Xie Yimin Defended Female Honinbo

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

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

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

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

Xie Yimin defended her title once again.

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

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

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

Xie Leads Female Honinbo

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

                                         Xie Yimin, the female grand slam.

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

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

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

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

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

Mukai Chiaki Leads Female Honinbo

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

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

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

                                                     Mukai Chiaki

                                           O Meien explaining the game

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

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

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

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

Mukai Chiaki Challenge Xie Yimin Again

The 30th Female Honinbo finally down to the climax with Mukai Chiaki winning the preliminary's final, won over Ishii Akane (1 dan) to become Female Honinbo's challenger.


Mukai Chiaki (left)

This is the fourth time Mukai challenges Xie Yimin for Xie's title. Previously Mukai challenged for Female Meijin twice and last year's Female Honinbo, but failed to capture the title in those three attempts. Meanwhile, this is the second time Ishii Akane failed to be a title challenger. She reached the final of 28th Female Honinbo, but lost to Aoki Kikuyo.


Ishii Akane

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

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

Here is the game record:
Mukai Chiaki (white) vs. Ishii Akane (black). Result: W+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]GM[1]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]SZ[19]FF[3]EV[30th Female Honinbo challenger decision match]
DT[2011-08-11]PB[Ishii Akane]BR[1p]PW[Mukai Chiaki]WR[4p]KM[6.5]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[oq];W[qj];B[do];W[co];B[cn];W[cp];B[fc];W[cf];B[qh];W[jd]
;B[pl];W[oj];B[qk];W[dc];B[dm];W[fq];B[ci];W[nc];B[pc];W[ne];B[oh];W[pf];B[of];W[oe]
;B[pe];W[og];B[qf];W[pg];B[ng];W[nf];B[ph];W[nh];B[mg];W[qg];B[rg];W[of];B[rh];W[ni]
;B[lh];W[lj];B[ji];W[lf];B[li];W[ol];B[kj];W[lk];B[om];W[nl];B[jl];W[pk];B[ql];W[mn]
;B[hc];W[ic];B[he];W[if];B[gg];W[cl];B[bm];W[dl];B[bl];W[gl];B[el];W[jm];B[km];W[im]
;B[il];W[hm];B[ep];W[hh];B[gj];W[gh];B[gk];W[kk];B[ij];W[fg];B[ff];W[eg];B[ib];W[jb]
;B[gb];W[ia];B[eb];W[gd];B[ha];W[hb];B[db];W[cb];B[ib];W[ek];B[ja];W[fl];B[jk];W[bk]
;B[bj];W[ck];B[em];W[fk];B[ak];W[eq];B[dj];W[dk];B[go];W[fn];B[fp];W[dp];B[eo];W[hl]
;B[hk];W[gp];B[hp];W[gq];B[gn];W[fm];B[cg];W[bg];B[bh];W[dg];B[dh];W[fo];B[cm];W[ch]
;B[bo];W[bp];B[cg];W[kn];B[lq];W[ch];B[en];W[ao];B[cg];W[qe];B[rf];W[ch];B[an];W[ap]
;B[cg];W[hd];B[bb];W[ch];B[ah];W[cj];B[cg];W[al];B[am];W[aj];B[ai];W[ch];B[fi];W[ei]
;B[cg];W[kh];B[fh];W[eh];B[ch];W[ki];B[kg];W[jj];B[ih];W[kj];B[hg];W[hi];B[ge];W[fd]
;B[ie];W[jf];B[je];W[kf];B[ee];W[ii];B[df];W[ef];B[de];W[fe];B[ed];W[gf];B[id];W[jc]
;B[ej];W[ff];B[di];W[fj];B[md];W[ld];B[lc];W[nd];B[ko];W[ln];B[jq];W[ec];B[ce];W[rj]
;B[nm];W[hf];B[kb];W[gc];B[fb];W[hb];B[ia];W[mp];B[mq];W[be];B[cd];W[cc];B[bd];W[ga]
;B[hc];W[bc];B[bf];W[op];B[pp];W[nq];B[nr];W[np];B[or];W[hb])

Xie's Perfect Defense

Xie Yimin Female Honinbo, Female Meijin, Female Kisei once again shows her high skill by defending her Female Honinbo title from chalenger Mukai Chiaki with a perfect 3-0. Xie won the third game by a huge 9.5 points margin.


Xie Yimin


Mukai Chiaki

This is the fourth consecutive time Xie won Female Honinbo. So far four is the best streak a player can achieve in this tournament. Yoshida Mika is the first person to set this record.


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

Here is the game record:
Xie Yimin (black)vs. Mukai Chiaki (white). Result: B+9.5

(;
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
EV[29th Female Honinbo title match 3]
GM[1]
PW[Mukai Chiaki]
WR[4d]
DT[2010-10-20]
BR[Female Honinbo]
RE[B+9.5]
PB[Xie Yimin]
;B[qd];W[dc];B[pq];W[dp];B[de];W[ce];B[dd];W[cd];B[ec];W[cf];B[db]
;W[cc];B[fd];W[nc];B[lc];W[qc];B[pc];W[pd];B[qb];W[rc];B[od];W[pe]
;B[oc];W[rb];B[of];W[oe];B[ne];W[qe];B[nd];W[eg];B[gg];W[qo];B[pl]
;W[lp];B[po];W[ip];B[qp];W[qh];B[cn];W[kc];B[kb];W[jc];B[jb];W[ig]
;B[cq];W[cp];B[dq];W[ep];B[bp];W[bo];B[bq];W[co];B[fq];W[ic];B[ie]
;W[ge];B[gd];W[jf];B[je];W[ke];B[kf];W[lf];B[kd];W[kg];B[ld];W[hf]
;B[dk];W[fk];B[bn];W[an];B[am];W[ao];B[bl];W[cj];B[em];W[fp];B[gq]
;W[gm];B[fj];W[gj];B[dj];W[gp];B[hq];W[bj];B[di];W[ch];B[fl];W[gk]
;B[ek];W[cm];B[dm];W[cl];B[ck];W[fi];B[gl];W[hl];B[fm];W[hn];B[en]
;W[eo];B[ci];W[bi];B[dh];W[bh];B[dl];W[ml];B[nm];W[qk];B[mm];W[qm]
;B[ll];W[iq];B[mq];W[mp];B[nq];W[pn];B[on];W[oo];B[pp];W[om];B[nn]
;W[pm];B[im];W[hm];B[nl];W[mk];B[no];W[lk];B[kl];W[kk];B[jl];W[jk]
;B[hk];W[hj];B[jo];W[eq];B[er];W[hr];B[gr];W[jr];B[kq];W[gs];B[kr]
;W[hp];B[fr];W[cb];B[eb];W[nf];B[mf];W[ng];B[mg];W[me];B[nh];W[og]
;B[oh];W[pg];B[le];W[mh];B[md];W[lg];B[ol];W[ql];B[pj];W[oj];B[nj]
;W[mi];B[qj];W[rj];B[pk];W[rl];B[rp];W[ks];B[lr];W[fs];B[es];W[hs]
;B[cr];W[bs];B[cs];W[jp];B[kp];W[so];B[il];W[ik];B[ro];W[rn];B[qi]
;W[ri];B[he];W[gf];B[pb];W[hd];B[jd];W[gc];B[hb];W[sp];B[sq];W[sn]
;B[rq];W[ar];B[ca];W[ba];B[da];W[fe];B[bb];W[ab];B[aa];W[ap];B[aq]
;W[ba];B[fh];W[ee];B[ed];W[df];B[aa];W[jn];B[in];W[io];B[ko];W[ba]
;B[hc];W[eh];B[aa];W[lm];B[km];W[ba];B[ei];W[gi];B[aa];W[ln];B[kn]
;W[ba];B[bc];W[bd];B[aa];W[dn];B[bm];W[ba];B[ls];W[fn];B[aa];W[nk]
;B[ok];W[ba];B[gn];W[go];B[aa];W[ph];B[oi];W[ba];B[mj];W[lj];B[aa]
;W[qa];B[js];W[ir];B[ac];W[me];B[ra];W[sa];B[mf];W[ad];B[pa];W[ra]
;B[dg];W[cg];B[ak];W[aj];B[kf];W[if];B[bk];W[qn];B[ke];W[do];B[ej]
)

Second Victory

Xie Yimin Female Honinbo is close to defend her title with her second victory today at the 29th Female Honinbo title match game 2.


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

Mukai who played black opened the game with Low Chinese fuseki. Xie's approach is rather unusual, since it's usually one line further, was answered with a kosumi tsuke by Mukai. Quickly black claimed the right side and white went for the bottom board.

Xie played a winning tesuji at move 224. The combination until move 235 costs Mukai a lot! After this sequence, the game was easy for Xie and she eventually won by 2.5 points.

Here is the game record:
Xie Yimin (white) vs. Mukai Chiaki (black). Result: W+2.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rating game]EV[29th Female Honinbo, gme 2]
DT[2010-10-13]PB[Mukai Chiaki]BR[4p]PW[Xie Yimin ]WR[5p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+2.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[qk];W[np];B[op];W[nq];B[no];W[mo];B[nn];W[lp];B[fc];W[cf]
;B[ic];W[qf];B[qe];W[pf];B[nd];W[qi];B[oj];W[oh];B[qj];W[ri];B[cn];W[fq];B[bp];W[cq]
;B[ck];W[mn];B[nm];W[dn];B[cm];W[sl];B[rl];W[pr];B[qr];W[or];B[db];W[ci];B[cc];W[qc]
;B[re];W[oc];B[od];W[nc];B[pc];W[pb];B[mc];W[mb];B[rg];W[oi];B[nj];W[mh];B[lb];W[nb]
;B[md];W[kh];B[kj];W[ih];B[rb];W[qb];B[rc];W[oa];B[rq];W[jk];B[jn];W[ip];B[kl];W[km]
;B[jl];W[jm];B[il];W[im];B[hl];W[je];B[lm];W[mm];B[hn];W[ll];B[hm];W[nl];B[ol];W[qd]
;B[pe];W[rd];B[sd];W[lc];B[kd];W[kb];B[kc];W[la];B[jb];W[cd];B[bq];W[dc];B[bb];W[bc]
;B[cb];W[ec];B[eb];W[fd];B[gc];W[he];B[gd];W[ge];B[fe];W[ff];B[ed];W[ee];B[fd];W[ef]
;B[br];W[hp];B[dr];W[er];B[jp];W[ln];B[in];W[jq];B[bi];W[bj];B[cj];W[bh];B[di];W[ai]
;B[ch];W[bi];B[gi];W[sj];B[sm];W[sk];B[nk];W[rm];B[sn];W[ml];B[rn];W[dh];B[eh];W[dg]
;B[ei];W[jd];B[jc];W[hi];B[gh];W[hj];B[gj];W[fm];B[li];W[lh];B[en];W[eo];B[fn];W[dm]
;B[em];W[dl];B[el];W[co];B[bo];W[cl];B[bl];W[bm];B[bn];W[bk];B[dk];W[al];B[cp];W[ek]
;B[dj];W[dq];B[do];W[oo];B[po];W[co];B[cr];W[do];B[ra];W[rf];B[sf];W[qg];B[bd];W[be]
;B[ac];W[oq];B[on];W[kk];B[jj];W[lk];B[mi];W[ni];B[mj];W[ki];B[lj];W[kn];B[ld];W[lb]
;B[ng];W[rh];B[sg];W[og];B[qa];W[pa];B[nf];W[lf];B[hg];W[ig];B[hf];W[if];B[de];W[ce]
;B[jo];W[go];B[gn];W[hh];B[gg];W[fg];B[hk];W[fh];B[fo];W[fp];B[ji];W[gf];B[id];W[gk]
;B[fk];W[fj];B[fi];W[fl];B[gl];W[eg];B[fk];W[sh];B[ej];W[se];B[sf];W[ke];B[pi];W[ph]
;B[pj];W[sg];B[se];W[ja];B[ia];W[hd];B[mg];W[lg];B[ie];W[nh];B[jh];W[jg];B[ho];W[gp]
;B[ps];W[os];B[qs];W[hc];B[hb];W[ae];B[of];W[ad];B[bc];W[ds];B[cs];W[es];B[le];W[mf]
;B[me];W[rk];B[ql];W[rj];B[an];W[am];B[kp];W[kq];B[ko];W[ka])

Xie Won Game 1

Xie Yimin Female Honinbo started her title challenge well. She won the first game of the 29th Female Honinbo championship which was played at October 6.


Nigiri

Xie who played black in this game opened the game by playing the Micro Chinese opening. Mukai's joseki choice at the bottom right corner is very territory oriented. I personally dislike the move since black already played Q10 which works well with the wall. The game came to a break at move 80 for lunch break.


Ishida Yoshio is the commentator for this game

A surprising exchange was played during the game. The exchange at move 204-205 let Mukai got a ko fight to save her group while Xie got 4 stones and a chance to destroy white's corner. After 237 moves, Xie won by resignation. White is behind in territory and still has a ko fight to handle.


Busy press room


Xie Yimin


Losing is not everything. Just look at Mukai Chiaki's expression.

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

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[29th Female Honinbo title match, game 1]
DT[2010-10-06]PB[Xie Yimin ]BR[5p]PW[Mukai Chiaki]WR[4p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dd];B[pp];W[dp];B[fc];W[cf];B[lc];W[hc];B[pj];W[nq];B[lq];W[qq];B[qp];W[pq]
;B[op];W[nr];B[mo];W[fd];B[cn];W[cl];B[en];W[fp];B[dk];W[dl];B[el];W[ek];B[ej];W[fk]
;B[fl];W[gk];B[cj];W[bj];B[bi];W[bk];B[ci];W[bn];B[bo];W[bm];B[co];W[al];B[gi];W[fi]
;B[fh];W[fj];B[eh];W[ck];B[dj];W[gh];B[gg];W[hh];B[ff];W[jh];B[gd];W[bq];B[gn];W[hp]
;B[in];W[gl];B[jl];W[fm];B[eo];W[go];B[fn];W[em];B[gc];W[dc];B[ep];W[eq];B[fq];W[er]
;B[fo];W[gp];B[ip];W[iq];B[jp];W[nc];B[pc];W[hg];B[hf];W[he];B[ie];W[if];B[gf];W[kd]
;B[ld];W[hd];B[jf];W[ig];B[ke];W[kb];B[lb];W[kc];B[ge];W[le];B[nb];W[kf];B[je];W[lf]
;B[bd];W[be];B[bg];W[bc];B[hb];W[ic];B[ib];W[jb];B[eb];W[qh];B[qj];W[rq];B[pg];W[ro]
;B[rp];W[sp];B[qn];W[md];B[mb];W[pe];B[qe];W[nh];B[oi];W[rm];B[cd];W[ba];B[ce];W[de]
;B[bf];W[cc];B[ae];W[ab];B[rn];W[sn];B[qo];W[so];B[qm];W[rl];B[rk];W[ql];B[pl];W[jq]
;B[kq];W[hn];B[hm];W[ho];B[gm];W[kk];B[kh];W[jg];B[db];W[cb];B[lj];W[oc];B[ob];W[og]
;B[pf];W[of];B[oe];W[ne];B[ml];W[od];B[oh];W[pd];B[qc];W[mp];B[lp];W[kl];B[km];W[jk]
;B[hq];W[gq];B[hr];W[gr];B[jr];W[io];B[jm];W[jo];B[ir];W[ph];B[qf];W[mk];B[ni];W[lk]
;B[ik];W[lm];B[ll];W[qk];B[sk];W[rj];B[ri];W[no];B[ln];W[np];B[ij];W[mn];B[mm];W[lo]
;B[ji];W[kn];B[mr];W[pk];B[ok];W[ol];B[sm];W[pm];B[sq];W[nk];B[oj];W[lm];B[nm];W[on]
;B[ln];W[hl];B[il];W[lm];B[cq];W[li];B[mj];W[kj];B[ki];W[mh];B[nl];W[nn];B[ln];W[pl]
;B[sl];W[lm];B[kg];W[hi];B[ln];W[jn];B[im];W[lm];B[cr];W[br];B[ln];W[ks];B[ms])

Female Honinbo's Opening

The 29th Female Honinbo's opening was conducted at Tuesday. Xie Yimin Female Honinbo will play challenger Mukai Chiaki in a five games series to decide who will be the 29th Female Honinbo.


Let it be a fair play.


Inspecting the stones and board.


The first game is played at Hanamaki.

Mukai Chiaki Once Again!

This year final of the 29th Female Honinbo is final of two people who each has a personal "grudge" against the current Female Honinbo, Xie Yimin. For Umezaw Yukari, winning the final will mean a chance to pay Xie Yimin back for the lost of her Female Kisei. Meanwhile, for Mukai Chiaki, winning this final will mean another chance to steal Xie's title after her unsuccessful Female Meijin challenge in early March.


Umezawa Yukari (left) vs. Mukai Chiaki (right)

Mukai Chiaki who played black chose to play Low Chinese Opening. After an early corner-side trade, Mukai aimed the upper board as her basis. White's early lost came when black successfully exploit white's weak groups at the center and right side. Black managed to split white and captured 3 white stones at the center.

Umezawa Yukari resigned at move 223. She was behind about 5 points including komi. With this, the youngest of the three Mukai sisters once again challenge Xie for her title. This is also Mukai's revenge to her lost at the 11th Female Kisei title match where she lost 2-0 to Umezawa Yukari who was the title holder that time.


Mukai Chiaki

The first game date is October 6. The game will be played at Hanamaki, Iwate.

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

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[29th Female Honinbo, final]DT[2010-08-26]
PB[Mukai Chiaki]BR[4p]PW[Umezawa Yukari]WR[5p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[Black Win by Resign!]
MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[pq];W[dd];B[qk];W[mq];B[fc];W[pp];B[qp];W[qo];B[po];W[op];B[qn];W[qq]
;B[ro];W[rp];B[qo];W[rq];B[cf];W[fd];B[gd];W[fe];B[ec];W[dc];B[dg];W[ce];B[be];W[df]
;B[bf];W[bd];B[cj];W[db];B[jc];W[qf];B[qe];W[pf];B[nd];W[pi];B[nf];W[qj];B[pk];W[rk]
;B[rl];W[ni];B[rf];W[rg];B[re];W[li];B[cn];W[fp];B[hq];W[jq];B[ho];W[fn];B[hm];W[cl]
;B[dm];W[dj];B[ci];W[dl];B[em];W[gn];B[hn];W[fl];B[cp];W[cq];B[do];W[dq];B[el];W[ek]
;B[fm];W[gm];B[gl];W[fk];B[fo];W[go];B[gp];W[eo];B[en];W[fo];B[fq];W[ep];B[cm];W[hl]
;B[gk];W[gj];B[hk];W[il];B[hj];W[hi];B[jk];W[bp];B[bl];W[jl];B[jj];W[ll];B[jp];W[kp]
;B[iq];W[jo];B[ip];W[jr];B[ko];W[lp];B[jn];W[gi];B[jh];W[hf];B[kg];W[jf];B[oo];W[np]
;B[mj];W[lj];B[kk];W[lk];B[kl];W[km];B[jm];W[rj];B[nk];W[mm];B[nn];W[rm];B[pr];W[qr]
;B[mi];W[mh];B[lh];W[ol];B[ok];W[qm];B[pm];W[ql];B[pl];W[mn];B[nh];W[hc];B[bo];W[co]
;B[hd];W[ic];B[id];W[jb];B[kb];W[kc];B[jd];W[lb];B[ib];W[ka];B[hb];W[oc];B[cp];W[mg]
;B[ng];W[le];B[mf];W[nc];B[ig];W[if];B[eb];W[co];B[rh];W[qh];B[cp];W[fr];B[bq];W[co]
;B[ef];W[de];B[cp];W[br];B[ap];W[gr];B[gq];W[er];B[sg];W[qg];B[fg];W[qb];B[qc];W[rb]
;B[od];W[ih];B[ii];W[hh];B[mc];W[nb];B[sp];W[sr];B[rs];W[or];B[jg];W[gf];B[qs];W[oq]
;B[fh];W[hg];B[ad];W[bc];B[ps];W[os];B[rc];W[md];B[pb];W[pc];B[sb];W[pa];B[ar];W[bs]
;B[so];W[rr];B[sm];W[sl];B[rn];W[sn];B[ra];W[ob];B[sm];W[ri];B[rl];W[sh];B[ir])

Xie Yimin Defended Her Female Honinbo

Successfully defended her Female Meijin title this year from veteran Chinen Kaori, Xie Yimin repeated her success by defending another title she owned, Female Honinbo.

Winning the second and the third game, Xie scored another victory in October 28 and defended her title from the challenger, Aoki Kikuyo, with 3-1 score.

Xie won the game by resignation after killing Aoki's group in the left.


Xie Yimin Female Honinbo, Female Meijin

This is the second time Xie defended her title. Last year she defended it from Suzuki Ayumi, also by the same condition, where she lost the first game, but won the next three games.

Xie Yimin Won the Third Game

The third game of the 28th Female Honinbo Title was held at October 21. Xie Yimin Female Honinbo and Aoki Kikuyo the challenger both shared 1-1 position. The third game was played at Chiyoda, Tokyo.



Xie played as black and Aoki played white. The game opened with a crosscut joseki in the lower left corner. Aoki played nobi at move 20 to finished the joseki, but I think it's better to play ikken biraki since it's more flexible.

In response of white 20, black played a kakari in the left side. Aoki didn't directly try to create base with a pincer, but prefer to play a solid move at E10. Up to move 43, Aoki made some points in the left side, but ended up with a sealed corner.


Board position up to move 83

After both played for solid corners, Xie Yimin tried to separate white's group at move 85. The plan was a success. Xie got some profits in the lower right due to the attack.

The endgame started after Aoki connected her weak group to her bottom's base. After 271 moves, Xie Yimin won the game by 2.5 points.

With this victory, Xie lead the title matches by 2-1. One more win and she'll defend her title.

Xie Defended Herself

The second game of the 28th Female Honinbo title matches was held at October 9.

Xie Yimin Female Honinbo played as white, while Aoki Kikuyo the challenger played as black.



The game started with Aoki opened the game by her favorite opening, the low Chinese fuseki. Up to move 46, both shared a tough poistion in the left side


Board position up to move 86

Xie won by resignation at move 208. Aoki was behind about 7 points.

Aoki's Good Start

The 28th Female Honinbo title matches has begun. The first match was played at October 1st.

Based on the nigiri, Xie Yimin (Female Honinbo, Female Meijin) started the series by playing black and Aoki Kikuyo (8 dan) the challenger played white.


Xie Yimin

The first game was won by Aoki Kikuyo after he killed black in the upper board.


Aoki Kikuyo

Aoki Kikuyo to Challenge For the 28th Japanese Female Honinbo

Aoki Kikuyo (8 dan) got the right to challenge Xie Yimin, the current Female Honinbo title holder, by defeating
Ishii Akane (1 dan) in the final of the challenger decision match by resignation.


The game started by Ishii who played as black, opened the game by playing Lei fuseki. Early in the game (at move 61) black entered
white's bottom left corner and tried to survive inside. At the first glance, I think it was better to played A5 instead of blocking at B9,
however if white played A2, it will become a flower ko for white and at the same time, black put her left group in danger. So I think what black did
in the game was good, but the outcome was still favorable for white.


Board position up to move 88

After 230 moves, Aoki Kikuyo won the game by resignation.

Aoki Kikuyo is a veteran in go world. She already has many titles in the past. She won Female Saikyo in 2001, she held Female Meijin for 5 times (1990,1999-2000,2002,2006),
she is 4 times (1991-1992,1994,2000) Female Kakusei champion, and also she became runner-up in Shinjin-O tournament in 1997 losing to Yamada Kimio.

Aoki Kikuyo

Ishii Akane is a newcomer in pro world. She became shodan in August 2007. So far I think this is her best achievement.

Ishii Akane

This is Aoki's first time to be challenger for the Female Honinbo title. She will play Xie Yimin, one of the best female player in Japan at the moment.
Earlier this year, Xie beat Chinen Kaori, one of the go veteran to defend her Female Meijin title. I wonder if Aoki Kikuyo can beat Xie. The first game will be played in October 1st.

Xie Yimin Defend Her Title

Xie Yimin, the current Female Honinbo title holder, won the fourth game of 27th Female Honinbo, and keep her title for another year.

She won the fourth game against Suzuki Ayumi, the challenger, by 0.5 point.

Up to move 6, the opening was the same with this year Ryusei's final (Cho U (B) vs. Kono Rin (W), W+R). Move 7 in that game was played at 'A' by Cho U, but Suzuki Ayumi played an enclosure in the top right.

Move 10 is rarely seen. I don't know the joseki after Suzuki Ayumi's niken biraki answer. If you know, please tell me.

Xie Yimin (W) vs. Suzuki Ayumi (B), W+0.5

I think the game was very well played. After 309 moves, Xie Yimin won the game along with the title.

I think Xie Yimin is the strongest female player right now in Japan, considering that she is only 18 years old, it's incredible to see number of titles she has won.
I wonder why she didn't play for Japan in the Jeongganjang cup for Japan. Is it due to the fact that she is not Japanese?

Congratulation for Xie Yimin. I hope she can improve more and become the first woman to win an open tournament in Japan (so far I know, no woman ever won an open tournament yet. The closest were Aoki Kikuyo became runner-up in Shinjin-O cup and Xie Yimin as 3rd Nakano Cup runner-up, losing to Iyama Yuta).

Xie Yimin Took the Lead

The third title match of 27th Female Honinbo has been played.Xie Yimin, the title holder won against Suzuki Ayumi, the challenger by 1.5 points.

The game was peaceful. No big fight or semeai on the board. I think Xie Yimin won the game in the yose. He played a probe at move 159, which then allowed her to split Suzuki Ayumi's group (eventhough she lost sente as the result).

Xie Yimin (B) vs. Suzuki Ayumi (W), B+1.5, up to move 53

It seems that Xie Yimin is back to her shape. After lost to Suzuki Ayumi in the first title match, she won the last 2 matches. Recently she won a gold medal with her partner, Zhou Junxun, in the 1st World Mind Sports Games (WMSG) for C.Taipei in the Mixed Pair division.

Suzuki Ayumi, along with Aoki Kikuyo and Koyama Terumi also won a medal for Japan in that tournament. They won bronze medal in Teams Women division.
The fourth game will be played in November, 5.

Xie Yimin - Suzuki Ayumi, 1-1

Xie Yimin, Female Honinbo, able to draw the position in the 27th Female Honinbo title match.

The game was played in October 8, 2008. At Chiyoda, Tokyo

Playing as white, Xie Yimin was able to forced Suzuki Ayumi, the challenger to resign in 128 moves.

I admit that Xie Yimin played a very impressive game this time. The gap was very big.

I found that her move 18, was pretty good. It forced Suzuki Ayumi to play R14 which is a mistake in direction, since it made Xie naturally played R7. Because the extension is far from black's enclosure, it made black thin while it didn't put any pressure to white's stones

Xie Yimin (W) vs. Suzuki Ayumi (B), up to move 52

27th Female Honinbo, Title Match #1

This year title match for the Female Honinbo title had been played.

Xie Yimin, Female Honinbo, is challanged by Suzuki Ayumi 4 dan.

The first match was played at October first, in Hanamaki, Iwate.

Suzuki Ayumi won the first match by resignation.

The game was peaceful. There were no big fight in this game. I don't understand Suzuki Ayumi's choice of playing B 15 when Xie played C 17. It seems that she wanted to keep the group separated, but it seems (for me) that taking the corner is bigger. Anyone kind enough to tell me the reason?

Until October 3, Suzuki Ayumi was ranked 11 in Japanese most won record, with 24 win and 9 loss with impressive 73% winning rate, while Xie Yimin was ranked 16 with 21 win and 13 loss with 62% winning rate.

Suzuki Ayumi

Xie Yimin doesn't do very well until now. Last year, she was ranked third with 40 win and16loss with 71% winning rate. AtOctober 3, she was ranked 15 with 22 win and 14 loss with 61% winning rate

Xie Yimin

But it is still October. We should see the end result in December.