Habu took three games in a row - 21st Ryuo-sen 4-win match

On November 13 & 14, the 3rd game of the 21st Ryuo-sen 4-win match between Ryuo Watanabe Akira and Challenger Meijin Habu took place at Musashibo Hotel in Iwate Prefecture. Watanabe was Sente player. The opening strategy was Habu's itteson Kakugawari(bishop exchange with one move delay). The game ended with Habu's victory in 86 moves. The diagram below is when Watanabe resigned just after Habu took the Gold on 6h by his Bishop with promotion. After the diagram, Sente's King cannot avoid forced mate. Here are some variations.

1. Kx6h G*7h K-5h S*6i K-5g N-4e K-4f G-5e K-3f +P-3g K-3e +R-2d(mate, replayable by clicking the arrow in the right direction below the diagram)
2. Kx6h G*7h K-5h S*6i K-5g N-4e K-4f G-5e K-3e +R-2d K-3f +P-3g(mate)
3. Kx6h G*7h K-5h S*6i K-5g N-4e K-5f G-5e(mate)
4. Kx6h G*7h K-5h S*6i K-5g N-4e K-6f P*6e K-5f G-5e(mate)

Habu now leads the score in 3-0. The fourth game will be held on November 26 & 27.

Comments

[marcchan]

hi takodori,

how is the game commented in Japan? I mean, is Habu in a better shape or is this just a winning streak?

greets
Marc

[takodori]

> marcchan,

They say Watanabe's Gx3h was questionable. Instead, Px5c+ would have been better.

[Nat]

I think the questionable move was pulling back the hisha to its original square, right in the kaku's line of fire. If he would have pulled it one rank above that square I believe Watanabe would have had a chance to castle properly; he already has a yagura somewhat set up, while Habu's formation doesnt seem to able to convert to a castle formation anytime soon. Also, his ibisha seems to be exerting some pressure and letting the hisha go seems weird.
Regardless, the two kaku are apparently quite ineffective against a sitting king (refer to Habu-Fukaura game 7 Ouisen) And the rook proved very much betterthan the bishop+silver it was exchanged for.