Cho U won first game
3-4 September started new edition of final for the most important title match in Japan. Series of seven games between title holder and challenger for Meijin title. Cho U is Meijin from 2007. Challenger Iyama Yuta 8p play in final for second time in a row. Last year Cho U defend title with result 4-3. In first match of the series Cho U won by half a point after excited match.
Complicated fight
Thanks to GUR045, who upload video of Cho Chikun commentary to the game on the Youtub I was able to add some interesting variations to the sgf. Game started very typical for Cho U with micro Chinese opening. Iyama Yuta start complicated fight very early. Situation looked not so optimistic for white but Iyama show nice reading ability plus his calm move and deep strategy for the center made the game even.
Ko fight
Unfortunately Iyama Yuta made mistake in middle game and give Cho U chance to use his ultimate weapon ko fight. Cho U gets a lot points of ko fight in bottom left corner and take a lead. The most amazing thing was that after losing so many points Iyama Yuta lost the game only marginally by half a point. I hope next time he will get more luck and won the game. Next game is scheduled to 16-17 September
Related posts:
I just found your website, and it is great! Just one comment: the Kisei is the most important tournament in Japan (this is why Yamashita Keigo’s name is ahead of Cho U on the Nihon Kiin website, even though Cho U has so many more titles including the Meijin).