Aono scores a surprise win
In the A class the complete 8th round was played and even though there were no decisions about challenging Maruyama or relegation to B1, the situation got a lot clearer after all games were finished.
First of all, leader Tanigawa surprisingly lost against Aono. A big win for Aono, because this means that the second oldest player in the class has saved his place in the top group for next year. A great performance against the odds.
Tanigawa did not decide the challenger race early, but he has another chance in the final round against Sato Yasumitsu. This actually is a challenger game, as both players have 6-2 scores and Habu lost to Moriuchi to keep the Meijin crown out of his reach for another year at 5-3.
At the other end of the table, Shima took his last chance to stay
in the A class for another year by beating Kato. He still is far
from safe yet, but at 3-5 now has both Tanaka and Kato behind him
at 2-6. The other relegation candidate is Senzaki, who lost against Morichita and also has 3-5. Shima and Senzaki meet in the final round and the loser of this game will probably go down, while the winner will stay in the A class. Because of this, Kato and Tanaka still have reasonable chances to stay in the A class if they win.
Kato has his chances in his own hands (he plays Morishita). If Kato wins, then Tanaka is definitely back in B1. If Kato loses, Tanaka can safe his place with a win over Habu. The last round will be played on March 2nd.
A bad day for leader Kazuhisha
In C1 a bad day for leader Horiguchi Kazushiza, who lost a better position against Hatakeyama Mamoru to drop from the lead to fifth place. With one round to play, there are now seven players with 7-2 scores.
Namekata (who beat Horiguchi Koji) and Sato Shuji (a win over Ishikawa) have their promotion chances in their own hands. This should not be too difficult as Namekata plays Sakurai, who is already relegated with only one win and Sato plays Kobayashi, who is not having a great Junisen season with 3 wins and 6 losses.
If Namekata and/or Sato crack under the pressure, Nakata Hiroki, Nishimura, Horiguchi Kazushiza, Sugimoto and Katsumata (in that order) are ready to pick up the pieces. I do not think they will get the chance...
Nakagawa surprises in Kisei
A surprise in the Kisei leagues as Nakagawa beat Moriuchi to reach the challenger finals. Moriuchi will get another chance
against one of the other players with one win and one loss.
Oi league started
In the white group of the Oi leagues, Fukaura and Hatakeyama started with wins over Goda and Kanezawa. Goda seems to be saving all his energy for his final two Junisen games. He can already clinch promotion today if he wins his next to final game in B1.
Nakai takes lead in Ladies Meijin
In the ladies Meijin, Nakai won the third game to take a 2-1 lead against challenger Saita. Nakai only needs to win one more game out of the next two to defend her title.
More next week with the first game of the Kio match and Junisen
action in C2, B2 and B1.
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