Iyama Opened Tengen Series

The 37th Tengen title series meets Yuki Satoshi, the Tengen title holder, and Iyama Yuta, the challenger in a bst-of-5 title series. The first game was played on October 24. Yuki Satoshi played black, while Iyama Yuta played white at the first game.

Yuki Satoshi (left) vs. Iyama Yuta (right)

The game opened with both players did  trade. Iyama grabbed the territories at the bottom side, while giving Yuki a big thickness toward the center. Iyama started his invasion at the center with white 60 and 74. The invasion was success and Iyama took the lead. Iyama won after 194 moves. The next game will be played on November 8.

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

(;
EV[37th Tengen title match 1]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Iyama Yuta]
WR[Meijin]
DT[2011-10-24]
BR[Tengen]
RE[W+R]
PB[Yuki Satoshi]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[co];W[oq];B[mp];W[qf];B[pi];W[oo];B[pn]
;W[nc];B[pf];W[qc];B[qe];W[pc];B[pq];W[qg];B[pg];W[re];B[qh];W[oh]
;B[ph];W[mq];B[lq];W[lp];B[nq];W[mr];B[op];W[kq];B[ep];W[dp];B[do]
;W[eo];B[fp];W[en];B[dm];W[bp];B[bo];W[fr];B[gn];W[fm];B[cj];W[gm]
;B[hm];W[hn];B[in];W[ho];B[io];W[hp];B[ip];W[iq];B[jq];W[hq];B[lo]
;W[kp];B[ko];W[kr];B[hl];W[lj];B[rf];W[fc];B[cf];W[bd];B[fl];W[gl]
;B[gk];W[fk];B[el];W[hk];B[gj];W[go];B[ik];W[po];B[no];W[on];B[ol]
;W[pl];B[ok];W[om];B[pk];W[mn];B[mo];W[ml];B[ql];W[km];B[kk];W[lk]
;B[kl];W[ll];B[lh];W[kj];B[ln];W[lm];B[hj];W[im];B[jm];W[qo];B[jp]
;W[jr];B[or];W[pm];B[be];W[ce];B[bf];W[df];B[dg];W[eg];B[cc];W[cd]
;B[ef];W[de];B[dh];W[ff];B[rd];W[qd];B[se];W[od];B[eh];W[fg];B[gc]
;W[gb];B[hb];W[hc];B[gd];W[ib];B[bc];W[eb];B[ad];W[dn];B[cp];W[cq]
;B[cm];W[pe];B[rg];W[rl];B[qk];W[rm];B[bq];W[br];B[ap];W[ke];B[if]
;W[id];B[ne];W[me];B[mf];W[le];B[ro];W[rn];B[rp];W[jl];B[rk];W[jn]
;B[jo];W[jk];B[je];W[jd];B[ar];W[bs];B[oe];W[nd];B[dc];W[fd];B[db]
;W[hg];B[gh];W[hh];B[jh];W[fh];B[fi];W[mg];B[hf];W[gg];B[kg];W[he]
;B[ng];W[lf];B[nf];W[mh];B[nh];W[rc];B[sc];W[lg];B[ii];W[nr];B[pp]
;W[il];B[rb];W[qb];B[nj];W[hk];B[nn];W[nm])

Choi Cheolhan Won Game 2

The 55th Kuksu title series met Cho Hanseung won the first of the best-of-5 games. Choi Cheolhan as the title holder didn't let him lead for too long as he won the second game a week later to bring the score even again.

Choi Cheolhan (left) vs. Cho Hanseung (right)

Choi who played black was back to his forte, fighting, in this game. He started an attack with black 53. Cho defended his group well and Choi shifted the attack to the right side with black 75 and 77. As a result, black got a strong thickness toward the center. Cho Hanseung probed the center with white 122, but Choi successfully seized the center with black 165. Cho resigned 12 moves later after black 177.

With this victory, the standing for both players is 1-1. The third game will be played on November 8.

Here is the game record:

(;
EV[55th Kuksu title match 2]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Cho Hanseung]
WR[9d]
DT[2011-10-25]
BR[Kuksu]
RE[B+R]
PB[Choi Cheolhan]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[co];W[op];B[oq];W[nq];B[pq];W[mp];B[no]
;W[mo];B[nr];W[nm];B[mr];W[ck];B[ep];W[eq];B[fp];W[gq];B[cq];W[qf]
;B[nc];W[dp];B[do];W[cp];B[fq];W[fr];B[gp];W[hq];B[bp];W[bq];B[cr]
;W[er];B[br];W[bo];B[aq];W[bn];B[hp];W[jq];B[jp];W[rd];B[cm];W[bm]
;B[em];W[iq];B[ci];W[ek];B[cf];W[ce];B[df];W[fc];B[gk];W[ei];B[fe]
;W[fl];B[hl];W[cn];B[dn];W[gl];B[hm];W[hk];B[gj];W[ik];B[kp];W[lq]
;B[ip];W[cj];B[kq];W[kr];B[lr];W[js];B[di];W[dj];B[kl];W[eg];B[nk]
;W[be];B[pk];W[he];B[de];W[ed];B[cd];W[bd];B[cc];W[bc];B[db];W[bb]
;B[gf];W[hc];B[hf];W[qm];B[nn];W[qk];B[qj];W[pl];B[ok];W[on];B[mn]
;W[rk];B[rj];W[ro];B[pn];W[qo];B[oo];W[rq];B[hi];W[qc];B[je];W[of]
;B[jc];W[me];B[mg];W[kd];B[kc];W[lc];B[lb];W[ld];B[mb];W[jd];B[pc]
;W[jg];B[ie];W[nh];B[mh];W[mi];B[ng];W[og];B[ni];W[oh];B[li];W[oi]
;B[id];W[nj];B[mj];W[ic];B[ni];W[ib];B[ka];W[mi];B[qd];W[kf];B[ni]
;W[ja];B[kb];W[mi];B[fd];W[ec];B[ni];W[hd];B[if];W[mi];B[gc];W[gb]
;B[ni];W[ff];B[fg];W[ef];B[oj];W[fh];B[ih];W[rb];B[qb];W[rc];B[ne]
;W[pi];B[ge];W[ee];B[pj];W[om];B[po];W[rp];B[qe];W[re];B[qg];W[rf]
;B[qh])

Xie Yimin Defended Female Honinbo

The 30th Female Honinbo was settled. Xie Yimin is once again crowned as the Female Honinbo after she beat Mukai Chiaki at the fourth game. Xie played black in this game, while Mukai played white.

Mukai Chiaki (left) vs. Xie Yimin (right)

The game opened with micro chinese fuseki. Mukai's approach with white 10 is rather new. Usually white will play at R13 or Q13 here. Xie's response with black 13 makes white's formation on the right looks weak. Black 45 is a good move, using black's wall on the right side to create a big framework. Mukai Chiaki resigned after 159 moves.

This is the fifth consecutive years Xie win Female Honinbo. Making her the female player with best title streak for Female Honinbo.

Xie Yimin defended her title once again.

This is the second consecutive years Mukai Chiaki lost to Xie in Female Honinbo title series. 

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

(;
EV[30th Female Honinbo title match 4]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Mukai Chiaki]
WR[4d]
DT[2011-10-24]
BR[Female Honinbo]
RE[B+R]
PB[Xie Yimin]
;B[qd];W[dd];B[pp];W[dp];B[fc];W[cf];B[lc];W[qj];B[qn];W[rf];B[od]
;W[fq];B[qh];W[rh];B[qg];W[rg];B[qf];W[re];B[qi];W[ri];B[rk];W[rj]
;B[rd];W[qe];B[pe];W[pc];B[pd];W[kd];B[jb];W[ge];B[dc];W[cc];B[ed]
;W[de];B[cb];W[db];B[eb];W[ec];B[oj];W[ql];B[dc];W[qm];B[da];W[ee]
;B[he];W[hf];B[if];W[hd];B[ie];W[fd];B[gc];W[gd];B[id];W[hc];B[bc]
;W[dk];B[hg];W[gf];B[ji];W[pn];B[nq];W[mj];B[mi];W[li];B[mh];W[co]
;B[fj];W[ei];B[fi];W[eh];B[fl];W[jk];B[lh];W[qp];B[qq];W[qo];B[rq]
;W[jp];B[cq];W[bp];B[hq];W[gp];B[jq];W[kq];B[kp];W[kr];B[jr];W[mq]
;B[ko];W[nr];B[oq];W[lp];B[io];W[or];B[pr];W[ln];B[kn];W[lm];B[gr]
;W[hh];B[ig];W[gh];B[gn];W[er];B[dm];W[em];B[el];W[dl];B[dn];W[hn]
;B[hm];W[ho];B[go];W[im];B[hl];W[il];B[eo];W[fp];B[cl];W[js];B[ir]
;W[ck];B[bm];W[bl];B[cm];W[bk];B[hk];W[sd];B[sc];W[ib];B[jc];W[cd]
;B[ec];W[nj];B[pj];W[ni];B[nh];W[jo];B[in];W[jn];B[hp];W[oh];B[oi]
;W[pk];B[ok];W[ol];B[nk];W[rp];B[mp];W[lo];B[mr];W[lr];B[lq];W[rc]
;B[sb];W[mq];B[ms];W[se];B[rb])

One Victory To Mingren

The 24th Mingren title series is a showdown between Jiang Weijie Mingren and Kong Jie, the challenger. Last year, Jiang ended Gu Li's 6 years of Reign on Mingren title. This year, he is close to defend his title after winning the first two games from Kong.

The first game was played on October 21. Jiang played black against Kong. Jiang showed an interesting combination starting with black 111-117, trapping white's group at the bottom of the board. Kong resigned after black 209. He is behind about 5 points on board.

Jiang Weijie (left) vs. Kong Jie (right)

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

(;
EV[24th Mingren title match 1]
KM[7.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Kong Jie]
WR[9d]
DT[2011-10-21]
BR[Mingren]
RE[B+R]
PB[Jiang Weijie]
;B[pd];W[dc];B[qp];W[dq];B[oq];W[co];B[qj];W[nc];B[pf];W[jd];B[de]
;W[dh];B[he];W[fc];B[ed];W[ec];B[hc];W[ge];B[gf];W[gd];B[hd];W[ff]
;B[hf];W[fg];B[lc];W[jc];B[ke];W[je];B[jf];W[ld];B[md];W[le];B[mc]
;W[kf];B[kg];W[lf];B[jg];W[lg];B[lh];W[mh];B[li];W[mi];B[nd];W[og]
;B[mj];W[nj];B[lj];W[oi];B[ph];W[pi];B[nf];W[ng];B[qi];W[ci];B[eq]
;W[gq];B[dp];W[cp];B[fq];W[dr];B[gp];W[hq];B[hp];W[iq];B[ip];W[jq]
;B[em];W[en];B[fn];W[eo];B[fo];W[ep];B[fp];W[gj];B[lq];W[fr];B[cg]
;W[cd];B[ei];W[gh];B[eh];W[dj];B[di];W[ch];B[ej];W[dg];B[hi];W[gi]
;B[dk];W[cj];B[pl];W[pg];B[qg];W[oh];B[qh];W[el];B[fm];W[dl];B[dm]
;W[gl];B[cl];W[ek];B[ik];W[lp];B[kq];W[jp];B[kp];W[jo];B[ko];W[hn]
;B[gm];W[hm];B[fl];W[fk];B[hl];W[gk];B[in];W[pq];B[pp];W[or];B[er]
;W[nq];B[op];W[qq];B[ds];W[il];B[jn];W[cs];B[es];W[mr];B[jr];W[nb]
;B[cr];W[cq];B[br];W[bn];B[bm];W[bq];B[oc];W[jk];B[ij];W[hk];B[km]
;W[rp];B[ro];W[rq];B[np];W[kl];B[ll];W[lr];B[kr];W[nl];B[bk];W[bj]
;B[gb];W[jb];B[kc];W[kd];B[kb];W[fb];B[nm];W[of];B[oe];W[pk];B[pj]
;W[qf];B[pe];W[ok];B[qk];W[mm];B[ml];W[rn];B[qo];W[om];B[nn];W[pm]
;B[ql];W[ol];B[mq];W[nr];B[oj];W[ni];B[an];W[ao];B[am];W[cn];B[cm]
;W[aq];B[mf];W[me];B[ne];W[mg];B[jj];W[rm];B[rl];W[on];B[oo];W[hh]
;B[ih];W[ck];B[ak];W[so];B[kk];W[jl];B[sl];W[ho];B[io];W[hg];B[ig]
)

The second game was played 3 days later with colors reversed. Jiang played white while Kong played black. Black 13 is rather new to my eyes, as the usual answer is the kosumi tsuke at P4. The game was interesting and full of fighting. Kong resigned after 244 moves.

Kong Jie (left) vs. Jiang Weijie (right)

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

(;
KM[7.5]
EV[24th Mingren title match 2]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Jiang Weijie]
WR[Mingren]
DT[2011-10-24]
BR[9d]
RE[W+R]
PB[Kong Jie]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[qk];W[fq];B[nc];W[dj];B[fc];W[df];B[id]
;W[np];B[oo];W[no];B[on];W[mm];B[nl];W[qj];B[qh];W[lk];B[nj];W[oq]
;B[pr];W[jp];B[li];W[rk];B[ql];W[qg];B[ri];W[ph];B[qe];W[mg];B[nh]
;W[qc];B[pc];W[re];B[qd];W[jf];B[ng];W[rl];B[qm];W[ki];B[kh];W[ji]
;B[cl];W[cn];B[jh];W[ih];B[ii];W[ij];B[hi];W[lh];B[lg];W[mh];B[jj]
;W[kj];B[mf];W[mi];B[ni];W[mj];B[hj];W[jk];B[mk];W[lj];B[ig];W[hh]
;B[gh];W[hg];B[hf];W[gg];B[fg];W[gf];B[ge];W[ff];B[ef];W[fe];B[ee]
;W[fd];B[ed];W[gd];B[gc];W[he];B[hd];W[if];B[eg];W[ch];B[fj];W[dc]
;B[cg];W[dg];B[de];W[ce];B[cd];W[cf];B[cc];W[ec];B[fi];W[cb];B[bb]
;W[eb];B[fb];W[fa];B[ga];W[da];B[ea];W[eh];B[fh];W[fa];B[hb];W[ba]
;B[ea];W[qi];B[rh];W[fa];B[dk];W[cj];B[ea];W[rd];B[qb];W[fa];B[gm]
;W[ek];B[em];W[ej];B[fk];W[el];B[ea];W[rc];B[rb];W[fa];B[gp];W[bd]
;B[fp];W[ep];B[gq];W[gn];B[hn];W[fn];B[fm];W[ho];B[dn];W[en];B[dm]
;W[do];B[go];W[eo];B[il];W[in];B[hm];W[io];B[bn];W[bo];B[cm];W[co]
;B[ke];W[qp];B[pp];W[rm];B[rj];W[qn];B[qo];W[ro];B[pn];W[po];B[eq]
;W[dr];B[qo];W[hk];B[gk];W[po];B[er];W[dq];B[qo];W[gj];B[gi];W[po]
;B[op];W[qq];B[qo];W[rn];B[iq];W[lf];B[me];W[fr];B[gr];W[es];B[lr]
;W[pk];B[pl];W[ol];B[pm];W[jq];B[rr];W[rq];B[jr];W[ir];B[hr];W[kr]
;B[is];W[kq];B[ks];W[nr];B[hp];W[ok];B[nk];W[pi];B[rg];W[pg];B[rf]
;W[nm];B[qr];W[sr];B[om];W[ik];B[am];W[je];B[jd];W[bk];B[bl];W[ao]
;B[an];W[pj];B[mq];W[nq];B[pf];W[rs];B[qs];W[nn];B[ss];W[sq];B[og]
;W[im];B[ea];W[bc];B[mp];W[mo];B[lp];W[mr];B[lq];W[lo];B[hl];W[jl]
;B[le];W[kp])

Cho U Won Game 1

The 59th Oza started its best-of-5 title series on October 20. Game 1 was played at Meguro, Tokyo. Cho U Oza played white against Hane Naoki, the challenger.

Hane Naoki (left) vs. Cho U (right)

Cho got a strong thickness at the upper board and successfully converted it to his territories. Hane took 3 corners, trying to compensate Cho's territories at the upper board, unfortunately it wasn't enough to pay the komi. Cho won the first game by 3.5 points.

Cho U started his title defense with a victory

Will Hane Naoki win the second game?

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

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rated game]EV[59th Oza title match, game 1] DT[2011-10-21]PB[Hane Naoki]BR[9p]PW[Cho U]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+3.5]MULTIGOGM[1] ;B[pd];W[dp];B[qp];W[dd];B[oq];W[nc];B[qf];W[jd];B[cf];W[ch];B[cc];W[dc];B[cd];W[de] ;B[bf];W[eg];B[fq];W[db];B[cb];W[ca];B[ba];W[da];B[me];W[lc];B[pk];W[ip];B[fo];W[dn] ;B[dr];W[cq];B[ir];W[im];B[bh];W[ci];B[bi];W[hq];B[hr];W[gq];B[gr];W[eq];B[fp];W[er] ;B[jp];W[jo];B[kp];W[iq];B[jq];W[ko];B[lo];W[lp];B[mp];W[fr];B[lq];W[km];B[cj];W[dj] ;B[dk];W[ck];B[bj];W[ek];B[dl];W[el];B[cl];W[ej];B[ll];W[kg];B[jk];W[lm];B[ml];W[mm] ;B[nm];W[mg];B[kl];W[pg];B[pf];W[og];B[rh];W[oe];B[od];W[ne];B[ob];W[qi];B[qh];W[oi] ;B[jh];W[qk];B[jg];W[pl];B[ok];W[ol];B[nk];W[qj];B[kf];W[nd];B[il];W[hm];B[ie];W[qb] ;B[ph];W[oj];B[pb];W[qd];B[pe];W[re];B[qa];W[rb];B[ra];W[rf];B[qg];W[sd];B[rc];W[qc] ;B[sf];W[sg];B[rg];W[oh];B[pa];W[nb];B[ri];W[rj];B[sh];W[id];B[he];W[hd];B[qm];W[ql] ;B[hl];W[jm];B[bn];W[sc];B[pc];W[of];B[sa];W[je];B[lg];W[if];B[co];W[do];B[hh];W[gl] ;B[mh];W[gg];B[kn];W[io];B[rm];W[bp];B[gk];W[mj];B[gh];W[fh];B[hg];W[hf];B[on];W[nl] ;B[mk];W[mi];B[gf];W[fg];B[li];W[lj];B[kj];W[nn];B[fl];W[gm];B[fk];W[fm];B[fi];W[no] ;B[oo];W[np];B[nq];W[pm];B[qn];W[fj];B[gj];W[ei];B[bb];W[gi];B[hi];W[cn];B[bo];W[bm] ;B[cm];W[bl];B[bk];W[dm];B[ck];W[pn];B[po];W[ro];B[qo];W[lf];B[jf];W[ge];B[lh];W[le] ;B[ke];W[ld];B[ln];W[sm];B[sl];W[sk];B[qe];W[rl];B[sn];W[rn];B[sl];W[rd];B[sb];W[sm] ;B[rp];W[so];B[sp];W[gs];B[na];W[ma];B[sg];W[oa];B[ng];W[mf];B[na];W[jr];B[kr];W[oa] ;B[df];W[ef];B[na];W[jl];B[hk];W[oa];B[om];W[mn];B[na];W[pi];B[se];W[oa];B[cg];W[dg] ;B[na];W[cp];B[al];W[oa];B[fs];W[es];B[na];W[ao];B[am];W[oa];B[nh];W[na];B[kd];W[kc] ;B[jn];W[in];B[ig];W[ce];B[be];W[mo];B[lp];W[op];B[pp];W[ap];B[an];W[fi])

Park Junghwan Won GS Galtex Cup

The 16th GS Galtex Cup brought a new winner to the list of the tournament's winners. Park Junghwan (9 dan) won the final from Park Yeonghun (9 dan) by 3-0 to win the title.

                            Park Junghwan (left) vs. Park Yeonghun (right)

 Park Junghwan who played white showed an interesting play at the upper board, starting with white 26 foolowed by white 42. White started a ko fight with white 194. Park Yeonghun won the ko fight, but soon resigned after white 228. This is the first time Park Junghwan win the GS Galtex Cup. GS Galtex is one of the tournament with the highest winning prize. The first placer wins 50 million won (about 43,878.93 USD), while the runner up wins 15 million won (about 13,163.68 USD).

                           Park Junghwan won his first GS Galtex Cup

          Park Yeonghun had won the tournament twice. He failed to win his third title.

 Here is the game record: Park Junghwan (white) vs. Park Yeonghun (black). Result: W+R

(; EV[16th GS Caltex Cup final round 3] PW[Park Junghwan] KM[6.5] FF[3] SZ[19] GM[1] WR[9d] PB[Park Yeonghun] RE[W+R] DT[2011-10-19] BR[9d] ;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[do];W[co];B[cn];W[cp];B[oq];W[cj];B[fc] ;W[df];B[db];W[cc];B[ic];W[qf];B[qd];W[rp];B[qo];W[pj];B[ql];W[oc] ;B[od];W[nc];B[lc];W[qb];B[rc];W[ld];B[kc];W[mc];B[of];W[ph];B[rj] ;W[qq];B[ro];W[pl];B[pm];W[ol];B[rb];W[me];B[ng];W[jd];B[om];W[ml] ;B[nl];W[nk];B[nm];W[mj];B[kd];W[ke];B[je];W[id];B[hc];W[jf];B[fn] ;W[gq];B[ej];W[jc];B[jb];W[ib];B[kb];W[ie];B[lf];W[le];B[dg];W[gb] ;B[hb];W[gc];B[gd];W[hd];B[ia];W[fd];B[ge];W[fb];B[cf];W[fe];B[de] ;W[ef];B[eg];W[ce];B[cg];W[bn];B[gf];W[mb];B[la];W[cm];B[ni];W[oi] ;B[nd];W[md];B[mi];W[lj];B[jh];W[ig];B[hi];W[gg];B[ff];W[ee];B[fg] ;W[kh];B[kg];W[ih];B[ki];W[ii];B[kj];W[qi];B[nj];W[oj];B[mm];W[ll] ;B[hj];W[jk];B[ij];W[re];B[rg];W[pf];B[pb];W[ri];B[hq];W[ji];B[jj] ;W[lh];B[li];W[lg];B[gr];W[pr];B[rr];W[or];B[rq];W[lq];B[mq];W[mr] ;B[nr];W[jq];B[lr];W[hp];B[fq];W[gp];B[fp];W[hr];B[er];W[gs];B[fs] ;W[fr];B[ec];W[eb];B[gr];W[kr];B[ms];W[fr];B[mf];W[kf];B[gr];W[dn] ;B[hs];W[iq];B[cr];W[lp];B[dr];W[rk];B[ga];W[dc];B[rl];W[sj];B[bk] ;W[ci];B[ck];W[dk];B[dj];W[cl];B[ko];W[jn];B[lo];W[mp];B[kp];W[kq] ;B[io];W[jo];B[jp];W[ip];B[in];W[op];B[nq];W[js];B[ir];W[pq];B[np] ;W[mo];B[jm];W[no];B[pp];W[oo];B[hq];W[ls];B[ks];W[hr];B[is];W[ls] ;B[mg];W[jg];B[ks];W[jr];B[gs];W[ls];B[qk];W[qj];B[ks];W[gn];B[qr] ;W[ls];B[fa];W[ed];B[ks];W[es];B[ds];W[ls];B[bl];W[bj];B[ks];W[ek] ;B[ls];W[fm];B[fo];W[hn];B[kn];W[gl];B[fk];W[gk])

Cho Hanseung Leads Kuksu

The 55th Kuksu Cup reached its title match series with Choi Cheolhan Kuksu will take Cho Hanseung, the challenger, in a best-of-5 series. Cho Hanseung took an early lead of the series by winning the first game.

                              Cho Hanseung (left) vs. Choi Cheolhan (right)

Cho Hanseung who played black gave Choi Cheolhan a big lower left corner for a thickness toward the center. Cho Hanseung showed a solid endgame and won the game by resignation after 243 moves. The next game will be played on October 25.

                                          Cho Hanseung took game 1

                              Will Choi Cheolhan get his revenge at game 2?

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

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[55th Korean Kuksu, title match #1]DT[2011-10-17] PB[Cho Hanseung]BR[9p]PW[Choi Cheolhan]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1] ;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[op];W[jp];B[cf];W[ci];B[fd];W[df];B[cc];W[dc];B[dg];W[ce] ;B[ef];W[de];B[bg];W[eg];B[dh];W[ff];B[be];W[bd];B[di];W[ee];B[do];W[dk];B[fp];W[eo] ;B[ep];W[dp];B[dn];W[go];B[cp];W[cq];B[bp];W[fr];B[gp];W[fo];B[ho];W[fm];B[ip];W[bq] ;B[cl];W[dl];B[ck];W[cm];B[dm];W[bm];B[el];W[ek];B[fl];W[fk];B[gl];W[cj];B[gk];W[hq] ;B[hp];W[iq];B[fj];W[dj];B[fh];W[co];B[cn];W[bn];B[em];W[bo];B[mc];W[kc];B[id];W[md] ;B[nd];W[je];B[hf];W[ne];B[nc];W[me];B[oe];W[qe];B[nf];W[mf];B[mg];W[lg];B[ng];W[qh] ;B[jg];W[jf];B[ld];W[lf];B[lc];W[ig];B[jc];W[jh];B[qj];W[qd];B[qc];W[rc];B[lq];W[jo] ;B[hn];W[qq];B[pq];W[qo];B[rq];W[mp];B[lp];W[lo];B[mo];W[no];B[mn];W[np];B[ln];W[oo] ;B[ko];W[ro];B[er];W[qr];B[rp];W[or];B[po];W[pn];B[pp];W[mr];B[qn];W[pm];B[lr];W[rn] ;B[pr];W[ol];B[nm];W[on];B[ps];W[eq];B[oj];W[fq];B[rl];W[nj];B[qm];W[ql];B[rm];W[oi] ;B[pj];W[nk];B[mi];W[lj];B[ni];W[kk];B[jn];W[ae];B[rb];W[pe];B[qb];W[of];B[od];W[rj] ;B[qk];W[pg];B[og];W[pf];B[pi];W[hg];B[af];W[bf];B[rd];W[re];B[be];W[ad];B[hh];W[hi] ;B[gg];W[gi];B[jj];W[ik];B[ih];W[kg];B[ii];W[gh];B[hj];W[ij];B[ji];W[gf];B[kh];W[ki] ;B[jg];W[fg];B[lh];W[jh];B[jk];W[kr];B[jl];W[ls];B[fi];W[fb];B[sc];W[ri];B[pl];W[om] ;B[hc];W[gb];B[hb];W[kd];B[kb];W[jd];B[jb];W[bf];B[se];W[rg];B[be];W[li];B[jg];W[bf] ;B[fc];W[eb];B[bh];W[jh];B[mh];W[he];B[hd];W[sf];B[aj];W[cg];B[ch];W[bk];B[gj];W[gg] ;B[jq];W[kq];B[kp];W[jr];B[kl];W[ll];B[ok];W[nl];B[lm];W[sd];B[rc];W[ph];B[oh];W[eh] ;B[ei];W[le];B[ie];W[if];B[ga])

Xie Leads Female Honinbo

The third game of the 30th Female Honinbo was played on October 17. Xie Yimin Female Honinbo played white against Mukai Chiaki, the challenger.

                                         Xie Yimin, the female grand slam.

 Mukai Chiaki got difficulty with her group at the lower left. Xie attacked the group well and took the initiative after black 73. Xie later exploited another black's weak group with white 164 and let black won the ko fight to grab some points at he center.

Xie won by a convincing 8.5 points margin. This game shows why it's bad to have weak groups in an early stage of the game. Xie utilized black's weak play in the opening very well. The fourth game will be played on October 24.

             Mukai Chiaki opened the series with a victory, but now she is one point down.

 Here is the game record:
Xie Yimin (white) vs. Mukai Chiaki (black). Result: W+8.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[30th Japanese Female Honinbo, title match #3]
DT[2011-10-17]PB[Mukai Chiaki]BR[4p]PW[Xie Yimin]WR[5p]KM[6.5]RE[W+8.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dc];B[pq];W[dq];B[do];W[cm];B[cq];W[gq];B[cp];W[dr];B[dj];W[ek];B[fp];W[fq]
;B[dm];W[dl];B[em];W[cn];B[ce];W[gm];B[fo];W[ho];B[fl];W[ej];B[cj];W[cl];B[gl];W[dg]
;B[ee];W[gc];B[ei];W[di];B[dh];W[eh];B[ci];W[fi];B[cg];W[di];B[ch];W[hm];B[gj];W[hh]
;B[ik];W[jh];B[mp];W[kk];B[jl];W[lo];B[lp];W[kp];B[kq];W[ko];B[jq];W[kl];B[cr];W[bo]
;B[hp];W[gp];B[go];W[ip];B[hn];W[hq];B[gn];W[im];B[fm];W[dn];B[en];W[ep];B[eo];W[qf]
;B[nc];W[qo];B[io];W[qq];B[qr];W[pp];B[oq];W[rd];B[ql];W[qc];B[kc];W[qj];B[om];W[nn]
;B[oo];W[pm];B[pl];W[qm];B[on];W[rl];B[rk];W[rm];B[mm];W[jm];B[jp];W[ir];B[qk];W[rj]
;B[sk];W[rq];B[pj];W[pi];B[rr];W[ro];B[oj];W[ij];B[jo];W[cd];B[eg];W[hk];B[pc];W[jb]
;B[jc];W[ic];B[cb];W[be];B[ec];W[ed];B[fd];W[dd];B[fc];W[db];B[ge];W[bf];B[ei];W[fh]
;B[df];W[kb];B[lb];W[id];B[if];W[jd];B[lc];W[jf];B[fj];W[bk];B[ig];W[jg];B[ih];W[ii]
;B[ie];W[je];B[hi];W[di];B[el];W[dk];B[ei];W[qb];B[of];W[di];B[bj];W[bm];B[qg];W[pg]
;B[rf];W[qe];B[qh];W[pf];B[re];W[qd];B[nf];W[pb];B[ob];W[gf];B[ff];W[he];B[gg];W[hg]
;B[gh];W[hf];B[ph];W[og];B[kn];W[me];B[mf];W[le];B[ne];W[pe];B[oe];W[md];B[nd];W[oa]
;B[na];W[pa];B[nh];W[gd];B[fe];W[jr];B[kr];W[ml];B[nl];W[lm];B[ln];W[ng];B[la];W[nm]
;B[mn];W[nk];B[ol];W[bg];B[ei];W[oc];B[od];W[di];B[hb];W[ib];B[ei];W[ks];B[ls];W[js]
;B[lr];W[gb];B[hl];W[il];B[hj];W[di];B[eb];W[da];B[ei];W[oh];B[oi];W[di];B[ak];W[al]
;B[ei];W[rg];B[rh];W[di];B[aj];W[ck];B[ei];W[mj];B[di];W[ni];B[lf];W[lh];B[km];W[jk]
;B[pn];W[po];B[qn];W[rn];B[sr];W[sq];B[hs];W[ds];B[dp];W[eq];B[fs];W[fr];B[ll];W[mk]
;B[fa];W[bh];B[iq];W[hr];B[ga];W[op];B[np];W[ar];B[cs];W[cf];B[de];W[ai];B[sg];W[hc]
;B[ha];W[ok];B[pk];W[se];B[bp];W[ap];B[sl];W[sm];B[kg];W[kh];B[jn];W[mc];B[mb];W[kf]
;B[lg];W[lk];B[hp];W[es];B[lm])

Iyama Survived First Kadoban

The 36th Meijin reached its fifth game on October 13. Yamashita Keigo, the challenger, was leading the series by 3-1. One more victory and Yamashita will be the new Meijin. At the fifth game, Yamashita played black while Iyama Yuta Meijin played white.

                                         Iyama handled his fujite.

The game quickly entered a fighting position when Iyama attacked black's formation on the left side. The attack gave white a potential area at the bottom of the board, while black got a strong thickness at the right side. Day 1 ended with Iyama Yuta sealed his move for white 64.

Day 2 continued with Iyama playing on the right side. Yamashita countered it by attacking white's position at the bottom. Yamashita successfully invade white's area and switched to the right side, attacking white's stones. Iyama showed a good surviving skill and survived black's attack. Yamashita resigned after Iyama played white 182. With the victory, Iyama closed the gap by 1 point. Yamashita is still leading the series by 3-2 and Iyama is still under a must win situation at the next game if he wants to defend his title. The sixth game will be played on October 27-28.


Iyama survived the fifth game.


Will Yamashita capture the title at the next game? Or will it go all the way to the seventh game?

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

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[36th Japanese Meijin, title match #5] DT[2011-10-13,14]PB[Yamashita Keigo]BR[9p]PW[Iyama Yuta]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1] ;B[qd];W[dp];B[pp];W[dc];B[od];W[nq];B[qn];W[pr];B[de];W[ce];B[dd];W[cd];B[ec];W[cf] ;B[db];W[cc];B[fd];W[jc];B[lc];W[hd];B[eg];W[gf];B[fh];W[df];B[fe];W[ee];B[ed];W[ci] ;B[if];W[fb];B[eb];W[hf];B[ih];W[gh];B[fi];W[gi];B[di];W[dh];B[ch];W[bh];B[cj];W[bi] ;B[fg];W[hh];B[ii];W[gj];B[ie];W[gd];B[gb];W[gc];B[fc];W[ek];B[hb];W[ic];B[dj];W[cl] ;B[cb];W[bb];B[kb];W[ik];B[kd];W[rd];B[re];W[qc];B[qe];W[oc];B[rc];W[ql];B[ol];W[pj] ;B[lq];W[lp];B[kp];W[mp];B[on];W[kq];B[jq];W[kr];B[jp];W[lr];B[em];W[gm];B[fo];W[fq] ;B[cm];W[fn];B[eo];W[go];B[cp];W[cq];B[hl];W[gl];B[hk];W[gk];B[eq];W[do];B[en];W[ep] ;B[fp];W[gp];B[gq];W[fr];B[co];W[er];B[bq];W[br];B[hn];W[gn];B[bm];W[dl];B[rj];W[nj] ;B[oi];W[pk];B[nk];W[oj];B[rk];W[lj];B[lk];W[qm];B[rn];W[qh];B[oh];W[kj];B[mj];W[mi] ;B[mk];W[ni];B[li];W[og];B[ng];W[nh];B[pg];W[of];B[ph];W[mg];B[lh];W[nd];B[me];W[ne] ;B[pc];W[mf];B[le];W[kf];B[kg];W[lf];B[jd];W[pb];B[qb];W[nb];B[hq];W[bk];B[qi];W[jg] ;B[ig];W[oa];B[cr];W[dq];B[ar];W[bp];B[bs];W[cn];B[bo];W[bn];B[ap];W[dn];B[an];W[dm] ;B[mc];W[nc];B[il];W[pf];B[qf];W[jn];B[kn];W[km];B[lo];W[kk];B[jh];W[ki];B[kh];W[hm])

Yamashita Leads Meijin by 3-1

The fourth game of the 36th Meijin was played on October 5-6. Yamashita Keigo, the challenger, was leading the series by 2-1. At the fourth game, Iyama Yuta Meijin played black while Yamashita Keigo Honinbo played white.

Iyama opened the game with a High Chinese Fuseki. Later, the young Meijin aimed to play at the right side and at the bottom, giving a big upper left corner to Yamashita in the process. Day 1 ended with Yamashit Keigo did the sealing move for white 46.


Yamashita handling his sealed move.

Day 2 continued with exchanges played all over the board. Yamashita invaded black's right side, while Iyama invaded white's bottom left area. Iyama resigned at white 198. The move forced Iyama to connect with N7 and O7, and give white a chance to attack black's bottom right corner and get sente.


Yamashita is one step closer to the title.

With this victory, Yamashita leads the series by 3-1. One more victory and he will get the title! The fifth game will be played on October 13-14.


Will Iyama win this kadoban?

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

(;
EV[36th Meijin title match 4]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Yamashita Keigo]
WR[Honinbo]
DT[2011-10-05,06]
BR[Meijin]
RE[W+R]
PB[Iyama Yuta]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[pq];W[dd];B[pk];W[fq];B[fc];W[cf];B[mc];W[id];B[mp]
;W[qf];B[fe];W[gd];B[fd];W[db];B[hf];W[je];B[jg];W[le];B[dg];W[df]
;B[eg];W[ef];B[ff];W[fg];B[fh];W[gg];B[hh];W[eh];B[gh];W[dh];B[hg]
;W[cg];B[pf];W[ne];B[nd];W[kg];B[kh];W[lh];B[kf];W[lg];B[jf];W[pg]
;B[nf];W[oe];B[pe];W[of];B[og];W[me];B[oh];W[od];B[pc];W[oc];B[ob]
;W[nb];B[pb];W[mb];B[jc];W[ic];B[lc];W[kc];B[li];W[mi];B[ki];W[qh]
;B[qj];W[rd];B[rc];W[mh];B[ph];W[qg];B[kd];W[ke];B[nc];W[kb];B[lb]
;W[ld];B[jb];W[ka];B[la];W[jd];B[ja];W[kd];B[na];W[oj];B[qi];W[lj]
;B[kj];W[kk];B[jk];W[lk];B[ok];W[nj];B[pi];W[jl];B[ik];W[il];B[hk]
;W[qo];B[qp];W[oo];B[np];W[qm];B[om];W[rk];B[rl];W[ql];B[qk];W[on]
;B[bp];W[cp];B[bo];W[bq];B[cl];W[hl];B[gl];W[cn];B[bn];W[gk];B[fk]
;W[gj];B[fj];W[cm];B[bm];W[bk];B[ck];W[bj];B[co];W[do];B[br];W[cq]
;B[fm];W[jj];B[hj];W[jh];B[rj];W[rm];B[sk];W[rp];B[rq];W[pp];B[qq]
;W[op];B[oq];W[jq];B[gq];W[gp];B[iq];W[ip];B[hq];W[hp];B[jr];W[kq]
;B[kr];W[lq];B[fr];W[er];B[ln];W[lo];B[ko];W[lp];B[mo];W[so];B[jp]
;W[gm];B[fl];W[lr];B[mr];W[ks];B[ir];W[jo];B[eq];W[dr];B[fp];W[en]
;B[dm];W[dn];B[bl];W[fn];B[mq];W[kn];B[js];W[ls];B[hs];W[ms];B[jn]
;W[kp];B[km];W[in];B[ko];W[nr];B[or];W[kn];B[cj];W[ci];B[ko];W[mn]
)

Xie Yimin Won Game 2

Game 2 of the 30th Female Honinbo was played on October 3. Xie Yimin, the title holder, played black while the challenger, Mukai Chiaki, played white.

                              Mukai Chiaki (left) vs. Xie Yimin (right)

 In the second game, Xie made a big framework at the left and right side. Mukai's strategy was to aim the center might be a bad idea, since whte still has an open spot from the right side. Xie quickly played black 81-85 followed by black 101 to wreck white's moyo. Mukai resigned at move 183. She was behin about 8 points on board.

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

Vote who do you think will be the 30th Female Honinbo below:

Who do you think will win the 30th Female Honinbo?
	Xie Yimin
	Mukai Chiaki
pollcode.com free polls

Mukai Chiaki Leads Female Honinbo

The 30th Female Honinbo finally reached its title match series. Mukai Chiaki who won the challenger's decision match went on to win the first game from the best of 5 match.

                                      Mukai Chiaki (left) vs. Xie Yimin (right)

This also ends Mukai's 5 losing streak from Xie in title series. Will Mukai keep the momentum and finally break Xie Yimin's wall?

                                                     Mukai Chiaki

                                           O Meien explaining the game

Vote who do you think will become the 30th Female Honinbo

Who do you think will win the 30th Female Honinbo?
	Xie Yimin
	Mukai Chiaki
pollcode.com free polls

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

(;DT[2011-09-28]EV[30th Japanese Female Honinbo, title match #1] PB[Mukai Chiaki]PW[Xie Yimin] KM[6.5]RE[B+R] ;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[po];B[qo];W[qn];B[qp];W[dp];B[fc];W[hc] ;B[pn];W[fd];B[qm];W[ec];B[fq];W[cn];B[jp];W[qf];B[nc];W[rd] ;B[qg];W[pg];B[qh];W[rf];B[ph];W[qc];B[og];W[pf];B[kc];W[lq] ;B[kq];W[lo];B[kn];W[mm];B[on];W[mp];B[ll];W[ml];B[mk];W[ko] ;B[jo];W[nk];B[mj];W[kr];B[jr];W[kp];B[jq];W[nn];B[cq];W[dq] ;B[dr];W[lm];B[cp];W[co];B[eq];W[ck];B[km];W[nj];B[mi];W[kl] ;B[lk];W[jl];B[ol];W[nl];B[mq];W[pj];B[nh];W[mr];B[nq];W[om] ;B[ci];W[cf];B[cg];W[df];B[bl];W[bk];B[cl];W[dk];B[dl];W[el] ;B[ek];W[dm];B[fl];W[em];B[dj];W[fk];B[ej];W[bm];B[gl];W[gk] ;B[ln];W[mn];B[jn];W[pl];B[gi];W[hl];B[gm];W[ii];B[hj];W[ij] ;B[hk];W[ig];B[id];W[ic];B[jd];W[he];B[pc];W[of];B[nf];W[qb] ;B[hf];W[ne];B[mf];W[gh];B[hd];W[gd];B[ge];W[fg];B[fe];W[dg] ;B[oe];W[or];B[oq];W[rl];B[no];W[mo];B[nr];W[jb];B[kb];W[ch] ;B[pm];W[ok];B[fn];W[ob];B[pb];W[pa];B[ik];W[kj];B[jk];W[ke] ;B[jc];W[ib];B[kf];W[od];B[pe];W[jf];B[je];W[lf];B[me];W[kg] ;B[ki];W[ld];B[nb];W[ep];B[fp];W[bo];B[bq];W[jj];B[kk];W[ns] ;B[pr];W[rn];B[rm];W[sm];B[ro];W[sn];B[oo];W[rj];B[bh];W[bg] ;B[oc];W[lc];B[lb];W[fi];B[fj];W[ei];B[bj];W[al];B[dh];W[di] ;B[cj];W[cm];B[cg];W[oi];B[oh];W[ch];B[gc];W[ed];B[cg];W[cr] ;B[br];W[ch];B[gb])