Yamashita Keigo Won Meijin

The 36th Meijin title series finally ended. Yamashita Keigo the challenger was crowned as the new Meijin after he beat Iyama Yuta at the sixth game, bringing the result to 4-2 in his favor.

Yamashita sealed the deal.

This is the first time Yamashita won Meijin title. Previously, he has won Honinbo, Kisei, Oza, Gosei, Tengen, Judan is the only big 7 title Yamashita hasn't won. Congratulations to Yamashita!

Yamashita Keigo Honinbo Meijin.

Quite a roller coaster year for Iyama

Here is the game record:
Yamashita Keigo (white) vs. Iyama Yuta (black). Result: W+3.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rated game]EV[36th Meijin title match, game 6]
DT[2011-11-27,28]PB[Iyama Yuta]BR[9p]PW[Yamashita Keigo]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+3.5]
MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[qp];W[dd];B[oq];W[qf];B[ph];W[qc];B[pc];W[qd];B[pe];W[rg];B[pf];W[jd]
;B[fq];W[cn];B[hc];W[he];B[fd];W[gd];B[fc];W[fe];B[ee];W[ed];B[ff];W[ge];B[eb];W[cc]
;B[jc];W[kc];B[id];W[ie];B[je];W[kd];B[jb];W[kb];B[ef];W[gc];B[gb];W[ja];B[cb];W[bb]
;B[db];W[cf];B[hb];W[lf];B[jf];W[hg];B[lg];W[mg];B[kg];W[mf];B[qg];W[ih];B[cg];W[rf]
;B[bf];W[ce];B[dg];W[be];B[ba];W[ab];B[dc];W[bc];B[de];W[bg];B[bh];W[af];B[li];W[og]
;B[pg];W[ni];B[md];W[mc];B[nc];W[ld];B[pk];W[ok];B[pj];W[ol];B[lk];W[oj];B[qb];W[rb]
;B[mb];W[ic];B[ib];W[hd];B[hi];W[ii];B[ij];W[hj];B[gi];W[jj];B[ik];W[jk];B[ji];W[jl]
;B[il];W[ic];B[jm];W[kl];B[id];W[im];B[gk];W[ic];B[hm];W[id];B[in];W[ll];B[cq];W[dq]
;B[dr];W[cp];B[br];W[bq];B[cr];W[ck];B[ln];W[nm];B[no];W[qq];B[qo];W[iq];B[dm];W[cm]
;B[kq];W[lq];B[lr];W[mr];B[mq];W[lp];B[nr];W[gq];B[gp];W[kr];B[ms];W[fj];B[ek];W[kn]
;B[km];W[lm];B[kp];W[fp];B[gr];W[go];B[hq];W[hp];B[gq];W[lo];B[mn];W[jn];B[im];W[io]
;B[fo];W[fn];B[ep];W[eo];B[en];W[fp];B[hh];W[ig];B[fo];W[gj];B[do];W[ej];B[dj];W[dk]
;B[cj];W[bj];B[bi];W[bk];B[fh];W[ei];B[ci];W[gm];B[fm];W[gn];B[gl];W[fk];B[el];W[fl]
;B[ho];W[em];B[cd];W[dl];B[ec];W[hn];B[bd];W[rh];B[rc];W[rd];B[ra];W[sb];B[bp];W[bo]
;B[aq];W[co];B[ko];W[jo];B[jr];W[qn];B[pn];W[qm];B[ob];W[on];B[po];W[jq];B[ks];W[jp]
;B[kr];W[rk];B[ro];W[eq];B[qi];W[er];B[ir];W[oh];B[me];W[eh];B[gf];W[ne];B[nf];W[nd]
;B[lc];W[le];B[mc];W[of];B[oe];W[ng];B[ql];W[rl];B[pm];W[pl];B[qk];W[rm];B[qj];W[rj]
;B[ri];W[si];B[mm];W[ml];B[fp];W[sn];B[od];W[so];B[sp];W[oo];B[op];W[nn];B[mo];W[ao]
;B[ap];W[dn];B[rn];W[sm];B[eo];W[eg];B[df];W[dh];B[ch];W[ds];B[qe];W[re];B[om];W[nl]
;B[hf];W[if];B[nf];W[cs];B[bs];W[es];B[gs];W[ia];B[ha];W[ka];B[ne];W[ai];B[ah];W[aj]
;B[ma])

Iyama Survived First Kadoban

The 36th Meijin reached its fifth game on October 13. Yamashita Keigo, the challenger, was leading the series by 3-1. One more victory and Yamashita will be the new Meijin. At the fifth game, Yamashita played black while Iyama Yuta Meijin played white.

                                         Iyama handled his fujite.

The game quickly entered a fighting position when Iyama attacked black's formation on the left side. The attack gave white a potential area at the bottom of the board, while black got a strong thickness at the right side. Day 1 ended with Iyama Yuta sealed his move for white 64.

Day 2 continued with Iyama playing on the right side. Yamashita countered it by attacking white's position at the bottom. Yamashita successfully invade white's area and switched to the right side, attacking white's stones. Iyama showed a good surviving skill and survived black's attack. Yamashita resigned after Iyama played white 182. With the victory, Iyama closed the gap by 1 point. Yamashita is still leading the series by 3-2 and Iyama is still under a must win situation at the next game if he wants to defend his title. The sixth game will be played on October 27-28.


Iyama survived the fifth game.


Will Yamashita capture the title at the next game? Or will it go all the way to the seventh game?

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

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[36th Japanese Meijin, title match #5] DT[2011-10-13,14]PB[Yamashita Keigo]BR[9p]PW[Iyama Yuta]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1] ;B[qd];W[dp];B[pp];W[dc];B[od];W[nq];B[qn];W[pr];B[de];W[ce];B[dd];W[cd];B[ec];W[cf] ;B[db];W[cc];B[fd];W[jc];B[lc];W[hd];B[eg];W[gf];B[fh];W[df];B[fe];W[ee];B[ed];W[ci] ;B[if];W[fb];B[eb];W[hf];B[ih];W[gh];B[fi];W[gi];B[di];W[dh];B[ch];W[bh];B[cj];W[bi] ;B[fg];W[hh];B[ii];W[gj];B[ie];W[gd];B[gb];W[gc];B[fc];W[ek];B[hb];W[ic];B[dj];W[cl] ;B[cb];W[bb];B[kb];W[ik];B[kd];W[rd];B[re];W[qc];B[qe];W[oc];B[rc];W[ql];B[ol];W[pj] ;B[lq];W[lp];B[kp];W[mp];B[on];W[kq];B[jq];W[kr];B[jp];W[lr];B[em];W[gm];B[fo];W[fq] ;B[cm];W[fn];B[eo];W[go];B[cp];W[cq];B[hl];W[gl];B[hk];W[gk];B[eq];W[do];B[en];W[ep] ;B[fp];W[gp];B[gq];W[fr];B[co];W[er];B[bq];W[br];B[hn];W[gn];B[bm];W[dl];B[rj];W[nj] ;B[oi];W[pk];B[nk];W[oj];B[rk];W[lj];B[lk];W[qm];B[rn];W[qh];B[oh];W[kj];B[mj];W[mi] ;B[mk];W[ni];B[li];W[og];B[ng];W[nh];B[pg];W[of];B[ph];W[mg];B[lh];W[nd];B[me];W[ne] ;B[pc];W[mf];B[le];W[kf];B[kg];W[lf];B[jd];W[pb];B[qb];W[nb];B[hq];W[bk];B[qi];W[jg] ;B[ig];W[oa];B[cr];W[dq];B[ar];W[bp];B[bs];W[cn];B[bo];W[bn];B[ap];W[dn];B[an];W[dm] ;B[mc];W[nc];B[il];W[pf];B[qf];W[jn];B[kn];W[km];B[lo];W[kk];B[jh];W[ki];B[kh];W[hm])

Yamashita Leads Meijin by 3-1

The fourth game of the 36th Meijin was played on October 5-6. Yamashita Keigo, the challenger, was leading the series by 2-1. At the fourth game, Iyama Yuta Meijin played black while Yamashita Keigo Honinbo played white.

Iyama opened the game with a High Chinese Fuseki. Later, the young Meijin aimed to play at the right side and at the bottom, giving a big upper left corner to Yamashita in the process. Day 1 ended with Yamashit Keigo did the sealing move for white 46.


Yamashita handling his sealed move.

Day 2 continued with exchanges played all over the board. Yamashita invaded black's right side, while Iyama invaded white's bottom left area. Iyama resigned at white 198. The move forced Iyama to connect with N7 and O7, and give white a chance to attack black's bottom right corner and get sente.


Yamashita is one step closer to the title.

With this victory, Yamashita leads the series by 3-1. One more victory and he will get the title! The fifth game will be played on October 13-14.


Will Iyama win this kadoban?

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

(;
EV[36th Meijin title match 4]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Yamashita Keigo]
WR[Honinbo]
DT[2011-10-05,06]
BR[Meijin]
RE[W+R]
PB[Iyama Yuta]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[pq];W[dd];B[pk];W[fq];B[fc];W[cf];B[mc];W[id];B[mp]
;W[qf];B[fe];W[gd];B[fd];W[db];B[hf];W[je];B[jg];W[le];B[dg];W[df]
;B[eg];W[ef];B[ff];W[fg];B[fh];W[gg];B[hh];W[eh];B[gh];W[dh];B[hg]
;W[cg];B[pf];W[ne];B[nd];W[kg];B[kh];W[lh];B[kf];W[lg];B[jf];W[pg]
;B[nf];W[oe];B[pe];W[of];B[og];W[me];B[oh];W[od];B[pc];W[oc];B[ob]
;W[nb];B[pb];W[mb];B[jc];W[ic];B[lc];W[kc];B[li];W[mi];B[ki];W[qh]
;B[qj];W[rd];B[rc];W[mh];B[ph];W[qg];B[kd];W[ke];B[nc];W[kb];B[lb]
;W[ld];B[jb];W[ka];B[la];W[jd];B[ja];W[kd];B[na];W[oj];B[qi];W[lj]
;B[kj];W[kk];B[jk];W[lk];B[ok];W[nj];B[pi];W[jl];B[ik];W[il];B[hk]
;W[qo];B[qp];W[oo];B[np];W[qm];B[om];W[rk];B[rl];W[ql];B[qk];W[on]
;B[bp];W[cp];B[bo];W[bq];B[cl];W[hl];B[gl];W[cn];B[bn];W[gk];B[fk]
;W[gj];B[fj];W[cm];B[bm];W[bk];B[ck];W[bj];B[co];W[do];B[br];W[cq]
;B[fm];W[jj];B[hj];W[jh];B[rj];W[rm];B[sk];W[rp];B[rq];W[pp];B[qq]
;W[op];B[oq];W[jq];B[gq];W[gp];B[iq];W[ip];B[hq];W[hp];B[jr];W[kq]
;B[kr];W[lq];B[fr];W[er];B[ln];W[lo];B[ko];W[lp];B[mo];W[so];B[jp]
;W[gm];B[fl];W[lr];B[mr];W[ks];B[ir];W[jo];B[eq];W[dr];B[fp];W[en]
;B[dm];W[dn];B[bl];W[fn];B[mq];W[kn];B[js];W[ls];B[hs];W[ms];B[jn]
;W[kp];B[km];W[in];B[ko];W[nr];B[or];W[kn];B[cj];W[ci];B[ko];W[mn]
)

Iyama Even The Score

The 36th Meijin continues to game 2 at September 14-15. Yamashita Keigo won game 1 but Iyama was able to calm down and won game 2 to even the score.

Iyama who played black opened the game with a Low Chinese formation. Iyama tried to save his stones with black 19. The result looks good enough for black, but then came white 40 and 42 which created a sharp fight at the left side. Iyama ended day 1 by sealing his move for black 57.


Iyama sealed the move.

Day 2 continued with Iyama playing his sealed move, H6. Iyama aimed at white's weak group to helped his own weak group. The fight was successful for black white was forced to invade black's moyo with white 126. Yamashita's invading group soon became floating and Iyama closed the game at move 179. Yamashita resigned  because he doesn't have enough threats to win the ko fight


Yamashita Keigo (left) vs. Iyama Yuta (right)

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

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[36th Japanese Meijin, game 2]DT[2011-09-14,15]
PB[Iyama Yuta]BR[Meijin]PW[Yamashita Keigo]WR[Honinbo]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[pq];W[dd];B[qk];W[jp];B[cf];W[fc];B[cn];W[dk];B[fq];W[dn];B[dm];W[en]
;B[cq];W[co];B[dq];W[ce];B[cm];W[bo];B[em];W[gn];B[gm];W[fm];B[fl];W[fn];B[ek];W[gl]
;B[hm];W[gk];B[ej];W[gq];B[gp];W[fp];B[ep];W[hp];B[fo];W[go];B[be];W[df];B[dg];W[cg]
;B[bf];W[dh];B[eg];W[ch];B[cd];W[de];B[eh];W[cc];B[hq];W[cj];B[gr];W[im];B[bd];W[bc]
;B[hn];W[ho];B[in];W[jn];B[il];W[fi];B[gi];W[fj];B[ei];W[jm];B[hl];W[io];B[bk];W[bj]
;B[hj];W[fh];B[ck];W[hk];B[bg];W[bh];B[ah];W[ak];B[al];W[ai];B[ci];W[ag];B[aj];W[bi]
;B[ik];W[ij];B[kl];W[bl];B[cl];W[ak];B[dc];W[fe];B[aj];W[ii];B[kk];W[ak];B[ec];W[fk]
;B[el];W[gh];B[gg];W[ad];B[hh];W[hi];B[fg];W[gj];B[ko];W[lo];B[kp];W[jo];B[lm];W[ln]
;B[kn];W[km];B[kq];W[jq];B[mm];W[kr];B[lq];W[am];B[jf];W[mk];B[lr];W[ao];B[nk];W[pp]
;B[qq];W[nl];B[ml];W[pk];B[mj];W[ok];B[nj];W[ql];B[qj];W[oi];B[rl];W[pm];B[qm];W[pl]
;B[rn];W[qn];B[rm];W[pi];B[nm];W[he];B[hf];W[ie];B[gd];W[ge];B[jh];W[pf];B[of];W[og]
;B[oe];W[mg];B[pg];W[kg];B[if];W[le];B[je];W[ih];B[jg];W[li];B[ng];W[kj];B[mf];W[lf]
;B[mh];W[lh];B[lg];W[mi];B[ni];W[mg];B[ee];W[ed];B[lg];W[kd];B[kh])

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

Yamashita Leads Meijin

Game 1 of the 36th Meijin title match finally came to the end. The challenger, Yamashita Keigo won the first game by 5.5 points and took the early lead of the series.


Yamashita Keigo (left) vs. Iyama Yuta (right)

Day 2 continued with the battle at the top board. Iyama gave up his invading stones to capture a big upper left corner. However, Iyama failed to convert more points at the upper left, thanks to his weak group at the N8. Yamashita used the weakness well and decreased Iyama's upper left potential little by little.


Will Yamashita take another big 3 title with him?


Will the young Meijin overcome the Honinbo?

The second game will be played at 14-15 September. Will Iyama close the gap, or will it even bigger?

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

Here is the game record:
Yamashita Keigo (black) vs. Iyama Yuta (white). Result: B+5.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[36th Japanese Meijin, title match #1]
DT[2011-09-01,02]PB[Yamashita Keigo]BR[9p]PW[Iyama Yuuta]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[B+5.5]
MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dd];B[pp];W[dp];B[fc];W[cf];B[od];W[qk];B[qi];W[qn];B[qo];W[pn];B[np];W[oj]
;B[nn];W[ph];B[qh];W[ol];B[fq];W[cn];B[db];W[hq];B[go];W[jp];B[do];W[co];B[dq];W[ep]
;B[eq];W[cq];B[fp];W[eo];B[cr];W[bq];B[lq];W[kq];B[lp];W[jn];B[io];W[jo];B[hm];W[jl]
;B[hk];W[ij];B[qj];W[gi];B[fk];W[pc];B[oc];W[pf];B[rk];W[ql];B[qe];W[qf];B[oi];W[oe]
;B[nj];W[pd];B[pe];W[ob];B[qc];W[pb];B[mc];W[md];B[nc];W[qb];B[ne];W[of];B[rf];W[rc]
;B[re];W[ld];B[lc];W[kd];B[nd];W[gc];B[gd];W[hc];B[fd];W[mg];B[jc];W[jd];B[ic];W[hd]
;B[id];W[he];B[ie];W[if];B[jf];W[hf];B[lf];W[cc];B[ok];W[ml];B[km];W[im];B[lk];W[hl]
;B[gl];W[hn];B[il];W[gm];B[fm];W[hl];B[ik];W[gn];B[jm];W[in];B[gr];W[hr];B[br];W[ar]
;B[er];W[nk];B[pj];W[oo];B[op];W[mj];B[mk];W[jk];B[jj];W[kj];B[ji];W[ll];B[nl];W[nm]
;B[hj];W[nk];B[ih];W[jg];B[kg];W[kk];B[nl];W[je];B[kf];W[nk];B[gg];W[hh];B[hg];W[ig]
;B[kh];W[fg];B[nl];W[jh];B[ii];W[ki];B[hi];W[gf];B[nk];W[ln];B[li];W[lm];B[dj];W[el]
;B[cl];W[dl];B[dk];W[ci];B[di];W[ch];B[dm];W[gj];B[gk];W[em];B[cm];W[dn];B[gh];W[fh]
;B[bj];W[hh];B[fj];W[hb];B[jb];W[no];B[nb];W[qq];B[ro];W[or];B[nr];W[mr];B[pr];W[oa]
;B[lr];W[ns];B[pq];W[is];B[gs];W[ls];B[kr];W[ks];B[jr];W[js];B[ip];W[iq];B[gp];W[jq]
;B[om];W[mo];B[nq];W[rl];B[fn];W[en];B[rn];W[ps];B[qr];W[rj];B[ra];W[qa];B[pl];W[rm]
;B[ri];W[sj];B[na];W[rb];B[dh];W[dg];B[ah];W[bn];B[lj];W[kl];B[bg];W[cg];B[bl];W[rg]
;B[si];W[sk];B[sg];W[qs];B[rs];W[os];B[rq];W[ai];B[bi];W[bh];B[aj];W[bf];B[fi];W[gh]
;B[ag];W[af];B[ai];W[pm];B[on];W[mn];B[ol];W[po];B[eh];W[cj];B[ck];W[ib];B[kc];W[ja]
;B[ka];W[ia];B[eg];W[ef];B[am];W[an];B[sm];W[bm];B[al];W[ek];B[ej];W[lo];B[kp];W[ko]
;B[bs];W[rd];B[sf];W[sd];B[mm];W[hm];B[nm])

Meijin Title Series Started!

The 36th Meijin Championship has reached its title series. Iyama Yuta Meijin will play in a best-of-7 against challenger, Yamashita Keigo Honinbo.


Yamashita Keigo (left) and Iyama Yuta (right). Who will win in the end?

Based on nigiri, Yamashita plays black while Iyama plays white in game 1. Day 1 ended with Yamashita Keigo did the sealing move for black 57. At the beginning of day 2, it was revealed that Yamashita's sealed move was O10. He was confidence about the upper right corner and decided to after white at the right side. Who will win game 1 in the end? Will find out later today.


Yamashita Keigo handling his sealed move

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

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 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

Game Record: Sakai Hideyuki vs. Cho U

This is the game record from the 36th Japanese Meijin league. It is between Sakai Hideyuki Gosei and Cho U Meijin. Sakai won the game by 0.5 points and continue his positive record against Cho.


Sakai Hideyuki at the NHK Cup

You can read my previous entry about the league here.

Here is the game record:
Sakai Hideyuki (white) vs. Cho U (black). Result: W+0.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[36th Japanese Meijin, league]DT[2010-12-02]
PB[Cho U ]BR[9p]PW[Sakai Hideyuki]WR[8p]KM[6.5]RE[W+0.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dq];B[fc];W[df];B[kc];W[po];B[qm];W[qq];B[mq];W[pp];B[pr];W[ro]
;B[qj];W[qr];B[jq];W[pi];B[qi];W[ph];B[od];W[qh];B[pj];W[ni];B[oj];W[mg];B[mk];W[ic]
;B[ke];W[ie];B[if];W[hf];B[ig];W[he];B[kg];W[lf];B[kf];W[qe];B[pe];W[qf];B[rd];W[pf]
;B[of];W[og];B[nf];W[oi];B[cc];W[dc];B[db];W[eb];B[cb];W[ec];B[be];W[bf];B[ce];W[cf]
;B[co];W[cp];B[do];W[fq];B[ck];W[jb];B[kb];W[cm];B[bm];W[rm];B[qn];W[rn];B[bo];W[bp]
;B[gh];W[li];B[nn];W[hq];B[ep];W[eq];B[ap];W[aq];B[ao];W[br];B[cd];W[fg];B[gg];W[ff]
;B[io];W[nq];B[nr];W[mp];B[np];W[no];B[oq];W[op];B[de];W[ee];B[mo];W[nq];B[fd];W[ed]
;B[np];W[pc];B[pd];W[nq];B[gf];W[ge];B[np];W[oc];B[oo];W[mc];B[le];W[rb];B[nd];W[nb]
;B[sb];W[qb];B[kj];W[dj];B[cj];W[on];B[om];W[no];B[lp];W[fj];B[ng];W[nh];B[gk];W[lj]
;B[lk];W[gj];B[hj];W[ki];B[ma];W[sc];B[rc];W[sa];B[hi];W[ip];B[jp];W[ho];B[in];W[ql]
;B[pl];W[qk];B[ea];W[fa];B[da];W[fb];B[pk];W[em];B[dk];W[gm];B[hl];W[dn];B[en];W[fn]
;B[eo];W[ir];B[fl];W[fm];B[oa];W[pa];B[na];W[ob];B[ka];W[mb];B[la];W[qc];B[iq];W[hp]
;B[hr];W[jr];B[kr];W[gr];B[ji];W[bh];B[di];W[bl];B[cl];W[am];B[bn];W[ak];B[bk];W[aj]
;B[al];W[nm];B[mn];W[bl];B[an];W[bi];B[al];W[ei];B[ej];W[fi];B[dh];W[hm];B[im];W[fk]
;B[gl];W[el];B[ek];W[fh];B[ci];W[hg];B[ih];W[ae];B[ad];W[af];B[ab];W[nj];B[nk];W[qo]
;B[oo];W[pn];B[pm];W[ps];B[os];W[qs];B[rj];W[sk];B[rk];W[rl];B[ib];W[hb];B[ia];W[kd]
;B[ld];W[jd];B[lc];W[ha];B[ja];W[hs];B[js];W[lg];B[kh];W[rh];B[sj];W[re];B[sf];W[sd]
;B[sh];W[rg];B[sg];W[hn];B[sl];W[je];B[bj];W[ai];B[jc];W[jf];B[mf];W[md];B[me];W[jg]
;B[jh];W[dg];B[ch];W[cg];B[eh];W[mj];B[lh];W[mh];B[eg];W[ef];B[se];W[sb];B[sm];W[sn]
;B[fo];W[go];B[fp];W[sk];B[sl];W[gp];B[no];W[sm];B[ks];W[is];B[si];W[sk];B[hc];W[id]
;B[sl];W[il];B[hk];W[sk];B[bq];W[cq];B[sl];W[kk];B[jj];W[sk];B[ar];W[as];B[sl];W[hh]
;B[gi];W[sk];B[rq];W[rr];B[sl];W[rf];B[sk])

A Lot of Half Point at 36th Meijin League

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

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

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


Sakai Hideyuki

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


Takao Shinji

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


Yamashita Keigo

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


Hane Naoki

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rin Kanketsu's First League

Rin Kanketsu (7 dan) must be very happy the day he beat O Meien at the final of the last preliminary at the 36th Meijin Championship.



This will be the first league for Rin Kanketsu. I think this is pretty good for him, considering that he is relatively young (he is 26 now). Good Luck for Rin Kanketsu.


Rin Kanketsu

Also notable, this is Yamashita's return to the league since he was demoted at 2006. Hane Naoki also make a comeback to the league. The last time he was in the league was in 2001 when he held Tengen title.

Here are the players who will play at the 2011 Meijin League:
1. Takao Shinji
2. Cho U
3. Yuki Satoshi
4. Sakai Hideuki
5. Mizokami Tomochika
6. Cho Chikun
7. Yamashita Keigo
7. Hane Naoki
7. Rin Kanketsu

Here is a game Rin played at the last preliminary.
Rin Kanketsu (black)vs. Ryu Shikun (white). Result: B+R.

(;
EV[36th Meijin the last preliminary tournament]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Ryu Shikun]
WR[9d]
DT[2010-09-07]
BR[7d]
RE[B+R]
PB[Rin Kanketsu]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[op];B[dp];W[qq];B[kq];W[rp];B[qo];W[ro];B[pq]
;W[qr];B[pp];W[qn];B[oo];W[oq];B[pr];W[or];B[ps];W[pn];B[po];W[lp]
;B[mr];W[mq];B[lq];W[mp];B[on];W[om];B[mn];W[nm];B[nn];W[kp];B[jq]
;W[mm];B[ln];W[jp];B[iq];W[lm];B[km];W[kn];B[jn];W[ko];B[os];W[ip]
;B[hp];W[ho];B[gp];W[in];B[kl];W[hk];B[ki];W[qf];B[qi];W[ql];B[pf]
;W[pg];B[qg];W[pe];B[of];W[qe];B[oe];W[qd];B[qc];W[rg];B[qh];W[pc]
;B[od];W[qb];B[rc];W[rb];B[oc];W[pb];B[ni];W[fc];B[co];W[ci];B[id]
;W[hh];B[cd];W[cc];B[go];W[hm];B[ce];W[bc];B[cg];W[eh];B[eg];W[fg]
;B[bi];W[bh];B[di];W[cj];B[dh];W[dj];B[ei];W[fh];B[fi];W[gi];B[ff]
;W[ef];B[ee];W[dg];B[df];W[eg];B[ch];W[bg];B[ed];W[dc];B[de];W[bf]
;B[cf];W[gc];B[gf];W[hg];B[fk];W[he];B[cl];W[ie];B[kd];W[kf];B[ec]
;W[eb];B[db];W[fb];B[bd];W[bj];B[bb];W[cb];B[ac];W[da];B[bl];W[ae]
;B[be];W[af];B[ad];W[aj];B[mk];W[mg];B[nh];W[cq];B[dq];W[dl];B[fm]
;W[dm];B[ek];W[dk];B[gn];W[jj];B[kk];W[bp];B[bo];W[dr];B[br];W[cr]
;B[bq];W[cp];B[ap];W[ar];B[aq];W[bs];B[ao];W[do];B[er];W[md];B[mc]
;W[nc];B[mb];W[cn];B[eo];W[ld];B[lc];W[kc];B[jc];W[kb];B[jb];W[ke]
;B[jd];W[nb];B[ka];W[ma];B[lb];W[hb];B[hd];W[kj];B[gg];W[gh];B[lj]
;W[gl];B[em];W[ib];B[gd];W[fd];B[fe];W[ge];B[hf];W[if];B[ig];W[jg]
;B[je];W[jf];B[gj];W[jm];B[jl];W[nd];B[il];W[dn];B[am];W[ii];B[hj]
;W[bm];B[an];W[rj];B[qj];W[qk];B[rd];W[re];B[se];W[rf];B[rh];W[sc]
;B[ok];W[qs];B[ij];W[ji];B[kh];W[mh];B[mi];W[nf];B[ne];W[me];B[ng]
;W[mf];B[og];W[pk];B[pj];W[ol];B[en])

Untouchable

Iyama Yuta showed an impressive skill at the 35th Meijin championship. He defended his title with a perfect score 4-0!


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

Day 2 of the fourth game started by Iyama playing his sealed move, a tobi tsuke at J15. After this move, a difficult fight started at the upper board. Iyama showed an impressive living skill with his sequence from move 161-171. He successfully got a flower ko fight and later revived the group.

After 265 moves, Takao Shinji resigned. His big group at the center die.

Congratulations for Iyama Yuta! This is his second Meijin title in a row. Hopefully he will do better in both domestic and international tournament.


Iyama Yuta

Here is the game record:

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rating game]EV[35th Japanese Meijin, title match game #4]
DT[2010-10-07]PB[Iyama Yuta]BR[9p]PW[Takao Shinji]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dp];B[dc];W[qp];B[ce];W[od];B[oc];W[nc];B[pc];W[nd];B[qf];W[jd];B[oq];W[fc]
;B[fq];W[dn];B[po];W[qo];B[pn];W[qn];B[pm];W[qm];B[pl];W[eq];B[fp];W[ip];B[kq];W[go]
;B[fo];W[gn];B[fn];W[fm];B[hp];W[in];B[em];W[en];B[iq];W[fl];B[cq];W[fr];B[bn];W[hq]
;B[gr];W[er];B[gq];W[bp];B[do];W[cn];B[co];W[cp];B[eo];W[dl];B[bo];W[bq];B[lb];W[mb]
;B[ld];W[jc];B[kc];W[me];B[le];W[lf];B[ke];W[if];B[ie];W[je];B[kf];W[pe];B[qe];W[lg]
;B[jf];W[he];B[kh];W[mi];B[ng];W[og];B[nh];W[mf];B[lh];W[mh];B[kj];W[pi];B[oh];W[pg]
;B[ph];W[qh];B[nj];W[qg];B[ql];W[kg];B[ig];W[hf];B[jg];W[jh];B[lj];W[mj];B[oj];W[ji]
;B[ij];W[jj];B[jk];W[ii];B[hi];W[ik];B[kk];W[hj];B[hg];W[nf];B[fe];W[gf];B[fg];W[ff]
;B[ef];W[ee];B[eg];W[ed];B[gg];W[pr];B[gd];W[hc];B[mk];W[ob];B[pb];W[rf];B[re];W[sf]
;B[or];W[jp];B[jq];W[cd];B[gc];W[fb];B[sh];W[rh];B[rl];W[si];B[rq];W[cf];B[be];W[de]
;B[df];W[bd];B[bf];W[cg];B[bg];W[ch];B[gb];W[hb];B[di];W[cc];B[bh];W[rc];B[rb];W[ra]
;B[oa];W[na];B[nb];W[pq];B[ma];W[rr];B[cb];W[dd];B[ab];W[ad];B[eb];W[ec];B[fa];W[ha]
;B[ba];W[db];B[da];W[ea];B[ri];W[sg];B[eb];W[ga];B[dc];W[ln];B[km];W[jn];B[gk];W[il]
;B[ho];W[ej];B[gj];W[gi];B[fi];W[dj];B[ci];W[hh];B[fj];W[hn];B[ck];W[lp];B[hl];W[gm]
;B[cl];W[lq];B[mo];W[kp];B[jm];W[im];B[mg];W[el];B[so];W[sp];B[db];W[kr];B[ae];W[ea]
;B[jr];W[js];B[hr];W[mr];B[fa];W[hd];B[bc];W[ea];B[pp];W[rj];B[fa];W[ge];B[ps];W[qr]
;B[ac];W[fd];B[sr];W[sn];B[cm];W[dm];B[rs];W[qq];B[qs];W[rm];B[se];W[pd];B[qc];W[lm]
;B[np];W[nm];B[kn];W[lo];B[nl];W[ei];B[eh];W[cj];B[bj];W[is];B[os];W[rk];B[io];W[jo]
;B[pf];W[of];B[hk];W[bi];B[ai];W[mp];B[nq];W[dk];B[fk];W[ml];B[ll];W[jl];B[kl])

Game 4 of Meijin

The fourth game of the 35th Meijin championship was played at October 6. This time challenger Takao Shinji will go all out against Iyama Yuta Meijin. Takao Shinji must win this game or he must wait one more year for another shoot at the title since Iyama is leading the series with 3-0.

At the end of day 1, Takao Shinji started a fight by attacking black's weak group at the upper board. However, white must be very careful since his group at the upper right is not yet settled.


Iyama handled his sealing move.


Board position at the end of day 1

The Master Stands AloneI

The third game of the 35th Meijin title match was played 4 days after the second game. This is unusually fast, since usually there is a one or two weeks break between each match. However, this is not the fastest break in a title match. The fastest was a 2 days break at the 57th Oza sen.

Takao who played black in this game opened the game by playing a 3-4 5-3 enclosure opening. Iyama answered by also enclosing his corner, then both side played at the side. Iyama as usual, play solid game. Day 1 ended with Iyama sealed his move.


Iyama Yuta vs. Takao Shinji

Day 2 started with Iyama played P12, his sealed move. From there, focus of the game seems to be at the center fighting. In the end, Iyama won by resignation in 170 moves.

Now Iyama Meijin is leading by 3-0. The next game will be played at September 22-23.

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

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[35th Meijin title match, game #3]DT[2010-09-23]
PB[Takao Shinji]BR[9p]PW[Iyama Yuta]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[oq];W[do];B[qj];W[jp];B[fc];W[cf];B[db];W[hc];B[hd];W[id]
;B[gd];W[ci];B[nc];W[jc];B[cc];W[mq];B[cm];W[cn];B[em];W[fn];B[di];W[dj];B[ch];W[dh]
;B[ei];W[bh];B[cj];W[cg];B[bi];W[eb];B[ec];W[bj];B[ch];W[dc];B[cb];W[ci];B[ck];W[ai]
;B[ek];W[rp];B[ro];W[qo];B[po];W[qn];B[rn];W[qm];B[rm];W[qk];B[ql];W[pl];B[rl];W[pp]
;B[qq];W[oo];B[no];W[nn];B[op];W[pn];B[mo];W[pj];B[rk];W[pk];B[mn];W[qi];B[rj];W[mm]
;B[lm];W[nm];B[ll];W[lp];B[eq];W[fq];B[pi];W[oi];B[ph];W[oh];B[pg];W[qc];B[re];W[ob]
;B[nb];W[oc];B[od];W[pc];B[kd];W[if];B[kc];W[rd];B[ep];W[fp];B[fr];W[hq];B[og];W[mj]
;B[li];W[lj];B[kj];W[he];B[je];W[ie];B[rb];W[rc];B[cq];W[dr];B[cp];W[dp];B[bn];W[bo]
;B[co];W[dn];B[bm];W[br];B[bp];W[kk];B[kn];W[qe];B[rf];W[np];B[lk];W[ki];B[jj];W[jk]
;B[hm];W[jm];B[jn];W[gl];B[kq];W[kp];B[nl];W[nj];B[ol];W[pq];B[pr];W[po];B[or];W[qr]
;B[rq];W[rr];B[sp];W[nq];B[om];W[pm];B[nr];W[mr];B[sr];W[ij];B[ji];W[kh];B[ii];W[jg]
;B[mg];W[ik];B[hi];W[lh];B[go];W[fo];B[gm];W[gj];B[ip];W[io];B[hp];W[iq];B[gi];W[fj]
;B[fi];W[fm])

Who Will Win the 35th Meijin?

Who Do You Think Will win the 35th Meijin?
	Iyama Yuta
	Takao Shinji
pollcode.com free polls

Iyama Won Again

The second game of the 35th Meijin sen had concluded. Iyama Yuta Meijin won the second game by 5.5 points. The game was played at Matsuyama, Ehime.


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

In his blog, Takao Shinji mentioned that W176 is a bad move. Instead, he suggested the following diagram.



Now white has A and B to play.


Pro players analyzing the game. Komatsu Hideki (wearing black suit), Yuki Satoshi (the one at left), So Yokoku (the man between two women), Yashiro Kumiko (woman right to So Yokoku), and Mannami Nao (woman at the right).

The next game will be played at September 22 and 23.

Here is the game record:
Iyama Yuta (black) vs. Takao Shinji (right)

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[35th Japanese Meijin, title match #2]
DT[2010-09-16]PB[Iyama Yuta]BR[9p]PW[Takao Shinji]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[B+5.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dp];B[pq];W[dc];B[ce];W[oc];B[gd];W[ed];B[kc];W[mc];B[dg];W[cd];B[de];W[bd]
;B[cn];W[fq];B[pc];W[pe];B[qe];W[pd];B[qc];W[pf];B[qg];W[dk];B[bp];W[cq];B[do];W[dm]
;B[eo];W[cm];B[fp];W[gq];B[gp];W[ep];B[hp];W[ir];B[bq];W[br];B[qo];W[fn];B[en];W[di]
;B[gf];W[gh];B[fe];W[jp];B[em];W[hn];B[gn];W[gm];B[fm];W[fk];B[in];W[gl];B[ho];W[go]
;B[jo];W[kp];B[ln];W[oh];B[qh];W[np];B[jl];W[jc];B[jd];W[kb];B[jb];W[ic];B[lb];W[kd]
;B[lc];W[ld];B[id];W[ib];B[mb];W[me];B[nc];W[nd];B[md];W[gn];B[ej];W[ek];B[eq];W[er]
;B[ob];W[fo];B[bm];W[bl];B[am];W[fc];B[od];W[ne];B[kh];W[kf];B[ih];W[mh];B[bk];W[ck]
;B[al];W[bj];B[cl];W[dl];B[cp];W[dq];B[ar];W[bs];B[bo];W[kg];B[hk];W[bl];B[ak];W[dh]
;B[gi];W[fi];B[hh];W[gj];B[hi];W[lh];B[nq];W[mq];B[nr];W[qn];B[pn];W[qm];B[po];W[qk]
;B[ch];W[ci];B[bh];W[eg];B[ee];W[im];B[jm];W[hj];B[ik];W[aj];B[gk];W[fl];B[dn];W[ij]
;B[jj];W[fj];B[fh];W[ji];B[ii];W[ki];B[mo];W[bi];B[mp];W[if];B[fg];W[cg];B[bg];W[df]
;B[be];W[ko];B[kn];W[hq];B[jn];W[kj];B[jk];W[dj];B[ad];W[ac];B[ae];W[bc];B[rj];W[qj]
;B[rk];W[nl];B[gc];W[gb];B[hb];W[hc];B[ka];W[hd];B[he];W[ha];B[ie];W[hf];B[hg];W[je]
;B[ge];W[lq];B[qi];W[nn];B[no];W[pm];B[fb];W[eb];B[oi];W[rl];B[rn];W[pi];B[ia];W[ja]
;B[le];W[ke];B[ia];W[bn];B[an];W[ja];B[pj];W[ph];B[ia];W[ro];B[rp];W[ja];B[pk];W[ql]
;B[ia];W[mn];B[lo];W[ll];B[hb];W[fa];B[ls];W[on];B[lm];W[mm];B[lk];W[kk];B[kl];W[ml]
;B[jh];W[mj];B[kr];W[ip];B[io];W[ga];B[pg];W[og];B[qf];W[oe];B[eh];W[ei];B[cf];W[mr]
;B[ms];W[dg];B[jg];W[jf];B[jr];W[js];B[sk];W[ri];B[rh];W[si];B[sh];W[ah];B[ag];W[oo]
;B[op];W[sn];B[so];W[sm];B[ef];W[mc];B[oc];W[md];B[cl];W[ai];B[bl])

Second Game of Meijin

The second game of the 35th Meijin sen started at September 16. This time, Iyama Yuta Meijin plays black and his challenger, Takao Shinji, plays white.


Takao Shinji

Day 1 ended with Takao Shinji played the sealing move.

Day 2 started this morning with Takao Shinji played his fujite.


Start of day 2.

Iyama Started Meijin Series With A Victory

The youngest Meijin ever, Iyama Yuta started his title defense starting from September 1 and 2 and will continue until November (if they go all the way to game 7).

Iyama won the first game by 6.5 points from his challenger, Takao Shinji.


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

I think Iyama played very well in this game. He played several ko fights and took advantage of it.

The next game will be played at September 16 and 17.

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

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[35th Japanese Meijin title match, game #1]
DT[2010-09-03]PB[Takao Shinji]BR[9]PW[Iyama Yuta]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+6.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[fq];W[cn];B[ql];W[iq];B[lp];W[dq];B[io];W[gp];B[mc];W[jo]
;B[jp];W[ip];B[ho];W[jn];B[hp];W[kp];B[jq];W[kq];B[jr];W[lo];B[kr];W[lq];B[hq];W[po]
;B[nq];W[qq];B[qr];W[qp];B[rr];W[np];B[op];W[oo];B[mp];W[no];B[mq];W[mo];B[lr];W[pj]
;B[pk];W[oj];B[qj];W[qi];B[rj];W[nk];B[qh];W[fc];B[bd];W[bf];B[cc];W[dc];B[ce];W[cd]
;B[be];W[bc];B[cf];W[ch];B[ef];W[eh];B[bh];W[bi];B[bg];W[qc];B[pc];W[qd];B[qe];W[re]
;B[qf];W[rf];B[rg];W[pb];B[ob];W[qb];B[hc];W[ge];B[fg];W[id];B[ic];W[kd];B[jd];W[je]
;B[jc];W[kf];B[le];W[ke];B[lc];W[cj];B[hg];W[ji];B[gi];W[mg];B[oh];W[nh];B[er];W[dr]
;B[hk];W[gj];B[hj];W[fi];B[gk];W[fj];B[bb];W[cb];B[ac];W[gh];B[hi];W[fh];B[he];W[ee]
;B[gf];W[fe];B[jj];W[hh];B[ie];W[kj];B[jk];W[ff];B[ll];W[lk];B[cc];W[pp];B[oq];W[bc]
;B[sf];W[sd];B[cc];W[pe];B[og];W[bc];B[di];W[gg];B[cc];W[pf];B[qg];W[bc];B[ii];W[ml]
;B[cc];W[rm];B[nf];W[bc];B[jh];W[ki];B[ih];W[ad];B[cc];W[oc];B[bc];W[od];B[rl];W[hf]
;B[if];W[ig];B[jg];W[lf];B[kk];W[mj];B[dm];W[cm];B[dl];W[cl];B[ko];W[kn];B[ds];W[cs]
;B[es];W[br];B[eo];W[fp];B[ep];W[eq];B[fr];W[en];B[do];W[dn];B[co];W[bo];B[fo];W[cp]
;B[fm];W[fn];B[go];W[jf];B[hg];W[gm];B[fl];W[ig];B[bp];W[bq];B[hg];W[gr];B[gq];W[ig]
;B[bn];W[ap];B[hg];W[oi];B[ri];W[ig];B[li];W[hd];B[lj];W[gb];B[nb];W[ja];B[ia];W[ib]
;B[hb];W[ha];B[jb];W[kb];B[kc];W[ia];B[me];W[kh];B[mk];W[ng];B[mm];W[nl];B[of];W[lm]
;B[km];W[ln];B[lk];W[mf];B[lb];W[ka];B[oe];W[jm];B[hm];W[gn];B[im];W[nd];B[om];W[pm]
;B[ol];W[nm];B[oa];W[qm];B[on];W[rq];B[nn];W[sr];B[mi];W[ni];B[db];W[eb];B[ca];W[cg]
;B[dk];W[ck];B[pd];W[dj];B[dg];W[dh];B[sp];W[sq];B[pn];W[rs];B[ps];W[rn];B[mn];W[jl]
;B[sm];W[ro];B[pg];W[il];B[hl];W[pa];B[nj];W[ok];B[pl];W[ik];B[ij];W[kl];B[sn];W[so]
;B[sl];W[gc];B[pi];W[kp];B[ek];W[ah];B[af];W[em];B[fk];W[ne];B[ma];W[ea];B[ej];W[ei]
;B[qn];W[qo];B[sg];W[sb];B[se];W[rd];B[da];W[pc];B[pe];W[kq];B[mj])

The Meijin Challenger

The 35th Meijin league has ended. Last month, two players, Cho U and Takao Shinji, were tied for the first position. However, no tie break game is needed to determine the challenger, because one won his game while the other lost.

Takao Shinji (9 dan) won his game against Yuki Satoshi thus won the challenger's seat. Meanwhile, Cho lost his game against Ogata Masaki (9 dan).


Cho U (left) vs. Takao Shinji (right) at the challenger decision match Judan 2008

Takao Shinji was Meijin title holder back in 2006. He beat Cho U that time by 4-2, but then Cho took the title back the following year with 4-3 score. This is Takao's second challenge for the title. Will he regain the Meijin? Or will Iyama Yuta defend his title? The first game will be played at September 1-2.

Here is the final position at the league:
1. Takao Shinji (7-1) (Winner)
2. Cho U (6-2)
3. Yuki Satoshi (5-3)
4. Sakai Hideyuki (4-4)
5. Mizokami Tomochika (4-4)
6. Cho Chikun (3-5)
7. O Meien (3-5) (Demoted)
8. Yamada Kimio (2-6) (Demoted)
9. Ogata Masaki (2-6) (Demoted)

Three Way Ties in 35th Meijin League

The 35th Meijin league is heating up. With more than half game has been played, three players lead the league currently.

Takao Shinji who was the league leader with a perfect 4-0 score suffered his first from Cho U Kisei. With his victory, now Cho U ties with Takao. Both with 4-1 score.


Cho U


Takao Shinji

Meanwhile, the third player is Yuki Satoshi (9 dan). Yuki beat Cho Chikun (9 dan) by resignation to made his score became 4-1. He suffered his lost in March from Sakai Hideyuki (7 dan).


Yuki Satoshi