Cho U Leads Kisei Title Series

The 36th Kisei-sen continued. After Takao Shinji scored a victory at the third game, Cho U won the next 2 games and brought the series to his lead by 3-2.

Cho won the fourth game by resignation as black. The game was a small margin victory for black, thanks to R18.

Here is the game record:
Cho U (black) vs. Takao Shinji (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

Done

Done

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White Black Result Date

captures: 0

time left: --

captures: 0

time left: --

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At the fifth game, Cho attacked Takao's weak group at the left and got a big territory at the right side as the result. Later Cho played white 136 and successfully stole some points from black's corner. Cho won this game, again, by resignation.

Takao Shinji (left) vs. Cho U (right)

Here is the game record:
Cho U (white) vs. Takao Shinji (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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The sixth game will be played on March 7-8. Takao Shinji have to win the next game to keep his chance for the title alive. 

Will Takao bring the series to its 7th game?

Aoki Kikuyo Won Female Kisei

The 15th Female Kisei ended at February 16 with a new winner crowned for the title. Aok Kikuyo (8 dan) won the least game from Xie Yimin, the title holder, and won the series.

Aoki Kikuyo paid her lost at the first game  by winning the second game. The game was difficult and entertaining. A fight started early when Xie tried to help her stone at the bottom. Aoki attacked it and the fight spread to the center. It became the focus of the whole game. Xie showed an impressive skill of life and death, however, it was Aoki who came out ahead by 9.5 points.

Aoki Kikuyo in her bright yellow blazer.

Here is the game record:
Aoki Kikuyo (white) vs. Xie Yimin (black). Result: W+9.5

• 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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White Black Result Date

captures: 0

time left: --

captures: 0

time left: --

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At the last game, Aoki Kikuyo played black and opened the game with Low Chinese Fuseki. The opening seems favorable for black. White's position at the top looks awkward. The game once again turned into a wild ride after Xie attacked Aoki's group with white 114. Black utilized white's weak group with black 159. Aoki Kikuyo found the combination and saved her group. Xie resigned soon afterward.

Aoki Kikuyo (left) vs. Xie Yimin (right)

Here is the game record:
Aoki Kikuyo (black) vs. Xie Yimin (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:

16 February 2012

Event:

15th Female Kisei, game 3

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

Done

Done

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 matches found. Showing -

White Black Result Date

Xie Yimin  , 6p

captures: 0

time left: --

captures: 0

time left: --

Handicap:

0

Komi:

6.5

Result:

B+R

Date:

16 February 2012

Event:

15th Female Kisei, game 3

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

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This is the first Female Kisei title for Aoki Kikuyo. It was also a swet revenge for her lost at the 28th Female Honinbo from Xie. Congratulations for Aoki Kikuyo!

Female Kisei, the 11th title for Aoki Kikuyo.

Wang Chenxing 6 Consecutive Victory.

After defeating Yoshida Mika and Lee Sula, Wang Chenxing went on a rampage and won the next 4 games. Giving her a 6 conseecutive victory at the 2nd Huanglongshi Cup.

She won from Mukai Chiaki at the fourth game. The game was close, but Wang played the endgame beautifully and won by resignation.

Wang Chenxing (left) vs. Mukai Chiaki (right)

Here is the game record:
Wang Chenxing (white) vs. Mukai Chiaki (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

Handicap:

0

Komi:

7.5

Result:

W+R

Date:

4 February 2012

Event:

2nd Huanglongshi Cup, game 04

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

Done

Done

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 matches found. Showing -

White Black Result Date

Wang Chenxing, 2p

captures: 0

time left: --

captures: 0

time left: --

Handicap:

0

Komi:

7.5

Result:

W+R

Date:

4 February 2012

Event:

2nd Huanglongshi Cup, game 04

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

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At the fifth game, Wang played Park Jiyeon. Park got a nice position at the upper board. However, Wang broke into the upper right corner after a ko fight at E14. Black couldn't find a place to reverse the position afterward.

Wang Chenxing (left ) vs. Park Jiyeon (right)

Here is the game record:
Wang Chenxing (white) vs. Park Jiyeon (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

Wang Chenxing 2p vs Park Jiyeon 2p

Game:

Rated game

Handicap:

0

Komi:

7.5

Result:

W+R

Event:

2nd Huanglongshi Cup, game 05

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

Done

Done

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 matches found. Showing -

White Black Result Date

Wang Chenxing, 2p

captures: 0

time left: --

Park Jiyeon, 2p

captures: 0

time left: --

Game:

Rated game

Handicap:

0

Komi:

7.5

Result:

W+R

Event:

2nd Huanglongshi Cup, game 05

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

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At the next game, Wang played Yashiro Kumiko from Japan. Wang played black this time and she got a nice position since the beginning. The game was already decided on black 167 when Wang captured Yashiro's group at the right side.

Yashiro Kumio (left) vs. Wang Chenxing (right)

Here is the game record:
Wang Chenxing (black) vs. Yashiro Kumiko (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

Komi:

7.5

Result:

B+R

Date:

6 February 2012

Event:

2nd Huanglongshi Cup, game 06

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

Done

Done

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 matches found. Showing -

White Black Result Date

Yashiro Kumiko, 5p

captures: 0

time left: --

captures: 0

time left: --

Komi:

7.5

Result:

B+R

Date:

6 February 2012

Event:

2nd Huanglongshi Cup, game 06

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

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At the last round of stage 1, Wang played Kim Hyeoyimin of Korea. Kim who played white stacked a big territory at the upper board. However, Wang's position at the bottom board was thick. Kim tried to invade at move 52, but the invasion didn't turn out well and the invading group was killed. Black later found black 131 and things went downhill for white afterward.

Wang Chenxing

Kim Hyeoyimin

Here is the game record:
Wang Chenxing (black) vs. Kim Hyeoyimin (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

Kim Hyeoyimin 6p vs Wang Chenxing 2p

Game:

Rated game

Handicap:

0

Komi:

7.5

Result:

B+R

Event:

2nd Huanglongshi Cup, game 07

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

Done

Done

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 matches found. Showing -

White Black Result Date

Kim Hyeoyimin, 6p

captures: 0

time left: --

Wang Chenxing , 2p

captures: 0

time left: --

Game:

Rated game

Handicap:

0

Komi:

7.5

Result:

B+R

Event:

2nd Huanglongshi Cup, game 07

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

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With this, Japan is down to their last 2 players, Mannami Nao and Xie Yimin. Korea is down to Park Jieun. While China is still perfect. Wang will play Mannami Nao at the beginning of the second stage. Can either Japan or Korea stop China?

China Took the Lead

Wang Chenxing (2 dan) of China continued her crusade through the 2nd Huanglongshi Cup. After defeating Yoshida Mika at the second game, she beat Lee Sula (3 dan) at the third game earlier today. Wang played black stone this time, while Lee Sula played white.

Lee Sula (left) vs. Wang Chenxing (right)

Wang went for the thickness in the opening. The thickness was not really ideal, but it was enough to capture white's invading stone at white 52 and captured a big left side. The game was still even afterward, but black's thickness at the center helped Wang a lot and Lee Sula resigned after 229 moves when the winner was already decided.

Lee Sula (3 dan)

With this victory, China took an early lead. Wang Chenxing will play one of the Japanese member (probably Mukai Chiaki) tomorrow.

Japanese team at the spectator room

Here is the game reord:
Wang Chenxing (black) vs. Lee Sula (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:

3 February 2012

Event:

2nd Huanglongshi Cup, game 3

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

Done

Done

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 matches found. Showing -

White Black Result Date

Lee Sula, 3p

captures: 0

time left: --

captures: 0

time left: --

Handicap:

0

Komi:

7.5

Result:

B+R

Date:

3 February 2012

Event:

2nd Huanglongshi Cup, game 3

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

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Wang Chenxing Won Game 2

After a successful first round, Yoshida Mika played Wang Chenxing of China at the second day of the 2nd Huanglongshi Cup. Yoshida Mika played black while Wang Chenxing played white.

Yoshida who chose influence strategy at the previous game went for a territory strategy this time. She abandoned white 18 in order to play black 19. Wang got a strong ponuki at the center, while Yoshida got the corner.

Wang Chenxing (left) vs. Yoshida Mika (right)

Black tried to save the bottom left stones with black 25. White's answer was very good as it kept black under pressure and made a good use of white's thickness. However, Yoshida got to play black 41 and made a potentially huge corner.While black's position looked good, it had a lot of holes and white utilized it well with moves like white 52 and 54, leaving black with an awkward position at the top board.

The game came to white's favor and Yoshida Mika gambled it all with black 133. Wang carefully took care of the gamble and soon Yoshida resigned after her gambling group failed to live.

Wang Chenxing will play one of Korea's member at the third game

Yoshida Mika during the game's analysis

Here is the game record:
Wang Chenxing (white) vs. Yoshida Mika (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

Wang Chenxing 2p vs Yosida Mika 8p

Game:

Rated game

Handicap:

0

Komi:

7.5

Result:

W+R

Event:

2nd Huanglongshi Cup, game 2

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

Done

Done

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 matches found. Showing -

White Black Result Date

Wang Chenxing, 2p

captures: 0

time left: --

Yosida Mika , 8p

captures: 0

time left: --

Game:

Rated game

Handicap:

0

Komi:

7.5

Result:

W+R

Event:

2nd Huanglongshi Cup, game 2

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

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Takao Shinji Won Game 3

The 36th Kisei title series was continued to its third game after only 4 days of break from the second game, which is unusual for a major title like Kisei. Takao Shinji, the chalenger, played black and Cho U Kisei played white.

The game started with a Low Chinese Fuseki from black at the right side. Cho U was the first to play unusual move with white 12 and showed his intention to control the center after the opening. Day 1 proceeded rather fast and Cho U did the sealing move for white 96.

Cho U handed his sealed move

Day 2 started with an iken tobi from white. Cho U tried to establish the center while keeping the pressure over black's group. Cho played a good move with white 126, making white's center really big. Takao countered this with black 143 and the ko fight began. Cho sacrificed the lower group to capture the whole center and the game became really close.

Takao Shinji (lefT) vs. Cho U (right)

A pity lost for Cho U

Takao Shinji finally won the match after 299 moves by 0.5 point. The fourth game will be played 2 weks from now. Will Takao keep his advantage, or will Cho once again close the gap? Stay tune for the answer.

Game record:
Takao Shinji (black) vs. Cho U (white). Result: B+0.5

• 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

Cho U 9p vs Takao Shinji 9p

Game:

Rated game

Handicap:

0

Komi:

6.5

Result:

B+0.5

Event:

36th Kisei title series, game 3

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

Done

Done

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 matches found. Showing -

White Black Result Date

Cho U, 9p

captures: 0

time left: --

Takao Shinji, 9p

captures: 0

time left: --

Game:

Rated game

Handicap:

0

Komi:

6.5

Result:

B+0.5

Event:

36th Kisei title series, game 3

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

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Huanglongshi Cup Starts!

The second Huanglongshi cup starts today (February 1) in China. This year the format has been changed to a win and continue tournament, the format that was used by Jeongganjang Cup. This tournament can be seen as the replacement of Jeongganjang Cup which was stopped after 9 years of running. Unlike the first edition where 4 teams compete for the title, only 3 teams (China, Japan, Korea) are competing this time.

The opening game was between Yoshida Mika of Japan and the newly crowned Female Myeongin, Choi Jung. Yoshida Mika who played white chose an unusual strategy with white 8.

Yoshida Mika (left) and Choi Jung (right)

The game look even after the opening. Choi decided to attack white's position at the bottom board with black 57. Yoshida kept the group under attack and the fight at the center started. The position was chaotic but both players handled their group well and saved them.

The endgame was close for both player. White 162 seems slow for me. I think a monkey jump at T3 is better. The game came to its end after 281 moves, and thanks to the Chinese counting and 7.5 points komi, Yoshida Mika won the game by 1/4 stone.

The Korean team discussing the game

The second game will be played tomorrow. It seems that Wang Chenxing (2 pro) will be Yoshida Mika's next oponent.

Here is the game record:
Yoshida Mika (white) vs. Choi Jung (black). Result: W+0.25

• 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

Yoshida Mika vs Choi Jung

Game:

Rated game

Handicap:

0

Komi:

7.5

Result:

White+0.25

Event:

2nd Huanglonshi Cup, game 01

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

Done

Done

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 matches found. Showing -

White Black Result Date

Yoshida Mika

captures: 0

time left: --

Choi Jung

captures: 0

time left: --

Game:

Rated game

Handicap:

0

Komi:

7.5

Result:

White+0.25

Event:

2nd Huanglonshi Cup, game 01

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

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Cho U Won Game 2 of Kisei

After suffering a defeat at the first game, Cho U Kisei balanced the score at the end of the second game after defeating Takao Shinji by resignation.

Cho who played black went for a thickness on the right side at the opening. Takao played an interesting invasion with white 30, and quickly a fight rose at the center. Day 1 ended with Cho did the sealing move for black 81.

The fight continued at the next day with Cho played hane at F8. Takao sacrificed some of his stones for a chance to grab the right side. However this strategy proved to be troublesome as it left some aji for black. Cho utilized this stone to invade the right side with the combination starting with black 123, 127, 133. White 146 is a bit confusing for me. I'm not sure whether this move is overconfidence from Takao who think he could handle the left side or he played this for other purpose.

Takao resigned after 171 moves. The ko fight was to difficult for white to handle.

Here is the game record:
Cho U (black) vs. Takao Shinji (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

Komi:

6.5

Result:

B+R

Date:

27 January 2012

Event:

36th Kisei title match, game 2

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

Done

Done

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 matches found. Showing -

White Black Result Date

Takao Shinji, 9p

captures: 0

time left: --

captures: 0

time left: --

Komi:

6.5

Result:

B+R

Date:

27 January 2012

Event:

36th Kisei title match, game 2

Created with:

MultiGo:4.4.4

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