Xie Leads Female Kisei

The first game of the 14th Female Kisei title match series started at January 27. Umezawa Yukari challenge Xie Yimin the title holder in a best-of-3 games.



Umezawa Yukari (left) and Xie Yimin (right) at the opening ceremony

At the first game, Umezawa played as black while Xie as white. The game was interesting with a lot of exchanges. The game was very close until Umezawa did a big mistake with black 151 which cost her more than 10 points.


Umezawa Yukari (left) vs. Xie Yimin

Here is the game record:
Xie Yimin (white) vs. Umezawa Yukari (black). Result: W+9.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[14th Female Kisei title match game 1]
DT[2011-01-28]PB[Umezawa Yukari]BR[5p]PW[Xie Yimin]WR[5p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+9.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[qp];W[dc];B[de];W[cg];B[cc];W[gc];B[dd];W[db];B[be];W[cj];B[cb];W[jc]
;B[fq];W[dn];B[dr];W[op];B[mq];W[no];B[pq];W[oq];B[qm];W[gq];B[gp];W[hq];B[hp];W[fr]
;B[eq];W[jq];B[ip];W[kr];B[mo];W[ko];B[mn];W[cq];B[hm];W[om];B[ml];W[ok];B[qk];W[qo]
;B[ro];W[po];B[rq];W[pr];B[lr];W[kq];B[lp];W[jo];B[fm];W[nr];B[jm];W[km];B[jl];W[kl]
;B[kk];W[jk];B[kj];W[ik];B[hl];W[kn];B[nl];W[ol];B[mj];W[ii];B[er];W[mr];B[lq];W[ls]
;B[cl];W[dl];B[dk];W[el];B[ck];W[gr];B[gj];W[fl];B[hk];W[fj];B[fi];W[ej];B[dj];W[ei]
;B[ci];W[ji];B[gh];W[fg];B[gg];W[jf];B[ff];W[cm];B[eh];W[oi];B[lh];W[hi];B[gi];W[oe]
;B[lf];W[od];B[pe];W[pc];B[qc];W[oc];B[pf];W[of];B[ig];W[di];B[bi];W[qb];B[rd];W[rc]
;B[qd];W[rb];B[qh];W[qi];B[ri];W[rh];B[rg];W[ph];B[sh];W[qg];B[rh];W[kh];B[jh];W[kg]
;B[ki];W[if];B[hg];W[lg];B[dh];W[pg];B[qf];W[cr];B[bm];W[bn];B[he];W[id];B[fb];W[fc]
;B[da];W[ec];B[ea];W[fe];B[ef];W[gn];B[hn];W[fn];B[fo];W[nn];B[mh];W[mm];B[lm];W[nm]
;B[ll];W[ln];B[mg];W[mf];B[nf];W[me];B[hb];W[jg];B[ih];W[gb];B[ga];W[ib];B[hc];W[hd]
;B[ge];W[ic];B[ha];W[gd];B[qr];W[pp];B[qq];W[nj];B[mi];W[io];B[ho];W[qj];B[rj];W[ql]
;B[rl];W[qn];B[rn];W[pk];B[pl];W[pm];B[bl];W[ql];B[jp];W[kp];B[pl];W[ia];B[fa];W[ql]
;B[rk];W[eo];B[gm];W[em];B[an];W[ao];B[am];W[bo];B[ps];W[or];B[iq];W[ir];B[cs];W[bs]
;B[ng];W[rm];B[sm];W[ne];B[es];W[fs];B[ie];W[je];B[nk];W[os];B[qs];W[ds];B[ni];W[oj]
;B[og];W[oh];B[lk];W[qm];B[cs];W[hf];B[gf];W[ds];B[kd];W[jd];B[cs];W[ca];B[ba];W[ds]
;B[pj];W[pi];B[cs];W[sn];B[so];W[ds];B[hs];W[hr];B[cs];W[ep];B[fp];W[ds];B[sc];W[sb]
;B[sd];W[in];B[im];W[cs];B[gk])

Umezawa Yukari Tried to Reclaim Female Kisei

Umezawa Yukari (5 dan), one of the most well known Japanese pro, is back for another title match. After a 2-0 loss to Xie Yimin in previous Female Kisei, she won the main tournament and challenge Xie Yimin, trying to reclaim her throne.


Umezawa Yukari

At the final game, Umezawa met Yoshida Mika (8 dan) who is the top female player of Kansai Kiin. The game opened with a fierce fight started at the left side of the board (which actually is a typical game for Umezawa Yukari).

Yoshida Mika had the lead for most part of the game, however she blew her victory away by playing the dangerous black 149. That move put them in a ko fight and Umezawa gladly sacrificed 5 stones to capture black's group at the left side. After the exchange, the game was easy for white and Umezawa won by 3.5 points.


Yoshida Mika

The first title match game between Xie Yimin and Umezawa Yukari was actually played on January 27, but it'll be broadcasted later in February 9.

Here is the game record:
Umezawa Yukari (white) vs. Yoshida Mika (black). Result: W+3.5

(;
RE[W+3.5]
WR[5d]
EV[14th Female Kisei challenger decision match]
BR[8d]
PB[Yoshida Mika]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Umezawa Yukari]
KM[6.5]
DT[2010-12-23]
;B[qd];W[dc];B[dq];W[pp];B[ce];W[do];B[cm];W[cq];B[gq];W[dp];B[dr]
;W[bo];B[cr];W[ck];B[em];W[bm];B[oc];W[ch];B[dh];W[cg];B[ee];W[fd]
;B[ci];W[dg];B[di];W[eg];B[fe];W[gd];B[ge];W[hd];B[cn];W[bn];B[dk]
;W[gg];B[he];W[id];B[hg];W[hh];B[ig];W[gh];B[bk];W[ih];B[ie];W[jd]
;B[kg];W[ki];B[bq];W[fp];B[fq];W[gp];B[hp];W[gn];B[ho];W[en];B[cl]
;W[bp];B[fm];W[gm];B[gk];W[im];B[mh];W[ik];B[mj];W[qn];B[qj];W[nd]
;B[nc];W[md];B[mc];W[ld];B[jj];W[kj];B[ke];W[lc];B[jk];W[kh];B[lg]
;W[hk];B[jm];W[in];B[gj];W[lk];B[kn];W[hj];B[jp];W[mk];B[nk];W[nl]
;B[ol];W[nm];B[pq];W[oq];B[or];W[pr];B[qq];W[qr];B[ok];W[ko];B[jo]
;W[jn];B[op];W[nq];B[qp];W[po];B[nr];W[mq];B[rr];W[mr];B[qs];W[om]
;B[lp];W[ns];B[ps];W[lo];B[mo];W[ln];B[lq];W[mp];B[lr];W[oo];B[pf]
;W[ng];B[cc];W[dd];B[cd];W[de];B[og];W[cb];B[bb];W[db];B[ba];W[bf]
;B[be];W[qk];B[pj];W[rj];B[ri];W[rk];B[lb];W[kb];B[qh];W[kp];B[cp]
;W[co];B[kq];W[ls];B[mn];W[lm];B[ks];W[jq];B[ms];W[nh];B[nf];W[ls]
;B[fn];W[go];B[ms];W[mf];B[mg];W[ls];B[ep];W[eo];B[eq];W[fo];B[ms]
;W[fl];B[np];W[el];B[bh];W[bg];B[eh];W[ej];B[ek];W[bi];B[bj];W[ah]
;B[fh];W[fk];B[fg];W[ff];B[ed];W[ef];B[mb];W[ka];B[ec];W[fb];B[fc]
;W[gb];B[ro];W[rn];B[ql];W[rl];B[pl];W[ae];B[ad];W[af];B[bc];W[hn]
;B[hq];W[lf];B[gc];W[hc];B[eb];W[ea];B[ca];W[da];B[kf];W[cq];B[aq]
;W[ap];B[od];W[br];B[cp];W[ne];B[of];W[cq];B[fj];W[dl];B[cp];W[io]
;B[ip];W[cq];B[cj];W[bl];B[cp];W[qo];B[rp];W[cq];B[gi];W[ei];B[cp]
;W[lj];B[mi];W[cq];B[kd];W[kc];B[cp];W[ac];B[ab];W[cq];B[ai];W[aj]
;B[cp];W[oe];B[pe];W[cq];B[hb];W[ib];B[cp];W[si];B[sh];W[cq];B[dm]
;W[gl];B[cp];W[sj];B[cq];W[la];B[mm];W[ml];B[le];W[me];B[cf];W[df]
;B[pm];W[no];B[qm];W[rm];B[ha];W[ia];B[ma];W[so];B[sp];W[sn];B[jh]
;W[ji];B[jg];W[je];B[nn];W[on];B[mp];W[gf];B[pk])

Mukai Chiaki Rechallenge Xie Yimin

Despite her lost at the final round at the 23rd Female Meijin league, Mukai Chiaki (4 dan) won her ticket to play Xie Yimin for the title Female Meijin.


Mukai Chiaki

Mukai picked 4 victories and 2 losses. At the final round of the league, Mukai lost by a slim 0.5 point to Mannami Nao (2 dan), but her higher placement at the previous league won her the ticket to the best-of-3 title series.



Mannami Nao

The date of the first game is still unknown, but it is expected to be in March. Xie has a very positive 7-2 record against Mukai. This will be their third title series between the two. Previously, Xie beat Mukai 3-0 in Female Honinbo title match and 2-0 in last year Female Meijin.

Final placement of the league:
1. Mukai Chiaki (4 dan) 4-2
2. Suzuki Ayumi (5 dan) 4-2
3. Yoshida Mika (8 dan) 4-2
4. Okuda Aya (2 dan) 4-2
5. Mannami Nao (2 dan) 3-3 Demoted
6. Umezawa Yukari (5 dan) 1-5 Demoted
7. Koyama Terumi (6 dan( 1-5 Demoted

Mannami Nao (black) vs. Mukai Chiaki (white). Result: B+0.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[23rd Female Meijin, league]DT[2011-01-20]
PB[Mannami Kana]BR[2p]PW[Mukai Chiaki]WR[4p]KM[6.5]RE[B+0.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dd];B[pp];W[dq];B[fc];W[cf];B[kc];W[qj];B[qn];W[qg];B[pi];W[qi];B[pf];W[re]
;B[pg];W[qe];B[pe];W[qh];B[pd];W[ic];B[fe];W[ie];B[db];W[ke];B[md];W[gd];B[fd];W[cc]
;B[fg];W[gc];B[dh];W[fb];B[eb];W[gb];B[cb];W[bc];B[de];W[ce];B[ed];W[dc];B[ec];W[bh]
;B[do];W[dl];B[eq];W[er];B[ep];W[fr];B[cq];W[cr];B[dp];W[dr];B[bq];W[iq];B[cm];W[cl]
;B[dm];W[eg];B[fh];W[eh];B[fi];W[ei];B[kq];W[jq];B[kp];W[lc];B[ld];W[kd];B[lb];W[jc]
;B[kb];W[ff];B[gf];W[ef];B[ge];W[hg];B[gg];W[hh];B[gj];W[ij];B[pq];W[rc];B[rd];W[sd]
;B[lg];W[lf];B[jg];W[mg];B[lh];W[ig];B[el];W[fk];B[gk];W[fl];B[ik];W[jk];B[il];W[jl]
;B[im];W[fj];B[hi];W[ii];B[jm];W[kj];B[mh];W[qb];B[pb];W[nf];B[ng];W[mf];B[qc];W[rb]
;B[lm];W[ql];B[ek];W[dj];B[kr];W[gp];B[em];W[ej];B[rm];W[nm];B[mn];W[ob];B[oa];W[nn]
;B[no];W[oo];B[np];W[bl];B[br];W[bn];B[bm];W[am];B[bo];W[jr];B[dk];W[ck];B[js];W[is]
;B[ks];W[io];B[hr];W[ir];B[rl];W[rk];B[pl];W[pk];B[pm];W[og];B[mj];W[oc];B[pc];W[nd]
;B[nb];W[ll];B[ml];W[km];B[kn];W[kl];B[gl];W[mm];B[ln];W[hj];B[gi];W[nl];B[mk];W[ok]
;B[ph];W[fm];B[jh];W[ih];B[jo];W[nh];B[ni];W[on];B[bb];W[ab];B[jb];W[ib];B[qf];W[rf]
;B[cn];W[oj];B[oi];W[ne];B[nc];W[od];B[an];W[al];B[ji];W[jj];B[cs];W[qa];B[pa];W[jf]
;B[fq];W[gq];B[gr];W[hq];B[ds];W[gs];B[ho];W[hs];B[es];W[bs];B[as];W[fs];B[bs];W[go]
;B[ip];W[hn];B[in];W[fn];B[ee];W[op];B[oq];W[po];B[qo];W[sl];B[sm];W[sk];B[df];W[dg]
;B[ki];W[kg];B[lj];W[qk];B[qm];W[kf];B[kh];W[mi];B[li];W[nj];B[he];W[hd];B[ia];W[ha]
;B[ja];W[ea];B[da];W[fa];B[hm];W[gn];B[en];W[lk];B[hf];W[if];B[hk];W[ba];B[ca];W[ac]
;B[aa];W[qp];B[rp];W[ba];B[cj];W[bj];B[aa];W[hp];B[io];W[ba];B[rg];W[rh];B[aa];W[nk]
;B[mi];W[ba];B[fp];W[fo];B[aa];W[qq];B[qr];W[ba];B[ci];W[bi];B[aa];W[rq];B[rr];W[ba]
;B[bk];W[ak];B[aa];W[ng];B[ba])

Suzuki Ayumi (black) vs. Umezawa Yukari (white). Result: B+R


Suzuki Ayumi

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[23rd Female Meijin, league]DT[2011-01-20]
PB[Suzuki Ayumi]BR[5p]PW[Umezawa Yukari]WR[5p]KM[6.5]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[qp];W[dd];B[fq];W[cn];B[lq];W[qj];B[qf];W[qm];B[pn];W[ro];B[rp];W[pm]
;B[om];W[on];B[qn];W[oo];B[rn];W[rm];B[op];W[np];B[oq];W[mo];B[ol];W[nq];B[jp];W[qh]
;B[ll];W[kn];B[oi];W[pg];B[fo];W[eq];B[fr];W[or];B[pr];W[qr];B[pq];W[kq];B[jq];W[kp]
;B[kr];W[jo];B[lp];W[ko];B[mr];W[nr];B[ps];W[ho];B[hq];W[il];B[pf];W[og];B[mh];W[rg]
;B[cf];W[ch];B[fd];W[df];B[dg];W[cg];B[dc];W[ce];B[cc];W[ef];B[en];W[fc];B[gc];W[ec]
;B[ed];W[gb];B[hc];W[db];B[hb];W[cb];B[cd];W[de];B[bb];W[eb];B[ga];W[ba];B[bc];W[ge]
;B[ff];W[fg];B[fe];W[gg];B[gf];W[hf];B[he];W[ie];B[be];W[fa];B[fb];W[hd];B[gd];W[gb]
;B[bf];W[dh];B[fb];W[ip];B[iq];W[gb];B[ha];W[ad];B[fb];W[ab];B[bd];W[gb];B[qk];W[rk]
;B[fb];W[pc];B[oc];W[gb];B[pj];W[ri];B[fb];W[od];B[qc];W[gb];B[ca];W[da];B[pb];W[bg]
;B[fb];W[lj];B[jk];W[ki];B[jl];W[im];B[ik];W[hk];B[hj];W[gk];B[mm];W[mn];B[mj];W[gb]
;B[cm];W[bm];B[bn];W[dn];B[bo];W[bl];B[dm];W[cp];B[gm];W[gl];B[fb];W[mi];B[ni];W[gb]
;B[ck];W[bk];B[fb];W[lh];B[li];W[gb];B[lg];W[af];B[fb];W[ae];B[hg];W[if];B[hh];W[ic]
;B[jb];W[jc];B[kb];W[kc];B[lc];W[ld];B[mc];W[mf];B[lf];W[me];B[cj];W[bj];B[dr];W[cr]
;B[br];W[bp];B[of];W[ng];B[mg];W[nf];B[gj];W[fm];B[em];W[fj];B[bq];W[cq];B[cs];W[ek]
;B[jg];W[cl];B[fi];W[ei];B[ea];W[ac];B[rf];W[sf];B[se];W[sg];B[re];W[ig];B[ih];W[gi]
;B[hi];W[gh];B[ql];W[rl];B[ep];W[aq];B[dq];W[bs];B[as];W[ap];B[fl];W[jf];B[kg];W[sn]
;B[qo];W[so];B[sm];W[sl];B[sp];W[sm];B[jm];W[in];B[ke])

A Game for Friend

This is a game for my friend, Rosa. Black is Umezawa Yukari (5 dan) and white is Takemiya Masaki (9 dan). Black won the game by 1.5 points. Enjoy the game :)

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rating game]DT[2010-09-03]PB[Umezawa Yukari]
BR[5p]PW[Takemiya Masaki]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+1.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[pq];W[dd];B[fq];W[ip];B[cn];W[fp];B[cq];W[eq];B[cp];W[po];B[qo];W[pp]
;B[qp];W[oq];B[qq];W[pn];B[qm];W[ol];B[fc];W[id];B[cf];W[fd];B[gd];W[fe];B[ec];W[dc]
;B[ge];W[df];B[dg];W[gf];B[de];W[ed];B[hc];W[ef];B[hf];W[gg];B[ie];W[kd];B[md];W[ic]
;B[hb];W[kf];B[ih];W[kh];B[ij];W[kj];B[ci];W[jl];B[cd];W[cc];B[bd];W[dh];B[cg];W[eg]
;B[il];W[hi];B[ii];W[jm];B[or];W[nq];B[nr];W[mq];B[gk];W[di];B[cj];W[dj];B[dk];W[ek]
;B[dl];W[el];B[dm];W[fj];B[gm];W[qc];B[qd];W[pc];B[od];W[nb];B[pi];W[ql];B[rm];W[ch]
;B[bh];W[bi];B[bg];W[do];B[er];W[fr];B[dr];W[gq];B[jk];W[kk];B[im];W[pg];B[og];W[of]
;B[oh];W[nf];B[pf];W[qf];B[pe];W[rd];B[re];W[rc];B[rf];W[qj];B[mg];W[mf];B[qi];W[je]
;B[hg];W[mr];B[io];W[jn];B[hp];W[in];B[hn];W[jo];B[hq];W[ho];B[go];W[fn];B[io];W[co]
;B[bo];W[ho];B[gn];W[gp];B[io];W[bn];B[bm];W[ho];B[pm];W[om];B[io];W[bp];B[an];W[ho]
;B[lg];W[io];B[nk];W[mc];B[nc];W[oc];B[nd];W[lc];B[ll];W[ml];B[lk];W[ok];B[mi];W[lm]
;B[lf];W[le];B[me];W[mj];B[nj];W[li];B[mk];W[mh];B[ng];W[ni];B[oj];W[rj];B[gh];W[gi]
;B[hh];W[fh];B[bc];W[rh];B[ri];W[si];B[qh];W[rl];B[eb];W[bb];B[jb];W[ib];B[ia];W[kl]
;B[nl];W[pj];B[oi];W[mm];B[jc];W[jd];B[ma];W[kb];B[ka];W[la];B[lb];W[kc];B[ja];W[sm]
;B[rn];W[ns];B[pr];W[db];B[rg];W[sh];B[nm];W[nn];B[es];W[fo];B[ab];W[mb];B[la];W[ce]
;B[be];W[ea];B[fa];W[da];B[ha];W[fs];B[dq];W[fm];B[fl];W[bq];B[br];W[hj];B[hk];W[fk]
;B[gl];W[sn];B[so];W[sl];B[os];W[ms];B[ro];W[jj];B[ik];W[ba];B[na];W[oa];B[gj];W[fi]
;B[pl];W[pk];B[en];W[eo];B[sj];W[sk];B[jg];W[ck];B[bj];W[bk];B[ai];W[jf];B[kg];W[if]
;B[he];W[ld];B[sg];W[sj];B[sd];W[sc];B[se];W[ee];B[ce])

Mukai Chiaki Once Again!

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


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

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

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


Mukai Chiaki

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

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

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

Mukai Chiaki Leads Female Meijin League.

Mukai Chiaki (4 dan) is surely ambitious to re-challenge Xie Yimin, the Female Meijin title holder after her unsuccessful challenge early this year.


Mukai Chiaki

Mukai beat Suzuki Ayumi (5 dan) by 3.5 points to become league's leader by 2-0. Meanwhile, Suzuki Ayumi is in danger since she has lost twice at the league.

At the same day, Umezawa Yukari (5 dan) escaped the 0-2 score by defeating Mannami Nao by resignation. Currently, Ms. Umezawa is 1-1 at the league.


Umezawa Yukari

Here is the game record between Mukai Chiaki and Suzuki Ayumi

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[23rd Female Meijin, league]DT[2010-08-12]
PB[Mukai Chiaki]BR[4p]PW[Suzuki Ayumi]WR[5p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+3.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[pq];W[dc];B[ce];W[qn];B[ql];W[qq];B[qp];W[pp];B[rq];W[qr];B[po];W[op]
;B[qo];W[rr];B[no];W[oo];B[on];W[oq];B[pn];W[dh];B[fe];W[fc];B[ed];W[ec];B[he];W[ic]
;B[cj];W[cm];B[ei];W[ef];B[ee];W[eh];B[fi];W[gg];B[hi];W[ig];B[je];W[kg];B[jh];W[jg]
;B[le];W[mg];B[li];W[lc];B[hc];W[hb];B[kc];W[id];B[ie];W[kb];B[mc];W[ld];B[md];W[mb]
;B[kd];W[lb];B[hd];W[jb];B[pf];W[ci];B[bi];W[bh];B[bk];W[ai];B[bj];W[gf];B[ge];W[nh]
;B[lf];W[lg];B[hh];W[hg];B[ph];W[df];B[cd];W[ji];B[jj];W[ki];B[kj];W[ih];B[ii];W[kh]
;B[ik];W[dq];B[oi];W[pc];B[qc];W[od];B[qd];W[cc];B[oe];W[ob];B[nd];W[nf];B[ne];W[ip]
;B[kq];W[iq];B[co];W[dn];B[bq];W[cr];B[br];W[bm];B[do];W[eo];B[bo];W[fn];B[em];W[en]
;B[bs];W[mp];B[ko];W[lp];B[kp];W[mn];B[in];W[dk];B[dj];W[hn];B[hm];W[io];B[gn];W[ho]
;B[gm];W[go];B[nn];W[ln];B[mr];W[mq];B[jn];W[kn];B[jo];W[qb];B[jr];W[ir];B[nr];W[rp]
;B[ro];W[sq];B[or];W[pr];B[oc];W[pb];B[rb];W[ra];B[sc];W[so];B[rn];W[sn];B[sm];W[sp]
;B[qm];W[fm];B[fl];W[el];B[ek];W[dl];B[gk];W[nl];B[ni];W[lk];B[bc];W[bf];B[cg];W[cf]
;B[ch];W[bg];B[di];W[be];B[bd];W[ae];B[nk];W[mk];B[ok];W[ao];B[ap];W[cp];B[bp];W[an]
;B[ar];W[bb];B[ab];W[ba];B[nb];W[na];B[kl];W[kk];B[jl];W[ll];B[dr];W[er];B[ds];W[es]
;B[cs];W[km];B[jm];W[ol];B[is];W[hs];B[js];W[gr];B[nc];W[pl];B[pk];W[mj];B[gc];W[gb]
;B[mi];W[og];B[pg];W[os];B[nm];W[mm];B[cq];W[lr];B[lq];W[ns];B[ls];W[gh];B[gi];W[dg]
;B[nj];W[ci];B[ch];W[mf];B[me];W[ps];B[ms];W[jc];B[of];W[ff];B[fh];W[fg];B[fd];W[oa]
;B[qa];W[pa];B[sb];W[ma])

Here is the game record between Umezawa Yukari vs. Mannami Nao

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[23rd Female Meijin, league]DT[2010-08-12]
PB[Mannami Nao]BR[2p]PW[Umezawa Yukari]WR[5p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[qp];W[dc];B[de];W[ce];B[cf];W[cd];B[fq];W[cm];B[cq];W[dq];B[cp];W[dr]
;B[cn];W[dn];B[do];W[eo];B[co];W[en];B[bm];W[cl];B[bl];W[ck];B[bk];W[cj];B[oq];W[jd]
;B[lc];W[le];B[nc];W[df];B[hd];W[kc];B[ld];W[jf];B[hf];W[ih];B[hh];W[ii];B[hi];W[hj]
;B[ef];W[dg];B[eg];W[dh];B[fi];W[kp];B[gj];W[hk];B[pj];W[re];B[qd];W[rd];B[rc];W[rb]
;B[qc];W[qh];B[rj];W[pf];B[ig];W[jg];B[iq];W[np];B[nq];W[mq];B[mr];W[lq];B[io];W[hp]
;B[ip];W[kn];B[gp];W[go];B[fo];W[fn];B[fp];W[ho];B[hq];W[fr];B[ep];W[eq];B[gq];W[cr]
;B[br];W[bq];B[aq];W[bs];B[ar];W[es];B[im];W[hl];B[is];W[gr];B[lr];W[kr];B[ks];W[jr]
;B[js];W[pm];B[ol];W[po];B[pp];W[nn];B[rn];W[pl];B[pk];W[rl];B[ph];W[pg];B[qi];W[rh]
;B[oh];W[me];B[sd];W[nd];B[od];W[nf];B[nk];W[eh];B[fc];W[fh];B[ic];W[gg];B[hg];W[lb]
;B[eb];W[nb];B[ob];W[mc];B[oc];W[oa];B[pa];W[na];B[qb];W[se];B[sc];W[ge];B[he];W[db]
;B[gb];W[jb];B[gf];W[fe];B[ff];W[ee];B[ib];W[gd];B[gc];W[da];B[ea];W[id];B[gh];W[fg]
;B[hc];W[mh];B[mm];W[nm];B[qe];W[rf];B[ml];W[kl];B[qk];W[rm];B[qn];W[pn];B[bj];W[bi]
;B[bh];W[ai];B[op];W[mo];B[ci];W[ch];B[gn];W[hn];B[dm];W[ej];B[gm];W[hm];B[em];W[ni]
;B[oi];W[nj];B[oj];W[mk];B[qf];W[qg];B[nl];W[ll];B[in];W[sn];B[ro];W[jl];B[nh];W[mj])

Xie Yimin the New Female Kisei

The Japanese strongest female player, Xie Yimin won her third big female title, Female Kisei.

Xie beat Umezawa Yukari, the three times consecutive winner, by 2-1 in the title match series.



Congratulations for Xie Yimin!

Down to the Last Game

After beating Park Sohyun in the first game, Cao Youyin of China luckily beat Umezawa Yukari Female Kisei in the third game of
the second stage of the 8th Jeongganjang Cup.




Umezawa who took white in the game actually had the advantage since the beginning, but later she make a terrible blunder during the endgame which
led to a favorable ko fight for Cao. Umezawa eventually resigned.

At move 220, Umezawa made a mistake by playing H14. She should just played N19 to made her group 100% alive and eventually won the game by small margin.

At the fourth game, Kim Hyeoyimin (5 pro) from Korea stopped Cao Youyin 2 winning streak by winning the game as black by 1.5 points. Kim Hyeoyimin decided to play for big moyo
after she trade the corners for outside influence.




Countering this, Cao played a shoulder hit at the bottom board, trying to reduce white's territory. Kim took the advantage by attacking white invader, thus
completing her moyo.

After a tight endgame, Kim Hyeoyimin eventually won the game by 1.5 points.

The fifth game was played December 24 between Kim Hyeoyimin of Korea against one of the Mukai sisters, Mukai Chiaki (3 pro).

Mukai Chiaki who played black in this game decided to play for a close endgame. She played carefully and got sente during the endgame at move 175. It was
a big yose move, because she captured 2 stones, made her group 100% alive, and got sente.



Kim Hyeoyimin resigned at move 227. Mukai Chiaki of Japan will play Li He from China at the Christmas Day.

So far Korea is down to their last player Park Jieun, while Japan has 2 members left Mukai Chiaki and Suzuki Ayumi. China still has the lead with Li He, Ye Gui, and last year's superstar Song Ronghui as their members.

Umezawa Yukari Defend Female Kisei

After lost the second game, Umezawa Yukari, Female Kisei, won the third game along with the title.

The third game is fiercer than the second game. In the early stage, Umezawa's weak group was attacked. Umezawa Yukari made an eye shape with sacrificing three stones at move 77. But the group wasn't yet alive. The battle continued with a ko fight started at move 110. This ko fight was very important for Umezawa. She must won this ko, or she'll lost two groups of stones.
At move 120, Umezawa finally can save one of her group. winning the ko by capturing 2 stones with J19. But one of her cluster is not yet alive. At the same time, the game was not easy for Kato Keiko. Letting Umezawa to save one group, she chased the big cluster by putting her group into danger and fight for the second ko at L19. A kill or killed ko.



board position up to move 105



Fifty two moves later, Umezawa won the ko and killed Kato's group. Kato Keiko resigned at move 286. White's leading was obvious. Umezawa Yukari was leading about 10 points on he board.

With this victory, Umezawa Yukari already hold the title for the last 3 years. She took the title 3 years ago from Mannami Kana. Female Kisei is the only title Umezawa Yukari ever has and the only big title where she was ever become the challenger.

Kato Keiko Closed the Gap

Kato Keiko, the challenger of the 12th Female Kisei sen, won the second match by the same margin as her lost in first match. Kato won by 2.5 points.
The game was quite well spirited. A fight started in early stage. Kato Keiko chose to attack Umezawa's weak group in the right. Umezawa's cut at move 32 was brave, since her attacked group was not yet settle. The fight spreaded to center.


Umezawa Yukari (W) vs. Kato Keiko (B), game up to move 70

I think the outcome of the battle was favourable for black, since she gained sente at the beginning of the yose stage.

Umezawa Yukari Took the Lead At Female Kisei sen

Umezawa Yukari (5 dan), the current Female Kisei title holder is challenged by Kato Keiko the Female Saikyo title holder for the 12th Female Kisei title.

Umezawa Yukari who played black in the first game, won the game by 2.5 points.

The game was quite well balance and rather close. I think Umezawa Yukari won the game because she was able to control the center after the exchange at 119-132.

Umezawa Yukari (B) vs. Kato Keiko (W), game up to move 78

Umezawa Yukari whose fame was risen due to "Go Go Igo", a go program which was aired after Hikaru no Go for several minutes, has been this title holder for the last two years.