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 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])

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])

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

Iyama Continue His Rivalry With Cho U

It seems that this year's Kisei is not the last time we will see Iyama-Cho U's clash as Iyama Meijin beat Takao Shinji (9 dan) at the final of the 49th Judan final.


Takao Shinji (left) vs. Iyama Yuta (right)

Iyama Yuta succesfully enter the final by winning the winner section. The road was not as steady for Takao as he lost at the first round from So Yokoku (8 dan), but he gained back his form and drove all the way at the Loser section and eventualy became the winner.


Iyama Yuta Meijin

Takao actually broke his jinx against Iyama with his 4.5 points victory over the Meijin at the 4th Daiwa Cup Grand Champion tournament but it wasn't enough for him to break Iyama's tight wall.

The first game will be played at March 3.

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

(;
EV[49th Judan challenger decision match]
PW[Iyama Yuta]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
WR[Meijin]
PB[Takao Shinji]
RE[W+R]
DT[2011-02-10]
BR[9d]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[fq];W[cn];B[jp];W[qn];B[po];W[rp];B[pl]
;W[pn];B[qo];W[ro];B[rm];W[qq];B[rn];W[pr];B[on];W[nc];B[pf];W[kd]
;B[fc];W[ec];B[fd];W[df];B[ic];W[qc];B[pc];W[pb];B[ob];W[qb];B[oc]
;W[re];B[kf];W[nb];B[na];W[qf];B[pg];W[id];B[hd];W[ie];B[jc];W[ke]
;B[lf];W[ig];B[gg];W[jh];B[lh];W[eg];B[hf];W[hh];B[gh];W[gi];B[hi]
;W[ii];B[hj];W[fi];B[kc];W[ik];B[hg];W[ih];B[fj];W[ij];B[gj];W[gl]
;B[ei];W[fh];B[ek];W[fp];B[im];W[dj];B[ej];W[jm];B[in];W[il];B[fm]
;W[gm];B[fn];W[gn];B[fo];W[fl];B[el];W[gp];B[ep];W[eo];B[eq];W[go]
;B[do];W[en];B[em];W[dn];B[cq];W[cl];B[ck];W[bk];B[bl];W[bm];B[bj]
;W[al];B[cg];W[dg];B[ch];W[bf];B[bg];W[be];B[cj];W[dl];B[dk];W[di]
;B[dh];W[ah];B[ai];W[ag];B[bh];W[dq];B[dr];W[cp];B[af];W[fb];B[gb]
;W[ag];B[ci];W[cr];B[er];W[gq];B[bq];W[br];B[bp];W[co];B[ar];W[bs]
;B[ds];W[fr];B[gr];W[fs];B[hr];W[iq];B[bo];W[bn];B[ir];W[jq];B[gs]
;W[aq];B[jn];W[jr];B[is];W[km];B[kn];W[li];B[lm];W[ll];B[mi];W[mj]
;B[lj];W[ln];B[mm];W[mn];B[lp];W[nm];B[ml];W[lk];B[nl];W[kj];B[op]
;W[nq];B[md];W[nn];B[no];W[om];B[ol];W[oo];B[np];W[mq];B[mp];W[me]
;B[pp];W[nd];B[or];W[qr];B[eb];W[db];B[fa];W[ma];B[qg];W[ni];B[ng]
;W[qi];B[pi];W[rg];B[oi];W[qj];B[lq];W[mh];B[qe];W[rf];B[mf];W[ql]
;B[qm];W[rl];B[pm];W[mc];B[qh];W[rh];B[ps];W[oe];B[pk];W[rr];B[hq]
;W[pe];B[bb];W[cb];B[bc];W[ee];B[ed];W[dc];B[cf];W[ce];B[fg];W[bd]
;B[eh];W[qs];B[os];W[ka];B[qk];W[rk])

Cho U Defended Judan

It seems that Cho U regains his form this year. After a sloppy year in 2009 (where he lost two of his titles, Meijin and Tengen), Cho started out this year by winning Kisei title, thus making him as the second person ever to held all 7 titles at least once (the first one was Cho Chikun).



This year, Cho U Judan was challenged by Yamashita Keigo Tengen. Cho won the first game by resignation at March 4. Then he won again in the second game by a small 1.5 margin. Today, he completed his title defense by winning the third game by resignation.

Here is the game record for the third game. Congratulations for Cho U!

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]PB[Cho U]BR[9p]PW[Yamashita Keigo]WR[9p]
KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[qp];W[dd];B[fq];W[dn];B[dr];W[op];B[mq];W[qq];B[qm];W[pp];B[rp];W[jp]
;B[or];W[pr];B[oq];W[pq];B[mo];W[on];B[mm];W[ol];B[pk];W[ln];B[no];W[qn];B[rn];W[pm]
;B[qo];W[pn];B[ql];W[ok];B[ko];W[gq];B[gp];W[hq];B[fp];W[cq];B[in];W[fr];B[er];W[gr]
;B[co];W[ep];B[eq];W[ho];B[cp];W[jn];B[jo];W[io];B[bq];W[kp];B[lo];W[kn];B[im];W[kl]
;B[mk];W[ll];B[ml];W[pj];B[nm];W[oj];B[gm];W[jk];B[kr];W[jr];B[kq];W[jq];B[fn];W[hl]
;B[hk];W[gl];B[fl];W[gk];B[hm];W[hp];B[mi];W[hj];B[fk];W[fj];B[ej];W[fi];B[js];W[lq]
;B[lr];W[lp];B[mr];W[is];B[oh];W[rk];B[rl];W[qk];B[sk];W[sm];B[sl];W[pl];B[ci];W[sj]
;B[rm];W[rq];B[sp];W[lg];B[ki];W[jg];B[lk];W[cg];B[ei];W[eh];B[dc];W[ec];B[eb];W[cj]
;B[bi];W[db];B[cc];W[fb];B[dh];W[dg];B[mc];W[ek];B[dk];W[el];B[fm];W[dl];B[ck];W[ch]
;B[di];W[cl];B[bk];W[bl];B[al];W[bn];B[ak];W[bh];B[ai];W[ed];B[jc];W[pc];B[qc];W[od]
;B[oc];W[lc];B[lb];W[nc];B[pb];W[md];B[mb];W[kc];B[kb];W[nb];B[ld];W[kd];B[le];W[jd]
;B[oe];W[ne];B[nd];W[go];B[fo];W[od];B[id];W[kf];B[nd];W[bj];B[cn];W[od];B[of];W[nf]
;B[nd];W[bm];B[dm];W[od];B[ib];W[ni];B[ks];W[hc];B[nd];W[mh];B[os];W[fs];B[nq];W[od]
;B[ic];W[ob];B[nd];W[ms];B[ns];W[od];B[fh];W[eg];B[nd];W[bo];B[bp];W[od];B[ir];W[hs]
;B[nd];W[ah];B[em];W[od];B[hi];W[gh];B[nd];W[mp];B[hh];W[fg];B[if];W[np];B[ij];W[ik]
;B[kk];W[jl];B[ig];W[jh];B[ii];W[je];B[ie];W[od];B[pc];W[nd];B[ng];W[pg];B[ph];W[li]
;B[jj];W[qg];B[og];W[qe];B[qh];W[rh];B[ri];W[rf];B[sh];W[sg];B[rg];W[am];B[ao];W[rh]
;B[mf];W[lf];B[rg];W[dj];B[aj];W[rh];B[na];W[ke];B[oa];W[me];B[rg];W[hg];B[gf];W[gg]
;B[ih];W[rh];B[rj];W[qi];B[rg];W[cj];B[cm];W[rh];B[gi];W[gj];B[rg];W[dj];B[an];W[rh]
;B[si];W[rd];B[rg];W[ma];B[pa];W[rh];B[rc];W[rg];B[se])

First game of 48th Judan

The first game of the 48th Judan title match series was played at March 4. Guess who are the players. Yup. They are (again) Cho U and Yamashita Keigo.

After his previous lost at Kisei title series, for sure Yamashita is motivated to win Judan from Cho. Is the motivation enough to win the title? I don't know. But at least it wasn't enough to won the first game.


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

The first game was won by Cho U who played black by resignation. The game was moyo game with both players built very big moyos. However, Cho attacked white's weak group and by a smart sequence, Ymashita was left with the options of letting the weak group go or lost about 15 points in his moyo. Yamshita chose the third option. Resigning the game.

(;
KM[6.5]
EV[48th Judan title match 1]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Yamashita Keigo]
WR[Tengen]
DT[2010-03-04]
BR[Judan]
RE[B+R]
PB[Cho U]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[co];W[op];B[oq];W[nq];B[pq];W[dl];B[np]
;W[mq];B[no];W[kp];B[iq];W[fp];B[cq];W[dp];B[io];W[cp];B[lo];W[ip]
;B[jp];W[ko];B[hp];W[km];B[kq];W[lp];B[pj];W[nn];B[mo];W[ll];B[on]
;W[nc];B[lj];W[om];B[nl];W[mk];B[nm];W[mj];B[pf];W[mh];B[jd];W[hd]
;B[me];W[ce];B[jf];W[hf];B[cc];W[dc];B[hc];W[gc];B[ic];W[pb];B[qc]
;W[lc];B[gb];W[fc];B[nd];W[le];B[ld];W[kd];B[md];W[kc];B[ke];W[mc]
;B[lf];W[dj];B[cm];W[cl];B[il];W[jj];B[bp];W[bq];B[bl];W[bk];B[bn]
;W[kn];B[qb];W[ie];B[je];W[oc];B[dm];W[em];B[en];W[fm];B[fn];W[gm]
;B[br];W[cr];B[aq];W[go];B[ck];W[al];B[bm];W[dk];B[cj];W[bj];B[ci]
;W[bi];B[gn];W[hn];B[ho];W[hm];B[eo];W[gr];B[ep];W[hr];B[fq];W[fr]
;B[eq];W[er];B[ok];W[cq];B[ig];W[hh];B[ji];W[ii];B[hg];W[gg];B[ki]
;W[ih];B[jh];W[kk];B[cb];W[oi];B[pi];W[db];B[bd];W[ph];B[qh];W[be]
;B[ca];W[od];B[jb];W[kb];B[gf];W[gh];B[pc];W[fb];B[if])

One Win to Judan

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

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

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

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

46th Judan Title, The First Match

The 46th Judan Title match starts this month.

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

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


First 31 moves

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

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