Xie Yimin Defended Female Meijin

The 24th Female Meijin brought another title for Xie Yimin (5 dan). After losing her Female Kisei in February, Xie successfully defended her Female Meijin this time.

Mukai led the game halfway through until Xie played black 137. The move forced Mukai to gave up half of her group. It was quite a tsumego to work there. Can you figure out how black threaten to capture white if she connected with G2 instead?

Xie pulled out a 1.5 points victory and got her 5th conseutive Female Meijin. This is Mukai's 3rd unsuccessful attempt to capture Female Meijin. Her record against Xie s poor as Xie is leading with 14-4.

Here is the game record:
Xie Yimin (black) vs. Mukai Chiaki (white). Result: B+1.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]FF[3]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]SZ[19]GM[1]EV[24th Female Meijin title match 2]
DT[2012-03-14]PB[Xie Yimin]BR[Female Meijin]PW[Mukai Chiaki]WR[5d]KM[6.5]RE[B+1.5]
MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dp];B[pq];W[dc];B[nc];W[po];B[qo];W[qn];B[qp];W[pm];B[nq];W[qi];B[qg];W[ci]
;B[gd];W[de];B[jd];W[oi];B[og];W[fq];B[bp];W[bn];B[co];W[cm];B[cq];W[dq];B[br];W[iq]
;B[gg];W[qc];B[pc];W[dr];B[cn];W[dm];B[bo];W[bm];B[cr];W[gi];B[cg];W[eg];B[cd];W[cc]
;B[di];W[ch];B[dg];W[dh];B[ef];W[fg];B[df];W[ff];B[ee];W[gb];B[dd];W[ec];B[mh];W[mj]
;B[mn];W[lq];B[nj];W[nk];B[ni];W[oj];B[mk];W[nl];B[lj];W[ml];B[lk];W[ib];B[jb];W[ic]
;B[jc];W[id];B[bc];W[je];B[ke];W[kf];B[jf];W[ie];B[le];W[kg];B[ri];W[rh];B[qh];W[rj]
;B[pi];W[qj];B[oh];W[pj];B[ij];W[hk];B[ik];W[il];B[ip];W[jq];B[en];W[hl];B[eo];W[bb]
;B[bd];W[ih];B[fe];W[gm];B[gf];W[gh];B[gp];W[gq];B[bg];W[bh];B[mr];W[np];B[mq];W[pp]
;B[oq];W[qq];B[rq];W[qr];B[rr];W[rn];B[sp];W[mp];B[op];W[oo];B[lp];W[lo];B[kp];W[kq]
;B[jp];W[mo];B[hp];W[lr];B[hq];W[hr];B[fp];W[ms];B[ns];W[ls];B[ir]
(;W[os];B[pr];W[nr];B[gr];W[qs];B[rs];W[ps];B[ro];W[jr];B[hs];W[rd];B[qb];W[rg]
;B[rf];W[lf];B[mf];W[ja];B[ka];W[mg];B[nf];W[ia];B[lb];W[sn];B[so];W[sq];B[sr];W[ab]
;B[em];W[el];B[ln];W[ko];B[kn];W[jo];B[jn];W[io];B[jl];W[kl];B[jk];W[ll];B[im];W[sf]
;B[se];W[sh];B[sg];W[me];B[ne];W[sf];B[eh];W[fh];B[sg];W[md];B[lc];W[sf];B[fc];W[fb]
;B[sg];W[mc];B[mb];W[sf];B[re];W[ph];B[pg];W[ld];B[kd];W[ji];B[kk];W[hg];B[kh];W[jg]
;B[hj];W[gj];B[lh];W[lg];B[nn];W[ag];B[af];W[ah];B[on];W[pn];B[jh];W[ii];B[om];W[ol]
;B[ng];W[if];B[cj];W[bj];B[fm];W[fl];B[gn];W[dn];B[do];W[be];B[ae];W[ac];B[gc];W[ed]
;B[ce];W[hm];B[ki];W[ho];B[go];W[in];B[jm];W[ao];B[ap];W[an];B[hn];W[no];B[hi];W[hf]
;B[ge];W[js];B[hh];W[is];B[hr];W[ad];B[bf];W[hc];B[gk];W[gl];B[ei];W[dj];B[jj];W[ig]
;B[dl];W[ej];B[pi];W[si];B[ph];W[sg])
(;W[gr];B[jr];W[os]C[White tries to gain more liberty]
(;B[ks];W[nr];B[kr];W[ns];B[ps])
(;B[pr]C[If black plays here instead...];W[nr];B[qs];W[is];B[js];W[hs];B[or];W[ks]
;B[ns];W[kr])))

Kisei Went to Seventh Game

The 36th Kisei-sen went all the way to its seventh game after Takao Shinji's victory at the sixth game. At the end of game 5, the position was 3-2 for Cho U's favor. Takao have to win the 6th game or he will start all over again from the league. In this game, Takao Shinji played white while Cho U played black.

Takao Shinji (left) vs. Cho U (right)

The game started with a new move by black 11. White got a running group at the upper board, but received a nice thickness toward the bottom. Black got territory at the upper board, but had to take care of white's thickness. Day 1 ended with black 67. A fierce cut that will bring fight at the right side.

At day 2, Cho tried to invade white's influence with black 111 and 113. Takao showed that he was confidence with his group at the right side and decided to win the ko fight with white 142. Takao showed a great skill to create a double ko fight for himself and seized the advantage, Cho resigned soon afterward.

Takao Shinji survived game 6

The last game will be played on March 14-15. Who will get the title? Takao Shinji the challenger or Cho U the title holder?

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

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rated game]EV[36th Japanese Ksei title series, game 6]
DT[2012-03-07,08]PB[Cho U]BR[9p]PW[Takao Shinji]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dc];B[qp];W[dp];B[lq];W[fq];B[ce];W[ci];B[fc];W[ed];B[cb];W[cc];B[db];W[ec]
;B[eb];W[fd];B[gc];W[gd];B[hc];W[ie];B[dh];W[di];B[eh];W[ei];B[fh];W[gj];B[hh];W[bg]
;B[df];W[hd];B[ic];W[ke];B[jh];W[ii];B[kg];W[me];B[fi];W[fj];B[ek];W[ej];B[og];W[ng]
;B[nf];W[mf];B[mg];W[nh];B[mh];W[ni];B[mi];W[nj];B[of];W[mj];B[lj];W[ki];B[li];W[lk]
;B[kj];W[kk];B[ji];W[ij];B[ih];W[nd];B[kc];W[gf];B[ld];W[kf];B[mk];W[pi];B[jf];W[je]
;B[od];W[nc];B[ob];W[oc];B[pc];W[nb];B[ml];W[pl];B[qh];W[qi];B[pb];W[be];B[bf];W[cg]
;B[bd];W[de];B[ee];W[cd];B[dd];W[jb];B[jc];W[de];B[cf];W[ef];B[dg];W[bc];B[ae];W[lb]
;B[kb];W[lc];B[qn];W[om];B[nn];W[po];B[qo];W[lm];B[mm];W[ln];B[np];W[rh];B[cn];W[co]
;B[cl];W[dn];B[dm];W[bn];B[bm];W[cm];B[kd];W[fe];B[cn];W[oo];B[no];W[cm];B[bi];W[em]
;B[cn];W[pq];B[on];W[cm];B[qg];W[rg];B[rf];W[pn];B[pp];W[qm];B[cn];W[qf];B[qe];W[cm]
;B[ok];W[dl];B[rj];W[ri];B[rk];W[rm];B[pk];W[nk];B[ol];W[qk];B[qj];W[nl];B[nm];W[pm]
;B[pj];W[rl];B[op];W[sk];B[sj];W[oj];B[sl];W[si];B[ql];W[sm];B[ch];W[bj];B[iq];W[bh]
;B[gq];W[fr];B[jm];W[gi];B[gh];W[km])

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])

Xie Yimin Leads Female Meijin

After her unsuccessful attempt to defend her Female Kisei, Xie Yimin is back in another title defense. This time, she'll play Mukai Chiaki in best-of-3 series for the Female Meijin.

The first game was played on February 29. Xie Yimin played white while Mukai Chiaki was black. Mukai focused on the teritory in this game, giving Xie the active play. Xie later sacrificed 2 stones at the bottom to gain thickness at the center. Xie later handled Mukai's invasion at the upper left corner well and won the game by 15.5 points.

Mukai Chiaki (left) vs. Xie Yimin (right)

The next game will be played on March 14,

Here is the game record:
Xie Yimin (white) vs. Mukai Chiaki (black). Result: W+15.5

(;
KM[6.5]
EV[24th Female Meijin title match 1]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Xie Yimin]
WR[Female Meijin]
DT[2012-02-29]
BR[5d]
RE[W+15.5]
PB[Mukai Chiaki]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[co];W[dl];B[gp];W[do];B[dp];W[ep];B[cp]
;W[cq];B[dm];W[eo];B[cm];W[em];B[el];W[fm];B[dk];W[fl];B[ek];W[iq]
;B[ho];W[kp];B[jo];W[ko];B[jn];W[oq];B[kn];W[po];B[qo];W[pn];B[qn]
;W[pm];B[pq];W[or];B[ql];W[ci];B[cj];W[cf];B[jc];W[nc];B[oc];W[nd]
;B[pf];W[ke];B[gc];W[ec];B[lc];W[me];B[ie];W[hd];B[hc];W[jg];B[id]
;W[kk];B[ik];W[im];B[jl];W[qh];B[og];W[mh];B[mg];W[lg];B[lh];W[qe]
;B[qd];W[ng];B[nh];W[mf];B[mi];W[oh];B[mg];W[nf];B[oi];W[ph];B[qf]
;W[pj];B[jp];W[jq];B[fq];W[eq];B[kg];W[mh];B[kq];W[ni];B[lq];W[mp]
;B[mq];W[mo];B[jr];W[qr];B[rk];W[rq];B[rp];W[ir];B[kr];W[bj];B[bk]
;W[dj];B[ck];W[kh];B[mn];W[nn];B[mm];W[nq];B[mr];W[fr];B[gr];W[es]
;B[gs];W[ob];B[pb];W[od];B[pc];W[mb];B[rg];W[cn];B[bn];W[dn];B[bm]
;W[bq];B[bd];W[be];B[db];W[eb];B[cd];W[de];B[bb];W[cc];B[cb];W[dc]
;B[bc];W[ad];B[ac];W[aa];B[ea];W[fb];B[ce];W[bf];B[df];W[ef];B[dg]
;W[bh];B[ee];W[fe];B[eg];W[ff];B[fd];W[ed];B[ae];W[di];B[ei];W[hf]
;B[cg];W[bg];B[he];W[ej];B[fg];W[gg];B[gh];W[hh];B[fj];W[gi];B[fi]
;W[fh];B[eh];W[ai];B[af];W[fk];B[gj];W[ag];B[ak];W[ad];B[ae];W[da]
;B[ib];W[fp];B[hi];W[gq];B[hq];W[hr];B[jh];W[kf];B[fq];W[hj];B[gh]
;W[ii];B[hk];W[gq];B[ih];W[gi];B[fq];W[hi];B[gk];W[gq];B[ge];W[gf]
;B[fq];W[qm];B[rm];W[gq];B[if];W[ig];B[fq];W[pe];B[gq];W[re];B[rd]
;W[sd];B[sc];W[se];B[rb];W[aj];B[ch];W[fa];B[ca];W[ea];B[dh];W[ab]
;B[bi];W[ci];B[rh];W[ri];B[si];W[rj];B[sj];W[pl];B[pk];W[ok];B[qk]
;W[bo];B[jj];W[mj];B[pr];W[ps];B[qq];W[rr];B[sp];W[sq];B[nm];W[no]
;B[ji];W[kb];B[lb];W[la];B[kc];W[gn];B[nk];W[ol];B[lj];W[li];B[mk]
;W[kj];B[nj];W[lk];B[oj];W[qj];B[pi];W[qi];B[of];W[oe];B[oa];W[nb]
;B[gb];W[af];B[ga];W[ad];B[ns];W[os];B[ae];W[hg];B[fc];W[ee];B[di]
;W[ad];B[ba];W[ab];B[ae];W[sl];B[sk];W[ad];B[fs];W[er];B[ae];W[rn]
;B[sn];W[ad];B[pp];W[op];B[ae];W[rf];B[qg];W[ad];B[bi];W[aa];B[ah]
;W[in];B[io];W[jm];B[km];W[jk];B[ij];W[go];B[kl];W[il];B[ll];W[nl]
;B[ml];W[nr];B[ms];W[ln];B[jb];W[ka];B[ja];W[ma];B[ai];W[om];B[ki]
;W[lj];B[is];W[ld];B[ao];W[ap];B[an];W[mc];B[gm];W[hn];B[gl];W[fh]
;B[kd];W[je];B[gh];W[lo];B[fh])

Cho U Leads Kisei Title Series

The 36th Kisei-sen continued. After Takao Shinji scored a victory at the third game, Cho U won the next 2 games and brought the series to his lead by 3-2.

Cho won the fourth game by resignation as black. The game was a small margin victory for black, thanks to R18.

Here is the game record:
Cho U (black) vs. Takao Shinji (white). Result: B+R

(;
KM[6.5]
EV[36th Kisei title match 4]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Takao Shinji]
WR[9d]
DT[2012-02-15,16]
BR[Kisei]
RE[B+R]
PB[Cho U]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dp];B[lq];W[fq];B[pj];W[nc];B[lc];W[qc];B[qd]
;W[pc];B[od];W[nb];B[me];W[op];B[pn];W[mp];B[mq];W[qq];B[pq];W[pp]
;B[rq];W[qr];B[oq];W[nq];B[nr];W[np];B[pr];W[qo];B[rp];W[qn];B[rr]
;W[pm];B[om];W[pl];B[ol];W[pk];B[ok];W[qj];B[qi];W[rj];B[ri];W[on]
;B[oj];W[cj];B[fc];W[df];B[cp];W[cq];B[co];W[bq];B[do];W[dm];B[ep]
;W[dq];B[dk];W[ck];B[dl];W[cm];B[em];W[dj];B[fl];W[fj];B[cc];W[dc]
;B[db];W[cd];B[bb];W[bc];B[cb];W[fn];B[en];W[hj];B[fp];W[gq];B[gp]
;W[ge];B[rc];W[rb];B[rd];W[bd];B[hd];W[lb];B[kb];W[kc];B[jc];W[kd]
;B[mb];W[ld];B[la];W[mc];B[lb];W[md];B[jd];W[ne];B[nf];W[mf];B[of]
;W[lg];B[if];W[ng];B[og];W[hp];B[ho];W[eq];B[gn];W[hg];B[nh];W[eb]
;B[ec];W[gc];B[gd];W[fb];B[gb];W[fd];B[hc];W[ed];B[sb];W[kh];B[gc]
;W[ig];B[ir];W[ip];B[bm];W[bn];B[bl];W[cl];B[cn];W[bk];B[li];W[ki]
;B[kf];W[kg];B[gk];W[hk];B[hl];W[il];B[gj];W[gi];B[im];W[jq];B[jr]
;W[hm];B[gl];W[in];B[fi];W[jm];B[gh];W[hi];B[ej];W[ek];B[fk];W[el]
;B[bo];W[eh];B[gf];W[hf];B[he];W[fe];B[fh];W[ei];B[fj];W[lj];B[jg]
;W[jh];B[jf];W[lf];B[ll];W[ni];B[mh];W[mj];B[oi];W[kl];B[fs];W[es]
;B[rl];W[rk];B[sk];W[sj];B[si];W[qk];B[rn];W[ro];B[so];W[po];B[rm]
;W[hn];B[go];W[mm];B[lp];W[lo];B[ko];W[ml];B[nn];W[nm];B[ln];W[mo]
;B[kn];W[kp];B[io];W[jo];B[jn];W[hq];B[jp];W[or];B[os];W[jo];B[gm]
;W[im];B[jp];W[sn];B[kq];W[sp];B[sq];W[so];B[hh])

At the fifth game, Cho attacked Takao's weak group at the left and got a big territory at the right side as the result. Later Cho played white 136 and successfully stole some points from black's corner. Cho won this game, again, by resignation.

Takao Shinji (left) vs. Cho U (right)

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

(;
PW[Cho U]
EV[36th Kisei title match 5]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
WR[Kisei]
PB[Takao Shinji]
BR[9d]
RE[W+R]
DT[2012-02-23,24]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[pq];W[dd];B[fq];W[ip];B[dn];W[fp];B[cq];W[eq];B[cp]
;W[cl];B[bn];W[qo];B[op];W[qk];B[gq];W[gp];B[er];W[hq];B[ho];W[hn]
;B[io];W[jo];B[in];W[hp];B[cf];W[fc];B[bd];W[cg];B[dg];W[ch];B[bf]
;W[cc];B[dh];W[ci];B[de];W[ej];B[kp];W[jn];B[im];W[jp];B[kq];W[em]
;B[en];W[fn];B[fm];W[gn];B[gl];W[el];B[gj];W[fi];B[gg];W[hh];B[jk]
;W[fr];B[dq];W[gr];B[gh];W[gi];B[hi];W[ih];B[ii];W[jh];B[ji];W[kh]
;B[ed];W[ec];B[cd];W[fd];B[dc];W[db];B[hf];W[ie];B[if];W[ke];B[he]
;W[id];B[kf];W[jf];B[jg];W[je];B[kg];W[le];B[mf];W[mh];B[mg];W[nh]
;B[mk];W[nd];B[of];W[ph];B[qg];W[qh];B[hd];W[hc];B[ic];W[hb];B[lc]
;W[me];B[og];W[oh];B[oc];W[mb];B[rg];W[qq];B[qr];W[oo];B[ol];W[pp]
;B[oq];W[qm];B[no];W[rh];B[ob];W[mc];B[on];W[sg];B[rf];W[jm];B[il]
;W[bm];B[cm];W[bl];B[bc];W[dd];B[di];W[dj];B[dc];W[dr];B[cr];W[dd]
;B[bj];W[cj];B[dc];W[re];B[sf];W[qe];B[qf];W[dd];B[ds];W[jr];B[dc]
;W[pe];B[oe];W[rc];B[qd];W[rd];B[od];W[qb];B[sb];W[pb];B[pa];W[qa]
;B[rb];W[oa];B[na];W[nb];B[pa];W[sc];B[se];W[oa];B[jq];W[kk];B[kj]
;W[ma];B[ir];W[jl];B[hk];W[lk];B[lj];W[lm];B[lh];W[li];B[lg];W[lo]
;B[po];W[qp];B[qn];W[rn];B[pm];W[pn];B[ag];W[bk];B[qn];W[mj];B[ki]
;W[pn];B[qc];W[oo];B[pf];W[mp];B[mr];W[nr];B[nq];W[po];B[np];W[nn]
;B[mn];W[om];B[nm];W[on];B[mo];W[mm];B[ln];W[dd];B[mi];W[nj];B[dc]
;W[ko];B[lp];W[dd];B[ni];W[oi];B[dc];W[iq];B[kr];W[dd];B[li];W[oj]
;B[dc];W[cb];B[rq];W[rp];B[rr];W[dm])

The sixth game will be played on March 7-8. Takao Shinji have to win the next game to keep his chance for the title alive. 

Will Takao bring the series to its 7th game?

Aoki Kikuyo Won Female Kisei

The 15th Female Kisei ended at February 16 with a new winner crowned for the title. Aok Kikuyo (8 dan) won the least game from Xie Yimin, the title holder, and won the series.

Aoki Kikuyo paid her lost at the first game  by winning the second game. The game was difficult and entertaining. A fight started early when Xie tried to help her stone at the bottom. Aoki attacked it and the fight spread to the center. It became the focus of the whole game. Xie showed an impressive skill of life and death, however, it was Aoki who came out ahead by 9.5 points.

Aoki Kikuyo in her bright yellow blazer.

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

(;
EV[15th Female Kisei title match 2]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Aoki Kikuyo]
WR[8d]
DT[2012-02-09]
BR[Female Kisei]
RE[W+9.5]
PB[Xie Yimin]
;B[qd];W[dp];B[dc];W[de];B[ce];W[cf];B[cd];W[dg];B[ef];W[eg];B[bf]
;W[ff];B[bg];W[pp];B[qn];W[pk];B[nq];W[pn];B[qq];W[pq];B[qp];W[qo]
;B[ro];W[po];B[rm];W[qm];B[rn];W[jp];B[lp];W[kn];B[mn];W[pr];B[ml]
;W[ql];B[qr];W[mo];B[no];W[lo];B[nm];W[np];B[mp];W[op];B[ko];W[ln]
;B[kp];W[jo];B[jn];W[kl];B[jq];W[iq];B[jr];W[hp];B[ir];W[gq];B[ol]
;W[pl];B[pi];W[mr];B[nr];W[lr];B[mq];W[qs];B[rr];W[rs];B[sp];W[hr]
;B[is];W[oj];B[in];W[kk];B[mj];W[oi];B[li];W[ki];B[kh];W[ji];B[ph]
;W[ns];B[os];W[ls];B[ms];W[oh];B[pg];W[ns];B[or];W[kq];B[ps];W[og]
;B[lg];W[oe];B[pf];W[mh];B[lh];W[me];B[ke];W[pc];B[qc];W[lc];B[hh]
;W[jh];B[jg];W[ig];B[ih];W[jf];B[kg];W[hj];B[gj];W[gk];B[gi];W[hl]
;B[ik];W[il];B[kc];W[kb];B[ld];W[mc];B[jb];W[jc];B[kd];W[ib];B[md]
;W[nd];B[lb];W[ja];B[nc];W[mb];B[nb];W[la];B[pb];W[kf];B[lf];W[ie]
;B[ok];W[pj];B[lm];W[km];B[ll];W[nj];B[nk];W[mi];B[lj];W[qi];B[fk]
;W[fl];B[el];W[ek];B[fj];W[fm];B[em];W[dk];B[en];W[fn];B[eo];W[ep]
;B[fo];W[go];B[fp];W[fq];B[cn];W[di];B[jk];W[ij];B[gf];W[fe];B[le]
;W[rg];B[ge];W[id];B[rf];W[rh];B[hg];W[if];B[gd];W[gg];B[hf];W[fc]
;B[ei];W[ch];B[fd];W[ed];B[ec];W[gc];B[cj];W[dj];B[ck];W[bh];B[hc]
;W[gb];B[gh];W[fg];B[ho];W[ip];B[bi];W[cl];B[bl];W[dl];B[cm];W[ah]
;B[cg];W[df];B[dd];W[ee];B[fb];W[hb];B[rk];W[qf];B[qe];W[qg];B[pe]
;W[re];B[fh];W[aj];B[bk];W[ai];B[dh];W[eh];B[ci];W[be];B[bd];W[hk]
;B[dm];W[dh];B[ak];W[bm];B[am];W[ae];B[ad];W[hd];B[bn];W[bp];B[rj]
;W[qj];B[rd];W[sf];B[kr];W[lq];B[ms];W[ii];B[af];W[hi];B[bj];W[he]
;B[ag];W[ns];B[ss];W[oq];B[ms];W[od];B[oc];W[ns];B[qs];W[hs];B[ms]
;W[rl];B[sl];W[ns];B[kj];W[jj];B[ms];W[be];B[ae];W[ns];B[gp];W[gn]
;B[ms];W[of];B[pd];W[ns];B[ri];W[mf];B[ms];W[lk];B[mk];W[ns];B[mg]
;W[ng];B[ms];W[eb];B[db];W[ns];B[nh];W[ni];B[ms];W[fa];B[cp];W[cq]
;B[co];W[bq];B[da];W[ns];B[nf];W[ne];B[ms];W[on];B[nn];W[ns];B[io]
;W[hq];B[ms];W[sd];B[sc];W[se];B[sh];W[qh];B[ks];W[na];B[oa];W[ma]
;B[ea];W[fb];B[ao];W[sg];B[ap];W[aq];B[bo];W[do];B[jd];W[si];B[sk]
)

At the last game, Aoki Kikuyo played black and opened the game with Low Chinese Fuseki. The opening seems favorable for black. White's position at the top looks awkward. The game once again turned into a wild ride after Xie attacked Aoki's group with white 114. Black utilized white's weak group with black 159. Aoki Kikuyo found the combination and saved her group. Xie resigned soon afterward.

Aoki Kikuyo (left) vs. Xie Yimin (right)

Here is the game record:
Aoki Kikuyo (black) vs. Xie Yimin (white). Result: B+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[15th Female Kisei, game 3]DT[2012-02-16]
PB[Aoki Kikuyo]BR[8p]PW[Xie Yimin  ]WR[6p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[qk];W[fq];B[fc];W[cf];B[jd];W[qf];B[re];W[lc];B[nc];W[le]
;B[of];W[jb];B[ic];W[ib];B[dc];W[cc];B[cb];W[ec];B[db];W[eb];B[ed];W[fb];B[gc];W[gb]
;B[hb];W[ha];B[hc];W[kc];B[ga];W[fa];B[ia];W[ja];B[da];W[ia];B[cd];W[de];B[fe];W[bd]
;B[bc];W[be];B[ba];W[nd];B[mc];W[md];B[od];W[ee];B[fd];W[lg];B[ig];W[ci];B[kp];W[po]
;B[qp];W[mq];B[np];W[mp];B[mo];W[no];B[nq];W[lo];B[mn];W[lp];B[nm];W[ln];B[lm];W[km]
;B[ll];W[pk];B[pj];W[ok];B[ql];W[nr];B[or];W[oj];B[pi];W[oi];B[ph];W[om];B[on];W[pm]
;B[pn];W[qm];B[qn];W[rn];B[ro];W[rl];B[mf];W[ng];B[nf];W[lf];B[mg];W[li];B[mh];W[lh]
;B[gp];W[gq];B[ip];W[kl];B[lk];W[mi];B[gn];W[jn];B[dn];W[dl];B[ep];W[dq];B[fp];W[hq]
;B[do];W[gf];B[gg];W[ff];B[hf];W[hh];B[hg];W[ge];B[fg];W[he];B[ie];W[jf];B[jg];W[je]
;B[if];W[hj];B[gi];W[hi];B[ji];W[jj];B[kj];W[ki];B[fk];W[fl];B[ch];W[bh];B[ij];W[jk]
;B[gk];W[gl];B[hk];W[jh];B[hl];W[el];B[in];W[ho];B[hp];W[hm];B[im];W[gm];B[ik];W[hn]
;B[io];W[ii];B[ei];W[fn];B[cj];W[bj];B[di];W[bi];B[ck];W[cl];B[bk];W[bl];B[aj];W[cg]
;B[eq];W[er];B[go];W[al];B[bo];W[cp];B[bn];W[ek];B[cr];W[dr];B[bq];W[bp];B[ap];W[gh]
;B[fh];W[jr];B[jq];W[ir];B[ej];W[gj];B[fj];W[en];B[eo];W[ak];B[eg];W[ef];B[dh];W[rj]
;B[ri];W[qo];B[oo];W[so];B[rp])

This is the first Female Kisei title for Aoki Kikuyo. It was also a swet revenge for her lost at the 28th Female Honinbo from Xie. Congratulations for Aoki Kikuyo!

Female Kisei, the 11th title for Aoki Kikuyo.

Wang Chenxing 6 Consecutive Victory.

After defeating Yoshida Mika and Lee Sula, Wang Chenxing went on a rampage and won the next 4 games. Giving her a 6 conseecutive victory at the 2nd Huanglongshi Cup.

She won from Mukai Chiaki at the fourth game. The game was close, but Wang played the endgame beautifully and won by resignation.

Wang Chenxing (left) vs. Mukai Chiaki (right)

Here is the game record:
Wang Chenxing (white) vs. Mukai Chiaki (black). Result: W+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[2nd Huanglongshi Cup, game 04]DT[2012-02-04]
PB[Mukai Chiaki]BR[5p]PW[Wang Chenxing]WR[2p]KM[7.5]HA[0]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dc];B[dp];W[pp];B[ce];W[oc];B[ld];W[of];B[qf];W[ed];B[ic];W[qc];B[od];W[pc]
;B[oe];W[ci];B[dh];W[di];B[eh];W[ei];B[fh];W[cn];B[bc];W[gc];B[ch];W[gj];B[fq];W[en]
;B[co];W[bn];B[qn];W[np];B[pk];W[hq];B[fo];W[ho];B[fn];W[bp];B[fl];W[dk];B[hk];W[hm]
;B[gk];W[jl];B[lq];W[jq];B[in];W[hn];B[dm];W[em];B[dn];W[el];B[do];W[fm];B[bo];W[cl]
;B[cm];W[nl];B[gm];W[gn];B[gl];W[gi];B[dl];W[ek];B[jk];W[kl];B[ji];W[bl];B[bm];W[hh]
;B[ij];W[bb];B[cc];W[cb];B[on];W[nn];B[oq];W[op];B[pq];W[nq];B[nr];W[mr];B[or];W[mq]
;B[rp];W[oj];B[ig];W[hg];B[ok];W[nk];B[nj];W[mj];B[ni];W[mi];B[bh];W[if];B[jg];W[jf]
;B[lg];W[kf];B[kg];W[lf];B[mf];W[me];B[hf];W[mg];B[mh];W[nf];B[nh];W[gf];B[nc];W[nb]
;B[md];W[mc];B[he];W[id];B[nd];W[lb];B[eb];W[pg];B[pi];W[jd];B[hd];W[gd];B[db];W[qh]
;B[lc];W[mb];B[pf];W[og];B[rc];W[rb];B[re];W[sc];B[rg];W[rh];B[rd];W[qj];B[pj];W[gr]
;B[lk];W[kk];B[lj];W[qq];B[qr];W[ll];B[mk];W[kj];B[li];W[er];B[dr];W[ds];B[cr];W[qp]
;B[rq];W[ns];B[mm];W[ml];B[nm];W[mn];B[om];W[lm];B[ps];W[ec];B[fb];W[gb];B[qg];W[ph]
;B[kc];W[jc];B[kb];W[ac];B[ib];W[hc];B[ad];W[bd];B[cd];W[ae];B[ca];W[fa];B[ba];W[ab]
;B[be];W[ms];B[os];W[jb];B[la];W[eq];B[ma];W[na];B[ja];W[ka];B[la];W[ep];B[eo];W[cs]
;B[bs];W[es];B[br];W[fp];B[rj];W[fc];B[ad];W[rk];B[qi];W[bd];B[sb];W[ra];B[ad];W[ri]
;B[qk];W[bd];B[ng];W[mf];B[ad];W[sg];B[sf];W[bd];B[pa];W[pb];B[ad];W[rs];B[rr];W[bd]
;B[ff];W[ge];B[ad];W[qs];B[ss];W[bd];B[hi];W[ih];B[ad];W[qs];B[rs];W[bd];B[fi];W[fj]
;B[ad];W[pd];B[pe];W[bd];B[no];W[oo];B[ad];W[sj];B[il];W[im];B[rl];W[bd];B[ln];W[mo]
;B[ad];W[qj];B[aa];W[sl];B[rj];W[sk];B[sm];W[si];B[qm];W[bi];B[fe];W[ii];B[jj];W[ki]
;B[jh];W[hj])

At the fifth game, Wang played Park Jiyeon. Park got a nice position at the upper board. However, Wang broke into the upper right corner after a ko fight at E14. Black couldn't find a place to reverse the position afterward.

Wang Chenxing (left ) vs. Park Jiyeon (right)

Here is the game record:
Wang Chenxing (white) vs. Park Jiyeon (black). Result: W+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rated game]EV[2nd Huanglongshi Cup, game 05]
DT[2012-02-05]PB[Park Jiyeon]BR[2p]PW[Wang Chenxing]WR[2p]KM[7.5]HA[0]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[do];W[cm];B[cq];W[gq];B[gp];W[hp];B[fq];W[fp];B[go];W[fr]
;B[hq];W[eq];B[gr];W[fq];B[ip];W[cp];B[ho];W[oq];B[pq];W[op];B[pn];W[lp];B[nc];W[jq]
;B[no];W[pr];B[qr];W[ln];B[co];W[bp];B[en];W[bo];B[ek];W[qi];B[ko];W[pp];B[qq];W[lo]
;B[or];W[nr];B[ps];W[mq];B[fc];W[cf];B[db];W[cc];B[id];W[qf];B[re];W[ql];B[qm];W[pl]
;B[rf];W[on];B[kd];W[gm];B[dm];W[im];B[fo];W[cl];B[cn];W[bn];B[jk];W[gk];B[jm];W[jn]
;B[in];W[jl];B[km];W[il];B[kn];W[kl];B[lm];W[el];B[fl];W[dk];B[fk];W[fm];B[fi];W[hi]
;B[fe];W[ff];B[gh];W[ee];B[ge];W[ec];B[eb];W[gf];B[hh];W[ih];B[ig];W[fd];B[gd];W[hg]
;B[if];W[hf];B[ed];W[ie];B[ef];W[eg];B[de];W[df];B[je];W[ee];B[em];W[dl];B[ii];W[jh]
;B[ji];W[ki];B[ef];W[jj];B[fg];W[ee];B[ij];W[hj];B[ef];W[eh];B[he];W[ee];B[kj];W[ik]
;B[ef];W[qe];B[ee];W[qd];B[qg];W[pc];B[qh];W[pi];B[rd];W[rc];B[oc];W[pb];B[ce];W[pg]
;B[ri];W[rj];B[sh];W[ph];B[rg];W[be];B[bd];W[bf];B[ei];W[ci];B[di];W[ch];B[mm];W[ir]
;B[hr];W[ma];B[mb];W[mk];B[of];W[oe];B[ne];W[nf];B[pe];W[pf];B[od];W[ng];B[om];W[jp]
;B[jo];W[nn];B[mn];W[oo];B[nm];W[bc];B[cd];W[ad];B[kp];W[kq];B[mp];W[lq];B[mo];W[ns]
;B[dj];W[cj];B[nk];W[nj];B[lh];W[li];B[cb];W[lf];B[ok];W[rl];B[kg];W[na];B[la];W[ob]
;B[nb];W[oa];B[lc];W[sj];B[si];W[bb];B[dp];W[dr];B[pk];W[qk];B[pj];W[qj];B[is];W[js]
;B[iq];W[jr];B[sc];W[sb];B[sd];W[rb];B[gl];W[mh];B[lk];W[lj];B[ll];W[kk];B[ba];W[rn]
;B[ro];W[hl];B[rm];W[fj];B[ej];W[sm];B[qn];W[gi];B[fh];W[sn];B[dc];W[ac];B[gj];W[jj]
;B[hk];W[jg];B[kf];W[jf];B[gg];W[lg];B[le];W[os];B[pr];W[pm];B[so];W[sl];B[qo];W[kh]
;B[mf];W[ke];B[dh];W[dg];B[kf];W[ep];B[eo];W[oj])

At the next game, Wang played Yashiro Kumiko from Japan. Wang played black this time and she got a nice position since the beginning. The game was already decided on black 167 when Wang captured Yashiro's group at the right side.

Yashiro Kumio (left) vs. Wang Chenxing (right)

Here is the game record:
Wang Chenxing (black) vs. Yashiro Kumiko (white). Result: B+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[2nd Huanglongshi Cup, game 06]DT[2012-02-06]
PB[Wang Chenxing]BR[2p]PW[Yashiro Kumiko]WR[5p]KM[7.5]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[op];B[oq];W[nq];B[pq];W[mp];B[dp];W[qo];B[ro];W[pp];B[qn];W[qq]
;B[po];W[rq];B[lq];W[or];B[pj];W[nc];B[pf];W[jd];B[cf];W[fc];B[bd];W[cn];B[co];W[dn]
;B[fp];W[ch];B[cc];W[ce];B[be];W[df];B[dg];W[cg];B[bf];W[dj];B[eb];W[cq];B[bo];W[eq]
;B[ep];W[fr];B[fq];W[er];B[hq];W[gr];B[dq];W[dr];B[bq];W[br];B[cp];W[cr];B[ef];W[de]
;B[hr];W[aq];B[hn];W[eg];B[pb];W[qh];B[ph];W[pi];B[oi];W[qi];B[qj];W[rj];B[rk];W[qk]
;B[pk];W[rh];B[pg];W[sk];B[ql];W[rf];B[re];W[si];B[qf];W[rg];B[lc];W[ld];B[kd];W[kc]
;B[ke];W[lb];B[fg];W[dh];B[jc];W[mc];B[kb];W[lc];B[id];W[jb];B[je];W[ib];B[fh];W[lp]
;B[fk];W[gf];B[ff];W[ge];B[hg];W[if];B[jg];W[im];B[oo];W[np];B[in];W[jm];B[cl];W[dl]
;B[ck];W[dk];B[bn];W[fj];B[gj];W[gk];B[ej];W[fl];B[fi];W[hl];B[ik];W[jk];B[jj];W[kk]
;B[cj];W[gc];B[kj];W[ij];B[lk];W[hj];B[hi];W[ii];B[ih];W[ji];B[ki];W[jh];B[kh];W[hk]
;B[ig];W[gq];B[gp];W[kq];B[sl];W[sj];B[lm];W[mf];B[lg];W[mn];B[em];W[dm];B[el];W[ek]
;B[fm];W[fj];B[ap];W[ar];B[fk];W[jn];B[gl];W[gm];B[hm];W[fl];B[sh];W[fj];B[ri];W[gn]
;B[ip];W[ho];B[io];W[go];B[fk];W[gl];B[hp];W[bi];B[bj];W[jr];B[ci];W[fj];B[bh];W[gi]
;B[hh];W[bg];B[ai];W[ml];B[ll];W[mm];B[mk];W[lf];B[kf];W[mg];B[mh];W[rp];B[nl];W[qo]
;B[rn];W[on];B[pn];W[om];B[ob])

At the last round of stage 1, Wang played Kim Hyeoyimin of Korea. Kim who played white stacked a big territory at the upper board. However, Wang's position at the bottom board was thick. Kim tried to invade at move 52, but the invasion didn't turn out well and the invading group was killed. Black later found black 131 and things went downhill for white afterward.

Wang Chenxing

Kim Hyeoyimin

Here is the game record:
Wang Chenxing (black) vs. Kim Hyeoyimin (white). Result: B+R.

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rated game]EV[2nd Huanglongshi Cup, game 07]
DT[2012-02-07]PB[Wang Chenxing ]BR[2p]PW[Kim Hyeoyimin]WR[6p]KM[7.5]HA[0]RE[B+R]
MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[qp];W[dc];B[de];W[ce];B[cf];W[cd];B[fq];W[cm];B[df];W[fc];B[cj];W[dq]
;B[kq];W[qj];B[ql];W[qf];B[nc];W[rd];B[qh];W[of];B[pi];W[qc];B[pj];W[lc];B[nf];W[ne]
;B[oe];W[mf];B[ng];W[me];B[pf];W[od];B[og];W[pc];B[ko];W[kl];B[ld];W[kd];B[kc];W[mc]
;B[nd];W[oc];B[md];W[nb];B[le];W[jd];B[lf];W[jf];B[fo];W[oq];B[pq];W[po];B[np];W[op]
;B[no];W[qo];B[rp];W[qm];B[pm];W[pr];B[qr];W[pl];B[om];W[pp];B[qq];W[rl];B[qn];W[rm]
;B[rn];W[ro];B[so];W[pn];B[sn];W[pk];B[nl];W[nr];B[rs];W[jq];B[kr];W[hn];B[jp];W[jn]
;B[gm];W[ip];B[hp];W[jo];B[kp];W[hl];B[io];W[em];B[fk];W[gl];B[ge];W[hd];B[er];W[dr]
;B[dl];W[cl];B[ck];W[el];B[ek];W[hi];B[he];W[ie];B[ji];W[kh];B[jh];W[ki];B[kg];W[jg]
;B[kj];W[lg];B[mg];W[kf];B[jj];W[gj];B[lj];W[ei];B[gh];W[gi];B[dh];W[ri];B[gd];W[gc]
;B[hc];W[id];B[ig];W[gn];B[kb];W[lb];B[ic];W[hb];B[ib];W[ia];B[ka];W[jc];B[mb];W[ma]
;B[la];W[gp];B[gq];W[bf];B[bg];W[be];B[mb];W[jb];B[dm];W[dn];B[dk];W[cn];B[fh];W[ho]
;B[iq];W[fp];B[ep];W[go];B[eq];W[eo];B[kn];W[in];B[qe];W[ob];B[re];W[ej];B[eh];W[ll]
;B[mm];W[mh];B[sp];W[qk];B[ds];W[cs];B[es];W[br];B[ed];W[qd];B[ec];W[eb];B[dd];W[cc]
;B[sd])

With this, Japan is down to their last 2 players, Mannami Nao and Xie Yimin. Korea is down to Park Jieun. While China is still perfect. Wang will play Mannami Nao at the beginning of the second stage. Can either Japan or Korea stop China?