24th Fujitsu Cup: Kick Off

The 24th edition of Fujitsu Cup kicked off at August 10. Thirty two players from Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, North America, South America, and Europe compete for this prestigious event.

At the first round, some surprises include Iyama Yuta defeated Gu Li and Sakai Hideyuki won over Lee Younggu. Meanwhile, all the amateur players failed to score a victory over the professionals.

Round 1 results:
Park Junghwan won by resignation over Ogata Masaki
Chen Shiyuan won by resignation over Cho U
Piao Wenyao won over Heo Yeongho
Hane Naoki won by 5.5 points over Seto Taiki
Tuo Jiaxi won by resignation over Chang Hao
Sakai Hideyuki won by resignation over Lee Younggu
Choi Cheolhan won by resignation over Liu Zhiyuan
Iyama Yuta won by resignation over Gu Li
Qiu Jun won by resignation over O Meien
Cho Chikun won by 8.5 points over Yamashita Keigo
Fujii Shuya won by resignation over Yamada Kimio
Lee Sedol won by 2.5 points over Takao Shinji
Xie He won by resignation over Kang Yootaek
Kong Jie won by resignation over Yuki Satoshi
Jiang Weijie won by resignation over Fernando Aguilar
Kim Jiseok won by resignation over Artem Kachanovskyi

Here are some game records:
Iyama Yuta (white) vs. Gu Li (black). Result: W+R (the most interesting game of the round)


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

(;CA[utf-8]GM[1]BC[cn]WC[ja]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]SZ[19]FF[4]EV[24th Fujitsu Cup]DT[2011-08-10]
PB[Gu Li]BR[9p]PW[Iyama Yuuta]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[qk];W[fq];B[jd];W[qf];B[qe];W[pf];B[nd];W[qi];B[oj];W[nh]
;B[fc];W[cf];B[nf];W[ng];B[mp];W[hc];B[hd];W[id];B[ie];W[ic];B[gd];W[jc];B[kd];W[lb]
;B[nb];W[gb];B[fb];W[db];B[ri];W[je];B[if];W[gf];B[gg];W[fg];B[gh];W[jf];B[ff];W[oc]
;B[lc];W[od];B[mb];W[pe];B[kb];W[rj];B[qj];W[rk];B[rh];W[ql];B[ph];W[ok];B[pl];W[qm]
;B[pk];W[pp];B[qq];W[qp];B[re];W[qd];B[rd];W[pc];B[qb];W[ne];B[mf];W[md];B[of];W[ig]
;B[hg];W[le];B[og];W[me];B[kc];W[lf];B[ih];W[jg];B[mg];W[ki];B[rp];W[oq];B[op];W[ro]
;B[rq];W[ol];B[nj];W[pm];B[pj];W[oo];B[np];W[lq];B[nr];W[mi];B[rg];W[mk];B[mj];W[lj]
;B[lk];W[oh];B[lh];W[li];B[pg];W[nk];B[mh];W[ii];B[oe];W[ni];B[pi];W[nc];B[ll];W[mn]
;B[kn];W[jl];B[ln];W[mm];B[kl];W[ip];B[lp];W[fe];B[ef];W[ge];B[hf];W[ee];B[he];W[hj]
;B[bp];W[bn];B[cq];W[dq];B[br];W[fj];B[eh];W[eg];B[qc];W[kp];B[in];W[dr];B[cn];W[co]
;B[bo];W[cm];B[dn];W[bl];B[fh];W[dg];B[dh];W[ch];B[ek];W[ej];B[gk];W[gj];B[dj];W[di]
;B[ci];W[ei];B[bh];W[cg];B[ck];W[bj];B[cj];W[dl];B[dk];W[bk];B[jj];W[ji];B[el];W[hm]
;B[gm];W[hn];B[hl];W[il];B[bi];W[en];B[dm];W[cl];B[do];W[cp];B[an];W[am];B[bm];W[fa]
;B[ea];W[bn];B[im];W[ao];B[ho];W[gn];B[fn];W[go];B[kk];W[hk];B[gl];W[jk];B[jm];W[ik]
;B[gp];W[fo];B[eo];W[fp];B[em];W[ha];B[ga];W[jh];B[hh];W[mc];B[kj];W[ke];B[kg];W[fa]
;B[eb];W[jb];B[ja];W[ia];B[la];W[ob];B[ka];W[na];B[gc];W[oa];B[ga];W[rf];B[rn];W[qn]
;B[ap];W[fa];B[hb];W[ib];B[ga];W[lo];B[ko];W[fa];B[cc];W[dc];B[ga];W[mo];B[jp];W[fa]
;B[rm];W[sn];B[ga];W[kq];B[jq];W[fa];B[sm];W[so];B[ga];W[jo];B[iq];W[fa];B[ml];W[om]
;B[ga];W[lm];B[km];W[fa];B[qo];W[po];B[ga];W[hp];B[lr];W[fa];B[cb];W[cd];B[ga];W[kr]
;B[mq];W[fa];B[sp];W[qo];B[ga];W[ls];B[mr];W[fa];B[be];W[bd];B[ga];W[hq];B[jr];W[fa]
;B[ij];W[hi];B[ga];W[ks])

Sakai Hideyuki (white) vs. Lee Yeounggu (black). Result: W+R

(;CA[utf-8]BC[kr]WC[ja]FF[4]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]SZ[19]GM[1]EV[24th Fujitsu Cup]DT[2011-08-10]
PB[Lee Yeonggu]BR[8p]PW[Sakai Hideyuki]WR[8p]KM[6.5]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[qk];W[gq];B[cf];W[fc];B[bd];W[ch];B[cc];W[ce];B[be];W[df]
;B[dg];W[cg];B[bf];W[eg];B[mc];W[mp];B[po];W[mn];B[hp];W[gp];B[ho];W[ir];B[lm];W[dh]
;B[nl];W[kn];B[km];W[jn];B[il];W[hm];B[cp];W[cq];B[co];W[bq];B[do];W[ep];B[fn];W[im]
;B[dl];W[jl];B[gl];W[hl];B[qe];W[gk];B[fk];W[bl];B[gj];W[hk];B[cl];W[bk];B[bm];W[fj]
;B[bj];W[oc];B[pc];W[pb];B[qb];W[ld];B[md];W[le];B[lc];W[jd];B[me];W[lg];B[jc];W[ic]
;B[kd];W[ke];B[kc];W[id];B[mh];W[nf];B[mf];W[mg];B[ng];W[nh];B[og];W[mi];B[lf];W[lh]
;B[kf];W[oh];B[no];W[qp];B[qo];W[om];B[ol];W[pp];B[op];W[qq];B[or];W[pr];B[oq];W[ro]
;B[rn];W[rp];B[mo];W[qn];B[rm];W[qm];B[ql];W[on];B[oo];W[mm];B[qh];W[ln];B[lp];W[lq]
;B[mq];W[kq];B[rr];W[qr];B[rs];W[so];B[sq];W[rq];B[sr];W[qs];B[mr];W[sp];B[lo];W[pg]
;B[of];W[ph];B[sn];W[ss];B[sl];W[sr];B[if];W[jg];B[ie];W[cj];B[ck];W[bi];B[dj];W[aj]
;B[fi];W[db];B[cb];W[ml];B[ii];W[hi];B[gi];W[hh];B[kg];W[kh];B[jh];W[ig];B[hj];W[ij]
;B[jj];W[ik];B[gg];W[ki];B[mk];W[fl];B[ek];W[gn];B[fo];W[dc];B[lk];W[ca];B[ba];W[da]
;B[bb];W[oj];B[nk];W[rf];B[ri];W[qg];B[ib];W[hb];B[jb];W[rd];B[rc];W[oe];B[ne];W[pf]
;B[od];W[go];B[jo];W[jp];B[ko];W[lr];B[ms];W[nf];B[rg];W[qi];B[rh];W[qj];B[rj];W[qf]
;B[bp];W[gd];B[dq];W[eq];B[dr];W[cr];B[cs];W[ar];B[ha];W[gb];B[je];W[os];B[ns];W[gh]
;B[fh];W[ji];B[fm];W[fg];B[gf];W[ei];B[ej];W[eh];B[bs];W[er];B[ds];W[es];B[fj];W[gm]
;B[el];W[eo])

Jiang Weijie (black) vs. Fernando Aguilar (white). Result: B+R


Jiang Weijie (left) vs. Fernando Aguilar (right)

(;CA[utf-8]GM[1]BC[cn]WC[xx]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]SZ[19]FF[4]EV[24th Fujitsu Cup]DT[2011-08-10]
PB[Jiang Weijie]BR[5p]PW[Fernand Aguilar]KM[6.5]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[nq];W[qj];B[co];W[ck];B[ep];W[eq];B[fp];W[fq];B[gp];W[hq]
;B[ci];W[ek];B[cf];W[ce];B[df];W[fd];B[ei];W[gk];B[qg];W[qm];B[jc];W[pc];B[oc];W[ob]
;B[od];W[pb];B[qc];W[qb];B[rc];W[mc];B[fb];W[db];B[lb];W[mb];B[lc];W[rb];B[ec];W[de]
;B[bc];W[dc];B[be];W[bd];B[ad];W[bf];B[cd];W[bg];B[bh];W[cc];B[bb];W[dh];B[cg];W[bd]
;B[ae];W[ch];B[ag];W[bi];B[af];W[di];B[ff];W[gf];B[fg];W[fe];B[gc];W[id];B[ic];W[ig]
;B[gg];W[hf];B[ih];W[jh];B[hg];W[if];B[hd];W[fc];B[md];W[sc];B[jg];W[gd];B[hc];W[eb]
;B[ga];W[jf];B[kg];W[kf];B[lg];W[lf];B[mg];W[mf];B[ng];W[nf];B[of];W[og];B[nb];W[pf]
;B[oe];W[ji];B[ii];W[pg];B[jj];W[ki];B[ni];W[ld];B[ma];W[me];B[he];W[ge];B[ke])

Kong Jie (black) vs. Yuki Satoshi (white). Result: B+R


Yuki Satoshi (left) vs. Kong Jie (right)

(;CA[Windows-1252]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[24th Fujitsu Cup, round 1]DT[2011-08-10]PB[Kong Jie]
BR[9p]PW[Yuki Satoshi]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dc];B[pq];W[co];B[ep];W[dq];B[eq];W[dp];B[eo];W[dn];B[iq];W[pn];B[qo];W[pj]
;B[po];W[qf];B[nc];W[ce];B[ic];W[gc];B[on];W[fm];B[df];W[cf];B[dh];W[dj];B[fh];W[jo]
;B[kp];W[hp];B[hq];W[ko];B[lp];W[he];B[hh];W[jd];B[kc];W[cg];B[jh];W[qd];B[qc];W[rc]
;B[qe];W[rd];B[re];W[pe];B[rf];W[pc];B[od];W[pb];B[qg];W[oe];B[ne];W[of];B[oh];W[nf]
;B[mf];W[me];B[nd];W[ng];B[lf];W[kg];B[kf];W[nh];B[jg];W[oi];B[ph];W[mj];B[qj];W[qk]
;B[rj];W[nm];B[om];W[ol];B[pl];W[nn];B[ok];W[nl];B[pk];W[mp];B[lo];W[ln];B[mo];W[no]
;B[mn];W[ll];B[lm];W[kl];B[mi];W[nj];B[li];W[ni];B[mq];W[km];B[kn];W[jn];B[er];W[jc]
;B[jb];W[kb];B[lb];W[kd];B[ka];W[lc];B[kb];W[id];B[hc];W[gb];B[hb];W[hd];B[ga];W[ld]
;B[ob];W[ff];B[gf];W[fg];B[gg];W[fe];B[gj];W[fa];B[ha];W[eb];B[ch];W[cj];B[gl];W[np]
;B[nq];W[oq];B[or];W[pm];B[oo];W[op];B[nk];W[mk];B[ql];W[pp];B[qp];W[ln];B[mm];W[ml]
;B[pr];W[gm];B[hl];W[dr];B[ds];W[cs];B[es];W[br];B[hm];W[hn];B[gn];W[jq];B[jp];W[ip]
;B[jr];W[go];B[fn];W[im];B[em];W[gq];B[gr];W[dl];B[fl])

Cho Chikun (white) vs. Yamashita Keigo (black). Result: W+8.5


Cho Chikun (left) vs. Yamashita Keigo (right)

(;CA[Windows-1252]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[24th Fujitsu Cup, round 1]DT[2011-08-10]PB[Yamashita Keigo]
BR[9p]PW[Cho Chikun]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[W+8.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[pp];B[dc];W[dp];B[cn];W[cl];B[ce];W[od];B[ld];W[pg];B[oe];W[ne];B[of];W[qc]
;B[pd];W[pc];B[nd];W[oc];B[nf];W[rd];B[re];W[pe];B[qe];W[pf];B[rc];W[rb];B[sd];W[rg]
;B[sb];W[ra];B[me];W[mb];B[rf];W[oh];B[rh];W[lb];B[en];W[fp];B[dk];W[ck];B[dj];W[dl]
;B[el];W[cj];B[di];W[ch];B[ni];W[nh];B[mh];W[mi];B[nj];W[qh];B[sg];W[pj];B[qg];W[pl]
;B[qi];W[li];B[lh];W[mk];B[nk];W[ml];B[nl];W[nm];B[oi];W[pi];B[ph];W[mm];B[qh];W[ji]
;B[hq];W[jq];B[ho];W[co];B[bn];W[go];B[eq];W[ep];B[gn];W[hn];B[gp];W[fo];B[fq];W[io]
;B[hp];W[fn];B[em];W[gm];B[cr];W[qp];B[jp];W[ip];B[iq];W[kq];B[in];W[jo];B[kp];W[kn]
;B[hm];W[gn];B[lp];W[lq];B[mq];W[mp];B[jr];W[mr];B[nq];W[kr];B[ks];W[lr];B[mo];W[nr]
;B[np];W[ko];B[qn];W[pn];B[qm];W[ql];B[pm];W[om];B[po];W[oo];B[on];W[op];B[nn];W[no]
;B[mn];W[oq];B[rl];W[rk];B[sk];W[ol];B[rj];W[rm];B[sm];W[sl];B[gl];W[hl];B[rl];W[kh]
;B[lf];W[sl];B[hk];W[il];B[rl];W[gr];B[gq];W[sl];B[nc];W[nb];B[rl];W[cq];B[br];W[sl]
;B[qb];W[pb];B[rl];W[lg];B[mg];W[sl];B[pa];W[qa];B[rl];W[cf];B[rn];W[be];B[cd];W[bg]
;B[gk];W[bc];B[ik];W[mj];B[og];W[jk];B[jj];W[kk];B[ij];W[mp];B[kj];W[ki];B[jl];W[im]
;B[lk];W[kl];B[ll];W[km];B[lm];W[ig];B[df];W[ie];B[hf];W[if];B[ih];W[kg];B[kf];W[hh]
;B[ii];W[jf];B[dg];W[gd];B[ci];W[bi];B[cg];W[bd];B[bf];W[af];B[hg];W[fc];B[kc];W[ff]
;B[gg];W[fg];B[gh];W[ic];B[jb];W[ib];B[sq];W[ir];B[hr];W[js];B[cb];W[bb];B[eb];W[fb]
;B[rr];W[hs];B[dr];W[rp];B[sp];W[rq];B[ro];W[qr];B[he];W[hd];B[jd];W[id];B[ia];W[ha]
;B[ja];W[ok];B[ng];W[qk];B[fh];W[bm];B[ba];W[cf];B[jh];W[jg];B[bf];W[ed];B[ae];W[cf]
;B[fa];W[ga];B[bf];W[ad];B[ea];W[bq];B[fr];W[rs];B[sr];W[lo];B[lj];W[cf];B[dh];W[bh]
;B[bf];W[ln];B[pn];W[cf];B[ee];W[fe];B[dd];W[bo];B[am];W[al];B[an];W[ar];B[bf];W[ab]
;B[ec];W[fd];B[je];W[mc];B[md];W[eg];B[eh];W[fm];B[fl];W[ao];B[cm];W[bl];B[kb];W[ef]
;B[la];W[ma];B[gs];W[bs];B[cs];W[aq];B[cf];W[jr];B[de];W[is];B[ka];W[as])

Kim Jiseok (white) vs. Artem Kachanovskyi (black). Result: W+R


Kim Jiseok (left) vs. Artem Kachanovskyi (right)

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[24th Fujitsu Cup, round 1]DT[2011-08-10]
PB[Artem Kachanovskyi]BR[7d]PW[Kim Jiseok]WR[7p]KM[6.5]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dp];B[dd];W[qp];B[oc];W[qi];B[op];W[oq];B[nq];W[pq];B[cn];W[fq];B[np];W[pn]
;B[jp];W[qf];B[cf];W[bp];B[jd];W[oe];B[dk];W[nc];B[nb];W[ob];B[pb];W[od];B[pc];W[mb]
;B[oa];W[le];B[jf];W[eb];B[lg];W[cc];B[cd];W[bc];B[fc];W[fb];B[oj];W[ni];B[oi];W[nh]
;B[oh];W[ng];B[qj];W[jh];B[nj];W[li];B[qo];W[qn];B[po];W[ro];B[rp];W[rq];B[rn];W[sp]
;B[rm];W[mj];B[on];W[rj];B[gc];W[ql];B[qk];W[om];B[pm];W[pk];B[pj];W[qm];B[rl];W[pl]
;B[rh];W[nn];B[qh];W[jr];B[gq];W[ip];B[fp];W[kp];B[eq];W[jo];B[cr];W[dn];B[cm];W[co]
;B[nl];W[mm];B[ih];W[ii];B[hi];W[cq];B[br];W[dm];B[dl];W[ig];B[hh];W[jg];B[bn];W[fn]
;B[dq];W[fl];B[ml];W[lm];B[hg];W[if];B[ij];W[fr];B[gp];W[gr];B[er];W[hr];B[ep];W[hn]
;B[bq];W[lc];B[ji];W[id];B[ic];W[hd];B[hc];W[je];B[gm];W[gn];B[nd];W[mc];B[pf];W[of]
;B[pe];W[af])

Choi Cheolhan (black) vs. Liu Zhiyuan (white). Result: B+R


Liu Zhinyuan (left) vs. Choi Cheolhan (right)

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[24th Fujitsu cup, round 1]DT[2011-08-10]
PB[Choi Cheolhan]BR[9p]PW[Liu Zhiyuan]WR[8d]KM[6.5]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dp];B[dc];W[qp];B[cn];W[fq];B[ch];W[od];B[ld];W[jc];B[hd];W[je];B[mc];W[qc]
;B[pc];W[pd];B[oc];W[nc];B[nb];W[qe];B[rd];W[nd];B[pb];W[lb];B[mb];W[ce];B[re];W[ee]
;B[fd];W[bc];B[gg];W[hb];B[gb];W[hc];B[gc];W[id];B[he];W[db];B[dd];W[bf];B[cc];W[bb]
;B[cb];W[kd];B[bg];W[dg];B[cg];W[de];B[ba];W[fh];B[gh];W[di];B[cj];W[gi];B[hi];W[gj]
;B[hj];W[gk];B[dj];W[dl];B[cl];W[dm];B[cm];W[ej];B[nq];W[lq];B[pp];W[pq];B[qo];W[qq]
;B[lp];W[kp];B[lo];W[mq];B[np];W[po];B[kq];W[jq];B[kr];W[jr];B[pn];W[op];B[oo];W[ro]
;B[pp];W[qn];B[oq];W[qm];B[qg];W[bp];B[le];W[oh];B[oj];W[pg];B[qh];W[qf];B[rf];W[of]
;B[ng];W[nh];B[lg];W[lc];B[ha];W[ia];B[ga];W[jb];B[ne];W[lh];B[mj];W[kh];B[oe];W[ih]
;B[jn];W[lr];B[kj];W[mi];B[nk];W[hh];B[dh];W[fg];B[ji];W[jh];B[gf];W[hk];B[mg];W[dk]
;B[ck];W[li];B[jk];W[fe];B[if];W[jf];B[bd];W[cd];B[ab];W[rk];B[dn];W[fl];B[bo];W[co]
;B[bn];W[ol];B[pl];W[pm];B[om];W[po];B[on];W[pk];B[nl];W[ap];B[pe];W[pf];B[jp];W[ks]
;B[ip];W[ko];B[kn];W[hq];B[ei];W[fi];B[eh];W[be];B[ac];W[ik];B[jj];W[lj];B[lk];W[ij]
;B[ii];W[jl];B[kl];W[ki];B[kk];W[hm];B[kg];W[jg];B[ek];W[fj];B[eg];W[ff];B[il];W[nf]
;B[md];W[hl];B[jm];W[fn];B[pr];W[qr];B[ok];W[ri];B[or];W[rh];B[rg];W[qj];B[ql];W[rl]
;B[qo];W[qs];B[jo];W[eo];B[en];W[fm];B[do];W[cp];B[gp];W[hp];B[fo];W[ep];B[ho];W[gq]
;B[gn];W[gm];B[kq])

Cho Chikun Won Igo Masters Cup

The 1st Igo Masters Cup finally hit its end with the final showdown between 2 finalists, Cho Chikun (whoa has won 71 titles throughout his career) and Kobayashi Koichi (who has won 59 titles throughout his career). The final is quite classic since both players had met each other so many times in previous title matches. Last time they met in a final was at the 51st NHK Cup, where Kobayashi Koichi won the game over Cho.


Cho Chikun (left) vs. Kobayashi Koichi (right)

Cho Chikun played his best this time and won the final by a slim 1.5 points. During the tournament, Cho beat Takemiya Masaki and Kobayashi Satoru to reach the final, while Kobayashi Koichi beat Rin Kaiho and Ishida Yoshio to qualify for final.

Here is the game record:
Cho Chikun (white) vs. Kobayashi Koichi (black). Result: W+1.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[1st Igo Masters Cup, final]DT[2011-07-23]
PB[Kobayashi Koichi]BR[9p]PW[Cho Chikun]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+1.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[pp];B[dc];W[dp];B[cn];W[fq];B[ci];W[od];B[mc];W[qc];B[qg];W[pd];B[rd];W[fc]
;B[ob];W[pb];B[oc];W[pc];B[me];W[of];B[hc];W[cc];B[cd];W[dd];B[cb];W[bc];B[ed];W[de]
;B[ec];W[ee];B[fd];W[cf];B[bb];W[bd];B[mg];W[oh];B[pg];W[nf];B[mf];W[nh];B[qj];W[cl]
;B[cp];W[cq];B[bq];W[co];B[bp];W[do];B[dq];W[cr];B[dr];W[br];B[ar];W[bo];B[cs];W[ql]
;B[pk];W[pl];B[ok];W[li];B[ej];W[ol];B[pq];W[qq];B[oq];W[qr];B[op];W[po];B[kq];W[iq]
;B[jq];W[ip];B[ko];W[el];B[gj];W[gf];B[if];W[mo];B[mq];W[pi];B[qi];W[nk];B[eq];W[fp]
;B[bg];W[cg];B[ch];W[bf];B[hl];W[rk];B[rj];W[rc];B[qe];W[kg];B[kf];W[jg];B[jf];W[he]
;B[ie];W[nd];B[md];W[gl];B[hk];W[hm];B[im];W[hn];B[bk];W[ck];B[bl];W[bm];B[cj];W[sd]
;B[se];W[sc];B[rf];W[pr];B[or];W[oa];B[nb];W[oo];B[lk];W[jj];B[jk];W[ij];B[mm];W[ik]
;B[il];W[kk];B[lj];W[jl];B[nj];W[nl];B[ki];W[lh];B[kj];W[ih];B[km];W[gh];B[cm];W[bn]
;B[kl];W[fr];B[pa];W[mj];B[mi];W[mh];B[mk];W[hi];B[ir];W[hr];B[jr];W[os];B[ns];W[ps]
;B[mp];W[lo];B[lp];W[hd];B[id];W[al];B[aj];W[nr];B[ms];W[eh];B[ek];W[dl];B[ag];W[ab]
;B[gg];W[fg];B[hg];W[gd];B[gc];W[fk];B[fi];W[fh];B[ln];W[nn];B[qk];W[rl];B[hf];W[ge]
;B[mn];W[no];B[dh];W[ei];B[fj];W[mr];B[ls];W[lr];B[ks];W[np];B[nq];W[jk];B[bi];W[jn]
;B[kn];W[jm];B[dk];W[ml];B[ll];W[dg];B[hs];W[jp];B[kp];W[gs];B[gk];W[fl];B[nm];W[om]
;B[qa];W[ra];B[na];W[ba];B[da];W[af];B[lg];W[kh];B[ep];W[eo];B[ph];W[oj];B[ji];W[in]
;B[jo];W[is];B[io];W[ho];B[fe];W[ff];B[sk];W[sl];B[sj];W[pf];B[qf];W[ap];B[bs];W[nc]
;B[mb];W[qb];B[oa];W[ac];B[fb];W[er];B[es];W[ii])

Fightback From the Past

The 66th Honinbo reached its climax after Hane Naoki won the sixth game and got his chance to fightback at the title series. Today, let's see a game from the past where Otake Hideo (9 dan) had the same position with Hane. Otake was down by 0-3 at the 38th Honinbo title series, but he showed his quality by winning the next 4 games from Cho Chikun (9 dan).


Otake Hideo (9 dan)

This is the fifth game of the series. This game was full of fighting fron the beginning to the end. Both players attacked each other strongly and ended after Otake read the fight at the upper board correctly. This game is a classic example of 1 eye vs. no eye semeai. Enjoy :)

Otake Hideo (black) vs. Cho Chikun (white). Result: B+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[38th Japanese Honinbo, title match #5]
DT[1983-06-29]PB[Rin Kaiho]BR[9p]PW[Cho Chikun]WR[9p]KM[4.5]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dc];B[dq];W[qp];B[ce];W[di];B[fe];W[ee];B[ef];W[ed];B[cg];W[ff];B[eg];W[gf]
;B[fc];W[fd];B[hd];W[gd];B[he];W[ge];B[co];W[ch];B[ei];W[eh];B[fh];W[dh];B[fg];W[dk]
;B[hh];W[kc];B[mc];W[jd];B[if];W[hc];B[ic];W[ib];B[oq];W[cm];B[pn];W[po];B[oo];W[op]
;B[np];W[pp];B[no];W[nq];B[or];W[nr];B[lq];W[pr];B[mq];W[os];B[ej];W[ek];B[gl];W[hp]
;B[fq];W[hm];B[gm];W[hn];B[hl];W[jm];B[go];W[jp];B[bi];W[bh];B[cl];W[bl];B[ck];W[bk]
;B[cj];W[dj];B[dl];W[bj];B[ci];W[ai];B[dm];W[cn];B[bo];W[dn];B[em];W[bn];B[an];W[am]
;B[ao];W[gk];B[fi];W[hk];B[il];W[en];B[fm];W[fj];B[ik];W[hj];B[ji];W[hi];B[kl];W[lo]
;B[hg];W[bc];B[ln];W[mn];B[mo];W[lm];B[kn];W[km];B[ko];W[kp];B[lp];W[jn];B[ml];W[jo]
;B[mr];W[pq];B[lo];W[ll];B[lk];W[gq];B[fr];W[mm];B[nl];W[kr];B[kq];W[jq];B[qn];W[gr]
;B[gp];W[fs];B[es];W[ep];B[fp];W[ir];B[qe];W[ql];B[qj];W[om];B[nm];W[pj];B[qk];W[ol]
;B[rl];W[nj];B[mk];W[pi];B[rh];W[kf];B[hb];W[gc];B[kh];W[jg];B[aj];W[ak];B[ke];W[je]
;B[jf];W[kg];B[le];W[ih];B[jb];W[ig];B[hf];W[id];B[ia];W[jc];B[kb];W[ib];B[ii];W[lh]
;B[ic];W[lc];B[me];W[gg];B[gh];W[nf];B[ib];W[li];B[ne];W[jl];B[on];W[ij];B[dp];W[eo]
;B[gn];W[qg];B[rg];W[lb];B[mb];W[ma];B[gb];W[nb];B[nc];W[pb];B[ob];W[oa];B[na];W[er]
;B[gs];W[nb];B[oc];W[qc];B[na];W[eq];B[dr];W[nb];B[lg];W[lf];B[na];W[hs];B[fs];W[nb]
;B[mf];W[mg];B[na];W[df];B[dg];W[nb];B[jh];W[lg];B[na];W[pl];B[rm];W[nb];B[fk];W[fl]
;B[na];W[cf];B[bf];W[nb];B[de];W[na];B[ka];W[la];B[ec];W[dd];B[rd];W[cd];B[rb];W[be]
;B[ae];W[rc];B[sc];W[ad];B[bd];W[sb];B[sa];W[be];B[qb];W[af];B[bg])

Don't forget to vote who do you think will be crowned as the 66th Honinbo? We will know the result tomorrow!

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

Hane Naoki Leads Meijin League

The 36th Meijin league has gone through halfway. With 5 games had been played, one player rises above his competitors.

Hane Naoki (9 dan) currently ranked first with 4-1 score. He beat Takao Shinji, Yuki Satoshi, Yamashita Keigo, and Rin Kanketsu, while his only lost came from Cho U. Yuki Satoshi Tengen came second with 3-1, while third place goes to Yamashita Keigo who has 3-2 score. Meanwhile, Sakai Hideyuki and Cho Chikun is in great danger of demotion. Sakai is currently at 1-4, while Cho is at 1-3.


Hane Naoki

League standing:
1. Hane Naoki 4-1
2. Yuki Satoshi 3-1
3. Yamashita Keigo 3-2
4. Takao Shinji 2-2
5. Cho U 2-2
6. Rin Kanketsu 2-2
7. Mizokami Tomochika 2-3
8. Cho Chikun 1-3
9. Sakai Hideyuki 1-4

A Lot of Half Point at 36th Meijin League

The 36th Meijin League is underway. Nine players will fight each other in an 8 games league to determine who will be the next Meijin challenger.

The first round was played in December and there were 3 out of 4 games resulted in a half point victory.

Sakai Hideyuki Gosei extended his victory over Cho U Kisei after Sakai's victory over Cho at the last Gosei series. Sakai won with white stones by a half point. It seems that white plays an important role in Sakai-Cho's matches.


Sakai Hideyuki

Takao Shinji won over old veteran Cho Chikun (9 dan) by a half point with white stones. Will Takao re-challenge Iyama this year?


Takao Shinji

Yamashita Keigo beat fifth placer at the previous league, Mizokami Tomochika (8 dan), Yamashita won by 4.5 points with white pieces.


Yamashita Keigo

The last game of the first round was between two preliminary players, Hane Naoki (9 dan) and Rin Kanketsu (7 dan). Hane completed white's victory by defeating Rin by a half point.


Hane Naoki

Sadly, I have no record for the games above. But, there are games from the preliminaries' finals.

Edit: I have 1 game now.
Sakai Hideyuki vs. Cho U.
Hane Naoki (white) vs. Yamada Kimio (black). Result: W+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[36th Japanese Meijin, preliminary]DT[2010-10-28]
PB[Yamada Kimio]BR[9p]PW[Hane Naoki]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[qk];W[fq];B[cf];W[fc];B[cj];W[nc];B[pf];W[pb];B[qc];W[ld]
;B[jp];W[po];B[qo];W[qn];B[qp];W[ol];B[pi];W[id];B[pn];W[on];B[pm];W[pl];B[om];W[nm]
;B[qm];W[ql];B[rm];W[ml];B[nk];W[nl];B[rl];W[mp];B[jm];W[cl];B[mn];W[nn];B[mo];W[no]
;B[lp];W[nq];B[lq];W[kl];B[jl];W[kj];B[ij];W[ch];B[ej];W[bj];B[kd];W[ke];B[lc];W[md]
;B[jd];W[je];B[ic];W[hc];B[hd];W[ie];B[hb];W[gc];B[jb];W[lb];B[kb];W[kc];B[jc];W[mb]
;B[gb];W[fb];B[ia];W[ci];B[cd];W[cc];B[de];W[bd];B[be];W[ce];B[lf];W[oi];B[ni];W[oj]
;B[oh];W[pj];B[ph];W[li];B[cd];W[qb];B[ed];W[ce];B[cp];W[cq];B[cd];W[dc];B[co];W[bq]
;B[en];W[el];B[ep];W[dq];B[qj];W[ce];B[jg];W[ii];B[ji];W[jj];B[hj];W[ih];B[hf];W[gh]
;B[jh];W[gi];B[gj];W[lg];B[mh];W[lh];B[kf];W[mf];B[fg];W[ei];B[di];W[eh];B[dh];W[dg]
;B[dj];W[eg];B[cg];W[ee];B[cd];W[df];B[ce];W[fd];B[bk];W[bl];B[ck];W[do];B[cm];W[cn]
;B[bm];W[dm];B[al];W[bc];B[bg];W[dn];B[dl];W[hq];B[rb];W[pc];B[mg];W[nf];B[od];W[le]
;B[ra];W[em];B[or];W[jr];B[ho];W[ga];B[ka];W[nj])

Rin Kanketsu (black) vs. O Meien (white). Result: B+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[36th Japanese Meijin, preliminary]DT[2010-10-28]
PB[Rin Kanketsu]BR[7p]PW[O Meien]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[op];B[eq];W[pn];B[cp];W[ro];B[or];W[pq];B[kq];W[cf];B[nc];W[pi]
;B[dk];W[qf];B[ch];W[jd];B[pr];W[qq];B[np];W[no];B[mp];W[oq];B[nr];W[fo];B[eo];W[en]
;B[fn];W[em];B[gn];W[fl];B[eh];W[fj];B[cm];W[cn];B[bn];W[fh];B[fg];W[gh];B[ei];W[hl]
;B[in];W[eg];B[rd];W[ec];B[if];W[hd];B[kf];W[mg];B[he];W[gd];B[kd];W[kc];B[je];W[ld]
;B[id];W[ke];B[ic];W[nd];B[oc];W[jg];B[jf];W[gf];B[lh];W[jh];B[lf];W[ne];B[mc];W[le]
;B[kh];W[ni];B[ji];W[lj];B[ih];W[hg];B[ig];W[jn];B[jo];W[im];B[hn];W[bg];B[rf];W[qg]
;B[rg];W[rh];B[kn];W[jm];B[ge];W[fe];B[gc];W[ko];B[ln];W[bo];B[co];W[dn];B[bm];W[ep]
;B[do];W[cq];B[bp];W[fq];B[dq];W[iq];B[io];W[kr];B[jq];W[er];B[dr];W[jr];B[hr];W[mr]
;B[ir];W[nq];B[mq];W[lr];B[qr];W[rr];B[oo];W[rp];B[nn];W[is];B[gr];W[qe];B[re];W[bh]
;B[po];W[on];B[nm];W[ol];B[nl];W[ci];B[ok];W[ej];B[om];W[qo];B[mo];W[qm];B[pm];W[qn]
;B[fd];W[fc];B[hc];W[ed];B[rs];W[ns];B[sr];W[rq];B[os];W[ms];B[qs];W[sq];B[lq];W[ss]
;B[dj];W[di];B[sr];W[lb];B[mb];W[ss];B[bj];W[ps];B[bi];W[dh];B[pe];W[pf];B[ri];W[qh]
;B[fb];W[eb];B[cj];W[fi];B[qj];W[mh];B[ql];W[gb];B[hb];W[fa];B[sh];W[jb];B[rm];W[ij]
;B[jj];W[rn];B[sm];W[oj];B[nk];W[pj];B[pk];W[jk];B[kk];W[ii];B[jl];W[ik];B[km];W[mj]
;B[hh];W[hi];B[hf];W[gg];B[ek];W[fk];B[mf];W[nf];B[ha];W[qd];B[qc])

Yamashita Keigo (white) vs. Seto Taiki (black). Result: W+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[36th Japanese Meijin, preliminary]DT[2010-10-21]
PB[Seto Taik]BR[7p]PW[Yamashita Keigo ]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[fc];W[od];B[md];W[of];B[qg];W[kc];B[mc];W[hd];B[fe];W[df]
;B[ke];W[hf];B[fg];W[le];B[ne];W[kf];B[oe];W[dc];B[dh];W[op];B[je];W[ld];B[jf];W[ic]
;B[jb];W[lc];B[hg];W[gf];B[gg];W[gd];B[ff];W[fd];B[pp];W[pe];B[nf];W[pd];B[og];W[pf]
;B[pg];W[qc];B[re];W[lg];B[nb];W[rd];B[qe];W[pb];B[kh];W[lh];B[kg];W[lf];B[nh];W[li]
;B[cn];W[fp];B[jj];W[oo];B[po];W[on];B[pn];W[om];B[nr];W[pm];B[en];W[co];B[bn];W[gn]
;B[mp];W[rc];B[qk];W[qn];B[rl];W[rm];B[ql];W[qm];B[ro];W[nj];B[mj];W[mi];B[nk];W[mk]
;B[ml];W[lj];B[ok];W[mo];B[ll];W[lp];B[mq];W[kn];B[jm];W[io];B[in];W[km];B[kl];W[ig]
;B[ho];W[qo];B[rp];W[ip];B[hn];W[hq];B[ih];W[fn];B[em];W[ch];B[ci];W[cg];B[bi];W[jn]
;B[eo];W[gp];B[cq];W[dq];B[bp];W[cr];B[lb];W[kb];B[ka];W[jc];B[br];W[cp];B[bq];W[gl]
;B[il];W[lq];B[lr];W[kr];B[ks];W[jr];B[af];W[bf];B[fk];W[fl];B[el];W[gk];B[gj];W[if]
;B[jg];W[hj];B[gi];W[ik];B[jk];W[dr];B[ia];W[ib];B[ob];W[ra];B[ha];W[ja];B[pa];W[qa]
;B[jb];W[nd];B[me];W[ja];B[sb];W[rb];B[jb];W[mg];B[ng];W[ja];B[ep];W[eq];B[jb];W[qp]
;B[qq];W[ja];B[lo];W[mn];B[jb];W[bo];B[ao];W[ja];B[ir];W[js];B[jb];W[ji];B[ij];W[ja]
;B[iq];W[kp];B[jb];W[ki])

Good Old Rival

It seems that the 58th NHK Cup will provide an interesting match next week. Four times NHK Champion, Cho Chikun will play his archenemy back in the 80s and 90s, two times NHK Champion, Kobayashi Koichi.

The two of them has met many times in many title match games. They also met once at NHK Cup's final back in 2004.


Kobayashi Koichi (left) vs. Cho Chikun at NHK Cup's final in 2004.


Kobayashi Koichi (left) vs. Cho Chikun (right) at the 47th Honinbo title match. Cho who was the title holder won the series by 4-3. He recovered from 0-3 score that time.


Kobayashi Koichi and Cho Chikun at the 10th Kisei title match series. Kobayashi won the series by 4-2.

The game was actually played at July 26, but it will be aired August 22. Kobayashi Koichi beat Lee Ishu (7 dan) at the first round, while Cho Chikun was seeded to second round. I'm looking forward for this match :)

Cosmic Takemiya

Let's take a look at a game from 1990. It was from the 28th Judan title match game 2.

Black was Takemiya Masaki, challenger and white was Cho Chikun Judan. You can see an interesting opening where both players played L-Stars combination (I don't know whether this formation has a name or not, but I call it like that XD) and Takemiya came with unusual moves, Black 9 and Black 11.


Takemiya Masaki

Takemiya played a nice game and won by resignation at move 147. Enjoy the game :)


Cho Chikun

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[28th Japanese Judan, title match #2]
DT[1990-03-28]PB[Takemiya Masaki]BR[9p]PW[Cho Chikun]WR[9p]KM[5.5]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[pp];W[dd];B[pj];W[dj];B[jp];W[jd];B[me];W[gp];B[jf];W[fd];B[kk];W[qn]
;B[ql];W[qq];B[qp];W[pq];B[op];W[rp];B[ro];W[rq];B[qo];W[nq];B[mo];W[qd];B[qe];W[re]
;B[pe];W[qc];B[rf];W[ob];B[fj];W[jj];B[mq];W[nr];B[go];W[fo];B[fn];W[gn];B[ho];W[eo]
;B[gm];W[ig];B[hn];W[jg];B[dm];W[kj];B[lj];W[lg];B[li];W[ng];B[cq];W[dq];B[bp];W[cp]
;B[br];W[cr];B[bq];W[cn];B[cm];W[bo];B[dr];W[er];B[cs];W[bm];B[bl];W[cl];B[am];W[bn]
;B[ck];W[dl];B[dk];W[el];B[bj];W[em];B[dh];W[oh];B[ke];W[if];B[rd];W[rc];B[se];W[mc]
;B[md];W[kd];B[lc];W[nd];B[mf];W[lh];B[nc];W[mb];B[ni];W[mi];B[mj];W[oi];B[nj];W[mg]
;B[ld];W[od];B[oe];W[oc];B[og];W[nh];B[qh];W[jk];B[kl];W[oj];B[ok];W[pi];B[qi];W[ki]
;B[nk];W[be];B[jb];W[lb];B[kc];W[hb];B[cg];W[lq];B[mp];W[mr];B[kq];W[of];B[pg];W[es]
;B[df];W[lp];B[lo];W[lr];B[ff];W[nf];B[ne];W[ic];B[ge];W[ce];B[hd];W[gc];B[jl];W[iq]
;B[ie];W[hj];B[fb];W[kf];B[ec];W[ed];B[bc])

The Old Tiger Still Has Fangs!

The second round of the 8th Chunlan Cup was played on Monday, March 29.

A surprising result came from Cho Chikun of Japan. He beat Qiu Jun of China by resignation. Qiu Jun recently managed to the final of 14th Samsung Cup, but lost to Kong Jie by 2-0.



After all, it seems that the old tiger Cho Chikun still has his fangs.



You can download the game between Cho Chikun and Qiu Jun here

Here is the result of the second round:
Heo Yeongho (7 dan) of China beat Chang Hao (9 dan) of China by 0.5 points.
Kong Jie (9 dan) of China beat Choi Cheolhan (9 dan) of Korea by resignation.
Lee Sedol (9 dan) of Korea beat Sun Tengyu (4 dan) of China by resignation.
Wang Xi (9 dan) of China beat Yuki Satoshi (9 dan) of Japan by resignation.
Xie He (7 dan) of China beat Iyama Yuta (9 dan) of Japan by resignation.
Cho Chikun (9 dan) of Japan beat Qiu Jun (8 dan) of China by resignation.
Gu Li (9 dan) of China beat Yamashita Keigo (9 dan) of China by resignation.
Gu Lingyi (5 dan) of China beat Lee Changho (9 dan) of Korea by resignation.

8th Chunlan Cup

The 8th series of the international tournament hosted by China was started in March 27. 24 players from China, South Korea, Japan, Europe, and America compete to be number one.


Press conference


Chunlan company's Vice President


Zhongguo Qiyuan's president.


Here is the result of the first round:
Heo Yeongho (7 dan) of Korea beat Yoda Norimoto (9 dan) of Japan by 6.5 points.
Choi Cheolhan (9 dan) of Korea beat Hu Yaoyu (8 dan) of China by 0.5 points
Lee Sedol (9 dan) of Korea beat Zhou Junxun (9 dan) of Taiwan by resignation.
Yuki Satoshi (9 dan) of Japan beat Lin Zhihan (8 dan) of Taiwan by resignation.
Iyama Yuta(9 dan) of Japan beat Csaba Mero (6 dan amateur) of Europe by resignation.
Cho Chikun (9 dan) of Japan beat Kang Dongyun (9 dan) of Korea by resignation.
Yamashita Keigo (9 dan) of Japan beat Chen Yaoye (9 dan) of China by resignation.
Gu Lingyi (5 dan) of China beat Jiang Mingjiu (7 dan) of North America by resignation.

Japan did pretty well in round one, as 4 from 5 representatives managed to the second round. I'm very surprised by Cho Chikun's result, since Cho didn't show good performance recently in domestic tournaments.

The game between Iyama and Csaba was hard for Csaba. I don't think Csaba stood a chance in the game.

The game between Lee Sedol and Zhou Junxun is also interesting. Lee showed quite a skill in that game.

One Win to Judan

Takao Shinji needs to win only one more game to win the Judan title, after beating Cho Chikun in the second game.

Cho Chikun lose the game after big fight in the middle. The fight started at move 42 when white aimed 3 black stones in the middle.

But in my opinion, the game, somewhat, doesn’t seem to be a professional game. Well at least it is for my eyes seem to be like that.

Maybe Cho Chikun is still tired after playing 7 matches Kisei title.

46th Judan Title, The First Match

The 46th Judan Title match starts this month.

This year, Cho Chikun, the Judan holder, challenged by Takao Shinji, Honinbo.

The first game was played at March, 6th , with Cho Chikun playing white and Takao Shinji playing black. This first game was won by Takao Shinji (B+R).


First 31 moves

Takao Shinji played his style, territory style (also called as thick style).
I think white problem is starting a family fight. Cho sensei tried to save his group at left side, but made his upper group weak and a semeai started.

But I’m impressed by Cho sensei’s ability to create a semeai..