Habu took the second game as well - 21st Ryuo-sen 4-win match

On October 30 & 31, the 2nd game of the 21st Ryuo-sen 4-win match between Ryuo Watanabe Akira and Challenger Meijin Habu took place in Lake Toya Hotel Lakeside Terrace in Hokkaido. Habu was  Sente player since so was Watanabe in the previous game. The opening strategy is both Yagura. The game ended with Habu's victory in 131 moves. The diagram below is when Watanabe resigned just after Habu dropped his Bishop on 4a. After the diagram, Gote's King cannot avoid forced mate. Here are some variations.

1. Kx4a +Rx4c G*4b G*5b K-3a +Rx4b(mate)
2. K-4b +R-7b Kx4a G*3b K-5a N*6c (mate)
3. K-3a G*3b(mate)
4. K-2b Bx2c+(!) Kx2c +Rx4c G*3c G*2d K-1b G*2c Gx2c +Rx2c(mate)
5. K-2b Bx2c+(!) Kx2c +Rx4c G*3c G*2d K-2b +Rx3c(!) Nx3c G*2c K-3a G*3b(mate)
6. K-2b Bx2c+(!) Kx2c +Rx4c G*3c G*2d Sx2d Px2d Kx2d R-2h K-1c G*2c Gx2c Rx2c+(mate, replayable by clicking the arrow in the right direction below the diagram)
7. K-2b Bx2c+(!) Kx2c +Rx4c N-3c N*3e(!) Px3e G*3d K-1b G*2c K-2a +R-3b(mate)

Habu now leads the score in 2-0. The third game will be held on November 13 & 14.

Comments

[Nat]

On move 130, Sente's king was in tsumero. Why didn't watanabe escape with K2b instead of taking gold?Then afterwards gold (drop) 3b gives check and Watanabe would sem to be in trouble if he plays goldx3b (but then again I dont see a mate, after (sente) goldx3b, Kx3b... Sente may try some more checks but thanks to the silver on the edge and the knight there is no mate). Also instead if he plays K1b instead of taking gold Habu doesnt have a good check, let alone checkmate.

So after K2b Habu has to avoid mate with Kx8g (P8i is met with Gx3b, and the dragon cannot take the gold because of the immediate mate threat G8h) After that Gote Gx3b tsumero on 7g, Sente G7e opening an escape route, Gote B(drop)7g is hisshi. I do not see mate for Sente in this scenario so Gote wins?

[takodori]

> Nat,

I guess Watanabe knew the King would be mated even if he played K-2b instead of Gx4c at the 130th move.

Here are the mating lines after K-2b which are rather long. In any case, the next sacrificing B*3a is the key drop to mate the King.

1, B*3a(!) Kx3a G*4b K-2b +Rx2c(!) Kx2c G*2d Sx2d Px2d Kx2d R-2h K-3c G*3b(mate)

2, B*3a(!) K-1b N*2d(!) Sx2d G*2b K-1c Gx2a K-1b B-2b+(mate)

3, B*3a K-1b N*2d(!) Px2d Bx1c+(!) Kx1c G*2c(!) Kx2c Gx4b G*3c S*3b K-1b G*2c Gx2c +Rx2c(mate)

4, B*3a K-1b N*2d(!) Px2d Bx1c+(!) Nx1c G*2c(!) Kx2c Gx4b G*3c S*3b K-1b G*2c Gx2c +Rx2c(mate)

I hope this clarifies the situation.