game. The opening was a little bit uncomfortable for white, but he showed a good skill during the game. For example, white 112 which utilizes his dead stones' aji. Gu Li resigned at move 208, because the gap was too big.

This is the first time Iyama won an international event and, I think, is exactly the mental boost he needs to achieve the next level. The Judan he won earlier this month seems to play a part in this victory as well. Congratulations for the young Meijin!


Iyama Yuta Meijin Judan, finally won his first international event

Here is the game record:
Iyama Yuta (ehite) vs. Gu Li (black). Result: W+R

• First
• Back
• Forward
• Last
• Pass

Variations:

none

Tool:

► Play → Jump to Move ● Black Stone ○ White Stone ▲ Triangle ■ Square ● Circle × X A Letter 5 Number Ç Custom Label ▓ Dim ░ Clear Marker Corner Search Center Search

Iyama Yuta 9p vs Gu Li 9p

Game:

Rated game

Handicap:

0

Komi:

7.5

Result:

W+R

Event:

1st Bosai (Chongqing) Cup. day 3

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

Done

Done

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 matches found. Showing -

White Black Result Date

Iyama Yuta , 9p

captures: 0

time left: --

Gu Li , 9p

captures: 0

time left: --

Game:

Rated game

Handicap:

0

Komi:

7.5

Result:

W+R

Event:

1st Bosai (Chongqing) Cup. day 3

Created with:

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Gu Li Won Day 2

After Iyama's victory at day 1, Lee Sedol went head-to-head with Gu Li (who drew bye at the opening day). This make a repetition of the 3rd BC Card Cup's final.


Lee Sedol (left) vs. Gu Li (middle), Iyama Yuta (right)

Gu Li opened the game by playing sanrensei. The game quickly turned into big moyo vs. big moyo game and in such game, a fight is inevitable. Gu Li showed off his fighting skill and paid back his lost at BC Card Cup's final.

Here is the game record:
Gu Li (Black) vs. Lee Sedol (white). Result: B+R

• First
• Back
• Forward
• Last
• Pass

Variations:

none

Tool:

► Play → Jump to Move ● Black Stone ○ White Stone ▲ Triangle ■ Square ● Circle × X A Letter 5 Number Ç Custom Label ▓ Dim ░ Clear Marker Corner Search Center Search

Handicap:

0

Komi:

7.5

Result:

B+R

Date:

17 May 2011

Event:

1st Bosai (Chongqing) Cup, day 2

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

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Done

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 matches found. Showing -

White Black Result Date

Lee Sedol, 9p

captures: 0

time left: --

captures: 0

time left: --

Handicap:

0

Komi:

7.5

Result:

B+R

Date:

17 May 2011

Event:

1st Bosai (Chongqing) Cup, day 2

Created with:

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Yamashita Keigo Won Game 1

The first game of the 66th Honinbo title series continues! Hane Naoki, the challenger, played S12 as his sealed move. A natural choice to help his weak stones at the right side.


Hane Naoki played his sealed move.

Yamashita started a fight at the left side with white 104. He got a nice wall while giving Hane territory. Later, Yamashita played white 158 and 160 to seal the territory. During the end game, Yamashita captured 5 stones thanks to black's weak group around F17. The Honinbo won the first game by 7.5 points.


Hane Naoki (left) vs. Yamashita Keigo (right)

Here is the game record:
Yamashita Keigo (white) vs. Hane Naoki (black). Result: W+R

• First
• Back
• Forward
• Last
• Pass

Variations:

none

Tool:

► Play → Jump to Move ● Black Stone ○ White Stone ▲ Triangle ■ Square ● Circle × X A Letter 5 Number Ç Custom Label ▓ Dim ░ Clear Marker Corner Search Center Search

Yamashita Keigo 9p vs Hane Naoki 9p

Game:

Rated game

Handicap:

0

Komi:

6.5

Result:

W+7.5

Event:

66th Japanese Honinbo title match, game 1

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

Done

Done

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 matches found. Showing -

White Black Result Date

Yamashita Keigo, 9p

captures: 0

time left: --

Hane Naoki, 9p

captures: 0

time left: --

Game:

Rated game

Handicap:

0

Komi:

6.5

Result:

W+7.5

Event:

66th Japanese Honinbo title match, game 1

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

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Bosai Cup

It seems that there is a new international event called Bosai Cup, the Gold Buddha Championship. It's an invitational tournament between top player from South Korea, China, and Japan.

The representatives are:
S.Korea: Lee Sedol
China: Gu Li
Japan: Iyama Yuta

The first game was between Iyama and Lee Sedol.


Iyama Yuta (left) vs. Lee Sedol (right)

Iyama who played black went for a territory oriented opening. Lee Sedol started to attack Iyama's floating group at the upper left. Iyama linked the group to the center, but damaged his lower left corner. Lee later attacked the group in the middle ferociously starting with white 142. However, Iyama dodged it precisely and Lee resigned at move 205. This is Iyama's second consecutive win from Lee. Previously, he beat Lee at the Asian Games.

Tomorrow will be a fight between Lee Sedol and Gu Li. The winner will play Iyama a the final day.

Here is the game record:
Iyama Yuta (black) vs. Lee Sedol (white). Result: B+R

• First
• Back
• Forward
• Last
• Pass

Variations:

none

Tool:

► Play → Jump to Move ● Black Stone ○ White Stone ▲ Triangle ■ Square ● Circle × X A Letter 5 Number Ç Custom Label ▓ Dim ░ Clear Marker Corner Search Center Search

Lee Sedol 9p vs Iyama Yuta 9p

Game:

Rated game

Handicap:

0

Komi:

7.5

Result:

B+R

Event:

1st Bosai Cup, day 1

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

Done

Done

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 matches found. Showing -

White Black Result Date

Lee Sedol, 9p

captures: 0

time left: --

Iyama Yuta, 9p

captures: 0

time left: --

Game:

Rated game

Handicap:

0

Komi:

7.5

Result:

B+R

Event:

1st Bosai Cup, day 1

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

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Anzai Nobuaki Won Okage Cup

Anzai Nobuaki (6 dan) met Shida Tatsuya (4 dan) at the final of the 2nd Okage cup and managed to pull out a victory with white in this last game. Congratulations for Anzai!

Here is the game record:
Anzai Nobuaki (white) vs. Shida Tatsuya (black). Result: W+R

• First
• Back
• Forward
• Last
• Pass

Variations:

none

Tool:

► Play → Jump to Move ● Black Stone ○ White Stone ▲ Triangle ■ Square ● Circle × X A Letter 5 Number Ç Custom Label ▓ Dim ░ Clear Marker Corner Search Center Search

Anzai Nobuaki 6p vs Shida Tatsuya 4p

Game:

Rated game

Handicap:

0

Komi:

6.5

Result:

W+R

Event:

2nd Okage Cup, final

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

Done

Done

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 matches found. Showing -

White Black Result Date

Anzai Nobuaki, 6p

captures: 0

time left: --

Shida Tatsuya, 4p

captures: 0

time left: --

Game:

Rated game

Handicap:

0

Komi:

6.5

Result:

W+R

Event:

2nd Okage Cup, final

Created with:

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Okage Cup, Semi-Final

Here is the result of 2nd Okage Cup semi-final:
Rin Shien (W) vs. Shida Tatsuya (B). Result: B+0.5


Shida Tatsuya

Here is the game record:

• First
• Back
• Forward
• Last
• Pass

Variations:

none

Tool:

► Play → Jump to Move ● Black Stone ○ White Stone ▲ Triangle ■ Square ● Circle × X A Letter 5 Number Ç Custom Label ▓ Dim ░ Clear Marker Corner Search Center Search

Handicap:

0

Komi:

6.5

Result:

B+0.5

Date:

15 May 2011

Event:

2nd Okage Cup, semi final

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

Done

Done

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 matches found. Showing -

White Black Result Date

Rin Shien, 7p

captures: 0

time left: --

captures: 0

time left: --

Handicap:

0

Komi:

6.5

Result:

B+0.5

Date:

15 May 2011

Event:

2nd Okage Cup, semi final

Created with:

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Anzai Nobuaki (W) vs. Uchida Shuhei (B). Result: W+6.5


Anzai Nobuaki

Here is the game record:

• First
• Back
• Forward
• Last
• Pass

Variations:

none

Tool:

► Play → Jump to Move ● Black Stone ○ White Stone ▲ Triangle ■ Square ● Circle × X A Letter 5 Number Ç Custom Label ▓ Dim ░ Clear Marker Corner Search Center Search

Handicap:

0

Komi:

6.5

Result:

W+4.5

Date:

15 May 2011

Event:

2nd Okage Cup, semi-final

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

Done

Done

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 matches found. Showing -

White Black Result Date

Anzai Nobuaki, 6p

captures: 0

time left: --

captures: 0

time left: --

Handicap:

0

Komi:

6.5

Result:

W+4.5

Date:

15 May 2011

Event:

2nd Okage Cup, semi-final

Created with:

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Okage Cup, Day 1

The first and the second round of the 2nd Okage Cup had been played. Here is the result:

Round 1
Uchida Shuhei (W) vs. Okuda Aya (B). Result: W+3.5
Cho Riyu (W) vs. Suzuki Ayumi (B). Result: W+R
Anzai Nobuaki (W) vs. Masashi Ito (B). Result: W+R
Xie Yimin (B) vs. Mannami Nao (W). Result: B+R
Shuto Shun (B) vs. Fujita Akihiko (W). Result: W+R
Rin Shien (B) vs. Shiraishi Yuichi (W). Result: B+R
Mukai Chiaki (B) vs. Suzuki Shinji (W). Result: W+R
Shida Tatsuya (W) vs. Adachi Toshimasa (B). Result: W+R



Round 2
Cho Riyu (W) vs. Shida Tatsuya (B). Result: B+6.5
Anzai Nobuaki (W) vs. Xie Yimin (B). Result: W+R
Rin Shien (B) vs. Fujita Akihiko (W). Result: B+11.5
Shida Tatsuya (B) vs. Suzuki Shinji (W). Result: B+R

2nd Okage Cup

Okage cup is an Unofficial Japanese tournament, created in 2010, for young players (under 30 and at most 7 dan). First prize is 3,000,000 Yen (source: Sensei's Library). The first edition was won by Cho Riyu (7 dan) and runner-up was Ohashi Hirofumi (at that time 4 dan).

It seems that the tournament is coming back for more. The second edition is underway with 16 pros compete for the main prize. They are:

1. Cho Riyu (8 dan)
2. Shuto Shun (7 dan)
3. Rin Shien (7 dan)
4. Suzuki Ayumi (6 dan)
5. Anzai Nobuaki (6 dan)
6. Xie Yimin (Female Honinbo, Female Meijin, Female Kisei)
7. Uchida Shuhei (5 dan)
8. Mukai Chiaki (4 dan)
9. Shida Tatsuya (4 dan)
10. Shiraishi Yuichi (Shinjin-O)
11. Shinji Suzuki (3 dan)
12. Okuda Aya (2 dan)
13. Fujita Akihiko (2 dan)
14. Mannami Nao (2 dan)
15. Adachi Toshimasa (1 dan)
16. Masashi Ito (1 dan)


The contestants

The first and second game will be played at May 13, while semi-fnal and final will follow at the next day.

Poll: Who Do You Think Will Win the 66th Honinbo?

do you think will win the 66th Honinbo?
	Yamashita Keigo
	Hane Naoki
pollcode.com free polls

66th Honinbo Title Series Starts!

The 66th Honinbo title series finally arrived. This year, Yamashita Keigo Honinbo will face the league winner, Hane Naoki, in a best-of-7 series.

The first game started today and will continue tomorrow. Hane Naoki got black in this game and did the sealing move for move 73.


Hane Naoki handed over his sealed move.

The position is quite difficult. Black's group at the right side and upper side are under attack. I think Yamashita could take the advantage from attacking them. However, white's group at the upper side and at the lower right are not settle as well.


Final position of day 1