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Shogi news
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17 September 2000
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Reijer Grimbergen
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Habu wins in Ry-o challenger final
Maybe Habu is just directing his awesome power at the games that are really vital, as his display in the first game of the Ryu-O challenger final did not show any fatigue. His opponent Sato Yasumitsu played the R8e-Yokofudori, which clearly was prepared before the game, as Sato rarely plays this opening with white. However, Habu managed to get around all the traps of the opening and got a good position. Sato then tried to force things, but that backfired. After spending 17 minutes on his 70th move, Sato decided to throw the towel in a position that at first glance looks like a normal middle game position. Sato saw that he would be slowly pushed off the board without getting any counterchances and decided to fight another day. Habu now needs one more win from two games to challenge Ryu-O Fujii. This would be another double title match, as these two players also play in the Oza match at the moment.
Senzaki's first win in Junisen A
Two games in the A class Junisen last week. Sato and Kato had both started well with wins over Aono and Tanaka. As expected, this game was a Yagura, as both players are specialists. Kato usually plays a very orthodox Yagura, but in this game he surprised everyone by playing a quick attack. It did not work out for him, as in the middle game he saw too late that his planned attack was not working very well and instead chose a continuation that was even worse as it lost a silver without compensation.
Sato got a huge advantage, but 60-year old Kato tried everything to get back in the game and the game lasted for more than 60 moves after his blunder. In the end it was to no avail, as Sato won, but the stamina of Kato is a great example for all the young players who sometimes seem to take things a little easy.
A special moment for Senzaki in the other A Junisen game as he beat Aono to get his first win in the top class. This game was much more interesting than the game between Sato and Kato, as Aono was dictating the position for a long time. Only when he played the wrong knight drop, Senzaki got a chance to turn the tables and win.
Close in Junisen C1
In the C1 Junisen round 3 was played. It seems that C1 is going to be very tight this year as after the round only four undefeated players remain. One of them is Namekata, who did not play this round and is only 2-0. The other two are 58-year old Nishimura, who (frankly speaking) is very unlikely to promote, although he scored a good win over Hiura in a replay after their first game had ended in sennichite. The two other leaders are Nakata Hiroki (who beat Kimura) and newly promoted Horiguchi Kazushiza (win against Kodama). No comments on their games in
Shukan Shogi, but they are certainly capable of staying in the promotion race. Horiguchi is one of the strongest young players at the moment and Nakata is a former Oi challenger, who has been under-achieving in the Junisen.
Kio challenger tournament
Goda was the last person to reach the best 16 in the Kio challenger tournament with a win over Nozuki. Goda has not been in his best form lately, but this was a convincing 74 move win. He will now play Sanada next for a place in the quarterfinals.
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