Iyama Yuta new Meijin
14-15 October, 5th game of the Meijin final was played between Cho U 9p (title holder) and Iyama Yuta 8p (challenger). Before the game Iyama Yuta was leading 3-1 in series best of 7 games. Cho U took black stones.
Modern opening
Both sides pay very modern variation in opening. Cho U play his favourite Micro Chinese Opening and Iyama Yuta choose rare joseki in upper left corner. Cho U counter-attack with new variation by taking influence and tried to start ko in bottom left corner. Iyama Yuta made compromise because he lack of ko threats.
Early Fight
After black 45 game turn into complicated middle-game fight. Both sides didn’t want to give up an inch. Move 66 show this in 100%. First day of the match ended with white 80. White is leading on territory, but he have weak group in center.
Complex Middle Game
Second day started with the cut. Variation are really complex, but thanks to tchan001 from Go Discussions I’m was able to add variation from weiqi.sports.tom.com site. Please check SGF. The key point is white 92. Iyama Yuta connected two white grop in center, but Cho U build tremendous moyo on right side.
New Meijin
Moyo was big, really big, but after corner invasion it was not enough to win the game. After 176 moves Cho U resigned and give up Meijin title for Iyama Yuta.
With Meijin title Iyama Yuta break Cho Chikun record of youngest major title holder in Japan and made new one to 20 years and 5 months. Iyama Yuta should be promoted in near future to higher rank of 9p.
What next? The nearest goal seems to be Honninbo title. Iyama Yuta will pay his first game in Honninbo League tomorrow (20 October) against Takao Shinji 9p.
Related posts:
