Takodori's Entrance to Shogi World

The result of 4th game of 65th Meijin-sen

On May 17 & 18, the forth game of 65th Meijin-sen between Meijin Moriuchi and challenger Goda 9 dan was held in Hokkaido, Japan. Moriuchi was Sente(Black, or lower side of the diagram) player and he won it in 103 moves. The score is tied by 2-2. You may replay the game here.

The diagram above is the resignation diagram when Moriuchi dropped his Bishop on 4c as the 103 moves. They say Goda resigned too early. After the diagram, there might be lots of variations. I don't know how Sente could clealy win the game  if  Gote  dropped  his Rook  on 5b after the  diagram. Here is my analysis of the variations after it except for R*5b. What difficult variations there are!

R-5h+ G*3b(mate)

B*3b G*2b K-4b Bx3b+ K-5c B*4b K-6b +Bx5d S*7i(!) K-9h R*5h B-5c+ K-7b  +B5c-6c K-8c +B-7b K-8d R*8e K-7d +B-6e(mate)

B*3b G*2b K-4b Bx3b+ K-5c B*4b K-6b +Bx5d S*7i(!) K-9h R*5h B-5c+ K-7b  +B5c-6c K-8b +Bx8a K-8c +B5d-7b K-7d R*7e K-6d +B-6c(mate)

S*7i(!) Gx7i R*3h P*7h +Rx5i+ G*5b(!) R-3c+ S*2b +Rx2b Px2b+ Kx2b R*4b K-2c +R-3b+ K-1d P-1e Sx1e +R-3d G*2d B-3b+(mate)

S*7i(!) Gx7i R*3h P*7h +Rx5i+ G*5b(!) G*3b S*3d(!) Gx4c Sx4c+ R-3b+ G*4b +Rx4b Gx4b+ (mate)

S*7i(!) Gx7i R*3h P*7h +Rx5i+ G*5b(!) G*3b S*3d(!) Gx4c Sx4c+ +Rx5b +Sx5b R-3c+ R*5c +Rx5c G*2b(mate)

S*7i(!) Gx7i R*3h P*7h +Rx5i+ G*5b(!) G*3b S*3d(!) Gx4c Sx4c+ +Rx5b +Sx5b R-3c+ R*5c B*3b G*4b +Rx4b +Sx4b Kx4b R*5b K-3a Rx3b+ Kx3b B*5d K-3a P-2b+ Kx2b R-5b+ K-2c R-3b+ K-1d P-1e Sx1e +R-3d G*2d B-3b+(mate)

S*7i(!) Gx7i R*3h P*7h +Rx5i+ G*5b(!) G*3b S*3d(!) Gx4c Sx4c+ +Rx5b +Sx5b R-3c+ R*5c B*3d Rx3c+ S*3c R*4b(!) S*4b G*2b(mate)

S*7i(!) Gx7i R*3h P*7h +Rx5i+ G*5b(!) G*3b S*3d(!) Gx4c Sx4c+ +Rx5b +Sx5b R-3c+ R*5c B*3d Rx3c+ S*3c R*4b(!) Bx2c G*4a Bx4a +Sx4a(mate)

S*7i(!) Gx7i R*3h P*7h +Rx5i+ G*5b(!) G*3b S*3d(!) Gx4c Sx4c+ +Rx5b +Sx5b K-3b R*3a(!) Kx3a G*2b(mate)

S*7i(!) Gx7i R*3h P*7h +Rx5i+ G*5b(!) G*3b S*3d(!) Gx4c Sx4c+ +Rx5b +Sx5b K-3b R*3a(!) Kx2c Rx3h+(Hopeless situation for Gote due to losing Rook)

Result of 4th game of 25th Asahi Open, Habu won.

On May 17, the fourth game of 25th Asahi Open between Asahi Habu and challenger Akutsu 5 dan was held in Shizuoka prefecture, Japan. Akutsu was Sente(black, or the first mover). Habu won the game in 96 moves. He defended Asahi with the score of 3-1. For those who can read Japanese, here is the link to the  page of Asahi Open of Asahi.com. You can enjoy lots of photos regarding the tournament here.

The diagram bellow is the resignation diagram when Habu escaped his King to 7a.

After the diagram, I think the possible variations would be the followings. There is no mate for Gote's King while Sente's King is in Hisshi(brinkmate).

S*7b K-8b B*7a K-9b G-7c R*7h K-9g N*8e K-8f R-7e+(mate)

S*7b K-8b G-7c(!) Kx7c R-4c+ Kx7b B*8c K-8b Bx7d+ B*7i(!) Kx7i G*7h(mate, replayable clicking the arrow in the right direction)

S*7b K-8b G-7c(!) Kx7c R-4c+ Kx7b B*8c K-8b Bx7d+ B*7i(!) K-9h R*7h(mate)

P*7g R*7h K-9g B*8h K-8f Bx7g+ Nx7g+ Rx7g+ K-8e +R-7e(mate)

P*7g R*7h K-9g B*8h K-8f Bx7g+ K-8e +B-9e(!) Px9e +R-7e K-9f +Rx9e(mate)

S*7g Nx7g+ Nx7g R*7h K-9g B*7e N*8f S*8h K-9h S*9g(mate)

P*7h N*7f  K-9h  S*9g  Kx9g N*8e  K-8f  S*7e  Kx8e  R*8d(mate)

There may be more variation. But in any case, Gote(White, upper side of the diagram) should win the game.

The result of 3rd game of 65th Meijin-sen

On May 7 & 8, the third game of 65th Meijin-sen between Meijin Moriuchi and challenger Goda 9 dan was held in Mie prefecture, Japan. Goda was Sente(Black, or lower side of the diagram) player and Moriuchi won it in 96 moves. It's rare Goda chose Furibisha(Ranging Rook). You may replay the game here.

The diagram above is the resignation diagram when Moriuchi dropped his Gold on 6g as the 96 moves. After the diagram, Sente's King will be mated immediately. The variation after the G*6g is as followings;

K-6i S*6h(mate)

K-7i S*7h K-8h +Bx8g(mate)

K-8i S*7h K-9h +Bx8g(mate)

K-8h Gx7g K-8i S*7h K-9h +Bx8g(mate, replayable by clicking the arrow in the right direction under the diagram)

K-8h Gx7g K-9g +Bx8g(mate)

Result of 3rd game of 25th Asahi Open

On April 30, the third game of 25th Asahi Open between Asahi Habu and challenger Akutsu 5 dan was held in Osak city, Japan. Habu was Sente(black, or the first mover). He won the game in 93 moves. For those who can read Japanese, here is the link to the  page of Asahi Open of Asahi.com. You can enjoy lots of photos regarding the tournament here.  Habu led the score by 2-1. Asahi open championship is 3 wins match.

The diagram bellow is the resignation diagram when Habu dropped his pawn on 6c to take Akutsu's Rook on 6b.

After the diagram, I think the possible variations would be the followings. Anyway Gote(White, Uppder side is hopeless.

R-1b +P-6d G-8c +Px7d G-9c B*8c K-7a Bx6a+ Kx6a G*6b Rx6b Px6b+ Kx6b R*6c K-5a P*5b Kx5b +B-4c K-4a R-2a+ P*3a N*3c K-5a Rx6a+(mate)

R-1b +P-6d G-8c +Px7d Gx7d +Bx7d S*8c +Bx8c Kx8c S*7d K-8b G*8c K-7a B*8b(mate)

R-1b +P-6d P-9e +Px7c Sx7c N-8e Px9f Nx7c+ Nx7c G*8b K-6c +B-6d K-5b S*5c K-4a R-2a+ P*3a N*3c K-5a +Rx3a(mate)

R-1b +P-6d P-9e +Px7c Sx7c N-8e Px9f Nx7c+ Nx7c G*8b K-6c +B-5d K-6b S*5c K-5a N*6c K-4a R-2a+ P*3a +Bx3b(mate)

R-4b +P-6d Rx4f Px4f S*6g(threatmate) +Px7c Sx7c R*8b Sx8b Px8b+ G*8c(!) Kx8c +Bx7d K-9c N-8e K-8b S*8c K-7a B*8b(mate, replayable clicking the arrow in the right direction)

Gx6c +Px6c Rx6c B*4e G*7c P*6d Kx8c Px6c+ P-9e +Px7c Sx7c N*7e K-9d G*8e K-9c G*8c(mate)

P-9e Px6b+ Gx6b R*8b K-6a Rx6b+ Kx6b P*6c K-7b G*8b K-6a R-2a+ P*5a B*4c S*5b N*5c(mate)

P-9e Px6b+ Gx6b R*8b K-6a Rx6b+ Kx6b P*6c K-7b G*8b K-6a R-2a+ K-5b P*5c K-4b +P-4c(mate)

There may be more variation. But in any case, Sente(Black, lower side of the diagram) should sin the game.

The result of 2nd game of 65th Meijin-sen

On April 24 & 15, the second game of 65th Meijin-sen between Meijin Moriuchi and challenger Goda 9 dan was held in Tottori prefecture, Japan. Moriuchi was Sente(Black, or lower side of the diagram) player and Goda won it in 134 moves. You may replay the game here.

The diagram above is the resignation diagram when Goda dropped his kNight on 7e as the 134th moves. After the diagram, there is no mate for Gote's King. However, Sente's King has no defense. The possible variation after the N*7e are as followings;

L*1d K-2b Bx3b+ Rx3b S*1a K-3c G*4c K-2c Gx3b Nx8g+ Kx8g L*8f Sx8f  +Rx5g N-7g Px8f Kx8f S*7e P-8g P*8f K-8h G*8g K-7i G*8h K-6i +R-5h(mate)

L*1d K-2b Bx3b+ Rx3b S*1a K-3c G*4c K-2c Gx3b Nx8g+ Kx8g L*8f Sx8f  +Rx5g S-7g Bx7f(!) Kx7f B*6e(mate)

L*1d K-2b Bx3b+ Rx3b S*1a K-3c G*4c K-2c Gx3b Nx8g+ Kx8g L*8f Sx8f  +Rx5g S-7g Bx7f(!) K-8h G*8g K-7i G*6i(!) Kx6i +R-5h K-7i Gx7h(mate)

P*5h Gx4c Px4c+ Nx8g+ Kx8g L*8f Sx8f +Rx5g(!) Px5g Px8f K-8h G*8g K-7i S*6h(!) Kx6h G*5h K-7i B*6h(mate)

P*5h Gx4c Px4c+ Nx8g+ Kx8g L*8f Sx8f +Rx5g(!) Px5g Px8f  Kx8f  B*7e K-8g P*8f K-8h G*8g K-7i S*6h(!) Kx6h G*5h K-7i B*6h(mate)

P*5h Gx4c Px4c+ Nx8g+ Kx8g L*8f Sx8f +Rx5g(!) Px5g Px8f  Kx8f B*7e K-7g P-6g+ Kx6g G-6f K-6h Rx5g+ K-7i S*6h K-8h G*8g(mate)

Bx3b+ Rx3b S*1d K-2b G*2c K-3a Gx3b Kx3b R*7b B*4b(!) Rx7d+ Nx8g+ Kx8g L*8f Sx8f +Rx5g S-7g G*8f K-8h G*8g K-7i B*8h Sx8h G*6h(mate)

Bx3b+ Rx3b S*1d K-2b G*2c K-3a Gx3b Kx3b R*7b B*4b(!) Rx7d+ Nx8g+ Kx8g L*8f  K-7f B*6g Gx6g +Rx6g K-8e G*9d(mate)

Bx3b+ Rx3b S*1d K-2b G*2c K-3a Gx3b Kx3b R*5b B*4b(!) Rx5e+ Nx8g+ Kx8g L*8f Sx8f Px8f K-7f S*6g K-7g G*8g Kx6f G*7f(mate, replayable by clicking the arrow in the right direction under the diagram)

Bx3b+ Rx3b S*1d K-2b G*2c K-3a Gx3b Kx3b R*5b B*4b(!) Rx5e+ Nx8g+ Kx8g L*8f Sx8f Px8f K-8h G*8g K-7i G*8h K-6i G8hx7h K-5i S*4h(mate)

B-7f+ +Rx5g S*6h +R-3g P*5g G-6e +Bx4i Nx8g+ Kx8g L*8f Kx8f Rx5g+ S6h-7g Px8f Kx8f G-7e K-8g P*8f K-8h G*8g K-7i B*8h K-6i G*7i(mate)

There may be more variations. But in any case, Gote should win the game.

Result of 2nd game of 25th Asahi Open

On April 19, the second game of 25th Asahi Open between Asahi Habu and challenger Akutsu 5 dan was held in Aichi prefecture, Japan. Akutsu was Sente(black, or the first mover). He won the game in 71 moves. For those who can read Japanese, here is the link to the  page of Asahi Open of Asahi.com. The score becomes 1-1. Since it is 3-wins match, the next game will be important to both players.

The diagram above is the resignation diagram when Akutsu dropped his kNight on 4e. After the diagram, Gote(White, or upper side of the diagram)'s King would be mated. The possible variation after the N*4e are as followings;

K-4d B*3e K-5e G-4f(mate)

K-4d B*3e Kx4e G-4f(mate)

K-6b Sx7b+ Kx7b B*6a K-8b G*8c K-7a G-7b(mate)

K-6c Sx7b+ Kx7b B*6a K-7c G*8c K-6b G-7b(mate, replayable by clicking the arrow in the right direction.)

Result of 1st game of 65th Meijin-sen

On April 10 & 11, the first game of 65th Meijin-sen between Meijin Moriuchi and challenger Goda 59 dan was held in Yamaguchi prefecture, Japan. Moriuchi have had 5 terms of Meijin so he will be entitled to become Eisei Meijin(Eternal Meijin) if he win this 4-wins match.

As a result of Furigoma, Goda became Sente(black, or the first mover). He won the game in 119 moves. You may replay the game here.

The diagram above is the resignation diagram when Goda dropped his Pawn on 7d. After the diagram, Gote(White, or upper side of the diagram)'s King would be mated. The possible variation after the P*7d are as followings;

K-8b B*7c K-7b G-6b K-8a G*8b(mate)

K-7b B*6c K-7a G*7b(mate)

K-8d G*7e K-9e P-9f(mate)

Kx7d B*5b K-8d G*7d K-9e P-9f K-8e G-7e(mate)

Kx7d B*5b K-7c B-6c+ K-8b G*8a(mate)

K-6d Gx5d Kx7d B*5b K-8d G*7d K-8e G-7e K-9e P-9f(mate)

K-6d Gx5d Kx7d B*5b K-7c B-6c+ K-8b G*8a(mate, replayable by clicking the arrow in the right derection under the diagram)

Result of 1st game of 25th Asahi Open

On April 5, the first game of 25th Asahi Open between Asahi Habu and challenger Akutsu 5 dan was held in Fukuoka prefecture, Japan. As a resutl of Furigoma, Habu became Sente(black, or the first mover). He won the game in 93 moves. For those who can read Japanese, here is the link to the article page of Asahi.com.

The diagram above is the resignation diagram when Habu dropped his Gold on 2a. After the diagram, Gote(White, or upper side of the diagram)'s King would be mated. The possible variation after the G*2a are as followings;

K-1b G*2b Rx2b Gx2b Kx2b R*2a(!) Kx2a +Rx4a G*3a S*3b K-1b S3d-2c+(mate)

Kx2a +Rx4a G*3a Nx3a+ Bx3a +Rx3b Kx3b G*4c K-2a S*3b K-1b S3d-2c+(mate, replayable by clicking the arrow in the right derection under the diagram)

Kx2a +Rx4a G*3a Nx3a+ Rx3a S*3b K-1b S3d-2c+(mate)

Sato became new Kio title holder

On March 28, the 5th game of 32nd Kio-sen between Kio Moriuchi and Challenger Kisei Sato was held in Tokyo, Japan. Sato was a Sente(black) player as a result of Frigoma and won the game in 105 moves. You may replay the game through this page.  And you can see lots of pictures about this game in JSA's blog of Kio-sen . Sato became the new Kio title holder with the score of 3-2 by this victory. Kio sen is 3-wins match. He challenged Oui, Ouza,  Ryuoh and Osho in vain for this fiscal year(April through March). Congratulation on Sato's final win in his 5th and final title match as a challenger for the year.

The diagram above is the resignation diagram where Sato took the promoted Silver on 7h by his King.  There is no mate for Sente(Black, lower side of the diagram)'s King and no defence for Gote(White, upper side of the diagram)'s King. The possible variations I analyzed are as followings;

G-5h S*8d Kx8d S*7e K-9c S*9d(!) K-9b N*8d K-8b +P-7b(mate)

G-5h S*8d Kx8d S*7e K-9c S*9d Kx9d G*8d(mate)

G-5h S*8d K-9d N*8f Kx8d S*7e K-9c S*8d K-9b G*8b(!) Kx8b Nx7d Px7d +P-7b K-9b +R-8c(mate, replayable by clicking the arrow in the right direction under the diagram).

R*5h N*6h R-5i+ +Px7c Nx7c S*7b K-9b S*9c(!) Kx9c +Rx7c P*8c G*8d K-9b S-8a=(mate)

R*5h N*6h R-5i+ +Px7c Nx7c S*7b K-8d S*7e K-8e P-8f K-9d G*8d(mate)

R*5h N*6h R-5i+ +Px7c Nx7c S*7b K-9d S*8c Bx8c Sx8c= Kx8c B*7b K-8d S*7e K-9c +Rx7c K-9b +Rx8c(mate)

Habu has got entitled to be Permanent Osho

On March 19 and 20, the 7th(final) game of 56th Osho-sen between Osho Habu and Challenger Kisei Sato was held at Island Sado in Niigata prefecture, Japan. As a result of Furigoma, Habu was a Sente(Black) player and he won the game in 111 moves. He defended the Osho title and he has got entitled to be 2nd permanent Osho following to 1st Ohama since he has 10 terms of the title with this victory. Congratulation on Habu's great achievement You may replay the game here.

The diagram above is the resignation diagram when Habu dropped his kNight on 6e. After the diagram, Gote(White, upper side of the diagram)'s King will be forced to be mated. The possible variations I think are as followings;

K-4d G*4e K-4c G-3d K-5b S*5c K-6a G*6b(mate)

K-4c S-3d K-4d G*4e(mate)

K-4c S-3d K-5b G*5c K-6a G*6b(mate)

K-4b S*5c K-3b Bx2c+(!) Kx2c L*2d K-3c G*2c K-4c G*4d(mate)

K-4b S*5c K-3b Bx2c+(!) Kx2c L*2d K-3b G*2c K-4a G*4b(mate)

K-4b S*5c K-3a P*3b K-2a P*2b K-1b Bx2c+(!) Kx2c L*2d K-3c G*2c K-4c G*4d(mate)

K-4b S*5c K-3a P*3b K-2a P*2b Kx2b Bx2c+(!) Kx2c L*2d K-3b G*2c K-4a G*4b(mate)

K-6b S*5c K-7b G*7c K-8a Gx8b Kx8b S*7c K-8c L*8d +Bx8d Sx8d+ Kx8d B*7e Rx7e Gx7e Kx7e R*8e K-7d G*8d(mate)

K-6b S*5c K-7b G*7c K-8a Gx8b Kx8b S*7c Rx7c Nx7c+ Kx7c R*7a P*7b L*7d Kx7d Rx7b+ P*7c G*8e(mate)

K-6b S*5c K-7b G*7c K-8a Gx8b Kx8b S*7c Rx7c Nx7c+ Kx7c R*7a K-8b G*7c Kx7a S-6b+ K-8a +S-7b K-9b +S-8b(mate)

K-6b S*5c K-7b G*7c K-8a Gx8b Kx8b S*7c Rx7c Nx7c+ Kx7c R*7a K-8c G*7c K-9d G-8e K-9c L*9d(mate)

K-6b S*5c K-7b G*7c Sx7c Nx7c+ Kx7c P*7d K-8c L*8e P*8d G*7c Rx7c Px7c+ Kx7c P*7d Kx7d R*7a P*7c B-5f +Bx5f S*7e K-8c Sx8d K-8b Sx7c+ K-7a S-6b+(mate)

K-6b S*5c K-7b G*7c Sx7c Nx7c+ Kx7c P*7d K-8b G*7c Rx7c Px7c+ Kx7c P*7d K-8b S*7c K-8c R-8b K-7d R-8e+ Kx7c L*7d(mate, replayable by clicking the arow in the right direction under the diagram)

K-6b S*5c K-7b G*7c Sx7c Nx7c+ Kx7c P*7d K-8d G-8e K-8c G*7c Rx7c Px7c+ Kx7c L*7d K-8c R*7c K-9b R-7b+ P*8b S*8c K-9a +Rx8b(mate)

K-6b S*5c K-7b G*7c Sx7c Nx7c+ Kx7c P*7d Kx7d L*7e +Bx7e Gx7e Kx7e B*6f K-7d G*8d K-6e S*7f Rx7f Bx7f K-5f R*4f(mate)

K-6d S*5c K-7d L*7e K-8c G*9c Sx9c G*7c K-9b Px9c+ Kx9c P*9d Kx9d G-8e K-9c G-9d K-9b G9d-8c K-8a G8c-8b(mate)

K-6d S*5c K-7d L*7e +Bx7e G*7e Kx7e B*6f Kx6e G*7f Rx7f Bx7f K-5f G*4f(mate)

There might be more variations. But Gote's king would be mated in any case