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 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])

Hane Naoki Gosei

Hane Naoki (9 dan) seems to be the new "King of Comeback" (the old one was Cho Chikun). Though he failed to win the Honinbo by comeback earlier, he didn't miss his chance to win the Gosei by winning the last 3 games after lost the first two.


Hane Naoki (left) vs. Sakai Hideyuki (right)

Hane Naoki won game 4 by 6.5 points and won game 5 by resignation after he successfully exploited Sakai's weak groups in the opening. This is the first Gosei title for Hane. Congratulations!


Hane Naoki Gosei


Sakai Hideyuki lost his title and have to started from the final preliminary again.

The game records:
Game 4
Hane Naoki (white) vs. Sakai Hideyuki (black). Result: W+6.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]GM[1]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]SZ[19]FF[3]EV[36th Gosei title match 4]
DT[2011-08-18]PB[Sakai Hideyuki]BR[8p]PW[Hane Naoki]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[W+6.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[op];W[co];B[iq];W[qj];B[qh];W[qm];B[pl];W[ql];B[pj];W[pk]
;B[ok];W[qk];B[pi];W[ol];B[nk];W[pq];B[pp];W[nl];B[pm];W[pn];B[om];W[no];B[nm];W[ml]
;B[mm];W[lm];B[ln];W[ll];B[mn];W[kn];B[lp];W[rh];B[rg];W[ri];B[qg];W[rn];B[ko];W[jn]
;B[fc];W[id];B[df];W[fd];B[cc];W[ec];B[cd];W[ch];B[bf];W[nc];B[gc];W[gd];B[eb];W[pc]
;B[qc];W[qd];B[pe];W[qb];B[rc];W[hc];B[oc];W[pb];B[ob];W[nb];B[od];W[oa];B[rb];W[ra]
;B[qe];W[ld];B[fq];W[eo];B[cn];W[dn];B[cm];W[bo];B[cj];W[eh];B[dm];W[oq];B[nq];W[nr]
;B[np];W[lr];B[or];W[pr];B[mr];W[os];B[ms];W[ej];B[rr];W[fb];B[lq];W[db];B[bh];W[cg]
;B[bg];W[lj];B[md];W[nd];B[me];W[ne];B[mf];W[lc];B[dc];W[ea];B[en];W[do];B[de];W[lg]
;B[mg];W[mh];B[ff];W[nh];B[gg];W[ci];B[bi];W[gi];B[of];W[ck];B[dj];W[dk];B[bk];W[el]
;B[em];W[fm];B[fn];W[gm];B[er];W[dr];B[di];W[ei];B[hh];W[rp];B[rq];W[hi];B[kh];W[lh]
;B[ki];W[kg];B[hn];W[hm];B[in];W[im];B[km];W[jo];B[jp];W[jm];B[mj];W[oi];B[oh];W[og]
;B[ph];W[mk];B[kl];W[lk];B[ih];W[oj];B[li];W[nj];B[jj];W[ii];B[jh];W[kj];B[ji];W[jk]
;B[ed];W[gb];B[ij];W[bb];B[cb];W[ca];B[qo];W[qn];B[bc];W[ro];B[on];W[hp];B[hq];W[nf]
;B[ng];W[if];B[mc];W[mb];B[ds];W[cs];B[es];W[br];B[hj];W[gj];B[hl];W[qq];B[qs];W[qr]
;B[rs];W[sq];B[sr];W[sp];B[ns];W[eq];B[fr];W[le];B[pg];W[bn];B[gp];W[gn];B[il];W[jl]
;B[io];W[go];B[bm];W[fp];B[gq];W[fe];B[gf];W[dh];B[bj];W[ef];B[eg];W[ee];B[dg];W[fh]
;B[fg];W[hf];B[ab];W[ba];B[gk];W[fk];B[gl];W[ik];B[hk];W[fl];B[ge];W[he];B[jg];W[jf]
;B[mi];W[lf];B[og];W[cf];B[ce];W[po];B[oo];W[am];B[al];W[an];B[fo];W[ep];B[qi];W[sh]
;B[rj];W[rk];B[sj];W[sk];B[sg];W[si];B[ip];W[ho];B[rd];W[na];B[sb];W[pa];B[dd];W[dl]
;B[bl])

Game 5
Hane Naoki (white) vs. Sakai Hideyuki (black). Result: W+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]GM[1]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]SZ[19]FF[3]EV[36th Gosei title match 5]
DT[2011-08-29]PB[Sakai Hideyuki]BR[8p]PW[Hane Naoki]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dc];B[dp];W[pp];B[ce];W[oc];B[ld];W[dh];B[fe];W[ee];B[ef];W[ed];B[cg];W[ff]
;B[eg];W[ge];B[fg];W[fd];B[pc];W[od];B[pf];W[of];B[og];W[mf];B[hf];W[id];B[jd];W[je]
;B[ic];W[ie];B[mc];W[pe];B[qe];W[pg];B[qf];W[oh];B[ng];W[nf];B[nh];W[kd];B[kc];W[ke]
;B[nb];W[ob];B[hb];W[lb];B[mb];W[ph];B[ni];W[pj];B[le];W[lf];B[rh];W[ri];B[qi];W[oj]
;B[rj];W[lj];B[ki];W[kj];B[ji];W[jj];B[ii];W[li];B[ij];W[ik];B[hk];W[hl];B[il];W[jk]
;B[gk];W[hm];B[lh];W[kh];B[kg];W[mh];B[jh];W[mg];B[dm];W[hp];B[mq];W[nq];B[jq];W[mp]
;B[lq];W[nr];B[hq];W[gq];B[gp];W[ho];B[iq];W[cp];B[fq];W[do];B[dq];W[cm];B[cl];W[dl]
;B[cn];W[bm];B[dn];W[bn];B[ck];W[dk];B[cj];W[co];B[fm];W[rk];B[qp];W[qo];B[po];W[ro]
;B[lo];W[dj];B[fn];W[ch];B[ci];W[dg];B[di];W[df];B[cq];W[ei];B[ej];W[eh];B[bh];W[bg]
;B[op];W[pq];B[np];W[bq];B[br];W[ar];B[bp];W[ap];B[aq];W[jc];B[jb];W[bq];B[bi];W[cf]
;B[aq];W[hc];B[ib];W[bq];B[fj];W[gb];B[pb];W[bo];B[oq];W[or];B[pr];W[qq];B[qr];W[rq]
;B[mo];W[pn];B[jm];W[km];B[jn];W[no];B[lp];W[oo];B[mp];W[mr];B[gg];W[lr];B[be];W[de]
;B[cb];W[bd];B[oa];W[jl];B[mm];W[im];B[cd];W[cc];B[bc];W[bb];B[ad];W[ab];B[af];W[ag]
;B[ac];W[db];B[bf];W[kr];B[nl];W[mk];B[rl];W[sk];B[qk];W[qj];B[si];W[ql];B[pk];W[pl]
;B[ok];W[rm];B[in];W[hn];B[lm];W[kn];B[jo];W[is];B[hs];W[gc];B[bs];W[go];B[gr];W[fi]
;B[gi];W[aj];B[bl];W[al];B[jr];W[ks];B[ll];W[kl];B[eo];W[gf];B[if];W[gh];B[hh];W[fh]
;B[hg];W[lc];B[kb];W[md];B[la];W[me];B[js];W[lc];B[om];W[fp];B[fo];W[gq];B[qh];W[nj]
;B[gp];W[pi];B[pd];W[oe];B[pm];W[qm];B[sj];W[sl])

Yamashita Keigo Challenges Meijin

The 36th Meijin finally reached its title matches. After 8 months of league games, Yamashita Keigo and Hane Naoki became the top scorer, both with 6 wins and 2 loses. Therefore, a game was played to decide the challenger.


Yamashita Keigo (left) vs. Hane Naoki

At the league, Hane won over Yamashita by 6.5 points. However, Yamashita won this time and won the right to challenge Iyama Yuta Meijin. This is the second time Yamashita become challenger for the Meijin. Previously he became challenger in 2003, but lost to Yoda Norimoto by 4-1.


Yamashita Keigo has a blast this year. Defended his Honinbo and now is chasing the Meijin.

Here I present you the league game where Hane beat Yamashita. Unfortunately, I can't find the play off's game. I will post it as soon as I find it.


Hane Naoki stayed in the league for the first time after 10 years.

Vote who do you think will become the 36th Meijin below:

Who do you think will become the 36th Meijin?
	Iyama Yuta
	Yamashita Keigo
pollcode.com free polls

Final standing of the league:
1. Yamashita Keigo 6-2
2. Hane Naoki 6-2
3. Takao Shinji 5-3
4. Cho U 5-3
5. Yuki Satoshi 5-3
6. Mizokami Tomochika 3-5
7. Rin Kanketsu 3-5 (Demoted)
8. Sakai Hideyuki 2-6 (Demoted)
9. Cho Chikun 1-7 (Demoted)

Here is the league game:
Hane Naoki (black) vs. Yamashita Keigo. Result: B+6.5

(;
WR[Honinbo]
EV[36th Meijin league]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
PW[Yamashita Keigo]
GM[1]
PB[Hane Naoki]
BR[9d]
RE[B+6.5]
DT[2011-02-03]
KM[6.5]
;B[qd];W[dd];B[pp];W[dq];B[do];W[od];B[fp];W[qc];B[er];W[bo];B[cp]
;W[ck];B[mq];W[qj];B[rc];W[pc];B[qg];W[rb];B[qn];W[ph];B[qh];W[pi]
;B[of];W[re];B[qe];W[rd];B[ng];W[mi];B[lg];W[mf];B[mg];W[ki];B[jg]
;W[pg];B[pf];W[rf];B[qf];W[pm];B[qm];W[pl];B[nk];W[oj];B[fc];W[gd]
;B[fd];W[fe];B[ge];W[gc];B[he];W[fb];B[ee];W[ff];B[ed];W[dc];B[eb]
;W[gb];B[ec];W[db];B[da];W[if];B[id];W[jd];B[jc];W[ic];B[je];W[ie]
;B[kd];W[hd];B[de];W[jf];B[kf];W[jd];B[ke];W[kh];B[kg];W[ce];B[cb]
;W[cd];B[dg];W[cf];B[fg];W[gg];B[cg];W[md];B[ig];W[eg];B[df];W[ii]
;B[hf];W[id];B[hg];W[gh];B[jb];W[fa];B[ea];W[ha];B[mc];W[nc];B[lb]
;W[bg];B[bh];W[af];B[eh];W[bb];B[fh];W[bi];B[ah];W[di];B[ch];W[ba]
;B[gi];W[pq];B[oq];W[qp];B[qq];W[pr];B[qr];W[po];B[op];W[qo];B[cl]
;W[cm];B[dl];W[bl];B[bp];W[dm];B[nn];W[oo];B[no];W[rq];B[rr];W[ro]
;B[ip];W[ko];B[jn];W[lq];B[mp];W[iq];B[jq];W[jp];B[jr];W[io];B[hp]
;W[jo];B[lp];W[sr];B[dk];W[el];B[ek];W[cj];B[bn];W[fk];B[fl];W[em]
;B[fj];W[gk];B[ej];W[bm];B[gl];W[go];B[gp];W[eo];B[ep];W[hk];B[ho]
;W[hm];B[rs];W[in];B[nb];W[ob];B[ri];W[rj];B[ao];W[ll];B[gn];W[gm]
;B[en];W[fn];B[fo];W[fm];B[hi];W[ih];B[hh];W[nm];B[on];W[pn];B[om]
;W[nl];B[ol];W[ok];B[ln];W[lm];B[ne];W[nd];B[kn];W[jm];B[sj];W[sk]
;B[si];W[rk];B[ca];W[cc];B[ci];W[aj];B[dj];W[lo];B[mo];W[km];B[mn]
;W[kp];B[kq];W[hn];B[ni];W[nj];B[mh];W[lh];B[rg];W[sf];B[me];W[ld]
;B[ib];W[hb];B[mb];W[cn];B[co];W[le];B[oa];W[pa];B[na];W[pd];B[lf]
;W[hj];B[jh];W[ji];B[sg];W[am];B[an];W[mm];B[or];W[ia];B[ja];W[lc]
;B[kc];W[oe];B[nf];W[dn];B[eo];W[bf];B[go])

Hane Naoki Won Game 3

The 36th Gosei continued with the third game between Sakai Hideyuki Gosei and Hane Naoki, the challenger.


Sakai Hideyuki (left) vs. Hane Naoki (right)

After losing the second game , Hane played well at the third game to win by 3.5 points and saved his chance to capture the title.


Post game review

Vote who do you think will become the 36th Gosei

Who will be the 36th Gosei?
	Sakai Hideyuki
	Hane Naoki
pollcode.com free polls

The fourth game will be played at August 13.

Here is the game record:
Hane Naoki (black) vs. Sakai Hdeyuki (white). Result: B+3.5

(;
EV[36th Gosei title match 3]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Sakai Hideyuki]
WR[Gosei]
DT[2011-07-29]
BR[9d]
RE[B+3.5]
PB[Hane Naoki]
;B[qd];W[dd];B[pq];W[po];B[dp];W[oc];B[ld];W[qf];B[od];W[pc];B[pd]
;W[qc];B[nd];W[rd];B[re];W[rc];B[qe];W[oq];B[or];W[op];B[nq];W[nr]
;B[mr];W[pr];B[ns];W[qq];B[qj];W[fq];B[cn];W[iq];B[qm];W[lq];B[np]
;W[no];B[lp];W[kq];B[mo];W[nn];B[lm];W[oj];B[jp];W[oh];B[qh];W[pl]
;B[ql];W[dm];B[cm];W[dl];B[nb];W[ob];B[fc];W[kp];B[ko];W[jo];B[ip]
;W[jq];B[jn];W[io];B[hp];W[hq];B[jm];W[hn];B[cf];W[fd];B[gd];W[ec]
;B[fe];W[ed];B[fb];W[ge];B[hd];W[ff];B[he];W[gf];B[cl];W[be];B[dk]
;W[kl];B[km];W[gp];B[ce];W[bd];B[dh];W[bf];B[cg];W[eb];B[hf];W[qn]
;B[pm];W[nl];B[dr];W[mn];B[ln];W[ek];B[ej];W[fk];B[fj];W[gj];B[gk]
;W[fm];B[hj];W[gi];B[hi];W[gh];B[hk];W[dj];B[ei];W[eg];B[ck];W[nc]
;B[mc];W[mh];B[mj];W[lj];B[lk];W[mi];B[kj];W[li];B[mk];W[me];B[le]
;W[mf];B[mb];W[fa];B[gb];W[rf];B[pf];W[pg];B[qg];W[of];B[sf];W[pe]
;B[rg];W[eh];B[di];W[er];B[eq];W[fr];B[dn];W[ds];B[cr];W[ga];B[ha]
;W[ea];B[hb];W[ep];B[dq];W[bg];B[bh];W[rm];B[rl];W[rn];B[ps];W[qr]
;B[kg];W[ki];B[pf];W[jj];B[kk];W[ig];B[hg];W[jg];B[kf];W[qf];B[lr]
;W[ah];B[ai];W[ag];B[bi];W[eo];B[gg];W[ii];B[hh];W[cs];B[bs];W[es]
;B[br];W[fh];B[qs];W[rs];B[os];W[kr];B[rr];W[rq];B[ss];W[em];B[ng]
;W[ok];B[mg];W[nf];B[lg];W[pi];B[pk];W[ol];B[oa];W[pa];B[na];W[ra]
;B[ef];W[ee];B[df];W[fg];B[hm];W[sl];B[sk];W[sm];B[qi];W[pj];B[qk]
;W[sj];B[rk];W[md];B[sh];W[mq];B[mp];W[jk];B[on];W[oo];B[ls];W[if]
;B[ie];W[pf];B[rf];W[jf];B[je];W[in];B[sq];W[rp];B[en];W[fn];B[fl]
;W[el];B[gl];W[gn];B[ks];W[js];B[cd];W[cc];B[jl];W[do];B[mm];W[pn]
;B[om];W[nm];B[co];W[ml];B[ll];W[dg];B[sd];W[sc];B[im];W[ik];B[lf]
;W[il];B[ph];W[og];B[se];W[sp];B[rs];W[oi];B[sr])

Yamashita Keigo (Still) Honinbo!

The tense of this year's Honinbo was in the air when Hane Naoki played his sealed move to start day 2 of the 66th Honinbo game 7.



Hane Naoki (left) vs. Yamashita Keigo (right)

A big fight started at the center when Yamashita attacked Hane's group. Black found his way out with black 95 and 97. The second big fight started after white played white 102. The fight was really difficult and a ko fight will determine the result. White finally got to play A16 to save his group. Black then struggled to save his black group and achieved it by sacrificing his group at the lower left.


Hane Naoki once again failed to win a title

The game was very close until the end and Yamashita finally pulled it off together and won by 4.5 points. This year's Honinbo is very interesting! Yamashita excited all his fanse by winning the first 3 games. Then, it's Hane's turn to excite his fans by winning the next 3 games! However, Yamashita avoided the fightback's stereotype (where the one who fightback often won the last game) and defends his title. Congratulations for Yamashita!


Yamashita Keigo Honinbo

Throughout the series, I threw a poll and 68% of the readers chose Yamashita as this year's Honinbo. Congratulations guys! You got it right!

Here is the game record:
Yamashita Keigo (white) vs. Hane Naoki (black). Result: W+4.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rated game]EV[66th Honinbo title match, game 7]
DT[2011-07-20,21]PB[Hane Naoki]BR[9p]PW[Yamashita Keigo]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+4.5]
MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dp];B[pp];W[dd];B[oc];W[qn];B[nq];W[pj];B[qh];W[oh];B[cj];W[cl];B[cg];W[gc]
;B[bd];W[jp];B[cn];W[dn];B[do];W[eo];B[co];W[dm];B[cp];W[dq];B[cq];W[cr];B[br];W[dr]
;B[bm];W[bl];B[fo];W[fp];B[en];W[ep];B[fn];W[ek];B[ho];W[bs];B[ar];W[hp];B[ip];W[gp]
;B[fk];W[fl];B[gl];W[fm];B[io];W[iq];B[hm];W[gk];B[fj];W[hk];B[ik];W[hl];B[il];W[gm]
;B[ij];W[gj];B[gi];W[fi];B[ej];W[hi];B[gh];W[hj];B[ei];W[hh];B[gg];W[jh];B[lk];W[kp]
;B[li];W[mj];B[lj];W[lg];B[qf];W[kn];B[lm];W[km];B[kl];W[ml];B[mk];W[nl];B[nk];W[ol]
;B[rp];W[ll];B[mg];W[jl];B[im];W[mh];B[lh];W[kk];B[ji];W[kg];B[oi];W[mf];B[ng];W[df]
;B[ge];W[hf];B[gf];W[eh];B[dh];W[cf];B[bf];W[eg];B[ce];W[di];B[dj];W[de];B[id];W[cd]
;B[be];W[bc];B[le];W[ch];B[ci];W[bh];B[bi];W[bg];B[ah];W[dg];B[ag];W[di];B[fh];W[ke]
;B[kd];W[je];B[ec];W[fc];B[cb];W[cc];B[ed];W[eb];B[db];W[dc];B[fb];W[ea];B[fa];W[fd]
;B[da];W[eb];B[hb];W[gb];B[ga];W[hc];B[ic];W[hd];B[he];W[ie];B[ee];W[fe];B[ea];W[ef]
;B[bb];W[af];B[ae];W[ac];B[dh];W[ib];B[ha];W[di];B[ig];W[ih];B[dh];W[kc];B[jb];W[di]
;B[ld];W[ad];B[bk];W[al];B[hg];W[lf];B[jd];W[jg];B[jf];W[nf];B[og];W[of];B[ph];W[ak]
;B[dl];W[cm];B[el];W[em];B[dk];W[bn];B[ql];W[qm];B[lq];W[rj];B[bo];W[an];B[nd];W[mr]
;B[mq];W[lr];B[kr];W[qq];B[pq];W[qp];B[rq];W[qo];B[qr];W[rr];B[sr];W[kq];B[jr];W[ir]
;B[nr];W[pf];B[ri];W[pg];B[nh];W[qg];B[re];W[rf];B[qe];W[rh];B[sh];W[rg];B[qj];W[qk]
;B[qi];W[rk];B[pk];W[ok];B[oj];W[go];B[eb];W[ff];B[pl];W[rl];B[pm];W[om];B[pi];W[pn]
;B[pj];W[ro];B[if];W[kf];B[nn];W[sj];B[on];W[mo];B[mn];W[mp];B[ln];W[kj];B[ki];W[jq]
;B[ms];W[ko];B[np];W[rs];B[qs];W[sp];B[ss];W[so];B[sq];W[si];B[ab];W[af];B[ai];W[js]
;B[ls];W[se];B[sd];W[sf];B[pe];W[oe];B[od];W[me];B[md];W[oo];B[no];W[op];B[oq];W[po]
;B[hn];W[gn];B[jn];W[dh])

66th Honinbo Game 7

The seventh game of the 66th Honinbo is underway. Yesterday, Hane Naoki, the challenger, did the sealing move for black 59. Second half of the game will be played later this day.


Board position at the end of day 1


Nigiri for the 7th game. Hane got black while Yamashita got white.

Who do you think will win the title this year?

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

Another Fightback?

After Yamashita Keigo won the first three games of the 66th Honinbo title match, many fans expect him to take the title again. Most of them think this is going to be a piece of cake for Yamashita. However, Hane proved it wrong by winning the sixth game and brought the whole thing to the final 7th game!


Yamashita Keigo (left) vs. Hane Naoki (right)

Yamashita who played black chose a fighting game with his joseki at the bottom right corner. Day 1 ended with Yamashita did the sealing move for black 57.

Day 2 started by Yamashita played F5, trying to help black's stone while attacking white's group. The fight became really fierce. Black captured white's big group at the center, but Hane collected enough territory to defeat Yamashita by 7.5 points.


The calm Hane Naoki. Will he make it again like 3 years ago?

The final game will be played at July 20-21. Will Hane got his second fightback for Honinbo title? Or will Yamashita get out of the dirty mud at the finale?
Vote who do you think will be the 66th Honinbo below

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

Here is the game record:
Hane Naoki (white) vs. Yamashita Keigo (black). Result: W+7.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rated game]EV[66th Honinbo title match, game 6]
DT[2011-07-13,14]PB[Yamashita Keigo]BR[9p]PW[Hane Naoki]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+7.5]
MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[fq];W[cn];B[qk];W[np];B[op];W[no];B[lp];W[oo];B[nq];W[pp]
;B[oq];W[qq];B[po];W[qp];B[pn];W[mq];B[mr];W[lq];B[lr];W[kq];B[qr];W[rr];B[pr];W[rn]
;B[rm];W[ro];B[mp];W[om];B[qm];W[kp];B[lo];W[kr];B[rs];W[sq];B[ko];W[jo];B[jn];W[io]
;B[km];W[nl];B[mm];W[nm];B[ns];W[ls];B[or];W[pj];B[pk];W[nj];B[oj];W[ni];B[oi];W[nh]
;B[fo];W[in];B[im];W[gn];B[iq];W[ip];B[hm];W[jl];B[kk];W[jm];B[kn];W[jk];B[mk];W[nk]
;B[jj];W[hk];B[ij];W[hl];B[gm];W[fm];B[gl];W[hq];B[li];W[hj];B[hn];W[go];B[fn];W[gp]
;B[em];W[fp];B[fj];W[gi];B[eh];W[fg];B[pi];W[lh];B[kh];W[ki];B[lj];W[lg];B[jh];W[jf]
;B[ig];W[he];B[hf];W[fh];B[ge];W[ie];B[gd];W[gf];B[hh];W[fe];B[ic];W[jc];B[jd];W[id]
;B[kg];W[me];B[kc];W[jb];B[kf];W[oe];B[og];W[kb];B[ld];W[lc];B[kd];W[hc];B[md];W[pe]
;B[ng];W[qd];B[nd];W[ne];B[qf];W[od];B[lf];W[dl];B[fi];W[gh];B[dj];W[cj];B[gj];W[hi]
;B[ck];W[dk];B[cl];W[dm];B[ci];W[ej];B[di];W[fl];B[cd];W[ce];B[dc];W[bd];B[cc];W[de]
;B[nb];W[pf];B[qg];W[ob];B[fk];W[el];B[cm];W[bn];B[bc];W[eb];B[ec];W[fb];B[be];W[bf]
;B[ad];W[rp];B[oa];W[re];B[ef];W[eg];B[ff];W[gg];B[gc];W[gb];B[ed];W[ee];B[gk];W[cg]
;B[bh];W[hg];B[qb];W[oc];B[ma];W[pa];B[pb];W[na];B[dq];W[nc];B[er];W[bq];B[hr];W[ba]
;B[bb];W[ca];B[ab];W[cr];B[jr];W[js];B[ms];W[is];B[ks];W[pg];B[oh];W[ls];B[cq];W[dr]
;B[ks];W[af];B[ae];W[ls];B[br];W[cp];B[ks];W[bk];B[bj];W[ls];B[ek];W[en];B[ks];W[bl]
;B[bg];W[eq];B[ls];W[gr];B[jp];W[ii];B[ji];W[hs];B[mc];W[mb];B[bm];W[am];B[cj];W[sr]
;B[lb];W[la];B[rf];W[qh];B[rh];W[ph];B[qi];W[mf];B[mg];W[sf];B[db];W[da];B[ho];W[hp]
;B[ih];W[if];B[ak];W[dh];B[ei];W[kl];B[ll];W[sm];B[sl];W[sn];B[ri];W[qe];B[rg];W[qn]
;B[pm];W[sg];B[sh];W[se];B[jq];W[ir];B[ag];W[cf];B[ch];W[dg];B[hd];W[ib];B[lc])

Second Kadoban For Hane

This year must be one of the busiest year for Hane Naoki. Not only he played at the Honinbo title match and Meijin league, he also challenges Sakai Hideyuki for his Gosei title. However, Hane always found himself in a tough spot. After surviving his first kadoban at the Honinbo, Hane faces his second kadoban as Sakai won the second game and brought the title match to his favor by 2-0.



Sakai Hideyuki (left) vs. Hane Naoki (right)

Sakai who played black in this game got a nice setup at the right side. Black 69 makes me wonder, because I think iken tobi at M10 is better, since it aims white's 3 stones and if white helped the stones, black can play black 69.

In the end, the game became really close. I think Hane lost the game with white 156. It's better to play something like D13 to help his 2 stones. Sakai quickly captured the stones and wrapped up the game by 1.5 points.


Will Sakai finish it at the third game, or will Hane survive like what he did at the Honinbo?

Vote who do you think will become the 36th Gosei

Who will be the 36th Gosei?
	Sakai Hideyuki
	Hane Naoki
pollcode.com free polls

Post game analysis

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

(;
EV[36th Gosei title match 2]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PB[Sakai Hideyuki]
PW[Hane Naoki]
BR[Gosei]
RE[B+1.5]
DT[2011/07/10]
WR[9d]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dp];B[op];W[qf];B[qi];W[qc];B[qd];W[pc];B[od]
;W[rd];B[re];W[rc];B[qe];W[nc];B[fq];W[hq];B[dn];W[fp];B[gp];W[gq]
;B[cp];W[eq];B[cq];W[cl];B[fr];W[er];B[fo];W[ep];B[bn];W[cf];B[me]
;W[mc];B[nj];W[rf];B[sf];W[qj];B[pj];W[ri];B[rj];W[qk];B[rh];W[pi]
;B[qh];W[rk];B[si];W[qo];B[po];W[qn];B[rp];W[pn];B[pk];W[pl];B[lp]
;W[nk];B[oj];W[ec];B[ol];W[nm];B[no];W[nl];B[ql];W[rl];B[on];W[pm]
;B[om];W[ro];B[ke];W[mj];B[dr];W[gr];B[sp];W[rm];B[jq];W[mi];B[lk]
;W[mk];B[ok];W[jh];B[cc];W[cd];B[dk];W[mg];B[nh];W[mh];B[ng];W[ie]
;B[eb];W[fb];B[fc];W[gc];B[fd];W[gb];B[cj];W[di];B[ci];W[dh];B[fk]
;W[be];B[gi];W[mf];B[ne];W[ir];B[db];W[bc];B[hd];W[gd];B[he];W[if]
;B[ge];W[fe];B[gg];W[kr];B[mr];W[ik];B[ii];W[ji];B[ij];W[jj];B[jk]
;W[il];B[jl];W[jm];B[km];W[im];B[ll];W[jo];B[kn];W[ih];B[gj];W[fn]
;B[en];W[gn];B[id];W[je];B[jd];W[kf];B[ff];W[ee];B[lf];W[kg];B[kq]
;W[em];B[ch];W[dm];B[cm];W[dl];B[bl];W[co];B[cn];W[fl];B[ck];W[jp]
;B[jr];W[js];B[dg];W[kc];B[oc];W[ob];B[pb];W[qb];B[hb];W[ni];B[oi]
;W[nf];B[of];W[lo];B[mn];W[ko];B[mo];W[oh];B[og];W[jb];B[hc];W[ed]
;B[ig];W[hg];B[hf];W[jg];B[hh];W[ig];B[lj];W[li];B[gl];W[eo];B[so]
;W[sn];B[bg];W[do];B[bo];W[lr];B[ks];W[ls];B[lq];W[is];B[ms];W[ks]
;B[gm];W[fm];B[hn];W[ho];B[hm];W[hk];B[gk];W[ln];B[mm];W[lm];B[ml]
;W[jn];B[kl];W[cg];B[ef];W[df];B[eg];W[ib];B[ia];W[ja];B[ha];W[bh]
;B[bi];W[bf];B[ah];W[kd];B[le];W[kj];B[ga];W[fa];B[ds];W[es];B[lg]
;W[lh];B[dq];W[go];B[in];W[af];B[ip];W[io];B[iq];W[hp];B[sd];W[sc]
;B[se];W[ag];B[bh];W[sk];B[hj];W[sj];B[ri];W[nn];B[oo];W[ek];B[ej]
;W[nd];B[nb];W[pa];B[lb];W[mb];B[jc];W[kb];B[ld];W[lc];B[el];W[mq]
;B[nq];W[ek];B[sm];W[sl];B[el];W[kp];B[mp];W[ek];B[hr];W[hs];B[el]
;W[oe];B[pe];W[ek];B[gs];W[fs];B[el];W[ic];B[gf];W[ek];B[ki];W[kh]
;B[el];W[fh];B[gh];W[ek];B[oe];W[el])

Hane Strikes Back

Hane failed to take the lead at Gosei, but he didn't miss his chance to win the fifth game of the 66th Honinbo title match.


Hane Naoki (left) vs. Yamashita Keigo (black)

Hane who got black at the fifth game played a territory oriented strategy. He took a big corner at the upper right, leaving his weak group at the left side. Day 1 ended with Hane did the sealing move for black 65.


Hane gave his sealed move to the referee

Day 2 focused at the battle on the right center. Hane settled the group and turned his sword at white's upper left corner. Hane found the correct moves to kill white's corner and won the game by resignation after 191 moves.

With this victory, Hane is one step closer to his second fight back. Will Hane bring Yamashita down once again? Or will Yamashita put an end at Hane's fight? The sixth game will be played at July 13-14.


Yamashita only need 1 win to defense his title. Will he make it?

Vote who do you think will be the 66th Honinbo below

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

Here is the game record:
Hane Naoki (black) vs. Yamashita Keigo (white). Resu;t: B+R

(;
KM[6.5]
EV[66th Honinbo title match 5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PB[Hane Naoki]
DT[2011-06-29]
BR[9d]
RE[B+R]
WR[Honinbo]
PW[Yamashita Keigo]
;B[qd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[oc];W[po];B[qo];W[pp];B[qp];W[oq];B[qn]
;W[dj];B[pr];W[jp];B[cq];W[cp];B[dq];W[fq];B[fr];W[fd];B[bp];W[bo]
;B[bq];W[cn];B[gq];W[fp];B[eq];W[ep];B[jd];W[oe];B[md];W[qe];B[pd]
;W[pe];B[pi];W[me];B[ld];W[ni];B[be];W[cd];B[ch];W[ci];B[dh];W[fi]
;B[cf];W[bd];B[fg];W[hi];B[gc];W[gd];B[hc];W[bi];B[hg];W[fc];B[no]
;W[ie];B[fh];W[gi];B[jg];W[id];B[ic];W[je];B[kd];W[pk];B[oj];W[kf]
;B[ih];W[gf];B[hh];W[ol];B[nj];W[li];B[mk];W[mm];B[kk];W[jj];B[mg]
;W[kj];B[kg];W[lf];B[lg];W[oh];B[nf];W[ne];B[ei];W[ej];B[bg];W[ml]
;B[ll];W[lm];B[km];W[kn];B[jm];W[jn];B[mi];W[lj];B[lk];W[mj];B[nk]
;W[pn];B[nq];W[qm];B[rm];W[ql];B[rl];W[rk];B[qj];W[qq];B[qr];W[qk]
;B[pg];W[rq];B[rr];W[sl];B[sn];W[og];B[of];W[pf];B[ph];W[mh];B[oi]
;W[nh];B[jk];W[np];B[or];W[op];B[gl];W[ij];B[hm];W[fk];B[in];W[io]
;B[ho];W[ef];B[ff];W[df];B[ge];W[rh];B[hd];W[rd];B[rc];W[rf];B[sd]
;W[re];B[qg];W[sk];B[gb];W[il];B[ik];W[im];B[hn];W[jl];B[hj];W[ii]
;B[gj];W[di];B[eh];W[fj];B[kl];W[he];B[fe];W[gp];B[gr];W[hf];B[ee]
;W[de];B[ed];W[ec];B[dc];W[db];B[eb];W[cc];B[fb];W[dc];B[bb];W[ba]
;B[ad];W[ac];B[ae];W[ab];B[ca];W[bh];B[aa];W[bc];B[ba];W[da];B[jh]
;W[ag];B[ce];W[hp];B[fm])

Sakai Leads Gosei Defense

Hane Naoki seems to be in up and down. After surviving his first kadoban, Hane who became Gosei challenger last month, lost the first game of the 36th Gosei title match.


Hane Naoki (left) vs. Sakai Hideyuki (right)

Sakai Hideyuki Gosei who played white at the first game trapped Hane's group in his influence and successfully killed it. This title is very important for Sakai. Not only he will be promoted to 9 dan if he win the title once again, it will also give him fame as he achieved little after winning the Gosei last year. The second game will be played at July 10 in Nagaoka.

Vote who do you think will become the 36th Gosei

Who will be the 36th Gosei?
	Sakai Hideyuki
	Hane Naoki
pollcode.com free polls

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

(;
EV[36th Gosei title match 1]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Sakai Hideyuki]
WR[Gosei]
DT[2011-06-23]
BR[9d]
RE[W+R]
PB[Hane Naoki]
;B[qd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dq];B[do];W[oc];B[fp];W[pe];B[qe];W[pf];B[qg]
;W[fq];B[gp];W[co];B[cn];W[cp];B[ep];W[gr];B[bn];W[iq];B[di];W[cg]
;B[jd];W[hc];B[md];W[qf];B[rf];W[rg];B[rh];W[pg];B[qh];W[re];B[sg]
;W[qc];B[pd];W[od];B[rd];W[rc];B[ne];W[oe];B[fc];W[ie];B[fe];W[je]
;B[jc];W[hd];B[nb];W[dc];B[eg];W[df];B[hf];W[ig];B[gh];W[mc];B[lc]
;W[nc];B[mb];W[lb];B[kb];W[ld];B[kc];W[le];B[bh];W[qo];B[bg];W[bf]
;B[eb];W[db];B[he];W[id];B[qp];W[po];B[nq];W[gj];B[ii];W[ij];B[jj]
;W[ik];B[jk];W[il];B[jl];W[im];B[ip];W[ji];B[jh];W[ki];B[ih];W[kh]
;B[jg];W[lg];B[jm];W[io];B[jp];W[jn];B[lm];W[km];B[kl];W[kn];B[ml]
;W[ln];B[mn];W[mo];B[nn];W[op];B[oq];W[lp];B[hn];W[ho];B[gn];W[in]
;B[hp];W[rp];B[rq];W[pp];B[qq];W[lk];B[ll];W[ol];B[nk];W[ok];B[nj]
;W[oj];B[on];W[qm];B[ni];W[oi];B[ng];W[nl])

Hane Naoki Survived First Kadoban

After 3 consecutive losses at the 66th Honinbo title match, Hane Naoki finally pulled himself together and won the fourth game by the slightest 0.5 point margin. This made the position became 3-1 for Yamashita and the title match went for the fifth game at the end of June.


Hane Naoki (left) vs. Yamashita Keigo (right)


Yamashita did the sealing move for day 1


Will this victory turn to be Hane's second fightback in this title history?
Vote who do you think will be the 66th Honinbo below

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

Here is the game record:
Hane Naoki (white) vs. Yamashita Keigo (black). Result:W+0.5

(;
KM[6.5]
EV[66th Honinbo title match 4]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PB[Yamashita Keigo]
DT[2011-06-15]
BR[Honinbo]
RE[W+0.5]
WR[9d]
PW[Hane Naoki]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[op];W[co];B[jp];W[qj];B[qh];W[qm];B[pl]
;W[ql];B[pj];W[pk];B[ok];W[qk];B[pi];W[ol];B[nk];W[pq];B[on];W[oq]
;B[pm];W[pp];B[po];W[qn];B[qo];W[np];B[oo];W[ri];B[mr];W[mq];B[nr]
;W[nq];B[lq];W[lp];B[kq];W[ln];B[qq];W[ml];B[nl];W[nm];B[nn];W[mn]
;B[rh];W[lj];B[fq];W[hp];B[fo];W[hn];B[jn];W[mm];B[om];W[jm];B[no]
;W[mp];B[hq];W[in];B[gp];W[jc];B[cm];W[cf];B[lc];W[je];B[di];W[nc]
;B[md];W[qi];B[rn];W[rm];B[ro];W[ph];B[qf];W[rk];B[pc];W[ec];B[dg]
;W[df];B[fg];W[bh];B[jo];W[il];B[gj];W[mf];B[nd];W[cj];B[hf];W[hj]
;B[hi];W[ii];B[hh];W[hd];B[ij];W[hk];B[ji];W[gk];B[jk];W[kl];B[fj]
;W[kb];B[ni];W[lh];B[kg];W[lg];B[do];W[cp];B[er];W[dr];B[kf];W[fm]
;B[mi];W[kh];B[li];W[le];B[jf];W[ke];B[lb];W[jh];B[ih];W[ng];B[fe]
;W[fd];B[el];W[qr];B[rr];W[or];B[qs];W[ps];B[pr];W[ns];B[lr];W[qr]
;B[rs];W[fn];B[ho];W[dn];B[dm];W[eo];B[cn];W[en];B[kc];W[jb];B[ie]
;W[id];B[bo];W[bk];B[bp];W[bq];B[bl];W[dk];B[ek];W[dj];B[ej];W[ci]
;B[ds];W[cs];B[es];W[cr];B[of];W[pg];B[pf];W[sh];B[rg];W[oh];B[cg]
;W[bg];B[eg];W[ee];B[ge];W[dl];B[em];W[eq];B[fr];W[si];B[sg];W[oi]
;B[oj];W[la];B[ma];W[ka];B[mc];W[dh];B[ei];W[ch];B[jl];W[kn];B[ik]
;W[fl];B[lk];W[mk];B[kk];W[mj];B[nj];W[jg];B[ll];W[km];B[gn];W[gm]
;B[go];W[ig];B[if];W[hg];B[gg];W[eh];B[fh];W[kj];B[ki];W[me];B[gd]
;W[gc];B[hl];W[im];B[fk];W[gl];B[ep];W[dp];B[ak];W[aj];B[al];W[ap]
;B[bn];W[io];B[ip];W[ne];B[oe];W[qg];B[rf];W[ao];B[an];W[aq];B[cl]
;W[sn];B[so];W[sm];B[ck];W[bj];B[ef];W[ms];B[ls];W[os];B[he];W[jj]
;B[fp];W[pr])

Yamashita Picked Third Victory

After successfully won game 1 and game 2, Yamashita Keigo is one step closer to defend his title by winning the third game.

The third game was played at Hokkaido. Yamashita Honinbo played white in this game, while Hane Naoki challenger played black. Black quickly claimed the bottom right corner in exchange of giving white several useful stones toward the left side. Day 1 ended with Yamashita sealed the 48th move for the next day.


Yamashita Keigo handled his sealed move.

Day 2 continued with Yamashita playing K8. White chose to abandon black's approach at F17 and aimed for the center. Black quickly entered the moyo with E9 and a fight started. Black successfully alive but white got so many points at the left side from the fight. Yamashita played very well at the end game and won by 1.5 points.


Yamashita is leading the race with 3-0.

The fourth game will be played at June 15-16. Hane Naoki will face his first kadoban. Will Hane make another fight back in Honinbo title match? Let's wait and see.


Hane Naoki, will he make another comeback like 3 years ago?

Vote who do you think will be the 66th Honinbo below

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

Here is the game record:
Yamashita Keigo (white) vs. Hane Naoki (black). Result: W+1.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rated game]EV[66th Honinbo title match, game 3]
DT[2011-06-02,03]PB[Hane Naoki]BR[9p]PW[Yamashita Keigo]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+1.5]
MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dd];B[pp];W[dp];B[oc];W[qn];B[nq];W[pj];B[qh];W[cj];B[pl];W[on];B[nl];W[no]
;B[qp];W[lp];B[ll];W[ro];B[mo];W[oq];B[op];W[np];B[mp];W[mq];B[nr];W[mn];B[lo];W[lq]
;B[or];W[kn];B[ko];W[jo];B[kp];W[ln];B[kq];W[kr];B[lr];W[mk];B[nk];W[oi];B[mj];W[pg]
;B[qg];W[pf];B[qf];W[mh];B[fc];W[jl];B[kj];W[ij];B[lh];W[lg];B[kh];W[mi];B[nm];W[nn]
;B[li];W[nj];B[lj];W[nd];B[nc];W[fd];B[gd];W[fe];B[dc];W[cc];B[ec];W[cd];B[ek];W[dl]
;B[el];W[dm];B[ei];W[hl];B[hi];W[ii];B[hh];W[fh];B[hj];W[fi];B[fj];W[kk];B[lk];W[hk]
;B[gk];W[ih];B[hg];W[gc];B[hc];W[gb];B[hb];W[hd];B[ge];W[gf];B[he];W[hf];B[ie];W[if]
;B[dj];W[je];B[id];W[ci];B[em];W[dn];B[fo];W[fn];B[en];W[eo];B[dk];W[ck];B[gn];W[fp]
;B[fm];W[gp];B[di];W[jq];B[mr];W[jp];B[dg];W[ch];B[nf];W[mf];B[ng];W[mg];B[md];W[ph]
;B[pe];W[me];B[ld];W[ne];B[qi];W[db];B[eb];W[da];B[cb];W[bb];B[eg];W[rl];B[ff];W[ea]
;B[ga];W[rq];B[rp];W[sp];B[jr];W[ir];B[ks];W[ho];B[qr];W[gg];B[is];W[hr];B[cg];W[rj]
;B[qj];W[oe];B[jf];W[kf];B[jg];W[ig];B[le];W[qk];B[kg];W[ri];B[lf];W[pk];B[rh];W[rr]
;B[rs];W[pd];B[qe];W[od];B[pc];W[bg];B[bf];W[bh];B[hs];W[gs];B[js];W[gr];B[ce];W[bd]
;B[jm];W[im];B[jk];W[kl];B[km];W[il];B[jj];W[ik];B[lm];W[gl];B[fl];W[pm];B[ok];W[oj]
;B[in];W[hn];B[jn];W[io];B[qq];W[so];B[qo];W[rn];B[sh];W[si];B[be];W[mm];B[ml];W[ji]
;B[de];W[ed];B[fb];W[ef];B[fg];W[ee];B[ad];W[ac];B[ag];W[ah];B[df];W[ae];B[af];W[gh]
;B[gj];W[ql];B[ad];W[ca];B[gm];W[hm];B[go];W[ol];B[om];W[pl];B[ae])

Yamashita Leads 2-0

The Honinbo title match continued! The second game was played on May 24-25 in Kagoshima. This time, Yamashita Keigo Honinbo played black against chalenger, Hane Naoki.


Yamashita Keigo (left) vs. Hane Naoki (right)

Hane Naoki played a Low Chinese Fuseki and quickly developed the game into a moyo game with the right side as his main framework. Day 1 ended with Yamashita did the sealing move for move 43.


Yamashita handling the sealed move

Day 2 continued with Yamashita playing his sealed move, which turned out to be a probe at B6. Hane started a fight with White 46 and used that stone as an aji to live inside Yamashit's moyo. However, he ended up in gote.

At move 107. white went into a trouble where his stones around O17 got attacked. Hane made a ko fight to survive, but a lack of threat soon sent himinto resignation.

With this, Yamashita leads the title match with 2-0. The next game will be played at June 2-3.


Yamashita Keigo

Don't forget to cast your vote on who do you think will win the 66th Honinbo title below.

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

Here is the game record:
Yamashita Keigo (black) vs. Hane Naoki (white). Result: B+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[66th Honinbo title match, game 2]DT[2011-05-25]
PB[Yamashita Keigo]BR[9p]PW[Hane Naoki ]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[qk];W[jp];B[lp];W[nc];B[pf];W[pb];B[qc];W[kc];B[fq];W[dn]
;B[hp];W[eq];B[fp];W[jn];B[gm];W[im];B[em];W[cl];B[ln];W[ik];B[ek];W[dj];B[km];W[gj]
;B[fi];W[fj];B[ej];W[ei];B[dk];W[fh];B[cq];W[gi];B[di];W[cp];B[dh];W[fr];B[gr];W[er]
;B[bn];W[bo];B[kj];W[nq];B[np];W[qm];B[ql];W[qo];B[qq];W[pm];B[ol];W[rn];B[rl];W[rp]
;B[rq];W[op];B[oq];W[no];B[mp];W[so];B[df];W[fe];B[le];W[cd];B[gg];W[ji];B[ge];W[gd]
;B[hd];W[gc];B[ff];W[ki];B[ee];W[fd];B[hc];W[gb];B[jj];W[ij];B[li];W[eg];B[ef];W[cj]
;B[ck];W[bi];B[bj];W[ci];B[bl];W[dg];B[ch];W[cg];B[bh];W[lh];B[kh];W[jh];B[kg];W[jg]
;B[kf];W[ie];B[jd];W[he];B[jl];W[il];B[je];W[jf];B[jc];W[ne];B[od];W[nd];B[lc];W[ng]
;B[of];W[nf];B[mh];W[nh];B[ni];W[ph];B[oi];W[pg];B[rg];W[qf];B[rf];W[qe];B[qb];W[lb]
;B[kb];W[mc];B[kd];W[nb];B[pc];W[oa];B[gf];W[if];B[ma];W[re];B[qg];W[qh];B[rh];W[ri]
;B[rj];W[qi];B[si];W[sh];B[sg];W[sd];B[sj];W[rc];B[rb];W[sb];B[ra];W[oc];B[pa];W[qa]
;B[hh];W[pa];B[na];W[ob];B[se];W[og];B[sh];W[qd];B[pe];W[sf];B[ed])

Hane Naoki the Gosei Challenger

Hane Naoki (9 dan) is in his shape! After winning the right to be Honinbo challenger, Hane went for his second challenger's seat at the 36th Gosei.


Hane Naoki (left) vs. Rin Shien (right)

Hane beat Rin Shien (7 dan) at the final. Hane who played white showed a great invading skill. Rin who played a moyo game got his moyo destroyed after Hane saved his group with white 162.


Rin Shien

This will be the first time Hane play at Gosei title match. He will challenge Sakai Hideyuki Gosei at 23rd June. Based on the previous meeting, Sakai is leading the tally with 2-0, but both game came from 2004. Almost 7 years ago! I believe both got stronger in 7 years, so it will be interesting to see who's gonna win this.


Hane Naoki

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

(;
EV[36th Gosei challenger decision match]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Hane Naoki]
WR[9d]
DT[2011-05-19]
BR[7d]
RE[W+R]
PB[Rin Shien]
;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[qm];B[db];W[cc];B[ic];W[qc];B[pc];W[qd];B[qe];W[re]
;B[rf];W[pb];B[ob];W[oc];B[od];W[qb];B[nc];W[qf];B[pe];W[rg];B[pf]
;W[qg];B[pg];W[rh];B[dn];W[fq];B[dj];W[je];B[fe];W[jc];B[jb];W[id]
;B[kc];W[hc];B[jd];W[ib];B[jc];W[he];B[fg];W[hg];B[ch];W[cb];B[bf]
;W[cg];B[bg];W[dh];B[dg];W[df];B[eg];W[be];B[if];W[jg];B[ie];W[hd]
;B[hf];W[gf];B[jf];W[kf];B[ke];W[ig];B[je];W[ci];B[bh];W[di];B[cj]
;W[bi];B[bj];W[ei];B[ai];W[ff];B[ef];W[ee];B[gg];W[ge];B[fi];W[ej]
;B[gj];W[dk];B[ck];W[hb];B[ae];W[bd];B[hk];W[jk];B[go];W[hi];B[gi]
;W[kh];B[pl];W[ql];B[ji];W[ij];B[kk];W[kl];B[jl];W[ik];B[km];W[ll]
;B[il];W[lk];B[lm];W[fk];B[gk];W[kj];B[ep];W[gr];B[mm];W[jq];B[lq]
;W[cl];B[dl];W[bl];B[ek];W[bn];B[qi];W[ri];B[pj];W[pk];B[ok];W[qk]
;B[hq];W[hr];B[rd];W[sf];B[fd];W[fb];B[lj];W[lh];B[eq];W[er];B[dp]
;W[cq];B[eb];W[fa];B[cm];W[kq];B[ia];W[ha];B[ja];W[gb];B[kr];W[jr]
;B[li];W[ki];B[mg];W[lg];B[lf];W[mj];B[mi];W[mf])

Here are the games between Sakai and Hane:

52nd Japanese NHK Cup, round 3
Sakai Hideyuki (W) vs. Hane Naoki (B). Result: W+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[52nd Japanese NHK Cup, round 3]DT[2004-12-12]
PB[Hane Naoki]BR[9p]PW[Sakai Hideyuki]WR[6p]KM[6.5]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dp];B[pq];W[dd];B[oc];W[po];B[qo];W[qn];B[qp];W[rd];B[qc];W[pm];B[nq];W[qi]
;B[qg];W[oi];B[cj];W[cl];B[cf];W[ch];B[bh];W[fc];B[dh];W[qe];B[pe];W[qf];B[pf];W[rg]
;B[rf];W[re];B[rh];W[sf];B[qh];W[ri];B[sh];W[rc];B[og];W[ce];B[df];W[bf];B[bg];W[ic]
;B[cn];W[co];B[dn];W[bn];B[bm];W[bo];B[cm];W[fq];B[kc];W[rb];B[gc];W[gb];B[fb];W[eb]
;B[fd];W[fa];B[ec];W[fb];B[gn];W[hk];B[hq];W[fo];B[fn];W[jk];B[ll];W[jm];B[il];W[jl]
;B[kn];W[jn];B[jo];W[io];B[jp];W[ip];B[iq];W[lm];B[km];W[kl];B[lo];W[ln];B[ko];W[nm]
;B[lk];W[li];B[ij];W[jj];B[ik];W[ii];B[hi];W[hm];B[hj];W[hn];B[ni];W[nj];B[ih];W[nh]
;B[ji];W[gl];B[fk];W[fl];B[el];W[mo];B[mp];W[gk];B[no];W[nn];B[ed];W[dc];B[fj];W[lb]
;B[jc];W[lc];B[ke];W[le];B[lf];W[ld];B[mf];W[kd];B[jd];W[je];B[id];W[kf];B[if];W[ie]
;B[he];W[kg];B[ki];W[nd];B[lh];W[mh];B[lj];W[mi];B[hp];W[kj];B[od];W[ne];B[im];W[in]
;B[ho];W[hc];B[hd];W[gd];B[ql];W[rk];B[rn];W[ee];B[rl];W[qk];B[pl];W[ml];B[gm];W[gr]
;B[er];W[fr];B[mn];W[mm];B[kh];W[lg];B[kb];W[ka];B[ja];W[la];B[mg];W[nb];B[ob];W[ng]
;B[nf];W[me];B[of];W[na];B[ok];W[ph];B[hr];W[be];B[pj];W[pk];B[ol];W[oj];B[ep];W[eq]
;B[gf];W[ff];B[fg];W[am];B[al];W[an];B[bl];W[mj];B[hl];W[eo])

30th Japanese Meijin, preliminary
Sakai Hideyuki (W) vs. Hane Naoki (B). Result: W+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[30th Japanese Meijin, preliminary]DT[2004-10-28]
PB[Hane Naok]BR[9p]PW[Sakai Hideyuki]WR[6p]KM[6.5]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[pp];B[dd];W[dp];B[oc];W[qj];B[fq];W[hp];B[nq];W[pn];B[fo];W[dn];B[cq];W[dq]
;B[dr];W[er];B[cr];W[fr];B[co];W[do];B[bn];W[gq];B[pr];W[mq];B[mp];W[lq];B[qq];W[qp]
;B[nr];W[np];B[qh];W[oi];B[fc];W[rq];B[rr];W[rp];B[sr];W[mr];B[pq];W[no];B[og];W[mh]
;B[jj];W[mf];B[ce];W[oe];B[pe];W[nc];B[od];W[nd];B[jd];W[jf];B[hj];W[qi];B[lg];W[lf]
;B[ne];W[me];B[of];W[jc];B[kc];W[kd];B[ic];W[jb];B[id];W[kb];B[cl];W[fk];B[dk];W[gl]
;B[hl];W[hm];B[il];W[fi];B[jn];W[kk];B[kj];W[lk];B[im];W[hn];B[ln];W[cn];B[bo];W[cm]
;B[bm];W[cc];B[dc];W[dh];B[io];W[ho];B[el];W[fm];B[ri];W[rj];B[mm];W[km];B[ke];W[ld]
;B[ig];W[kn];B[lp];W[ko];B[kp];W[kq];B[jp];W[jq];B[lm];W[jo];B[kl];W[ll];B[ip];W[in]
;B[jl];W[jm];B[iq];W[ir];B[hr];W[is];B[hq];W[kr];B[gr];W[eq];B[gp];W[em];B[pm];W[nl]
;B[on];W[qm];B[ml];W[mk];B[nk];W[nj];B[ol];W[qn])

Yamashita Keigo Won Game 1

The first game of the 66th Honinbo title series continues! Hane Naoki, the challenger, played S12 as his sealed move. A natural choice to help his weak stones at the right side.


Hane Naoki played his sealed move.

Yamashita started a fight at the left side with white 104. He got a nice wall while giving Hane territory. Later, Yamashita played white 158 and 160 to seal the territory. During the end game, Yamashita captured 5 stones thanks to black's weak group around F17. The Honinbo won the first game by 7.5 points.


Hane Naoki (left) vs. Yamashita Keigo (right)

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

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rated game]EV[66th Japanese Honinbo title match, game 1]
DT[2011-05-11,12]PB[Hane Naoki]BR[9p]PW[Yamashita Keigo]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+7.5]
MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[qo];W[jq];B[cn];W[fp];B[cj];W[cl];B[fc];W[cf];B[bl];W[ic]
;B[dl];W[nc];B[qg];W[dc];B[lc];W[pc];B[qc];W[qd];B[qe];W[rd];B[oc];W[pb];B[od];W[ob]
;B[nd];W[re];B[nb];W[qb];B[hd];W[kc];B[hc];W[ld];B[mc];W[je];B[lq];W[co];B[dn];W[bn]
;B[bm];W[qf];B[og];W[if];B[gf];W[oo];B[np];W[qn];B[rn];W[ro];B[rp];W[po];B[qp];W[rm]
;B[so];W[ol];B[hq];W[fr];B[ho];W[pf];B[of];W[pg];B[ph];W[oh];B[rf];W[pe];B[oe];W[qe]
;B[pi];W[nh];B[rh];W[qj];B[pj];W[ql];B[pk];W[no];B[gr];W[gq];B[hr];W[mp];B[eq];W[er]
;B[dq];W[cq];B[dr];W[fq];B[ep];W[eo];B[cr];W[do];B[br];W[go];B[fn];W[fo];B[bp];W[hp]
;B[ip];W[hn];B[io];W[bo];B[cp];W[dk];B[ek];W[el];B[dm];W[en];B[em];W[fl];B[fm];W[gm]
;B[ko];W[gn];B[cm];W[fk];B[ej];W[fj];B[ei];W[mq];B[kq];W[jr];B[kr];W[fi];B[eh];W[jn]
;B[qk];W[fh];B[eg];W[mg];B[me];W[rk];B[se];W[sd];B[sf];W[rb];B[rj];W[lb];B[kd];W[jd]
;B[lo];W[ke];B[mb];W[fg];B[ee];W[ff];B[fe];W[sj];B[ri];W[oq];B[km];W[in];B[mm];W[pr]
;B[qr];W[pp];B[qq];W[ll];B[lm];W[jk];B[pn];W[qm];B[om];W[nm];B[nl];W[nn];B[pl];W[pm]
;B[nr];W[mr];B[or];W[ok];B[nq];W[mo];B[nj];W[nk];B[ml];W[mk];B[lk];W[lj];B[kk];W[kj]
;B[kl];W[mj];B[eb];W[db];B[ng];W[is];B[ks];W[gs];B[iq];W[hs];B[ms];W[ch];B[da];W[ca]
;B[ea];W[bb];B[bh];W[ef];B[bg];W[dg];B[gb];W[ci];B[bi];W[dj];B[ck];W[di];B[mh];W[lh]
;B[mi];W[li];B[ni];W[ge];B[he];W[hf];B[gd];W[bf];B[gg];W[hh];B[lf];W[kf];B[lg];W[kg]
;B[im];W[il];B[jm];W[ap];B[bq];W[hm];B[sm];W[on];B[af];W[ae];B[ag];W[de];B[jb];W[le]
;B[mf];W[ib];B[kb];W[jc];B[jl];W[ik];B[hb];W[ja];B[la];W[op];B[cg];W[dh];B[oa];W[pa]
;B[na];W[gh];B[ha];W[ia];B[ka];W[hg];B[ge];W[oj];B[oi];W[lr];B[ls];W[ds];B[cs];W[am]
;B[al];W[aq];B[ar];W[ao];B[ed];W[rl];B[si];W[ir];B[jp];W[es];B[an];W[sk];B[am];W[gp])

66th Honinbo Title Series Starts!

The 66th Honinbo title series finally arrived. This year, Yamashita Keigo Honinbo will face the league winner, Hane Naoki, in a best-of-7 series.

The first game started today and will continue tomorrow. Hane Naoki got black in this game and did the sealing move for move 73.


Hane Naoki handed over his sealed move.

The position is quite difficult. Black's group at the right side and upper side are under attack. I think Yamashita could take the advantage from attacking them. However, white's group at the upper side and at the lower right are not settle as well.


Final position of day 1

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