Cho U Defended Kisei

The 36th Kisei-sen met its climax at the 7th game. Takao Shinji won the critical 6th game and got his final chance to capture the title. Cho played black in this game, while Takao got white.

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

Cho opened the game with a big framework at the right side. Takao made an invasion with white 46. Cho got an attack at the bottom board for Takao's success invasion. He sacrificed 2 stones at the top to win the ko. Later, attacking white's formation at the bottom gave black enough point on the left side. Takao resigned after 281 moves.

This is the third year for Cho U as a Kisei. Previously he captured the title from Yamashita Keigo and defended it well from Iyama Yuta.

Here is the game record:
Cho U (black) vs. Takao Shinji (white). Result: B+R

(;
KM[6.5]
EV[36th Kisei title match 1]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Takao Shinji]
WR[9d]
PB[Cho U]
BR[Kisei]
RE[B+R]
DT[2012-03-14,15]
;B[qd];W[dp];B[pp];W[dc];B[lc];W[qn];B[pj];W[nq];B[oo];W[qq];B[qp]
;W[pq];B[rq];W[lp];B[ol];W[od];B[pf];W[qc];B[rc];W[md];B[ld];W[pc]
;B[rb];W[le];B[ke];W[lf];B[kf];W[mc];B[jc];W[nf];B[ph];W[ce];B[fq]
;W[hq];B[cq];W[dq];B[cp];W[do];B[dr];W[er];B[cr];W[eq];B[cn];W[gc]
;B[rr];W[qk];B[qj];W[pm];B[mq];W[mp];B[om];W[rj];B[ri];W[rl];B[oq]
;W[or];B[op];W[si];B[rh];W[ro];B[nr];W[mr];B[np];W[lq];B[pl];W[ql]
;B[pn];W[qm];B[lr];W[nq];B[sh];W[sj];B[mq];W[kd];B[jd];W[nq];B[sm]
;W[sn];B[mq];W[lb];B[ms];W[kc];B[jq];W[ho];B[ge];W[ee];B[hc];W[hb]
;B[gb];W[hd];B[ic];W[gd];B[fb];W[eb];B[ie];W[jr];B[dn];W[jp];B[fn]
;W[ci];B[fc];W[fd];B[ec];W[db];B[gp];W[fp];B[fo];W[hr];B[fr];W[fs]
;B[ep];W[gr];B[ck];W[kg];B[jg];W[hg];B[kh];W[lg];B[if];W[ei];B[jo]
;W[kq];B[ko];W[hp];B[ln];W[jh];B[ih];W[ji];B[ig];W[lj];B[fg];W[eg]
;B[hn];W[eo];B[bi];W[bj];B[io];W[fp];B[sp];W[sl];B[ep];W[kr];B[ip]
;W[fp];B[so];W[rn];B[ep];W[iq];B[kp];W[fp];B[cj];W[bh];B[ep];W[in]
;B[en];W[fp];B[di];W[ch];B[ep];W[hm];B[gn];W[fp];B[ki];W[kj];B[ep]
;W[lo];B[km];W[fp];B[rk];W[sk];B[ep];W[mn];B[mm];W[fp];B[ii];W[jj]
;B[ep];W[ll];B[nn];W[fp];B[mi];W[li];B[ep];W[mo];B[im];W[fp];B[mh]
;W[lh];B[ep];W[lm];B[bk];W[ed];B[ib];W[ai];B[fp];W[ml];B[jn];W[nm]
;B[ej];W[dh];B[dj];W[pd];B[qe];W[hk];B[fi];W[qb];B[hj];W[ik];B[gk]
;W[gl];B[fl];W[ff];B[gg];W[rp];B[sq];W[ak];B[co];W[es];B[al];W[aj]
;B[bl];W[ra];B[gf];W[ps];B[ns];W[no];B[on];W[ij];B[gj];W[og];B[nk]
;W[pk];B[ok];W[he];B[hf];W[pg];B[qg];W[mj];B[nj];W[oh];B[oi];W[eh]
;B[mg];W[mf];B[pe];W[fh];B[gh];W[kl];B[ka];W[kb];B[ja];W[la];B[kn]
;W[ks];B[ls];W[gs];B[il];W[hl];B[jl];W[ds];B[cs];W[gm];B[nl];W[fm]
;B[em];W[jb];B[ha];W[fa];B[mm];W[qr];B[rs];W[nm];B[fe];W[ef];B[mm]
;W[sr];B[os];W[nm];B[oe];W[ne];B[mm])

Xie Yimin Defended Female Meijin

The 24th Female Meijin brought another title for Xie Yimin (5 dan). After losing her Female Kisei in February, Xie successfully defended her Female Meijin this time.

Mukai led the game halfway through until Xie played black 137. The move forced Mukai to gave up half of her group. It was quite a tsumego to work there. Can you figure out how black threaten to capture white if she connected with G2 instead?

Xie pulled out a 1.5 points victory and got her 5th conseutive Female Meijin. This is Mukai's 3rd unsuccessful attempt to capture Female Meijin. Her record against Xie s poor as Xie is leading with 14-4.

Here is the game record:
Xie Yimin (black) vs. Mukai Chiaki (white). Result: B+1.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]FF[3]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]SZ[19]GM[1]EV[24th Female Meijin title match 2]
DT[2012-03-14]PB[Xie Yimin]BR[Female Meijin]PW[Mukai Chiaki]WR[5d]KM[6.5]RE[B+1.5]
MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dp];B[pq];W[dc];B[nc];W[po];B[qo];W[qn];B[qp];W[pm];B[nq];W[qi];B[qg];W[ci]
;B[gd];W[de];B[jd];W[oi];B[og];W[fq];B[bp];W[bn];B[co];W[cm];B[cq];W[dq];B[br];W[iq]
;B[gg];W[qc];B[pc];W[dr];B[cn];W[dm];B[bo];W[bm];B[cr];W[gi];B[cg];W[eg];B[cd];W[cc]
;B[di];W[ch];B[dg];W[dh];B[ef];W[fg];B[df];W[ff];B[ee];W[gb];B[dd];W[ec];B[mh];W[mj]
;B[mn];W[lq];B[nj];W[nk];B[ni];W[oj];B[mk];W[nl];B[lj];W[ml];B[lk];W[ib];B[jb];W[ic]
;B[jc];W[id];B[bc];W[je];B[ke];W[kf];B[jf];W[ie];B[le];W[kg];B[ri];W[rh];B[qh];W[rj]
;B[pi];W[qj];B[oh];W[pj];B[ij];W[hk];B[ik];W[il];B[ip];W[jq];B[en];W[hl];B[eo];W[bb]
;B[bd];W[ih];B[fe];W[gm];B[gf];W[gh];B[gp];W[gq];B[bg];W[bh];B[mr];W[np];B[mq];W[pp]
;B[oq];W[qq];B[rq];W[qr];B[rr];W[rn];B[sp];W[mp];B[op];W[oo];B[lp];W[lo];B[kp];W[kq]
;B[jp];W[mo];B[hp];W[lr];B[hq];W[hr];B[fp];W[ms];B[ns];W[ls];B[ir]
(;W[os];B[pr];W[nr];B[gr];W[qs];B[rs];W[ps];B[ro];W[jr];B[hs];W[rd];B[qb];W[rg]
;B[rf];W[lf];B[mf];W[ja];B[ka];W[mg];B[nf];W[ia];B[lb];W[sn];B[so];W[sq];B[sr];W[ab]
;B[em];W[el];B[ln];W[ko];B[kn];W[jo];B[jn];W[io];B[jl];W[kl];B[jk];W[ll];B[im];W[sf]
;B[se];W[sh];B[sg];W[me];B[ne];W[sf];B[eh];W[fh];B[sg];W[md];B[lc];W[sf];B[fc];W[fb]
;B[sg];W[mc];B[mb];W[sf];B[re];W[ph];B[pg];W[ld];B[kd];W[ji];B[kk];W[hg];B[kh];W[jg]
;B[hj];W[gj];B[lh];W[lg];B[nn];W[ag];B[af];W[ah];B[on];W[pn];B[jh];W[ii];B[om];W[ol]
;B[ng];W[if];B[cj];W[bj];B[fm];W[fl];B[gn];W[dn];B[do];W[be];B[ae];W[ac];B[gc];W[ed]
;B[ce];W[hm];B[ki];W[ho];B[go];W[in];B[jm];W[ao];B[ap];W[an];B[hn];W[no];B[hi];W[hf]
;B[ge];W[js];B[hh];W[is];B[hr];W[ad];B[bf];W[hc];B[gk];W[gl];B[ei];W[dj];B[jj];W[ig]
;B[dl];W[ej];B[pi];W[si];B[ph];W[sg])
(;W[gr];B[jr];W[os]C[White tries to gain more liberty]
(;B[ks];W[nr];B[kr];W[ns];B[ps])
(;B[pr]C[If black plays here instead...];W[nr];B[qs];W[is];B[js];W[hs];B[or];W[ks]
;B[ns];W[kr])))

Kisei Went to Seventh Game

The 36th Kisei-sen went all the way to its seventh game after Takao Shinji's victory at the sixth game. At the end of game 5, the position was 3-2 for Cho U's favor. Takao have to win the 6th game or he will start all over again from the league. In this game, Takao Shinji played white while Cho U played black.

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

The game started with a new move by black 11. White got a running group at the upper board, but received a nice thickness toward the bottom. Black got territory at the upper board, but had to take care of white's thickness. Day 1 ended with black 67. A fierce cut that will bring fight at the right side.

At day 2, Cho tried to invade white's influence with black 111 and 113. Takao showed that he was confidence with his group at the right side and decided to win the ko fight with white 142. Takao showed a great skill to create a double ko fight for himself and seized the advantage, Cho resigned soon afterward.

Takao Shinji survived game 6

The last game will be played on March 14-15. Who will get the title? Takao Shinji the challenger or Cho U the title holder?

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

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rated game]EV[36th Japanese Ksei title series, game 6]
DT[2012-03-07,08]PB[Cho U]BR[9p]PW[Takao Shinji]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dc];B[qp];W[dp];B[lq];W[fq];B[ce];W[ci];B[fc];W[ed];B[cb];W[cc];B[db];W[ec]
;B[eb];W[fd];B[gc];W[gd];B[hc];W[ie];B[dh];W[di];B[eh];W[ei];B[fh];W[gj];B[hh];W[bg]
;B[df];W[hd];B[ic];W[ke];B[jh];W[ii];B[kg];W[me];B[fi];W[fj];B[ek];W[ej];B[og];W[ng]
;B[nf];W[mf];B[mg];W[nh];B[mh];W[ni];B[mi];W[nj];B[of];W[mj];B[lj];W[ki];B[li];W[lk]
;B[kj];W[kk];B[ji];W[ij];B[ih];W[nd];B[kc];W[gf];B[ld];W[kf];B[mk];W[pi];B[jf];W[je]
;B[od];W[nc];B[ob];W[oc];B[pc];W[nb];B[ml];W[pl];B[qh];W[qi];B[pb];W[be];B[bf];W[cg]
;B[bd];W[de];B[ee];W[cd];B[dd];W[jb];B[jc];W[de];B[cf];W[ef];B[dg];W[bc];B[ae];W[lb]
;B[kb];W[lc];B[qn];W[om];B[nn];W[po];B[qo];W[lm];B[mm];W[ln];B[np];W[rh];B[cn];W[co]
;B[cl];W[dn];B[dm];W[bn];B[bm];W[cm];B[kd];W[fe];B[cn];W[oo];B[no];W[cm];B[bi];W[em]
;B[cn];W[pq];B[on];W[cm];B[qg];W[rg];B[rf];W[pn];B[pp];W[qm];B[cn];W[qf];B[qe];W[cm]
;B[ok];W[dl];B[rj];W[ri];B[rk];W[rm];B[pk];W[nk];B[ol];W[qk];B[qj];W[nl];B[nm];W[pm]
;B[pj];W[rl];B[op];W[sk];B[sj];W[oj];B[sl];W[si];B[ql];W[sm];B[ch];W[bj];B[iq];W[bh]
;B[gq];W[fr];B[jm];W[gi];B[gh];W[km])

Iyama Yuta Leads Judan

The Judan title celebrates its 50th year of running this year with 2 top Japanese players battle for the title. Iyama Yuta Judan will play a best-of-5 series against Cho U, the challenger.

The first game was played on March 1 at Higashiosaka, Osaka (the same place as the first match of the 24th Female Meijin). Iyama played white while Cho played black.

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

The opening was unusual The combination of black 7 and 9 is a new for me. The result was a corner for white and influence for black. Iyama made a good use for his stones' aji with white 68. White made a seki and grabbed a big territories at the upper board. Iyama continued to give a brilliant attack, starting with white 144. White trapped black's group at the center and killed it.

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

(;
KM[6.5]
EV[50th Judan title match 1]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Iyama Yuta]
WR[Judan]
DT[2012-03-01]
BR[Kisei]
RE[W+R]
PB[Cho U]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[qp];W[dd];B[lq];W[qf];B[pj];W[nc];B[of];W[qc];B[qd]
;W[rd];B[pc];W[rb];B[qb];W[rc];B[md];W[qh];B[pg];W[qg];B[mc];W[fc]
;B[fq];W[cn];B[dr];W[oq];B[pq];W[oo];B[qn];W[lo];B[jp];W[mq];B[mr]
;W[nr];B[mp];W[mo];B[nq];W[np];B[mq];W[pr];B[ns];W[or];B[qr];W[pm]
;B[nn];W[nm];B[qm];W[on];B[cq];W[ck];B[bd];W[bf];B[cc];W[dc];B[bb]
;W[ic];B[ce];W[nd];B[mb];W[cg];B[cf];W[dg];B[fo];W[db];B[be];W[bg]
;B[cb];W[ne];B[mf];W[me];B[le];W[nf];B[ng];W[lf];B[mg];W[nb];B[ke]
;W[oe];B[pf];W[pe];B[qe];W[ph];B[og];W[pa];B[oa];W[ob];B[pb];W[na]
;B[ra];W[re];B[kc];W[lg];B[lh];W[jf];B[id];W[mh];B[nh];W[mi];B[ni]
;W[nj];B[oi];W[li];B[kh];W[jg];B[rj];W[jd];B[je];W[ie];B[hd];W[jc]
;B[if];W[he];B[hg];W[hf];B[ig];W[jh];B[gd];W[fe];B[kb];W[hb];B[ki]
;W[ii];B[ma];W[kj];B[gg];W[ff];B[lj];W[mj];B[jj];W[lk];B[ji];W[ih]
;B[ij];W[hi];B[hj];W[gi];B[gj];W[fi];B[fj];W[sb];B[ei];W[fh];B[jb]
;W[gp];B[fp];W[jo];B[io];W[ip];B[iq];W[in];B[ho];W[kp];B[jq];W[hn]
;B[jn];W[jm];B[ko];W[kn];B[jo];W[qk];B[qj];W[pk];B[rk];W[fm];B[el]
;W[em];B[km];W[jl];B[hl];W[jk];B[cl];W[bl];B[dl];W[cm];B[dk];W[cj]
;B[dj];W[di];B[bm];W[bk])

Xie Yimin Leads Female Meijin

After her unsuccessful attempt to defend her Female Kisei, Xie Yimin is back in another title defense. This time, she'll play Mukai Chiaki in best-of-3 series for the Female Meijin.

The first game was played on February 29. Xie Yimin played white while Mukai Chiaki was black. Mukai focused on the teritory in this game, giving Xie the active play. Xie later sacrificed 2 stones at the bottom to gain thickness at the center. Xie later handled Mukai's invasion at the upper left corner well and won the game by 15.5 points.

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

The next game will be played on March 14,

Here is the game record:
Xie Yimin (white) vs. Mukai Chiaki (black). Result: W+15.5

(;
KM[6.5]
EV[24th Female Meijin title match 1]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Xie Yimin]
WR[Female Meijin]
DT[2012-02-29]
BR[5d]
RE[W+15.5]
PB[Mukai Chiaki]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[co];W[dl];B[gp];W[do];B[dp];W[ep];B[cp]
;W[cq];B[dm];W[eo];B[cm];W[em];B[el];W[fm];B[dk];W[fl];B[ek];W[iq]
;B[ho];W[kp];B[jo];W[ko];B[jn];W[oq];B[kn];W[po];B[qo];W[pn];B[qn]
;W[pm];B[pq];W[or];B[ql];W[ci];B[cj];W[cf];B[jc];W[nc];B[oc];W[nd]
;B[pf];W[ke];B[gc];W[ec];B[lc];W[me];B[ie];W[hd];B[hc];W[jg];B[id]
;W[kk];B[ik];W[im];B[jl];W[qh];B[og];W[mh];B[mg];W[lg];B[lh];W[qe]
;B[qd];W[ng];B[nh];W[mf];B[mi];W[oh];B[mg];W[nf];B[oi];W[ph];B[qf]
;W[pj];B[jp];W[jq];B[fq];W[eq];B[kg];W[mh];B[kq];W[ni];B[lq];W[mp]
;B[mq];W[mo];B[jr];W[qr];B[rk];W[rq];B[rp];W[ir];B[kr];W[bj];B[bk]
;W[dj];B[ck];W[kh];B[mn];W[nn];B[mm];W[nq];B[mr];W[fr];B[gr];W[es]
;B[gs];W[ob];B[pb];W[od];B[pc];W[mb];B[rg];W[cn];B[bn];W[dn];B[bm]
;W[bq];B[bd];W[be];B[db];W[eb];B[cd];W[de];B[bb];W[cc];B[cb];W[dc]
;B[bc];W[ad];B[ac];W[aa];B[ea];W[fb];B[ce];W[bf];B[df];W[ef];B[dg]
;W[bh];B[ee];W[fe];B[eg];W[ff];B[fd];W[ed];B[ae];W[di];B[ei];W[hf]
;B[cg];W[bg];B[he];W[ej];B[fg];W[gg];B[gh];W[hh];B[fj];W[gi];B[fi]
;W[fh];B[eh];W[ai];B[af];W[fk];B[gj];W[ag];B[ak];W[ad];B[ae];W[da]
;B[ib];W[fp];B[hi];W[gq];B[hq];W[hr];B[jh];W[kf];B[fq];W[hj];B[gh]
;W[ii];B[hk];W[gq];B[ih];W[gi];B[fq];W[hi];B[gk];W[gq];B[ge];W[gf]
;B[fq];W[qm];B[rm];W[gq];B[if];W[ig];B[fq];W[pe];B[gq];W[re];B[rd]
;W[sd];B[sc];W[se];B[rb];W[aj];B[ch];W[fa];B[ca];W[ea];B[dh];W[ab]
;B[bi];W[ci];B[rh];W[ri];B[si];W[rj];B[sj];W[pl];B[pk];W[ok];B[qk]
;W[bo];B[jj];W[mj];B[pr];W[ps];B[qq];W[rr];B[sp];W[sq];B[nm];W[no]
;B[ji];W[kb];B[lb];W[la];B[kc];W[gn];B[nk];W[ol];B[lj];W[li];B[mk]
;W[kj];B[nj];W[lk];B[oj];W[qj];B[pi];W[qi];B[of];W[oe];B[oa];W[nb]
;B[gb];W[af];B[ga];W[ad];B[ns];W[os];B[ae];W[hg];B[fc];W[ee];B[di]
;W[ad];B[ba];W[ab];B[ae];W[sl];B[sk];W[ad];B[fs];W[er];B[ae];W[rn]
;B[sn];W[ad];B[pp];W[op];B[ae];W[rf];B[qg];W[ad];B[bi];W[aa];B[ah]
;W[in];B[io];W[jm];B[km];W[jk];B[ij];W[go];B[kl];W[il];B[ll];W[nl]
;B[ml];W[nr];B[ms];W[ln];B[jb];W[ka];B[ja];W[ma];B[ai];W[om];B[ki]
;W[lj];B[is];W[ld];B[ao];W[ap];B[an];W[mc];B[gm];W[hn];B[gl];W[fh]
;B[kd];W[je];B[gh];W[lo];B[fh])