Takodori's Entrance to Shogi World

Sato defended Kio - 33rd Kio-sen 3-win match

On March 29 Kio Sato won the fifth game of 33rd Kio-sen 3-win match against challenger Habu in 119 moves. Sato was Sente player as a result of Furigoma. The opening strategy of the game was Yagura. Sato built Anaguma won the game. He defended the title of Kio in 3-2.

The diagram below is the resignation one. The possible variations after that position would be as followings;

Lx4f G*3a Kx3a +B-2b K-4a +Bx3b(mate, replayable by clicking the arrow in the direction under the diagram)

Gx4c G*3a Kx3a +B-2b K-4a +Bx3b(mate)

S-4b G*3a Kx3a +B-2b K-4a +Bx3b(mate)

S-4b G*3a Sx3a Sx5b+ Lx5a G*5a K-4b +Rx5b(mate)

Gote had no defense and no effective attack since the promoted Bishop on 4f connected with the Lance on 7i.

Boardlive today - 5th game of 33rd Kio-sen between Kio Sato and Challenger Habu

Today is the day for the 5th game of 33rd Kio-sen 3-win match between Kio Sato Yasumitsu and Challenger Habu Yoshiharu(2 crowns). Sato became a Sente(black) player as a result of Furigoma. The thinking time per player is 4 hours and less than 60 seconds per move after consuming it. I think it will end early this evening. You can replay and watch the game through the linked page below;

5th game of 33rd Kio-sen 3-win match

Different from the former 4 games, the opening strategy of this game is Yagura s3g. At the 48th move, there were 4 games which had the same position in Kifu Database as linked below. All the games were won by Sente. I wonder why Habu chose this position. Does he have a new idea?

Kukuchi Yuta vs Horiguchi Kazushiza (August 9 2004)

Moriuchi Toshiyuki vs Kobayashi Hiroshi (July 30 2002)

Minami Yoshikazu vs Fujiwara Naoya (June 30 1999)

Senzaki Manabu vs Suzuki Teruhiko (January 29 1993)

The following is the link to the official blog of the 5th game. You may watch many photos of the game here.

33rd Kio-sen blog

Taylars College in Malaysia seems to have an Intectual Club

I read the following blog written by a person in Malaysian Weiqi association today.

Promoting Go in Taylors College

The scond photo in the page linked above shows "Some Shogi guy explaining some Shogi stuff to someone interested in Shogi."
 

 

Dramatization of "81 Diver"(shogi manga)

I did not expect this news were covered in English, but the fact is that two blogs covers it so far.

81diver Manga Dramatized in Live-Action TV Series

"81diver" drama series announced starring Mizobata, Naka

I'm not so familiar with how much subbed J-drama is watched now. But you may have a chance to watch it when the series start in May in Japan.   

 

"The Level 8 Buddhist" added its 5th entries about shogi

The Level 8 Buddhist added its 5th entries about shogi on March 25. Here are the permalink to each entry from the newest to oldest.

Shogi strategy: How to lose a game, #2 (The link added on March 27)

Shogi Strategy:How to lose a game

Shogi Strategy:Multipule Flanks

Shogi Strategy:Bargain Gold Generals

Shogi Strategy:Opening Game

Shogi Strategy:Castling

Sato Yasumitsu won NHK(TV) trophy tournament

Sato Yasumitsu won NHK(TV) trophy tournament following to last year. The final was aired on March 16 in Japan. Here is the link to the replayable gameboard in Kifu Database. The tournament is knock-out one.

Sato Yasumitsu(NHK Winner for last year) vs Suzuki Daisuke(8 dan)

Link Collection of the articles mentioning to Shotest Shogi

Lots of articles which mention to Shotest-Shogi appeared online from March 17 and 18. Here are some links below;.

Microsoft Adds New Xbox Live Arcade Hits （TeamXbox, CA)
MS Reveals XBLA line-up (CVG Online)
Assault Heroes and DOOM on XBLA this Wednesday(Totally 360, UK)
More titles added to Arcade Hits programme(VideoGamer.com, UK)
More top-selling arcade titles available from Wednesday at ...(MCV, UK)
Microsoft Discounts XBLA Assault Heroes, Doom, Announces Spring Lineup(Gamesutra,CA)
DOOM and Assault Heroes this Wednesday on Live(Planet Xbox 360.MI)
Assault Heroes, Doom to blast Live on Xbox 360(Punch Jump, CA)
XBLA - NEWS: More Live Arcade Hits(VG Reloarded.com, UK)
Doom and Assault Heroes Now Arcade Hits(Gaming Today, TX)
XBLA to get new Arcade Hits; upcoming titles revealed(Xboxic)
Shotest Shogi: First Screenshots(TeamXbox, CA)
Assault Heroes and DOOM become Xbox Live Arcade Hits(Monsters and Critics.com)
Doom And Assault Heroes 2 On Xbox Live Arcade This Wednesday(Bitbag, CA)
Here is an early look at a few games coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade in ...(WorthPlaying.com, CA)
Xbox LIVE Arcade Adds New Arcade Hits and Gives You a Sneak Peek ...(Game Zone, MI)
Two New XBLA Hits This Wednesday(Gameworld Network, Australia)
New Xbox LIVE Arcade Hits Announced(Gamers Hell, UK)
XBLA Doom and Assault Heroes Get Cheaper(Kotaku Australia, Australia)
Xbox 360 - Mercoledì su XBLA: Assault Heroes e Doom(Xbox Way, Italy)
Assault Heroes and Doom to become part of the XBLA Hits programme(PALGN, Australia)
Micrsoft details upcoming XBLA titles, announces new XBLA Hits(Xbox Circle, NY)
[Xbox360] Two XBLA Games At Reduced Prices, and Some New Titles ...(411mania.com, TX)
Upcoming XBLA titles announced by MS(Totally 360, UK)
New Xbox Live Arcade Games  Announced(Talk Xbox)
Microsoft Launches Xbox Live Arcade Hits Program(Daily Game)

"Shogi Z" seems to be a good shareware for Mac users

If you are Mac users, it will be worth thinking over downloading the shareware called "Shogi Z". Here are the links to some sites for downloading;

Shogi Z 3.5 (versiontracker)

Screenshot1 Screenshot2

Shogi Z 3.5 - Japanese chess. (Shareware) (MacUpdate)

Screenshot

Shogi Z (Sofotes.com)
Shogi Z (MacGameFiles)

Screenshot

This seems to be a machine vs human type software which offers the choice of whether Japanese or "Westernized" piece.

Sato tied the score in 2-2 - 33rd Kio-sen 3-win match

On March 19 Kio Sato won the fourth game of 33rd Kio-sen 3-win match against challenger Habu in 127 moves. Sato was Sente player. The opening strategy of the game was Habu's Gokigen Nakabisha(central Rook). Sato chose the opening to develop his right Silver to 3f. He controlled the position in the middlegame and kept the lead to the end.

The diagram below is the resignation one. The possible variations after that position would be as followings;

K-9f G-8f Kx9g R-9h(mate)

K-8d B-7e Kx9e G*8f K-9d G7f-8e(mate,replayable by clicking the arrow in the right direction under the diagaram)

K-8d B-7e K-7d G*6e

K-7d G-7e(mate)

Kx9e G*8e K-9f G7f-8f Kx9g R-9h(mate)

Gote's King could not avoid forced mate in any case.

The score after the game is 2-2. The 5th(final) game will take place on March 28. Sente won last four games in this series. They say Furigoma may be important in the final game.

Boardlive today - 4th game of 33rd Kio-sen between Kio Sato and Challenger Habu

Today is the day for the 4th game of 33rd Kio-sen 3-win match between Kio Sato Yasumitsu and Challenger Habu Yoshiharu(2 crowns). Sato became a Sente(black) player. The thinking time per player is 4 hours and less than 60 seconds per move after consuming it. I think it will end early this evening. You can replay and watch the game through the linked page below;

4th game of 33rd Kio-sen 3-win match

Habu chose Gokigen Nakabisha. Sato avoided ultra quick attack opening.