Iyama Won Tengen

The 37th Tengen tournament reached its end at the third game on November 17. Iyama Yuta (9 dan) won the third game from Yuki Satoshi, the title holder, thus winning the title by 3-0!

Iyama Yuta (left) vs. Yuki Satoshi (right)

This is the first Tengen title for Iyama and it seems he is now the youngest Tengen title holder at the age of 22. Previously the record was held by Ryu Shikun. Ryu Shikun was 23 when he won the title.

Iyama Yuta, the youngest Tengen

Congratulations for Iyama!

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

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[37th Japanese Tengen title match, game 3]
DT[2011-11-17]PB[Yuki Satoshi]BR[9p]PW[Iyama Yuta]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pp];W[dp];B[fc];W[cf];B[mc];W[nq];B[pn];W[pr];B[qq];W[kq];B[fe];W[qj]
;B[qh];W[ql];B[rm];W[oi];B[qe];W[db];B[cn];W[co];B[dn];W[fp];B[dj];W[oc];B[od];W[nc]
;B[md];W[qc];B[pc];W[pb];B[nd];W[rb];B[mi];W[nk];B[lk];W[qm];B[qn];W[rl];B[dg];W[cg]
;B[dh];W[jk];B[df];W[de];B[jo];W[ip];B[io];W[hp];B[go];W[gp];B[nl];W[ol];B[lp];W[ml]
;B[ll];W[nm];B[fn];W[ki];B[km];W[ih];B[if];W[hj];B[kg];W[fk];B[hk];W[fi];B[eb];W[ec]
;B[fb];W[hl];B[mb];W[bo];B[cb];W[cc];B[da];W[bi];B[rd];W[rc];B[ob];W[qa];B[bc];W[bd]
;B[dc];W[cd];B[lq];W[lr];B[kr];W[jr];B[qr];W[gg];B[gf];W[fg];B[ck];W[ff];B[hf];W[kp]
;B[mr];W[ks];B[nr];W[dl];B[cl];W[em];B[en];W[im];B[bn];W[ho];B[bj];W[ci];B[dm];W[mq]
;B[mp];W[oq];B[or];W[no];B[np];W[lo];B[op];W[mj];B[ao];W[ap];B[an];W[bp];B[oh];W[nh]
;B[li];W[lj];B[ni];W[ph];B[og];W[pg])

Iyama Won Second Game by A Half Point

The second game of the 37th Tengen sen met with a close game. Iyama Yuta who played won the game by 0.5 point, giving him the lead of the title series by 2-0!

Iyama Yuta (left) vs. Yuki Satoshi (right)

Iyama showed an interesting play with black 77 to black 89. He used the aji of his stone to create a thickness. Yuki Satoshi played a clever reducing move with white 120 and 122, resulting in a close game for both players.  I think white 242 is the losing move. White should play at A2 instead, it seems that white will win by 0.5 point that way.

Will Iyama win Tengen as a redemption on his Meijin's lost?

The third game will be played on November 17. Will Iyama win he title at the next game, or will Yuki survived the series? The third game will be crucial. Don't miss it guys!

Here is the game record:
Iyama Yuta (black) vs. Yuki Satoshi (white). Result: B+0.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rated game]EV[37th Tengen title match, game 2]
DT[2011-11-08]PB[Iyama Yuta]BR[9p]PW[Yuki Satoshi]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+0.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[po];B[cp];W[np];B[eq];W[or];B[ro];W[qp];B[qk];W[cg];B[nc];W[ip]
;B[fc];W[id];B[cc];W[dc];B[cd];W[de];B[db];W[eb];B[cb];W[ec];B[bf];W[cf];B[bg];W[bh]
;B[ce];W[dh];B[ci];W[ch];B[kc];W[cn];B[en];W[do];B[fp];W[eo];B[fo];W[dq];B[dp];W[ep]
;B[er];W[fq];B[bn];W[bo];B[co];W[dn];B[em];W[bm];B[cm];W[an];B[dm];W[bn];B[cq];W[ck]
;B[gq];W[qi];B[rp];W[qq];B[pn];W[on];B[qo];W[pp];B[pm];W[rk];B[rl];W[rd];B[qe];W[re]
;B[qg];W[qf];B[pf];W[rf];B[qc];W[rc];B[fb];W[fa];B[ga];W[ea];B[ic];W[hc];B[hd];W[ib]
;B[jc];W[gb];B[gc];W[hb];B[he];W[gd];B[og];W[qd];B[pc];W[rg];B[qh];W[rh];B[rj];W[qb]
;B[pb];W[rb];B[fd];W[ge];B[hf];W[ir];B[hq];W[iq];B[cl];W[bl];B[dk];W[cj];B[gn];W[jn]
;B[kl];W[fe];B[ln];W[lp];B[ri];W[pe];B[oe];W[jj];B[kj];W[jh];B[ki];W[hh];B[kh];W[jf]
;B[ji];W[ig];B[ie];W[kg];B[ii];W[hi];B[ke];W[kf];B[di];W[ei];B[dj];W[bi];B[om];W[nn]
;B[nm];W[lh];B[mg];W[lg];B[mi];W[mh];B[nh];W[mf];B[ng];W[mn];B[mm];W[cr];B[dr];W[bq]
;B[br];W[bp];B[cs];W[da];B[ca];W[le];B[je];W[rq];B[hj];W[gj];B[gk];W[gg];B[fj];W[gi]
;B[bk];W[bj];B[im];W[fk];B[gl];W[ej];B[ek];W[jm];B[jl];W[in];B[jb];W[ld];B[gf];W[ff]
;B[hr];W[li];B[lj];W[nd];B[mc];W[ni];B[mj];W[od];B[qe];W[qn];B[rn];W[pe];B[pi];W[pa]
;B[ob];W[lm];B[km];W[kn];B[lo];W[ko];B[mo];W[ne];B[ia];W[ed];B[of];W[nf];B[qj];W[oc]
;B[nb];W[ll];B[is];W[js];B[hs];W[jr];B[ml];W[mp];B[lk];W[hm];B[il];W[hn];B[fl];W[fi]
;B[sq];W[sr];B[sp];W[hk];B[rr];W[qr];B[ij];W[hl];B[ss];W[gm];B[fk];W[ag];B[be];W[af]
;B[oa];W[no];B[lm];W[qa];B[aq];W[ap];B[ar];W[ab];B[ad];W[ah];B[ac];W[ik];B[md];W[jk]
;B[hg];W[ih];B[if];W[go];B[fn];W[gp];B[hp];W[ho];B[lc];W[fg];B[kd];W[jg];B[sh];W[sg]
;B[si];W[ae];B[bb];W[fr];B[fs];W[fm];B[gr];W[qe];B[ja];W[ha];B[sr];W[qs])

Iyama Opened Tengen Series

The 37th Tengen title series meets Yuki Satoshi, the Tengen title holder, and Iyama Yuta, the challenger in a bst-of-5 title series. The first game was played on October 24. Yuki Satoshi played black, while Iyama Yuta played white at the first game.

Yuki Satoshi (left) vs. Iyama Yuta (right)

The game opened with both players did  trade. Iyama grabbed the territories at the bottom side, while giving Yuki a big thickness toward the center. Iyama started his invasion at the center with white 60 and 74. The invasion was success and Iyama took the lead. Iyama won after 194 moves. The next game will be played on November 8.

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

(;
EV[37th Tengen title match 1]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Iyama Yuta]
WR[Meijin]
DT[2011-10-24]
BR[Tengen]
RE[W+R]
PB[Yuki Satoshi]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[co];W[oq];B[mp];W[qf];B[pi];W[oo];B[pn]
;W[nc];B[pf];W[qc];B[qe];W[pc];B[pq];W[qg];B[pg];W[re];B[qh];W[oh]
;B[ph];W[mq];B[lq];W[lp];B[nq];W[mr];B[op];W[kq];B[ep];W[dp];B[do]
;W[eo];B[fp];W[en];B[dm];W[bp];B[bo];W[fr];B[gn];W[fm];B[cj];W[gm]
;B[hm];W[hn];B[in];W[ho];B[io];W[hp];B[ip];W[iq];B[jq];W[hq];B[lo]
;W[kp];B[ko];W[kr];B[hl];W[lj];B[rf];W[fc];B[cf];W[bd];B[fl];W[gl]
;B[gk];W[fk];B[el];W[hk];B[gj];W[go];B[ik];W[po];B[no];W[on];B[ol]
;W[pl];B[ok];W[om];B[pk];W[mn];B[mo];W[ml];B[ql];W[km];B[kk];W[lk]
;B[kl];W[ll];B[lh];W[kj];B[ln];W[lm];B[hj];W[im];B[jm];W[qo];B[jp]
;W[jr];B[or];W[pm];B[be];W[ce];B[bf];W[df];B[dg];W[eg];B[cc];W[cd]
;B[ef];W[de];B[dh];W[ff];B[rd];W[qd];B[se];W[od];B[eh];W[fg];B[gc]
;W[gb];B[hb];W[hc];B[gd];W[ib];B[bc];W[eb];B[ad];W[dn];B[cp];W[cq]
;B[cm];W[pe];B[rg];W[rl];B[qk];W[rm];B[bq];W[br];B[ap];W[ke];B[if]
;W[id];B[ne];W[me];B[mf];W[le];B[ro];W[rn];B[rp];W[jl];B[rk];W[jn]
;B[jo];W[jk];B[je];W[jd];B[ar];W[bs];B[oe];W[nd];B[dc];W[fd];B[db]
;W[hg];B[gh];W[hh];B[jh];W[fh];B[fi];W[mg];B[hf];W[gg];B[kg];W[he]
;B[ng];W[lf];B[nf];W[mh];B[nh];W[rc];B[sc];W[lg];B[ii];W[nr];B[pp]
;W[il];B[rb];W[qb];B[nj];W[hk];B[nn];W[nm])

Iyama Yuta Challenges Tengen

Iyama Yuta is in his way to dominate Japan's go arena. With Meijin and Judan in his pocket, Iyama is now in his way for Tengen title as he beat O Meien at the final of the 37th Tengen Championship.


O Meien (left) vs. Iyama Yuta (right)

O Meien who played black opened the game with Meien corner pattern at the bottom right. Later, O Meien tried to build center's thickness. Iyama played calmly and reduced black's center little by little. O Meien resigned after white 208 as the gap became bigger and bigger.

Iyama will play Yuki Satoshi the title holder in a best-of-5 to decide who will be the 37th Tengen title holder.

Vote who do you think will win this year Tengen below:

Who Will be the 37th Tengen
	Yuki Satoshi
	Iyama Yuta
pollcode.com free polls

Here is the game record:
Iyama Yuta (white) vs. O Meien (black)

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[37th Tengen, final]DT[2011-08-25]PB[O Meien]
BR[9p]PW[Iyama Yuta ]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[oq];W[dp];B[fq];W[cn];B[pn];W[hq];B[jq];W[fp];B[fc];W[df];B[id];W[qf]
;B[oe];W[di];B[pg];W[qg];B[pi];W[pf];B[of];W[ph];B[oh];W[og];B[ng];W[qi];B[pj];W[qj]
;B[pg];W[qh];B[pk];W[ql];B[jo];W[pl];B[ol];W[eq];B[if];W[ic];B[jc];W[qc];B[pc];W[pb]
;B[qd];W[jb];B[hc];W[nb];B[mc];W[rc];B[qb];W[rb];B[ob];W[qa];B[oa];W[ib];B[hd];W[eb]
;B[fj];W[im];B[dj];W[cj];B[ci];W[ch];B[bi];W[ej];B[dk];W[ek];B[dl];W[dh];B[gp];W[el]
;B[fo];W[ep];B[dm];W[fm];B[dn];W[bn];B[co];W[bo];B[cp];W[cq];B[fn];W[gq];B[gm];W[gl]
;B[hl];W[hm];B[gn];W[gk];B[hk];W[hj];B[ik];W[ip];B[io];W[jp];B[kp];W[ho];B[hn];W[ko]
;B[kn];W[lo];B[lq];W[mp];B[ln];W[mq];B[mr];W[mn];B[mm];W[nr];B[lr];W[nq];B[or];W[nm]
;B[nn];W[no];B[mo];W[lp];B[mn];W[ij];B[jk];W[kq];B[gj];W[gh];B[ec];W[dc];B[db];W[cb]
;B[ns];W[kc];B[lb];W[jd];B[je];W[ke];B[ld];W[jf];B[ie];W[lc];B[mb];W[gb];B[fb];W[md]
;B[kb];W[mf];B[fg];W[nd];B[nc];W[jg];B[lg];W[mg];B[lh];W[hb];B[fh];W[mh];B[jh];W[ig]
;B[ei];W[gc];B[gd];W[fd];B[ed];W[fe];B[ee];W[gf];B[de];W[ce];B[cf];W[da];B[ef];W[bf]
;B[kf];W[lf];B[hg];W[gg];B[hh];W[gi];B[fi];W[ih];B[ii];W[kg];B[kh];W[kf];B[hi];W[hf]
;B[jj];W[ge];B[re];W[rm];B[rn];W[rf];B[sf];W[sg];B[se];W[om];B[nl];W[ro];B[sn];W[qn]
;B[qo];W[qm];B[rp];W[po];B[so];W[on];B[pp];W[oo];B[kr];W[en];B[em];W[pa])

Yuki Satoshi Stole Tengen

Yuki Satoshi (9 dan) bring another glory to the Kansai Kiin. After Sakai Hideyuki successfully became Gosei, Yuki who has been considered as the strongest Kansai Kiin player stole Tengen from Yamashita Keigo.


Yuki Satoshi (left) vs. Yamashita Keigo (right)


Both players gave analysis of the game

Here is the game record:
Yuki Satoshi (black) vs. Yamashita Keigo (white). Result: B+2.5

(;
EV[36th Tengen title match 3]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Yamashita Keigo]
WR[Tengen]
DT[2010-11-16]
BR[9d]
RE[B+2.5]
PB[Yuki Satoshi]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[op];W[dd];B[fc];W[cf];B[qp];W[qf];B[qi];W[md];B[pf]
;W[ec];B[qe];W[fd];B[kc];W[le];B[hc];W[gc];B[hd];W[jd];B[jc];W[if]
;B[fq];W[jp];B[cn];W[dn];B[dm];W[en];B[cp];W[co];B[bo];W[do];B[bm]
;W[cq];B[bp];W[em];B[dl];W[el];B[dk];W[mq];B[hq];W[eq];B[er];W[fp]
;B[gr];W[gp];B[dr];W[dq];B[jq];W[kq];B[iq];W[kp];B[pl];W[nc];B[ke]
;W[kd];B[lc];W[ld];B[hb];W[oh];B[ph];W[nl];B[og];W[mh];B[fj];W[on]
;B[pn];W[ek];B[ej];W[ci];B[di];W[cj];B[dj];W[hk];B[om];W[nm];B[nn]
;W[mn];B[oo];W[fb];B[mb];W[nb];B[mo];W[lo];B[nj];W[lm];B[pb];W[oi]
;B[oj];W[mi];B[mj];W[qc];B[pc];W[qb];B[pa];W[qg];B[rg];W[re];B[rf]
;W[qd];B[pe];W[rc];B[kj];W[sf];B[sg];W[se];B[pg];W[or];B[kh];W[lg]
;B[qr];W[cr];B[kr];W[lr];B[ks];W[id];B[mc];W[ne];B[sb];W[sc];B[ra]
;W[qa];B[kl];W[ma];B[la];W[na];B[kb];W[jk];B[kk];W[jm];B[km];W[kn]
;B[jl];W[il];B[bk];W[pq];B[qq];W[gb];B[ic];W[ii];B[ml];W[mm];B[kg]
;W[bh];B[ih];W[hi];B[dh];W[kf];B[mf];W[nf];B[lf];W[jf];B[mg];W[ng]
;B[lh];W[hh];B[jj];W[he];B[fk];W[fl];B[df];W[cg];B[dg];W[bj];B[aj]
;W[ai];B[ak];W[ch];B[de];W[ce];B[gk];W[gl];B[ik];W[hl];B[bq];W[ds]
;B[es];W[ck];B[cl];W[mp];B[oq];W[fr];B[fs];W[gq];B[cs];W[br];B[is]
;W[pr];B[nr];W[nq];B[ps];W[ns];B[no];W[li];B[pp];W[mr];B[gf];W[ll]
;B[lj];W[gg];B[ge];W[jh];B[ki];W[hf];B[pi];W[nh];B[jg];W[ig];B[ar]
;W[bs];B[ee];W[ed];B[fh];W[fg];B[nk];W[fr];B[hp];W[hr];B[gs];W[ho]
;B[eg];W[gi];B[fi];W[ff];B[ga];W[fa];B[ha];W[fe];B[gd];W[ls];B[jr]
;W[ol];B[ok];W[ij];B[ip];W[io];B[ji];W[mk];B[lk];W[gj];B[ml];W[ln]
;B[hs];W[fq];B[mk];W[ih];B[jk];W[os];B[qs];W[ds];B[aq];W[cs])

Congratulations for Yuki Satoshi!


Yuki Satoshi

Yuki Satoshi Leads Tengen

Yuki Satoshi (9 dan) the strongest player of Kansai Kiin who just lost his First Place title to Murakawa Daisuke got a very nice compensation in another tournament. He won the second game of 36th Tengen championsip, thus leading by 2-0 from title holder Yamashita Keigo.

Yamashita seems wanted to play for influence. You can tell it by looking t the opening choice. However, Yuki played very well to disturb the strategy. In the end Yamashita fail to convert hs moyo into territory. Yuki Satoshi won the game by 2.5 points. The third game will be played at November 16.

Here is the game record:
Yuki Satoshi (white) vs. Yamashita Keigo (black). Result:W+2.5

(;
KM[6.5]
EV[36th Tengen title match 2]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Yuki Satoshi]
WR[9d]
DT[2010-11-09]
BR[Tengen]
RE[W+2.5]
PB[Yamashita Keigo]
;B[qd];W[dc];B[pp];W[dq];B[de];W[ce];B[cf];W[cd];B[co];W[dk];B[fo]
;W[gq];B[gf];W[gc];B[fk];W[ch];B[eh];W[bf];B[pj];W[od];B[oc];W[nc]
;B[pc];W[md];B[iq];W[hp];B[ip];W[ho];B[io];W[hn];B[cq];W[cr];B[fq]
;W[fr];B[eq];W[er];B[dp];W[dr];B[bq];W[dn];B[en];W[em];B[dm];W[cm]
;B[hr];W[cn];B[gr];W[eo];B[ep];W[fn];B[br];W[qq];B[qp];W[pq];B[oq]
;W[or];B[nr];W[rp];B[ro];W[qo];B[op];W[rn];B[rq];W[so];B[rr];W[hf]
;B[hg];W[ge];B[if];W[he];B[ig];W[gg];B[gh];W[ff];B[ie];W[oo];B[dj]
;W[pf];B[oe];W[pe];B[pd];W[of];B[ne];W[mf];B[nd];W[me];B[mc];W[nb]
;B[lc];W[nf];B[od];W[re];B[nj];W[jd];B[kd];W[ke];B[jc];W[ic];B[id]
;W[je];B[ib];W[hc];B[kf];W[ld];B[kc];W[rd];B[rc];W[rb];B[ob];W[mi]
;B[ck];W[gi];B[fh];W[ek];B[hi];W[ej];B[ni];W[mh];B[lk];W[kj];B[lj]
;W[ki];B[dh];W[ci];B[cg];W[bg];B[li];W[lh];B[kh];W[kk];B[mj];W[hj]
;B[gj];W[ii];B[fi];W[hk];B[ef];W[fj];B[ed];W[ec];B[kg];W[qi];B[nh]
;W[mg];B[jf];W[qj];B[qk];W[qb];B[rk];W[no];B[qg];W[qc];B[qh];W[mq]
;B[gk];W[po];B[pr];W[hl];B[le];W[sh];B[ri];W[np];B[qr];W[bo];B[kl]
;W[pl];B[im];W[hm];B[qm];W[kn];B[di];W[cj];B[rm];W[kp];B[lm];W[pm]
;B[lo];W[lp];B[qn];W[ln];B[nm];W[mm];B[jk];W[jj];B[nl];W[ml];B[ll]
;W[jr];B[lr];W[mr];B[ms];W[kr];B[ga];W[fb];B[pn];W[mn];B[jo];W[ko]
;B[jm];W[ir];B[hq];W[gp];B[ks];W[lq];B[ls];W[mo];B[bp];W[an];B[bs]
;W[ap];B[aq];W[fp];B[ao];W[do];B[cp];W[ap];B[bh];W[bi];B[ao];W[mb]
;B[lb];W[ap];B[ah];W[bk];B[ao];W[ih];B[hh];W[ap];B[ai];W[cl];B[ao]
;W[qe];B[ma];W[ap];B[ik];W[ao];B[fs];W[ij];B[on];W[hb];B[ha];W[rg]
;B[rh];W[qf];B[pg];W[og];B[oh];W[fa];B[jb];W[il];B[jl];W[fl];B[fd]
;W[dd];B[fg];W[lf];B[si];W[sg];B[ke];W[gl];B[gi];W[mk];B[nk];W[nq]
;B[os];W[jh];B[pa];W[qa];B[fc];W[gb];B[ia];W[gf];B[ee];W[pb];B[na]
;W[hs];B[sm];W[sq];B[sr];W[sp];B[oa])

Yuki Satoshi Won the First Game

Yuki Satoshi (9 dan) won the first game of the 36th Tengen title match. He beat Yamashita Keigo Tengen by killing a very big group in the middle. This is a very good start for Yuki since he has an unfavorable 4-10 record to Yamashita.


Yamashita Keigo (left) vs. Yuki Satoshi (right)

The second game will be played at November 9.

(;
KM[6.5]
EV[36th Tengen title match 1]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Yamashita Keigo]
WR[Tengen]
PB[Yuki Satoshi]
BR[9d]
RE[B+R]
DT[2010-10-28]
;B[qd];W[dd];B[dp];W[pp];B[oc];W[pj];B[nq];W[qn];B[kq];W[cn];B[dl]
;W[cq];B[cp];W[dq];B[ep];W[bp];B[bo];W[bq];B[co];W[fq];B[cf];W[fd]
;B[hc];W[di];B[dg];W[dk];B[ck];W[cl];B[cj];W[dj];B[ci];W[bk];B[dh]
;W[cm];B[ei];W[fj];B[el];W[fk];B[bl];W[bm];B[dn];W[al];B[bj];W[an]
;B[ao];W[bn];B[aj];W[ak];B[bd];W[gm];B[gn];W[hm];B[gp];W[gq];B[hp]
;W[hn];B[hq];W[gc];B[hd];W[cc];B[ph];W[nd];B[od];W[nf];B[oe];W[kd]
;B[hf];W[bc];B[kf];W[ie];B[gd];W[gb];B[fe];W[hb];B[fc];W[ed];B[ib]
;W[fb];B[jc];W[lf];B[lg];W[kg];B[jf];W[kh];B[mh];W[mg];B[lh];W[nh]
;B[ki];W[jh];B[ji];W[ih];B[if];W[ii];B[mj];W[nj];B[mk];W[oh];B[qh]
;W[ol];B[nl];W[jj];B[kj];W[kk];B[mi];W[lj];B[li];W[jk];B[om];W[pl]
;B[mm];W[nn];B[on];W[oo];B[no];W[np];B[mo];W[mp];B[lo];W[pn];B[oq]
;W[op];B[mr];W[pq];B[le];W[ne];B[mc];W[nc];B[nb];W[rj];B[hr];W[gh]
;B[ri];W[mb];B[lb];W[pg];B[qg];W[pf];B[qe];W[md];B[ma];W[mq];B[pr]
;W[qr];B[or];W[lr];B[lq];W[ns];B[nr];W[ps];B[kr];W[pm];B[nm];W[sj]
;B[jm];W[jn];B[km];W[im];B[fl];W[fn];B[en];W[gl];B[fh];W[gi];B[ld]
;W[be];B[bf];W[ce];B[ae];W[pi];B[ac];W[cd];B[ad];W[ab];B[af];W[qf]
;B[rf];W[rg];B[sg];W[sh];B[rh];W[si];B[re];W[bb];B[fs];W[eq];B[go]
;W[es];B[gs];W[fr];B[io];W[in];B[of];W[og];B[ok];W[ni];B[nk];W[ef]
;B[pk];W[qk];B[oj];W[oi];B[ap];W[bs];B[ff];W[df];B[fg];W[os];B[ls]
;W[fm];B[mf];W[ng];B[lk];W[jo];B[kl];W[ip];B[jp];W[fo];B[fp];W[ho]
;B[hk];W[iq];B[ir];W[il];B[hj];W[hg];B[gg])

Cho U Can't Reclaim Tengen

The 4 titles holder of Japan, Cho U, can't reclaim his title which he lost last year, Tengen.

He lost at the 36th Tengen semi-final to Kim Sujun (8 dan).


Kim Sujun

Kim Sujun will play Yuki Satoshi in the final. The winner will challenge Yamashita Keigo for the title at November.

Korea Won China-Korea Tengen

The annual bilateral Tengen championship is back. This year, Park Junghwan Chunwon (Korean for Tengen) meet Chen Yaoye Tianyuan (Chinese for Tengen). This tournament is sponsored by Sports Korea newspaper and Xinmin Wanbo evening paper.

Chen Yaoye of China opened the first game by an early 165 moves resignation game. Chen who played black in the first game ended the game by cutting Park's group. The cut will lead to a favorable ko fight for black. I'm not sure whether white group can survive here or not, but perhaps Park didn't think he'll win the fight, so he resigned.



Here is the first game's record:

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[14th ch-kr Tengen, game 1]DT[2010-07-11]
PB[Chen Yaoye]BR[9p]PW[Park Junghwan]WR[8p]KM[6.5]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[co];W[oq];B[mp];W[qf];B[pi];W[md];B[qe];W[pf];B[oe];W[pe]
;B[qd];W[od];B[of];W[og];B[nd];W[oc];B[nc];W[pc];B[rf];W[rg];B[ng];W[qc];B[rc];W[sf]
;B[rd];W[rb];B[ob];W[qb];B[pg];W[re];B[oh];W[oo];B[qn];W[pn];B[pm];W[om];B[pl];W[kp]
;B[mn];W[pp];B[ep];W[qq];B[qo];W[eq];B[fp];W[gq];B[gp];W[hq];B[hp];W[rq];B[iq];W[ir]
;B[jr];W[ip];B[jq];W[cq];B[nr];W[or];B[cf];W[di];B[ef];W[fc];B[dk];W[fi];B[gf];W[ek]
;B[el];W[dl];B[cl];W[dm];B[ck];W[fk];B[em];W[id];B[eh];W[ei];B[cc];W[cd];B[bd];W[dc]
;B[bb];W[cb];B[bc];W[mc];B[mb];W[ne];B[nb];W[kc];B[me];W[en];B[dn];W[ri];B[hk];W[hi]
;B[jd];W[ic];B[gd];W[gc];B[jk];W[fl];B[cm];W[ji];B[kd];W[le];B[jc];W[jf];B[mf];W[jb]
;B[kb];W[ib];B[np];W[ol];B[po];W[op];B[on];W[nn];B[no];W[pn];B[qg];W[rf];B[on];W[ce]
;B[be];W[pn];B[gh];W[fh];B[fg];W[hh];B[on];W[cg];B[bf];W[pn];B[bp];W[is];B[on];W[jp]
;B[lq];W[pn];B[br];W[cr];B[on];W[il];B[nm];W[jl];B[kl];W[kk];B[km];W[lk];B[hl];W[hm]
;B[jj];W[dg];B[df];W[kj];B[gm];W[kn];B[hn];W[jm];B[lm];W[ik];B[jn])

Park Junghwan even the game by winning the second game by 2.5 points. The game was quite territory oriented. Black claimed the right side, while white went for the left side and aimed for the upper board. There was a big trade at move 205. White sacrificed his 7 stones (about 12 points) for black's 5 stones. The trade was even I think. However, black eventually came out ahead after the trade.



Here is the second game's record:

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[14th ch-kr Tengen, game 2]DT[2010-07-12]
PB[Park Junghwan]BR[8p]PW[Chen Yaoye]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[B+2.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[fq];W[cn];B[qk];W[jp];B[dr];W[gq];B[fp];W[fr];B[er];W[gr]
;B[cp];W[cq];B[bq];W[bp];B[co];W[bo];B[do];W[br];B[dq];W[cr];B[dn];W[mq];B[cm];W[bn]
;B[po];W[dm];B[nc];W[fc];B[be];W[ce];B[bd];W[bf];B[cf];W[cg];B[df];W[bg];B[dg];W[dh]
;B[eh];W[di];B[dc];W[cc];B[cb];W[cd];B[bc];W[db];B[ec];W[ed];B[eb];W[eg];B[ef];W[fe]
;B[gd];W[fd];B[da];W[fg];B[em];W[dl];B[qe];W[fm];B[fn];W[el];B[gm];W[en];B[eo];W[ok]
;B[oj];W[nj];B[pj];W[nk];B[ni];W[mi];B[mh];W[li];B[pm];W[qc];B[em];W[re];B[rd];W[qd]
;B[rc];W[nh];B[oi];W[pe];B[qf];W[pc];B[od];W[rf];B[rb];W[qg];B[pf];W[of];B[pg];W[ph]
;B[og];W[oh];B[oe];W[qi];B[ng];W[rk];B[rl];W[rj];B[ql];W[rh];B[fl];W[jd];B[lh];W[kh]
;B[lf];W[ki];B[jf];W[he];B[kc];W[kd];B[jc];W[ic];B[ib];W[le];B[kg];W[lc];B[lb];W[kb]
;B[jb];W[mb];B[ka];W[mc];B[ob];W[ig];B[ej];W[dj];B[fk];W[ek];B[lr];W[mr];B[iq];W[ip]
;B[hp];W[jq];B[hq];W[jr];B[mo];W[or];B[pr];W[lp];B[ir];W[jg];B[me];W[fb];B[hb];W[fa]
;B[ba];W[is];B[hs];W[js];B[gp];W[sl];B[sm];W[sk];B[rn];W[ps];B[qs];W[os];B[qr];W[if]
;B[gi];W[md];B[mf];W[hj];B[ei];W[nm];B[jl];W[hl];B[lm];W[kl];B[km];W[jm];B[kk];W[ll]
;B[ml];W[lk];B[mk];W[lj];B[mm];W[mj];B[mp];W[lo];B[nq];W[mn];B[nn];W[ln];B[lq];W[ls]
;B[nr];W[ms];B[jn];W[im];B[cl];W[dk];B[ns];W[no];B[ks];W[on];B[kp];W[ko];B[in];W[hm]
;B[hn];W[kn];B[hi];W[pn];B[qn];W[op];B[oq];W[pp];B[qp];W[ii];B[ih];W[gj];B[fj];W[ji]
;B[sd];W[se];B[hg];W[ff];B[jo];W[kq];B[io];W[nl];B[hd];W[id];B[gb];W[na];B[la];W[oa]
;B[pa];W[nd];B[nb];W[ma];B[pb];W[fh];B[fi];W[ea];B[db];W[ge];B[ne];W[ld];B[pi];W[qh]
;B[kr];W[kp];B[gk];W[hk];B[ds];W[cs];B[af];W[ag];B[ae];W[ga];B[ha];W[np];B[mq];W[pk]
;B[qj];W[pl];B[om];W[gl];B[hh];W[jh];B[qm];W[nn];B[qo];W[hc];B[gc];W[ie];B[fm])

The final third game was played since this morning. Park played as black again and repeat his previous victory. The game was, again, territory oriented. Both side quickly claimed right and left sides like in the second game. A semeai started in early game. White sacrificed his bottome right corner to save his big group. After the final ko fight, black won the game by 1.5 points.




Here is the third game's record:

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[14th ch-kr Tengen, game 3]DT[2010-07-13]
PB[Park Junghwan]BR[8p]PW[Chen Yaoye]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[B+1.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[qp];W[dc];B[fq];W[hq];B[oq];W[cn];B[qj];W[kq];B[de];W[dh];B[gd];W[ee]
;B[ef];W[fe];B[cc];W[fc];B[db];W[df];B[ce];W[eb];B[dd];W[ec];B[dg];W[eh];B[mc];W[dq]
;B[ff];W[gf];B[gg];W[cb];B[bb];W[da];B[hg];W[ge];B[ch];W[ci];B[cg];W[dj];B[qd];W[jf]
;B[fh];W[kc];B[fk];W[el];B[fl];W[em];B[gp];W[hp];B[gn];W[hn];B[ho];W[io];B[go];W[in]
;B[hl];W[gq];B[fp];W[le];B[kb];W[lb];B[lc];W[mb];B[kd];W[jc];B[nb];W[jb];B[ld];W[ie]
;B[mq];W[rp];B[qo];W[qq];B[ro];W[pq];B[op];W[rr];B[ko];W[kp];B[lo];W[il];B[jm];W[im]
;B[kk];W[hk];B[gk];W[lh];B[er];W[lj];B[gr];W[hr];B[jo];W[gs];B[fr];W[hj];B[gi];W[km]
;B[lk];W[jn];B[lm];W[jp];B[mj];W[nh];B[ph];W[pg];B[qg];W[og];B[qf];W[nj];B[mi];W[ni]
;B[nk];W[ok];B[pk];W[oj];B[ol];W[qi];B[lr];W[jk];B[jj];W[kn];B[kl];W[jl];B[jr];W[ln]
;B[mo];W[kj];B[ii];W[kr];B[ks];W[nl];B[mm];W[mk];B[ll];W[mn];B[nm];W[no];B[mp];W[oo]
;B[om];W[pp];B[po];W[nn];B[pr];W[qr];B[nr];W[so];B[rn];W[np];B[sq];W[sr];B[sn];W[lq]
;B[or];W[nq];B[ps];W[is];B[js];W[ir];B[mr];W[ls];B[ms];W[jq];B[pi];W[dr];B[kh];W[li]
;B[bh];W[bi];B[ai];W[aj];B[ah];W[bj];B[ba];W[bc];B[cd];W[en];B[fn];W[bd];B[be];W[oc]
;B[od];W[pn];B[qm];W[pj];B[qk];W[ob];B[nc];W[na];B[pa];W[pb];B[qb];W[oa];B[ka];W[ja]
;B[qa];W[la];B[ei];W[me];B[ne];W[nf];B[di];W[ej];B[fi];W[on];B[pc];W[pm];B[pl];W[qn]
;B[rl];W[ma];B[ml];W[nk];B[ek];W[dk];B[ds];W[cs];B[es];W[cr];B[jh];W[kg];B[eo];W[do]
;B[ij];W[ik];B[ke];W[oe];B[nd];W[pe];B[qe];W[kf];B[hf];W[he];B[jd];W[id];B[pf];W[of]
;B[ed];W[fd];B[hi];W[ca];B[ab];W[jg];B[ep];W[ki];B[ig];W[ji];B[ih];W[ls];B[ks];W[rq]
;B[sp];W[so];B[qs];W[rs];B[sp];W[js];B[so];W[oh];B[qh];W[ls];B[fs];W[ks];B[hs];W[hm]
;B[gl];W[gs];B[if];W[je];B[hs];W[fg];B[cf];W[gs];B[mf];W[lf];B[hs];W[rc];B[qc];W[gs]
;B[ic];W[ib];B[hs];W[rm];B[sm];W[gs];B[kb];W[ka];B[hs];W[sl];B[sk];W[gs];B[hc];W[hb]
;B[hs];W[ac];B[ad];W[gs];B[ea];W[fa];B[hs];W[lp];B[sq];W[gs];B[ck];W[cl];B[hs];W[gm]
;B[fm];W[gs];B[bk];W[cj];B[hs];W[eq];B[gs];W[fj];B[gj];W[md];B[oi])

With this victory, the score is 7-7 for both Korea and China in this event. Congratulations for Park Junghwan. I wonder if he will be promoted to 9 dan with this victory.

Cho U Broke the Spell

It seems that Cho U finally broke the spell cast on him. He is the current top player in Japan with multiple titles and only few players can took him down. But one player has very positive result gainst him. He stole Meijin and Ryusei from Cho's hand last year. Yup, it is Iyama Yuta.

Cho seems to be weak against Iyama recently. He lost his Meijin title by 4-1 score (all lost by resignation) and lost at Ryusei final by 3.5 points to Iyama.


Cho U(left) vs. Iyama (right) at 2009 Meijin.

However, Cho successfully broke the spell by winning the game between the two of them at the second round main tournament of 36th Tengen sen. Cho won the game by resignation.

Sadly I can't find the game record.

Cho Even the Score

Cho U Tengen, even himself in the 35th Tengen sen. He won the second game by resignation as black. Now the position is 1-1 for Yamashita Keigo and him.



The third game will be played in December 3rd.


Board position when Yamashita resigned.

Double Challenge: Cho U vs. Yamashita Keigo

The playoff for Kisei challenger was played in November 16. The players were the winner from League A, O Rissei and Cho U who won League B.



Cho who held white won the game by resignation. It seems that Cho is back to his trademark move, White 4. He also used it during the first Tengen match, but he lost the game.



The first game of Kisei title matches will be played in middle January. Cho will play Yamashita Keigo who has hold Kisei for 4 consecutive years. Before that, they will play for Tengen series, where Cho is the title holder and Yamashita is the challenger.

Yamashita Keigo Won the First Game

The 35th Tengen title match series have started. The first game was played in November 12 at Matsumoto, Nagano.

Yamashita Keigo (challenger) played black, while Cho U the title holder played white.


35th Tengen, first title match

Cho played his trademark at move 4. He directly approach black, instead of occupying the empty corner. It's been awhile, since Cho rarely plays it now. Yamashita answered with an outside attach. Move 10 by white is not the usual follow up. Usually white will play O3 in this situation. Move 10 is questionable since it let black to play hane at N4. The outcome was favorable for Yamashita.

The exchange in the corner led to a difficult fight. After the crosscut at K7, both players started a semeai. The fight was better for black, since it has aji from stones at F12 and G12.

After an interesting 319 moves, Cho U resigned the game. He was behind about 6 points on board.

Yamashita marked a good start in the series, while Cho must play better to defend his title, or he will lose another title after his Meijin.


Yamashita Keigo

Yamashita Keigo was Tengen title holder in 2005, before he lost it to Kono Rin. Yamashita challenged Kono for the next 2 consecutive years, but never managed to show a good performance (he only won once in each series). Cho won the title from Kono Rin last year.

Cho U Stole Tengen From Kono Rin

The third game of 34th Tengen-sen had been played.

Cho U won the third game and also won the title.

The game was played in December 4th.

At the beginning of the game, Kono Rin able to secured territories in the right side, but Cho U gained moyo in the bottom board and Kono's group in the upper board wasn't settled yet (though I don't think it would be killed).

Kono Rin (B) vs. Cho U (W), up to move 59

After 202 moves, Kono resigned.

Cho U Leads The Tengen-sen

After defeated Kono Rin in the first 34th Tengen title match, Cho U won the second match again.

Taking black, Cho U beat Kono Rin by resignation in 151 moves.

Cho U played a solid game. He created a big moyo in the right side after Kono decided to jump into the corner.

Cho U (W) vs. Kono Rin (B), up to move 58

Kono resigned after his early invading group was killed by Cho U.

I think Kono's move at move 38 is rather funny. It created double atari in his shape. Perhaps Kono thought
that it's ok, but later it really backfired him.

Cho U recently has a pretty impressive record. He defended his Meijin title against Iyama Yuta, he took the lead
in Oza-sen against Yamashita Keigo, the title holder, and now he took the lead from Kono Rin in the Tengen-sen

I wonder if Kono can defend his title this year with this bad start. The third game will be played in December 4.

The 34th Tengen-sen Start!

The 34th Tengen title matches had been started. Kono Rin, Tengen, challenged by Cho U,Meijin.
The first match was played at November 10.

Played as black, Kono Rin played a strange fuseki. The fuseki looks like a low chinese fuseki, but in fact the stone was one point lower.

I think the trade in the opening (around move 26- 41) was good for white. Another good strategy by Cho U was move 52. He thickened his group before attacked Kono's invasion stone. It's a good example of "getting thick before attacking".

I think Kono's invasion at move 109 was the losing strategy. I don't think he was thick enough to invade. The result from that trade was good for white.

Kono Rin (B) vs. Cho U (W), up to move 155, the combination White A, Black B, White C, Black D create a ko fight for black to kill white

Kono resigned at move 170, where white eliminated his potential moyo in the middle. Overall, I think Kono was outplayed by Cho in this round.

Cho U seems pretty busy. He was just finished a title match against Iyama Yuta in the Meijin title matches, and then, not even a week after, he played Kono Rin in Tengen, while at the same time, he is also playing Yamashita Keigo for Oza title (Cho won the first match. The second match will be played at November 13). He is really busy!

Kono's overall result against Cho is not good. He only won twice out of 6 times they met. He beat Cho twice in Ryusei final this year, and in this year Daiwa Shoken Cup's semi-final.

But I think Kono still has the chance despite his bad result against Cho. I think he recently played really good. He also eliminated his nickname "one title specialist" when he won this year's Ryusei (for the last 3 years, Tengen was the only title Kono has, but he defended it nicely).

I wonder if Kono able to defend his title for 4 straight years.