Iyama Yuta Leads Judan by 2-1

The 50th Judan serves us a clash between 2 top Japanese players, Iyama Yuta, the title holder, and his challenger, Cho U. Iyama won the first game and took an early lead.

Iyama then won the second game on March 19 and got his game point. Iyama who played black kept the balance at the center well and after he converted the left side to his area, Cho U resigned.

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

(;
KM[6.5]
EV[50th Judan title match 2]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Cho U]
WR[Kisei]
DT[2012-03-19]
BR[Judan]
RE[B+R]
PB[Iyama Yuta]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[qp];W[dc];B[op];W[ci];B[fq];W[dn];B[cq];W[dq];B[dr]
;W[er];B[cr];W[eq];B[bo];W[jq];B[cm];W[dm];B[cl];W[dl];B[jd];W[qf]
;B[nc];W[pj];B[ql];W[mq];B[ph];W[pl];B[pm];W[qk];B[ol];W[pk];B[qm]
;W[qh];B[fr];W[ds];B[co];W[do];B[ck];W[io];B[de];W[ce];B[cf];W[cd]
;B[df];W[ej];B[dj];W[fc];B[di];W[or];B[gn];W[gp];B[fp];W[go];B[fo]
;W[fn];B[fm];W[en];B[hn];W[in];B[lq];W[lr];B[mr];W[nr];B[kr];W[ms]
;B[ip];W[iq];B[jp];W[kq];B[ho];W[hq];B[ek];W[fl];B[el];W[gm];B[hp]
;W[gq];B[em];W[hm];B[ko];W[hk];B[dk];W[ln];B[lo];W[mo];B[im];W[il]
;B[jm];W[kl];B[mn];W[nn];B[km];W[mm];B[ll];W[kk];B[lm];W[lj];B[ml]
;W[nj];B[mi];W[mj];B[ij];W[jl];B[cs];W[es];B[nm];W[of];B[qe];W[rf]
;B[dd];W[cc];B[gr];W[hr];B[fs];W[hs];B[ne];W[ic];B[jc];W[nf];B[mf]
;W[oe];B[me];W[od];B[oc];W[jb];B[kb];W[ib];B[re];W[lb];B[ka];W[on]
;B[om];W[nk];B[mn];W[pc];B[qc];W[mm];B[nl];W[pb];B[lc];W[qb];B[pe]
;W[rc];B[pf];W[oh];B[pg];W[pi];B[rd];W[sc];B[qg];W[rh];B[rg];W[og]
;B[sd];W[sf];B[rb];W[qd];B[qi];W[ri];B[qc];W[kp];B[jo];W[qd];B[rj]
;W[rk];B[qc];W[qo];B[sb];W[po];B[mn];W[rn];B[mp];W[mm];B[gl];W[hl]
;B[mn];W[nd];B[pp];W[mm];B[oo];W[pn];B[lp];W[rp];B[nq];W[jr];B[mr]
;W[ks];B[qq];W[rq];B[rr];W[pr];B[qr];W[rm];B[sr];W[mc];B[mb];W[md]
;B[nb];W[ld];B[kc];W[bf];B[bg];W[be];B[ch];W[kf];B[gj];W[gs];B[cp]
;W[eo];B[rl];W[sl];B[gk];W[jh];B[ke];W[le];B[ih];W[ig];B[hg];W[ii]
;B[hh];W[ji];B[gd];W[fd];B[fe];W[hi];B[gc];W[gb];B[fb];W[eb];B[gi]
;W[gf];B[if];W[hf];B[jg];W[ge];B[kg];W[lg];B[ed];W[ec];B[gg];W[ff]
;B[fg])

The third game was played on April 5. Cho U faced a must win situation as he was behind by 0-2. If he lost the third game, his chance to claim Judan would be 0. Fortunately, he won this game and the match went to its 4th game. Cho got a nice attacking game this time. He threw 11 stones away at the upper left corner to capture Iyama's group at the center. Cho solidified his center and Iyama resigned soon afterward.

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

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

(;
KM[6.5]
EV[50th Judan title match 3]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PB[Cho U]
DT[2012-04-05]
BR[Kisei]
RE[B+R]
PW[Iyama Yuta]
WR[Judan]
;B[qd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[fc];W[cf];B[kc];W[po];B[qm];W[qq];B[mq]
;W[pp];B[pr];W[np];B[lq];W[qn];B[pl];W[qr];B[iq];W[qf];B[pe];W[rd]
;B[re];W[qe];B[rf];W[pd];B[qc];W[pf];B[oe];W[rc];B[rb];W[of];B[ne]
;W[nf];B[mf];W[me];B[oc];W[pc];B[qb];W[rg];B[sc];W[mg];B[lf];W[pj]
;B[lg];W[mh];B[lh];W[mi];B[qh];W[sf];B[sd];W[qg];B[qj];W[pi];B[rn]
;W[ro];B[pn];W[qo];B[qk];W[kd];B[jd];W[ke];B[id];W[md];B[nc];W[jf]
;B[li];W[ig];B[mj];W[nj];B[ii];W[lj];B[mk];W[kj];B[jh];W[nk];B[ml]
;W[nl];B[mm];W[nm];B[rl];W[sn];B[rh];W[jk];B[hj];W[rm];B[ph];W[oh]
;B[sh];W[sg];B[pk];W[on];B[pm];W[ge];B[ln];W[gc];B[gd];W[hd];B[fd]
;W[hc];B[he];W[fb];B[eb];W[gb];B[hf];W[fe];B[ee];W[ff];B[dc];W[cc]
;B[cd];W[de];B[cb];W[bc];B[ec];W[bb];B[ef];W[fg];B[ed];W[ie];B[cg]
;W[ce];B[eg];W[fh];B[hg];W[hh];B[ih];W[gi];B[hi];W[dh];B[ib];W[gg]
;B[gh];W[nd];B[fi];W[eh];B[gj];W[dg];B[od];W[ea];B[fp];W[dn];B[fn]
;W[fq];B[gq];W[eq];B[gr];W[mn];B[mo];W[mp];B[lp];W[no];B[nn];W[ki]
;B[kh];W[mn];B[km])

The 4th game will be played on April 18. Iyama will play for his title, while Cho U will face another must win game. Who will come out as the winner?

The happy Cho U survived the 3rd game.

Iyama Yuta the 67th Honinbo's Challenger

Honinbo is 1 of the top 3 Japanese title. It has a long history and could be dated back in Edo period. After it became an annual tournament, 16 people already claimed this title. This year, Iyama Yuta got his first shot to be the 17th people to hold the annual Honinbo.

Iyama won the Honinbo league in his 3rd try. In the previous 2 leagues, he scored 4-3 and 6-1 and stayed at the second position. This year he scored 6-1 again but the circumstance is difference as he collected most win and doesn't have to play a tiebreak game.

Iyama won the last game against Hane Naoki and avoided a possible tie result with Yuki Satoshi. This victory gave Iyama his 5th major title challenger's right. Oza and Gosei are the only tournament where he never become challenger.

Hane Naoki (left) vs. Iyama Yuta (right)

Final league result:
1. Iyama Yuta 6-1
2. Yuki Satoshi 5-2
3. Cho U 4-3
4. Takao Shinji & Kono Rin 4-3 (Will play demotion player decision match)
6. Hane Naoki 3-4 (demoted)
7-8 Seto Taiki & Ko Iso 1-6 (demoted)

Here is one of Iyama game during the league. His second round's victory from Cho U started his winning streak at the league after previously losing to Takao Shinji at the first round.

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

(;
WR[Judan]
EV[67th Honinbo league]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
PW[Iyama Yuta]
GM[1]
PB[Cho U]
BR[Kisei]
RE[W+R]
DT[2011-11-14]
KM[6.5]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[qp];W[dc];B[lq];W[nc];B[pf];W[jd];B[df];W[ce];B[cn]
;W[dk];B[fp];W[dn];B[dm];W[en];B[em];W[co];B[cm];W[fn];B[fm];W[gn]
;B[di];W[hq];B[cq];W[bp];B[er];W[gm];B[bq];W[dj];B[ci];W[bj];B[fk]
;W[fl];B[el];W[gl];B[ek];W[ej];B[fh];W[fi];B[gi];W[eh];B[gj];W[fg]
;B[gh];W[ei];B[eg];W[dg];B[ef];W[cf];B[gf];W[fq];B[eq];W[fr];B[gp]
;W[ep];B[hp];W[es];B[dr];W[iq];B[ip];W[jp];B[jo];W[io];B[jq];W[kp]
;B[ir];W[hr];B[hs];W[gr];B[kr];W[ho];B[lp];W[ko];B[lo];W[qk];B[gs]
;W[fo];B[kn];W[jn];B[kq];W[jo];B[ds];W[go];B[ql];W[qq];B[rp];W[pp]
;B[qn];W[oq];B[oo];W[po];B[pn];W[rr];B[nr];W[or];B[rq];W[pr];B[sr]
;W[on];B[no];W[qs];B[op];W[nq];B[mr];W[os];B[qi];W[qc];B[pc];W[pb]
;B[lc];W[qd];B[qe];W[oe];B[pe];W[ob];B[le];W[gd];B[re];W[kc];B[kb]
;W[jb];B[kd];W[jc];B[rb];W[qb];B[sb];W[ke];B[ld];W[lb];B[mb];W[ka]
;B[mc];W[ma];B[na];W[nb];B[la];W[lf];B[kf];W[je];B[mf];W[lg];B[mg]
;W[me];B[lh];W[kg];B[kh];W[jg];B[ne];W[ma];B[md];W[hg];B[gg];W[oa]
;B[bk];W[bl];B[ck];W[cj];B[cl];W[ll];B[mk];W[nd];B[me];W[ml];B[nl]
;W[mn];B[nn];W[nm];B[om];W[nk];B[mm];W[mj];B[cc];W[dd];B[jh];W[mh]
;B[ig];W[jf];B[of];W[km];B[db];W[bb];B[cd];W[cb];B[de];W[ee];B[ff]
;W[bd];B[fd];W[ok];B[lk];W[kj];B[kk];W[jk];B[kl];W[lm];B[jl];W[jj]
;B[il];W[hk];B[lj];W[li];B[oi];W[mi];B[rs];W[qj];B[ri];W[ss];B[nj]
;W[pk];B[rs];W[gq];B[fs];W[ss];B[ii];W[ki];B[rs];W[js];B[qr];W[is]
;B[es];W[rr];B[rk];W[ss];B[oj];W[jm];B[rs];W[jr];B[bs];W[ss];B[ol]
;W[im];B[rs];W[fc];B[gc];W[ss];B[rj];W[ik];B[rs];W[fe];B[ge];W[ed]
;B[hd];W[fd];B[hb];W[ss];B[fb];W[bc];B[rs];W[if];B[he];W[ss];B[pl]
;W[hl];B[rs];W[ng];B[nf];W[ss];B[dh];W[cg];B[rs];W[oh];B[ph];W[ss]
;B[bi];W[ai];B[rs];W[gb];B[ga];W[ss];B[bh];W[bg];B[rs];W[ic];B[hc]
;W[ss];B[ah];W[aj];B[rs];W[cr])

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])

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])

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

(;
KM[6.5]
EV[36th Kisei title match 4]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Takao Shinji]
WR[9d]
DT[2012-02-15,16]
BR[Kisei]
RE[B+R]
PB[Cho U]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dp];B[lq];W[fq];B[pj];W[nc];B[lc];W[qc];B[qd]
;W[pc];B[od];W[nb];B[me];W[op];B[pn];W[mp];B[mq];W[qq];B[pq];W[pp]
;B[rq];W[qr];B[oq];W[nq];B[nr];W[np];B[pr];W[qo];B[rp];W[qn];B[rr]
;W[pm];B[om];W[pl];B[ol];W[pk];B[ok];W[qj];B[qi];W[rj];B[ri];W[on]
;B[oj];W[cj];B[fc];W[df];B[cp];W[cq];B[co];W[bq];B[do];W[dm];B[ep]
;W[dq];B[dk];W[ck];B[dl];W[cm];B[em];W[dj];B[fl];W[fj];B[cc];W[dc]
;B[db];W[cd];B[bb];W[bc];B[cb];W[fn];B[en];W[hj];B[fp];W[gq];B[gp]
;W[ge];B[rc];W[rb];B[rd];W[bd];B[hd];W[lb];B[kb];W[kc];B[jc];W[kd]
;B[mb];W[ld];B[la];W[mc];B[lb];W[md];B[jd];W[ne];B[nf];W[mf];B[of]
;W[lg];B[if];W[ng];B[og];W[hp];B[ho];W[eq];B[gn];W[hg];B[nh];W[eb]
;B[ec];W[gc];B[gd];W[fb];B[gb];W[fd];B[hc];W[ed];B[sb];W[kh];B[gc]
;W[ig];B[ir];W[ip];B[bm];W[bn];B[bl];W[cl];B[cn];W[bk];B[li];W[ki]
;B[kf];W[kg];B[gk];W[hk];B[hl];W[il];B[gj];W[gi];B[im];W[jq];B[jr]
;W[hm];B[gl];W[in];B[fi];W[jm];B[gh];W[hi];B[ej];W[ek];B[fk];W[el]
;B[bo];W[eh];B[gf];W[hf];B[he];W[fe];B[fh];W[ei];B[fj];W[lj];B[jg]
;W[jh];B[jf];W[lf];B[ll];W[ni];B[mh];W[mj];B[oi];W[kl];B[fs];W[es]
;B[rl];W[rk];B[sk];W[sj];B[si];W[qk];B[rn];W[ro];B[so];W[po];B[rm]
;W[hn];B[go];W[mm];B[lp];W[lo];B[ko];W[ml];B[nn];W[nm];B[ln];W[mo]
;B[kn];W[kp];B[io];W[jo];B[jn];W[hq];B[jp];W[or];B[os];W[jo];B[gm]
;W[im];B[jp];W[sn];B[kq];W[sp];B[sq];W[so];B[hh])

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

(;
PW[Cho U]
EV[36th Kisei title match 5]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
WR[Kisei]
PB[Takao Shinji]
BR[9d]
RE[W+R]
DT[2012-02-23,24]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[pq];W[dd];B[fq];W[ip];B[dn];W[fp];B[cq];W[eq];B[cp]
;W[cl];B[bn];W[qo];B[op];W[qk];B[gq];W[gp];B[er];W[hq];B[ho];W[hn]
;B[io];W[jo];B[in];W[hp];B[cf];W[fc];B[bd];W[cg];B[dg];W[ch];B[bf]
;W[cc];B[dh];W[ci];B[de];W[ej];B[kp];W[jn];B[im];W[jp];B[kq];W[em]
;B[en];W[fn];B[fm];W[gn];B[gl];W[el];B[gj];W[fi];B[gg];W[hh];B[jk]
;W[fr];B[dq];W[gr];B[gh];W[gi];B[hi];W[ih];B[ii];W[jh];B[ji];W[kh]
;B[ed];W[ec];B[cd];W[fd];B[dc];W[db];B[hf];W[ie];B[if];W[ke];B[he]
;W[id];B[kf];W[jf];B[jg];W[je];B[kg];W[le];B[mf];W[mh];B[mg];W[nh]
;B[mk];W[nd];B[of];W[ph];B[qg];W[qh];B[hd];W[hc];B[ic];W[hb];B[lc]
;W[me];B[og];W[oh];B[oc];W[mb];B[rg];W[qq];B[qr];W[oo];B[ol];W[pp]
;B[oq];W[qm];B[no];W[rh];B[ob];W[mc];B[on];W[sg];B[rf];W[jm];B[il]
;W[bm];B[cm];W[bl];B[bc];W[dd];B[di];W[dj];B[dc];W[dr];B[cr];W[dd]
;B[bj];W[cj];B[dc];W[re];B[sf];W[qe];B[qf];W[dd];B[ds];W[jr];B[dc]
;W[pe];B[oe];W[rc];B[qd];W[rd];B[od];W[qb];B[sb];W[pb];B[pa];W[qa]
;B[rb];W[oa];B[na];W[nb];B[pa];W[sc];B[se];W[oa];B[jq];W[kk];B[kj]
;W[ma];B[ir];W[jl];B[hk];W[lk];B[lj];W[lm];B[lh];W[li];B[lg];W[lo]
;B[po];W[qp];B[qn];W[rn];B[pm];W[pn];B[ag];W[bk];B[qn];W[mj];B[ki]
;W[pn];B[qc];W[oo];B[pf];W[mp];B[mr];W[nr];B[nq];W[po];B[np];W[nn]
;B[mn];W[om];B[nm];W[on];B[mo];W[mm];B[ln];W[dd];B[mi];W[nj];B[dc]
;W[ko];B[lp];W[dd];B[ni];W[oi];B[dc];W[iq];B[kr];W[dd];B[li];W[oj]
;B[dc];W[cb];B[rq];W[rp];B[rr];W[dm])

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?

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

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rated game]EV[36th Kisei title series, game 3]
DT[2012-02-02]PB[Takao Shinji]BR[9p]PW[Cho U]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+0.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[pq];W[dd];B[qk];W[mp];B[po];W[jq];B[cf];W[di];B[fc];W[ef];B[cd];W[cc]
;B[dc];W[ce];B[bd];W[de];B[be];W[ec];B[db];W[cg];B[cn];W[bf];B[cb];W[co];B[dn];W[fp]
;B[ck];W[ek];B[bn];W[bo];B[ci];W[ch];B[bi];W[nc];B[oc];W[nd];B[pf];W[jc];B[fd];W[qc]
;B[pc];W[fn];B[mn];W[bh];B[af];W[df];B[ao];W[bq];B[em];W[ng];B[le];W[lc];B[qd];W[ok]
;B[pm];W[qj];B[rj];W[pj];B[ri];W[op];B[pp];W[on];B[oo];W[no];B[nn];W[om];B[mo];W[pn]
;B[qn];W[qm];B[pl];W[ol];B[rm];W[np];B[lp];W[lq];B[mq];W[nq];B[mr];W[nr];B[kq];W[lr]
;B[kr];W[ms];B[kp];W[qo];B[rn];W[pr];B[qr];W[oq];B[rq];W[kn];B[ln];W[kl];B[jp];W[lm]
;B[gq];W[fq];B[gp];W[go];B[gr];W[dl];B[dj];W[ej];B[cl];W[dm];B[ei];W[dh];B[cm];W[jr]
;B[ks];W[hp];B[hq];W[ip];B[iq];W[ir];B[fr];W[er];B[eq];W[ep];B[es];W[dr];B[is];W[if]
;B[ie];W[je];B[nf];W[mf];B[ne];W[me];B[hf];W[he];B[id];W[gf];B[mg];W[lg];B[mh];W[lh]
;B[nh];W[hg];B[ps];W[os];B[or];W[ai];B[aj];W[pr];B[lf];W[md];B[or];W[ah];B[bk];W[pr]
;B[li];W[mi];B[or];W[al];B[fj];W[el];B[am];W[pr];B[jd];W[kd];B[or];W[ed];B[eb];W[pr]
;B[jf];W[ke];B[or];W[bc];B[bb];W[pr];B[ig];W[kf];B[hf];W[hd];B[gg];W[if];B[fm];W[fi]
;B[hf];W[cj];B[bj];W[if];B[or];W[jg];B[pr];W[en];B[jn];W[im];B[ni];W[mj];B[jm];W[jl]
;B[in];W[hn];B[nj];W[mk];B[jo];W[ph];B[hm];W[il];B[ho];W[gn];B[og];W[ob];B[pb];W[ap]
;B[dk];W[gb];B[fb];W[qg];B[rh];W[pk];B[ql];W[pg];B[rf];W[na];B[hb];W[pa];B[qb];W[gc]
;B[hc];W[gd];B[ga];W[ib];B[ds];W[cr];B[mm];W[nk];B[km];W[qf];B[qe];W[oe];B[od];W[oh]
;B[pe];W[qa];B[ra];W[oa];B[ll];W[lk];B[fe];W[ic];B[ff];W[fg];B[ha];W[an];B[bm];W[rg]
;B[sg];W[rb];B[rc];W[sa];B[eo];W[fo];B[ml];W[ia];B[fa];W[cs];B[fs];W[do];B[qi];W[ag]
;B[ac];W[ae];B[ge];W[gh];B[ao];W[oi];B[of];W[an];B[ad];W[ao];B[af];W[io];B[ho];W[ae]
;B[kh];W[kg];B[af];W[io];B[ip];W[ae];B[kk];W[kj];B[af];W[oj];B[ng];W[ae];B[jk];W[ik]
;B[af];W[ra];B[ae];W[jj];B[sd])

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

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[36th Kisei title match, game 2]DT[2012-01-27]
PB[Cho U]BR[9p]PW[Takao Shinji]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dp];B[lq];W[fq];B[pj];W[nc];B[lc];W[qc];B[qd];W[pc];B[od];W[nd]
;B[oc];W[ob];B[pb];W[qb];B[nb];W[pa];B[ne];W[mb];B[md];W[na];B[op];W[me];B[nf];W[le]
;B[jd];W[pf];B[re];W[ph];B[nh];W[oe];B[qg];W[ng];B[mg];W[og];B[mf];W[mh];B[lh];W[mi]
;B[qh];W[kf];B[lg];W[pi];B[qi];W[oj];B[pk];W[li];B[jh];W[if];B[ok];W[nj];B[hd];W[fc]
;B[ge];W[hg];B[gg];W[gh];B[fg];W[ml];B[fh];W[hi];B[ki];W[fi];B[ei];W[fj];B[kl];W[kj]
;B[jj];W[jk];B[kk];W[lj];B[ij];W[pq];B[ej];W[fk];B[ek];W[il];B[fl];W[gl];B[gm];W[hl]
;B[ih];W[hh];B[jl];W[el];B[lk];W[nl];B[fm];W[dl];B[mn];W[eh];B[hf];W[dh];B[ig];W[ni]
;B[om];W[oh];B[qq];W[in];B[im];W[hj];B[hm];W[hk];B[ik];W[kq];B[lp];W[dk];B[hq];W[lr]
;B[mr];W[jr];B[jn];W[hr];B[gr];W[gq];B[ir];W[iq];B[hs];W[hp];B[cp];W[cq];B[ip];W[hr]
;B[ci];W[ch];B[hq];W[jq];B[do];W[dq];B[cc];W[cd];B[dc];W[bc];B[bb];W[bd];B[fb];W[ie]
;B[id];W[fd];B[gb];W[jf];B[bh];W[he];B[di];W[cg];B[bk];W[bl];B[bj];W[en];B[bm];W[cl]
;B[cn];W[em];B[al];W[ak];B[aj];W[bp];B[eo];W[fn];B[ho];W[gn];B[gp];W[hn];B[jm];W[fp]
;B[jp];W[go];B[bo])

Takao Shinji Leads Kisei

The 36th Kisei finally comes to its title match. This year, Takao Shinji will challenge Cho U Kisei in a best-of-7 title series. Takao won the challenger's seat after he beat Iyama Yuta at the final.

Takao Shinji (left) and Cho U (right)

The first game was played at Kurashiki, Okayama. Usually, once in 2 years, the first game of Kisei will be played abroad. However this year, all the game will be played in Japan (the last time the game was played abroad was 2 years ago. The game was played at Taiwan). I'm not sure why the game wasn't played abroad, but maybe the sponsor also tastes a little bit of crisis and decided not to have an abroad game.

The game opened with an unusual approach direction from white. White 6 usually played at R14 or R10, but white played a Kobayashi fuseki at the upper board instead. At the end of day 1, black position's seems to be more promising. Cho U sealed his move for the next day.

Cho U sealed his move

Day 2 started with Cho played his sealed move. Takao Shinji played keima tsuke as the answer and the battle at the center continued.The game was a great game to watch and learn. The fight at the center was careful by both side and the endgame was well played. Takao Shinji finally won the game by 2.5 points and opened the title series.

Counting the territories

Here is the game record:
Takao Shinji (black) vs. Cho U (white). Result: B+2.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[36th Japanese Kisei, g\\title match game 1]
DT[2012-01-12,13]PB[Takao Shinji]BR[9p]PW[Cho U]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[B+2.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[qp];W[dc];B[oq];W[nc];B[qf];W[jd];B[cf];W[ch];B[dd];W[ed];B[cc];W[cb]
;B[cd];W[eb];B[ee];W[fd];B[cj];W[di];B[dj];W[fi];B[cn];W[gf];B[ej];W[fq];B[bb];W[ba]
;B[da];W[db];B[ei];W[eh];B[dg];W[dh];B[fg];W[fh];B[gg];W[fj];B[fk];W[gk];B[fl];W[gl]
;B[fm];W[hg];B[gh];W[co];B[bo];W[gm];B[hh];W[dn];B[cm];W[bp];B[eo];W[hj];B[do];W[cp]
;B[go];W[hf];B[ii];W[jk];B[ki];W[lk];B[pk];W[oo];B[pn];W[nq];B[nr];W[or];B[mq];W[np]
;B[pr];W[ne];B[oc];W[nb];B[lr];W[nl];B[nm];W[mm];B[om];W[mn];B[og];W[qg];B[pf];W[qi]
;B[le];W[lc];B[oj];W[rk];B[rm];W[oi];B[ni];W[rh];B[rf];W[oh];B[nh];W[pj];B[qk];W[nj]
;B[ok];W[ph];B[jn];W[rl];B[nk];W[jh];B[ij];W[jm];B[im];W[ik];B[kj];W[kn];B[in];W[ih]
;B[eg];W[ko];B[jl];W[kk];B[gq];W[fp];B[fo];W[bg];B[fe];W[ge];B[kh];W[ip];B[ho];W[km]
;B[je];W[kd];B[dr];W[dq];B[gr];W[bn];B[bm];W[ao];B[ob];W[oa];B[pa];W[na];B[pb];W[mj]
;B[ke];W[ie];B[fr];W[cr];B[rj];W[qj];B[ql];W[hi];B[bf];W[ng];B[nf];W[mg];B[mf];W[lg]
;B[kg];W[bc];B[bd];W[ab];B[bi];W[oe];B[of];W[pq];B[os];W[bh];B[id];W[jf];B[jg];W[ig]
;B[ff];W[mi];B[ic];W[jc];B[jb];W[kb];B[ld];W[kc];B[ib];W[hd];B[md];W[mc];B[kf];W[nd]
;B[jp];W[jo];B[io];W[kq];B[jq];W[op];B[qq];W[lq];B[if];W[he];B[mp];W[kr];B[nn];W[mo]
;B[no];W[iq];B[ir];W[jr];B[hq];W[kp];B[er];W[bk];B[bj];W[am];B[bl];W[al];B[ck];W[ri]
;B[cs];W[bs];B[ds];W[br];B[ml];W[sm];B[sn];W[sk];B[sl];W[or];B[pp];W[sm];B[gc];W[gd]
;B[sl];W[ls];B[mr];W[sm];B[rn];W[pe];B[qe];W[ak];B[is];W[mk];B[ll];W[kl];B[ol];W[rd]
;B[qd];W[rb];B[qc];W[rc];B[ra];W[rg];B[re];W[il];B[ad];W[ac];B[gi];W[gj];B[gn];W[hm]
;B[sl];W[sj];B[eq];W[ep];B[od];W[sf];B[se];W[sg];B[lm];W[ln];B[nl];W[lp];B[oq];W[ms]
;B[af];W[jf];B[sm];W[if];B[ns];W[ks])

Cho U Won Oza

Cho U (Kisei) finally closed the Oza title series with his victory over Challenger, Hane Naoki, at the third game. Cho defended his title with a clear swept. 3-0!

This is the 4th consecutive Oza title for Cho and his 7th overall. If Cho can defend his title once more, he will be a Honorary Oza.

Cho U, looks tired but happy

Congratulations for Cho U!

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

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[59th Japanese Oza, title match #3]DT[2011-11-24]
PB[Hane Naoki]BR[9p]PW[Cho U]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[pp];B[dc];W[cp];B[ce];W[od];B[oc];W[pd];B[pc];W[qe];B[nc];W[iq];B[pj];W[ql]
;B[rd];W[ph];B[dm];W[ep];B[dj];W[ni];B[ok];W[mk];B[om];W[qn];B[mm];W[kl];B[mg];W[pi]
;B[mp];W[nl];B[nm];W[ln];B[op];W[oo];B[po];W[no];B[pn];W[qo];B[qp];W[pq];B[qq];W[pr]
;B[np];W[qr];B[mo];W[pm];B[on];W[ol];B[jo];W[kp];B[ko];W[ho];B[lk];W[lj];B[kk];W[kj]
;B[jk];W[jj];B[ij];W[ik];B[ii];W[ll];B[jl];W[ml];B[il];W[hk];B[hl];W[ee];B[fd];W[gk]
;B[gl];W[fk];B[el];W[gh];B[ig];W[hf];B[gg];W[hg];B[hh];W[fh];B[gf];W[ge];B[eg];W[if]
;B[jg];W[jf];B[kg];W[fe];B[fg];W[lq];B[or];W[oq];B[nr];W[rr];B[ip];W[hp];B[lm];W[km]
;B[kn];W[ec];B[db];W[df];B[dh];W[cf];B[be];W[ic];B[fc];W[ed];B[eb];W[gc];B[fb];W[lc]
;B[ke];W[jd];B[cq];W[dq];B[qg];W[pg];B[qf];W[pf];B[re];W[rh];B[bp];W[bq];B[co];W[cr]
;B[bg];W[cn];B[bn];W[do];B[hb];W[hc];B[gb];W[ib];B[mb];W[lb];B[bm];W[kf];B[lf];W[nq]
;B[mq];W[mr];B[lp];W[kr];B[jq];W[kq];B[me];W[lh];B[lg];W[gd];B[rg];W[jp])

Cho U Leads Oza 2-0

The 59th Oza title series continued. Cho U, the title holder, made the gap bigger from Hane Naoki by winning the second game and gained the lead by 2-0.

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

The third game will be played on November 24. Hane Naoki must win the third game to keep his hope for the title alive.

Here is the game record:
Cho U (black) vs. Hane Naoki (white). Result: B+1.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rated game]EV[59th Oza title match, game 2]
DT[2011-11-11]PB[Cho U]BR[9p]PW[Hane Naoki ]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+1.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[lq];W[co];B[pj];W[nc];B[lc];W[qc];B[qd];W[pc];B[od];W[rc]
;B[nd];W[nb];B[fc];W[cf];B[op];W[ip];B[db];W[cc];B[eo];W[fp];B[cn];W[bn];B[bo];W[bp]
;B[cp];W[do];B[dp];W[dn];B[ep];W[eq];B[cq];W[gq];B[fo];W[in];B[el];W[fm];B[em];W[cm]
;B[gm];W[fl];B[fk];W[gl];B[en];W[hm];B[cl];W[bl];B[cj];W[hc];B[fe];W[he];B[le];W[ff]
;B[ed];W[ef];B[cb];W[qq];B[pq];W[qo];B[rq];W[pl];B[nk];W[qj];B[qi];W[pi];B[pk];W[ri]
;B[qh];W[qk];B[rh];W[ol];B[nj];W[rp];B[qr];W[po];B[de];W[ce];B[dc];W[cd];B[ro];W[oo]
;B[sp];W[mn];B[no];W[nn];B[ee];W[df];B[bk];W[mi];B[rm];W[qm];B[rl];W[ql];B[nh];W[bi]
;B[al];W[bm];B[ci];W[bh];B[ir];W[go];B[gk];W[hk];B[gn];W[hl];B[fr];W[fq];B[ho];W[gp]
;B[fn];W[hn];B[gi];W[hj];B[fh];W[mp];B[lp];W[np];B[nq];W[bb];B[ba];W[ab];B[gd];W[hd]
;B[ge];W[gf];B[rd];W[mh];B[ng];W[jr];B[kr];W[gj];B[fj];W[hi];B[ei];W[bq];B[br];W[dr]
;B[cr];W[jq];B[js];W[hr];B[lk];W[lj];B[lo];W[mo];B[kk];W[mg];B[mf];W[kd];B[ke];W[gb]
;B[fb];W[kc];B[oc];W[ob];B[mc];W[gh];B[dm];W[ao];B[mb];W[ra];B[kj];W[ki];B[ji];W[jh]
;B[kh];W[li];B[jg];W[ih];B[lg];W[jj];B[jo];W[iq];B[is];W[hs];B[ks];W[dk];B[dj];W[ck]
;B[ek];W[bj];B[dl];W[ck];B[kb];W[jb];B[ja];W[ia];B[ka];W[jc];B[na];W[pb];B[if];W[dh]
;B[ar];W[rk];B[hf];W[ib];B[rn];W[fi];B[ch];W[eh];B[gi];W[mq];B[mr];W[fi];B[di];W[sf]
;B[rf];W[ak];B[ie];W[id];B[io];W[hp];B[jm];W[ds];B[gi];W[jn];B[kn];W[fi];B[jk];W[ii]
;B[gi];W[lm];B[km];W[fi];B[cg];W[bg];B[gi];W[je];B[jf];W[fi];B[ga];W[ha];B[fa];W[gc]
;B[gi];W[ni];B[oi];W[fi];B[bc];W[bd];B[gi];W[ec];B[eb];W[fi];B[se];W[nf];B[ph];W[kg]
;B[kf];W[me];B[lf];W[ld];B[md];W[fg];B[lh];W[oa];B[ma];W[hg];B[ml];W[ok];B[oj];W[cs]
;B[bs];W[qn];B[mm];W[ln];B[nm];W[om];B[mj];W[ji];B[ll];W[sl];B[sm];W[sk];B[si];W[sj]
;B[rj];W[bk];B[dk];W[ri];B[sh];W[sc];B[aq];W[sd];B[re];W[pp];B[oq];W[dg];B[ap];W[bo]
;B[il];W[ik];B[im];W[jd];B[ne];W[rj])

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])

And The Judan Goes To

The 49th Judan title went all the way to the fifth game. Cho U the title holder won the first and the third game, while Iyama Yuta challenger won game 2 and 4. The fifth game was played in Chiyoda, Tokyo.


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

Iyama who played black developed a territory oriented strategy by taking 3 corners early in the opening. A big ko fight started at move 162 involving a big group of black and white. Iyama fought the ko well and later sacrificed one corner to win the ko. Cho resigned at move 223.

This is the second big title for Iyama and the second that he stole from Cho. Congratulations!

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

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[49th Judan title match, game 5]DT[2011-04-29]
PB[Iyama Yuta ]BR[9p]PW[Cho U]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dp];B[pq];W[dd];B[oc];W[po];B[qo];W[pp];B[qp];W[oq];B[qn];W[pr];B[qq];W[np]
;B[fq];W[hq];B[cq];W[dq];B[cp];W[do];B[dr];W[er];B[cr];W[eq];B[cn];W[cl];B[cm];W[dl]
;B[pn];W[df];B[jd];W[ph];B[jq];W[kp];B[jp];W[jo];B[io];W[kq];B[kr];W[ko];B[hp];W[gp]
;B[fp];W[ir];B[jr];W[ho];B[ip];W[go];B[gq];W[gr];B[jn];W[fo];B[kn];W[ln];B[hn];W[lm]
;B[kl];W[lr];B[fn];W[eo];B[hl];W[di];B[ll];W[qf];B[nn];W[qk];B[fc];W[db];B[oe];W[hc]
;B[rh];W[of];B[rf];W[ne];B[nf];W[qe];B[og];W[pf];B[re];W[ng];B[mf];W[od];B[pd];W[pe]
;B[nc];W[me];B[lf];W[le];B[kf];W[nh];B[pj];W[ke];B[je];W[jf];B[lh];W[jg];B[kh];W[kc]
;B[jc];W[lb];B[jb];W[oj];B[pk];W[ie];B[hb];W[hd];B[gb];W[ec];B[ge];W[fd];B[gd];W[gc]
;B[fb];W[if];B[kb];W[mc];B[kd];W[lc];B[eb];W[ea];B[fa];W[ha];B[da];W[cb];B[fe];W[ed]
;B[gh];W[jh];B[ji];W[ii];B[jj];W[ih];B[hi];W[ij];B[hj];W[ik];B[hk];W[jk];B[kk];W[mi]
;B[kj];W[ib];B[ic];W[ia];B[hf];W[la];B[ja];W[ld];B[il];W[ca];B[mp];W[mo];B[mr];W[mq]
;B[nr];W[nm];B[hh];W[ka];B[ga];W[ia];B[jl];W[ea];B[on];W[or];B[ls];W[lq];B[da];W[id]
;B[ib];W[ea];B[ms];W[qr];B[rr];W[ml];B[da];W[rd];B[rc];W[ea];B[oi];W[oh];B[da];W[rq]
;B[sr];W[ea];B[mn];W[mm];B[da];W[rs];B[rp];W[li];B[pi];W[mj];B[he];W[ea];B[nk];W[mk]
;B[da];W[co];B[kg];W[bo];B[no];W[lp];B[nd];W[oe];B[nq];W[nb];B[ob];W[pa];B[op];W[qh]
;B[ri];W[pc];B[qc];W[pb];B[qb];W[oa];B[dh];W[eh];B[ei];W[eg];B[en];W[ej];B[em])

Iyama Balanced the Score

The 49th Judan continues went to the fourth game with Cho U having the upper hand. The score was 2-1 and if Cho win this game, he will defend the title for the second time. This put Iyama under pressure. If he wants the title, he must win this game to stay alive.


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

Iyama who played black stones got the advantage, however Cho played well during the middle game and the endgame but couldn't surpass Iyama's advantage. After 291 moves, Iyama won the game by 3.5 points. With this, the game came down to the final game to decide the 49th Judan. The fifth game will be played at April 29.

Here is the game record:
Iyama Yuta vs. Cho U. Result: B+3.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rated game]EV[49th Judan title match, game 4]
DT[2011-04-22]PB[Iyama Yuta]BR[9p]PW[Cho U]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+3.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[pp];B[dc];W[cp];B[eq];W[gp];B[eo];W[dn];B[el];W[en];B[fo];W[dq];B[fn];W[er]
;B[fq];W[fr];B[gq];W[de];B[ce];W[cf];B[cd];W[df];B[fc];W[od];B[oc];W[pd];B[pc];W[qe]
;B[nd];W[qc];B[rd];W[qb];B[re];W[pf];B[pb];W[nc];B[nb];W[mc];B[ne];W[pg];B[mb];W[pa]
;B[ob];W[rc];B[rf];W[lc];B[ra];W[le];B[mf];W[kg];B[lh];W[pi];B[lg];W[rg];B[qh];W[qg]
;B[of];W[pe];B[qa];W[ge];B[pk];W[oj];B[nl];W[mj];B[qn];W[kj];B[kf];W[je];B[jg];W[np]
;B[ke];W[jd];B[lq];W[lp];B[kp];W[kq];B[jq];W[kr];B[lr];W[lo];B[jr];W[ko];B[jp];W[qo]
;B[rn];W[om];B[ok];W[qm];B[pm];W[pn];B[pl];W[rm];B[on];W[po];B[rl];W[ro];B[oh];W[ph]
;B[nj];W[ni];B[oi];W[nk];B[pj];W[rj];B[nj];W[sb];B[sd];W[oj];B[ql];W[sn];B[nj];W[sc]
;B[oa];W[oj];B[qj];W[og];B[nh];W[ng];B[nj];W[sf];B[rb];W[oj];B[mh];W[nf];B[ld];W[kd]
;B[md];W[oe];B[me];W[qi];B[ll];W[gh];B[cl];W[cm];B[bl];W[kl];B[km];W[lk];B[mm];W[ih]
;B[jl];W[jh];B[jf];W[di];B[nr];W[gc];B[gb];W[hb];B[gd];W[hc];B[fd];W[fb];B[eb];W[ga]
;B[fe];W[kb];B[hg];W[ff];B[ij];W[ik];B[hj];W[hh];B[ki];W[fk];B[jk];W[fl];B[ek];W[ej]
;B[cj];W[ci];B[em];W[fm];B[dj];W[fj];B[bi];W[bh];B[bn];W[do];B[bm];W[bj];B[bk];W[ai]
;B[cn];W[gr];B[hr];W[cb];B[db];W[bf];B[hd];W[kh];B[li];W[if];B[ig];W[hf];B[gg];W[fg]
;B[lf];W[gf];B[dd];W[ad];B[bc];W[ee];B[ed];W[pr];B[bp];W[bq];B[nn];W[ac];B[ab];W[be]
;B[bb];W[rk];B[oq];W[sl];B[kk];W[or];B[mp];W[gn];B[go];W[ho];B[hp];W[ip];B[fp];W[hn]
;B[co];W[dp];B[cr];W[dr];B[aq];W[ar];B[ap];W[br];B[io];W[no];B[nq];W[mo];B[lb];W[kc]
;B[pq];W[qq];B[dm];W[mq];B[mr];W[jo];B[in];W[im];B[jn];W[hk];B[gk];W[il];B[hm];W[gm]
;B[jm];W[hl];B[gj];W[ji];B[jj];W[gi];B[gl];W[hm];B[os];W[qr];B[id];W[ic];B[ka];W[ja]
;B[la];W[ns];B[ms];W[qk];B[ol];W[lj];B[mi];W[hs];B[is];W[gs];B[ea];W[bd];B[fa];W[gb]
;B[ak];W[aj];B[ie];W[jb];B[mn];W[ln];B[lm];W[ps];B[ks];W[mp];B[ns])

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

Cho U Leads Judan

After 2 weeks break, the Judan continues with 1-1 position for botht he title holder, Cho U, and the challenger, Iyama Yuta.

The third game which was played in Omachi was a big fight since the beginning. It later turned out to be a nasty 2 steps ko for Iyama and Cho won the third game by resignation.


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

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

(;
KM[6.5]
EV[49th Judan title match 3]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Iyama Yuta]
WR[Meijin]
DT[2011-04-07]
BR[Judan]
RE[B+R]
PB[Cho U]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[lq];W[qj];B[co];W[dl];B[qg];W[qm];B[pn]
;W[ro];B[pm];W[rp];B[ql];W[qq];B[pq];W[qo];B[pp];W[po];B[qr];W[oo]
;B[rm];W[ol];B[pk];W[mq];B[mp];W[np];B[nq];W[mr];B[nr];W[lr];B[kq]
;W[pl];B[qk];W[kr];B[jq];W[jr];B[iq];W[ir];B[hq];W[mo];B[lp];W[hr]
;B[rq];W[gq];B[gp];W[fq];B[mm];W[ok];B[om];W[qn];B[nl];W[oj];B[pj]
;W[pi];B[qi];W[ln];B[mj];W[hn];B[jn];W[jm];B[kn];W[lm];B[km];W[ni]
;B[ph];W[oi];B[rj];W[ll];B[nk];W[kl];B[im];W[jl];B[in];W[mi];B[lj]
;W[li];B[kj];W[jh];B[ji];W[ih];B[ij];W[hk];B[kh];W[ki];B[kg];W[mf]
;B[lf];W[mg];B[hj];W[gj];B[gi];W[gk];B[hg];W[jf];B[le];W[me];B[md]
;W[nd];B[ld];W[jj];B[jk];W[hi];B[jg];W[ii];B[jj];W[gh];B[fi];W[hh]
;B[mh];W[og];B[ig];W[fh];B[of];W[pf];B[oh];W[nh];B[pg];W[nc];B[ng]
;W[lh];B[mb];W[pc];B[od];W[ne];B[oc];W[nb];B[ob];W[oa];B[pb];W[lb]
;B[kb];W[mc];B[lc];W[ma];B[lg];W[ka];B[jb];W[ho];B[hp];W[io];B[fp]
;W[fn];B[ep];W[cq];B[eq];W[er];B[en];W[dn];B[fm];W[em];B[gn];W[eo]
;B[dp];W[bp];B[ei];W[eh];B[dh];W[di];B[dj];W[ci];B[ej];W[cj];B[eg]
;W[dg];B[il];W[ik];B[gl];W[fk];B[go];W[nm];B[nn];W[no];B[oe];W[mn]
;B[nj];W[mh];B[pa];W[lk];B[nf];W[on];B[nm];W[ml];B[na];W[ko];B[hm]
)

Tie In Judan

The 49th Judan title match is the second brawl between Cho U and Iyama Yuta after Kisei title series.

Game 1 was played between their Kisei fight, on March 3. Cho played black and developed a moyo game which Iyama agree. The game was difficult, Iyama traded his corner to split black on the right side. Iyama resigned at move 177. He was way behind.


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

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

(;
EV[49th Judan title match 1]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Iyama Yuta]
WR[Meijin]
DT[2011-03-03]
BR[Judan]
RE[B+R]
PB[Cho U]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[lq];W[ck];B[pj];W[nc];B[lc];W[qc];B[qd]
;W[pc];B[od];W[nd];B[oc];W[ob];B[pb];W[qb];B[nb];W[pa];B[ne];W[mb]
;B[md];W[na];B[of];W[np];B[po];W[on];B[oo];W[no];B[nn];W[lp];B[kp]
;W[ko];B[jp];W[ln];B[om];W[mq];B[gp];W[fq];B[jo];W[jn];B[in];W[jm]
;B[im];W[il];B[jl];W[ll];B[km];W[kn];B[mn];W[mm];B[mo];W[nm];B[pn]
;W[mp];B[kl];W[lm];B[kj];W[lr];B[eo];W[jj];B[kk];W[hl];B[gq];W[co]
;B[ji];W[kq];B[fr];W[ii];B[jh];W[ih];B[ig];W[hg];B[hf];W[if];B[jg]
;W[gf];B[he];W[gg];B[el];W[gn];B[fn];W[ho];B[eq];W[dr];B[mk];W[dn]
;B[fm];W[ol];B[ok];W[iq];B[cl];W[dk];B[bm];W[bn];B[ek];W[ej];B[fj]
;W[ei];B[bk];W[pl];B[bp];W[qj];B[cp];W[qm];B[qi];W[pk];B[oj];W[dl]
;B[dm];W[cm];B[cn];W[ro];B[dj];W[cj];B[ci];W[bj];B[bi];W[aj];B[cm]
;W[di];B[rp];W[rk];B[rj];W[qk];B[ri];W[rn];B[or];W[ec];B[hc];W[ge]
;B[hd];W[gb];B[cc];W[cd];B[hb];W[kb];B[eb];W[fb];B[db];W[bc];B[bb]
;W[bd];B[ea];W[jd];B[jc];W[kc];B[kd];W[ic];B[je];W[jb];B[ga];W[hr]
;B[go];W[hm];B[nr];W[gd];B[fa];W[op];B[pp];W[rd];B[re];W[rc];B[fi]
;W[fh];B[eh];W[dh];B[gh];W[eg];B[lb];W[la];B[ib];W[sp];B[sq];W[me]
;B[ke])

Game 2 was played on March 24. Iyama who played black developed the same strategy as game 1. Cho who felt that the moyo would be too big played a brave move with white 44. As a result, white's group became weak and a semeai started. Cho who is well known for his ability to save weak group failed to perform his magic and resigned at move 116 after Iyama killed his group.


Game 2

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

(;
KM[6.5]
EV[49th Judan title match 2]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Cho U]
WR[Judan]
PB[Iyama Yuta]
BR[Meijin]
RE[B+R]
DT[2011-03-24]
;B[qd];W[pp];B[dc];W[dp];B[ce];W[od];B[oc];W[pd];B[pc];W[qe];B[nc]
;W[jp];B[pj];W[ql];B[rd];W[ph];B[cn];W[cl];B[en];W[fp];B[dk];W[dl]
;B[el];W[ck];B[dj];W[cj];B[di];W[ch];B[dh];W[cg];B[dg];W[em];B[fm]
;W[dm];B[fl];W[dn];B[mh];W[qj];B[id];W[me];B[og];W[pg];B[of];W[ke]
;B[pe];W[ie];B[je];B[jd];W[kf];B[if];W[ig];B[he];W[oh];B[nh];W[jh]
;B[jj];W[kc];B[qi];W[pi];B[oj];W[rj];B[hg];W[mc];B[md];W[ii];B[hh]
;W[li];B[mj];W[kk];B[ki];B[ld];W[kd];B[jk];W[lc];B[jb];W[nd];B[ne]
;W[le];B[md];B[lh];W[mf];B[lg];W[jl];B[ik];W[ng];B[mk];W[ll];B[ml]
;W[kj];B[ji];W[mm];B[nm];W[nb];B[qf];W[kg];B[ih];W[ol];B[nl];W[nn]
;B[om];W[ok];B[qm];W[pk];B[po];W[nj];B[mi];W[on];B[pm];W[op];B[qp]
;W[qq];B[rq];W[qo];B[rp];W[pn];B[qn])

With his victory at game 2, Iyama finally broke his 4 consecutive loses to Cho starting from game 4 of Kisei. The third game will be played on April 7.


Iyama Yuta

Cho U Defended Kisei

Cho U defended his Kisei title from challenger Iyama Yuta by winning the sixth game by a small 1.5 points margin. Cho seems to be able to beat Iyama's spell over him by winning the last 4 games (3 in Kisei title match and 1 in Judan title match). However, they are not end yet as Judan title defense is still underway.


Iyama Yuta vs. Cho U


Cho U (still) Kisei

Here is the game record:
Cho U (black) vs. Iyama Yuta (white). Result: B+1.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[35th Japanese Kisei, title match #6]DT[2011-03-10]
PB[Cho U]PW[Iyama Yuuta]KM[6.5]RE[B+1.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[lq];W[qf];B[pi];W[nc];B[of];W[qd];B[qc];W[pc];B[oc];W[pb]
;B[qe];W[pe];B[rd];W[od];B[pf];W[qd];B[re];W[nf];B[ng];W[mf];B[mg];W[lg];B[lf];W[ne]
;B[kf];W[og];B[qg];W[kg];B[mi];W[jf];B[je];W[if];B[kd];W[hd];B[id];W[ie];B[hc];W[ic]
;B[jd];W[ni];B[mh];W[le];B[gd];W[he];B[ib];W[gc];B[hb];W[mj];B[ke];W[kb];B[jb];W[pg]
;B[rf];W[oe];B[qf];W[li];B[oh];W[kc];B[jc];W[gb];B[mc];W[mb];B[lj];W[lh];B[ph];W[ld]
;B[ge];W[gf];B[jg];W[ig];B[jh];W[kj];B[lk];W[ki];B[ee];W[ed];B[fe];W[de];B[ih];W[gg]
;B[fc];W[fb];B[kk];W[ij];B[ik];W[hk];B[jk];W[ii];B[hl];W[gk];B[eb];W[ec];B[ga];W[fd]
;B[fa];W[fc];B[cb];W[cc];B[bb];W[db];B[da];W[ea];B[lc];W[md];B[eb];W[qq];B[dc];W[pp]
;B[qo];W[po];B[rq];W[pq];B[rr];W[pn];B[rn];W[mo];B[jp];W[nq];B[hi];W[hj];B[ef];W[df]
;B[eg];W[dg];B[mq];W[eh];B[nr];W[kn];B[np];W[no];B[in];W[kp];B[kq];W[op];B[oq];W[or]
;B[nq];W[jo];B[ip];W[mm];B[lm];W[ln];B[om];W[pl];B[nm];W[ml];B[ok];W[nn];B[on];W[im]
;B[jm];W[km];B[mk];W[io];B[ho];W[hn];B[gn];W[jn];B[hm];W[oo];B[ll];W[rm];B[nl];W[go]
;B[in];W[qn];B[so];W[hn];B[hp];W[rk];B[cq];W[fn];B[in];W[qr];B[rs];W[hn];B[gm];W[pm]
;B[rj];W[qj];B[ri];W[lp];B[qk];W[ql];B[dp];W[db];B[ea];W[cp];B[eq];W[dr];B[cr];W[co]
;B[ep];W[fm];B[dn];W[il];B[in];W[bc];B[ab];W[hn];B[hg];W[hf];B[in];W[ca];B[ba];W[hn]
;B[fh];W[gi];B[in];W[er];B[fr];W[hn];B[cn];W[gl];B[ck];W[gq];B[gr];W[hq];B[gp];W[fp]
;B[iq];W[bn];B[bm];W[bq];B[br];W[cl];B[dl];W[ir];B[jq];W[do];B[fq];W[eo];B[ch];W[dh]
;B[ci];W[dk];B[dj];W[dm];B[ek];W[cm];B[bl];W[en];B[fi];W[fg];B[bf];W[ar];B[es];W[be]
;B[bg];W[qb];B[pk];W[rc];B[bp];W[ap];B[aq];W[rp];B[ro];W[bq];B[ka];W[lb];B[aq];W[nh]
;B[og];W[bq];B[jj];W[ji];B[aq];W[ns];B[ao];W[ms];B[lr];W[ls];B[ks];W[el];B[dk];W[js]
;B[kr];W[fo];B[hr];W[am];B[bk];W[bo];B[qs];W[pr];B[gh];W[hh];B[fj];W[mn];B[sk];W[sl]
;B[rl];W[nk];B[nj];W[rk];B[sj];W[fk];B[rl];W[ol];B[nk];W[rk];B[mr];W[os];B[rl];W[sm]
;B[ae];W[ad];B[af];W[cf];B[bd];W[cd];B[ac];W[an];B[bd];W[al];B[ak];W[ad];B[sc];W[sb]
;B[sd];W[la];B[ja];W[jl];B[bd];W[ap];B[bq];W[ad];B[rb];W[ra];B[bd];W[bs];B[ds];W[ad]
;B[cg];W[di];B[ej];W[bd];B[gj];W[hi];B[rk];W[dc];B[sp];W[ao];B[mp];W[qm];B[ps];W[ff]
;B[kl];W[ei];B[sn])

Cho U Leads Kisei Defense

Cho U Kisei is close to defense his title as he won the fifth game by 2.5 points from challenger, Iyama Yuta Meijin.


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

The opening was unusual. Black tried to get a wall at the right side, but I think the wall is not effective due to J14. Day 1 ended with Iyama did the sealing move for black 57.


Iyama handling the sealed move to the referee, Takemiya Masaki.

Day 2 started with Iyama played O3 as his sealed move. The most interesting part of this game is the end game. As move 159, black captured white's group at the bottom but white got a big territory at the upper side. Cho later successfully captured 7 stones by attacking black's weak group around D10. Cho played a worth study end game move at white 190. Black started a ko fight at move 199, I'm not sure that this is the best idea, since white has more ko threads, but the normal way (connecting at H13 at black 199) gave an uncertain result. The game was really close for both side. Finally Iyama decided to capture the 3 stones and disrupted the upper side in retun of white's seki at the bottom board. The sixth game will be played at March 10-11. It will be a crucial game for Iyama if he wants to capture Kisei title.


Cho U

Here is the game record:
Cho U (white) vs. Iyama Yuta (black). Result: W+2.5

(;
KM[6.5]
EV[35th Kisei title match 5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Cho U]
WR[Kisei]
DT[2011-02-24,25]
BR[Meijin]
RE[W+2.5]
PB[Iyama Yuta]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[qp];W[dc];B[op];W[de];B[nc];W[pj];B[qh];W[jp];B[cn]
;W[cl];B[en];W[fp];B[dk];W[ck];B[dj];W[cj];B[di];W[co];B[bo];W[dl]
;B[el];W[ci];B[cq];W[bp];B[eq];W[do];B[fq];W[gp];B[gq];W[hq];B[hr]
;W[hp];B[dh];W[ir];B[bq];W[bn];B[oi];W[id];B[oj];W[pl];B[ok];W[qo]
;B[po];W[qn];B[rp];W[pn];B[kc];W[if];B[ch];W[mq];B[mp];W[nr];B[lq]
;W[lp];B[nq];W[mr];B[or];W[pq];B[pr];W[lo];B[lr];W[mo];B[np];W[qc]
;B[qd];W[rd];B[re];W[rb];B[hh];W[kd];B[ld];W[jc];B[ke];W[jd];B[pb]
;W[lc];B[mc];W[kb];B[le];W[br];B[ar];W[ao];B[cr];W[rh];B[ri];W[pc]
;B[rg];W[oo];B[pp];W[ob];B[oc];W[qb];B[no];W[nm];B[mn];W[ml];B[kl]
;W[km];B[lm];W[ll];B[kn];W[jm];B[kp];W[kk];B[jl];W[jk];B[il];W[mj]
;B[ik];W[ji];B[mh];W[lh];B[li];W[ih];B[jj];W[kj];B[ij];W[ki];B[jo]
;W[lg];B[mg];W[mi];B[gg];W[mf];B[nf];W[ff];B[be];W[cd];B[hn];W[kq]
;B[ln];W[kr];B[ls];W[lf];B[ne];W[gf];B[gr];W[fn];B[gn];W[fm];B[fo]
;W[em];B[ep];W[io];B[jq];W[iq];B[ho];W[eo];B[go];W[jr];B[is];W[hm]
;B[in];W[im];B[jn];W[gm];B[gj];W[gk];B[fk];W[fl];B[ii];W[fh];B[fg]
;W[gi];B[fi];W[hj];B[fj];W[hi];B[gh];W[hk];B[ig];W[jh];B[cf];W[bd]
;B[bh];W[ce];B[ol];W[bf];B[bg];W[ae];B[eg];W[om];B[pk];W[ql];B[rk]
;W[sd];B[df];W[rf];B[qf];W[sf];B[nb];W[pa];B[ee];W[ef];B[hf];W[he]
;B[ge];W[hg];B[hl];W[gl];B[hf];W[dq];B[fe];W[dr];B[er];W[ds];B[ip]
;W[bs];B[hc];W[io];B[eb];W[ib];B[ip];W[ec];B[fc];W[io];B[fs];W[hs]
;B[ip];W[ks];B[ko];W[io];B[lb];W[jf];B[ip];W[lp];B[lo];W[io];B[jg]
;W[kf];B[ip];W[ms];B[ns];W[io];B[nl];W[mm];B[ip];W[fd];B[gb];W[io]
;B[cb];W[ed];B[gd];W[ip];B[cc];W[bc];B[bb];W[ac];B[db];W[dd];B[aj]
;W[se];B[sg];W[qe];B[pe];W[me];B[md];W[la];B[kc];W[nh];B[ng];W[lc]
;B[bm];W[bl];B[al];W[cm];B[kc];W[ni];B[oh];W[lc];B[sn];W[mb];B[rl]
;W[na];B[am];W[rn];B[sm];W[od];B[re];W[qk];B[qj];W[qe];B[qg];W[ek]
;B[on];W[hb];B[ab];W[hd];B[mk];W[lk];B[nk];W[ro];B[bi];W[oe];B[pf]
;W[so];B[sp];W[pm];B[rm];W[kg];B[hg];W[je];B[nd];W[ga];B[fa];W[ha]
;B[ag];W[af];B[ej];W[bj];B[el];W[nn];B[ek];W[dn];B[ak];W[js];B[oo]
;W[es];B[gc];W[re])

Cho U Won By A Slim Margin

Cho U Kisei definitely doesn't want to step back, at least no t now. He won the fourth game of the 35th Kisei title match and evened the score to 2-2.


Cho U Kisei

The game started with a new (or at least I think so) variation of the recent Japan's joseki at the lower right corner. At the end of day 1, Iyama created strong walls toward the center while Cho had a solid territory at the right side. Iyama did the sealing move for move 82.


Iyama handled the sealed move.

Iyama played F2, his sealed mov, and opened day 2 of the fourth game. Cho invaded the left side at move 85 and a ko fight started. Cho won the ko and connected his group to his lower left, however he was only able to save half of his group as Iyama captured 10 stones from the fight.


Iyama Yuta Meijin

Cho played the vital point at move 165, the game became really close and finally Cho won the game by 0.5 point.

The fifth game will be played at February 24-25.

Here is the game record:
Cho U (black) vs. Iyama Yuta (white). Result: B+0.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[35th Japanese Kisei, title match #4]
DT[2011-02-17]PB[Cho U ]BR[9p]PW[Iyama Yuuta]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[B+0.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dd];B[pq];W[po];B[qm];W[qq];B[mq];W[od];B[pf];W[pp];B[pr];W[np];B[lq];W[pl]
;B[pm];W[om];B[ql];W[pk];B[qk];W[pj];B[qi];W[nl];B[dp];W[pg];B[qg];W[of];B[ph];W[og]
;B[oh];W[nh];B[pe];W[oe];B[pc];W[oc];B[hc];W[jc];B[jb];W[kb];B[eb];W[cn];B[fp];W[dj]
;B[dc];W[ed];B[fc];W[hq];B[mo];W[nn];B[dn];W[dm];B[co];W[en];B[do];W[bn];B[em];W[dl]
;B[ho];W[jq];B[ip];W[fq];B[eq];W[gp];B[go];W[er];B[dr];W[fo];B[fn];W[ep];B[dq];W[kr]
;B[jp];W[cd];B[eo];W[pd];B[qb];W[pb];B[qc];W[qj];B[rj];W[oi];B[ro];W[fr];B[ib];W[kd]
;B[ch];W[dh];B[dg];W[eh];B[cf];W[ci];B[bi];W[bj];B[be];W[ec];B[db];W[gd];B[fd];W[fe]
;B[ge];W[ff];B[he];W[bd];B[bg];W[ai];B[ee];W[ef];B[de];W[bb];B[ah];W[bh];B[kq];W[id]
;B[hd];W[ir];B[bi];W[fb];B[gc];W[bh];B[eg];W[fg];B[bi];W[ae];B[aj];W[af];B[bk];W[cj]
;B[ce];W[cc];B[cb];W[ca];B[gb];W[ac];B[fh];W[gg];B[fi];W[di];B[ek];W[df];B[cg];W[hh]
;B[bl];W[cl];B[bo];W[ag];B[bm];W[qf];B[qe];W[rh];B[ri];W[qh];B[pi];W[rg];B[qp];W[re]
;B[ob];W[nb];B[pa];W[sb];B[rb];W[sd];B[ra];W[ni];B[cm];W[ad];B[ij];W[kj];B[lr];W[ks]
;B[jl];W[ii];B[hj];W[kl];B[km];W[jk];B[ll];W[kk];B[mm];W[pn];B[qn];W[ik];B[mk];W[si]
;B[rk];W[if];B[mj];W[ml];B[lk];W[li];B[oj];W[nj];B[ok];W[nk];B[ol];W[mn];B[na];W[mb]
;B[ie];W[je];B[hi];W[ji];B[lm];W[nm];B[ab];W[aa];B[hf];W[hg];B[ic];W[jd];B[ln];W[mp]
;B[lo];W[ds];B[cs];W[es];B[cr];W[no];B[il];W[hk];B[hl];W[gj];B[gk];W[gi];B[fj];W[gh]
;B[ig];W[jf];B[gf];W[jj];B[ak];W[bf];B[jr];W[iq];B[ls];W[js];B[fp];W[ma];B[oa];W[oq]
;B[or];W[nq];B[nr];W[lp];B[hp];W[gq];B[ai];W[bh];B[sj];W[jm];B[fl];W[gm];B[gl];W[el]
;B[rd];W[qo];B[rp];W[sc];B[sh];W[jn];B[jo];W[mi];B[ko];W[sg];B[ka];W[la];B[ja];W[da]
;B[fa];W[ba];B[ea];W[si];B[fm];W[sh])