On December 13 & 14, the 6th game of 19th Ryuoh-sen between Ryuoh Watanabe and Challenger Kisei Sato was held in Yamagata prefecture, Japan. Before the game, Watanabe led the score by 3-2. Since Ryuoh-sen is a 4-wins-match, Sato must not lose the game to take the title. Sato tied the score by 3-3 winning this game in 114 moves. This is the link to the photo just after the game was over(Upper-Sato, Lower-Watanabe). You can replay the game on the virtual board here with comments in Japanese.(Java-capable browser is required.)
Watanabe was a Sente player(made the first move). Sato played G-3b as the second move without opening his Bishop diagonal line yet. Watanabe responded it by transferring his Rook to the central file while he does not usually take Furibisha(Ranging Rook) opening. Then both Kings were moved to the edge to build Anaguma Gakoi(castle). In the middlegame, Sato's right kNight got promoted in the center of the board while Watanabe's kNight stayed in the original position. And Watabane's right Silver was forced to be idled by Sato's tactful pawn sacrifice. I think it was Sato's satisfactory game.
The diagram below is one when Watanabe resigned the game at the 114th move of Rx2i+. Sente(Black, Lower side)'s King would be mated after the diagram.
Here is the possible mating variation after the resignation diagram.
Gx2i +Rx2i Kx2i Bx3h+ Kx3h Nx4f K-4h G*4g(!) Kx4g B*6i K-4h B-5h+ K-3i G*3h(mate, this line is replayable by clicking the arrow in the right direction under the diagram).
Gx2i +Rx2i Kx2i Bx3h+ Kx3h Nx4f K-4h G*4g(!) Kx4g B*6i K-5g B-5h+(mate)
Gx2i +Rx2i Kx2i Bx3h+ Kx3h Nx4f K-4i G*5h K-3i G*3h(mate)
In any case, Sente's King would be forced to be mated. The final seventh game will be held on December 20 & 21 in Niigata prefecture. It will be a financially big game as well. The winner will obtain 32 million yen as the prize money(The loser will obtain 8 million yen, so the difference will be 24 million yen. For your recerence, "Taikyokuryo" exists apart from the prize money, It's the money to be paid to the players without depending on the victory/defeat, is 14.5 million yen for Ryuoh and 7 million yen for Challenger per game in Ryuoh-sen. Yes, the title holder already got 87 million yen and Challenger did 42 million yen as Taikyokuryo since they already finished six games). It's the money to be paid for the players without depending on the victory/defeat and the number of the games. The Taikyokuryo of the defender is 14.5 million yen while that of the challenger is 7 million yen. If the title is defended, the defender will get 46.5 million yen in total.(This part was corrected on December 22).
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