Oi leagues
In the Red Group of the Oi leagues, the second round game between Goda and
Nakagawa was played. Both players had won their first game, so winning this
would mean an important step towards challenging Habu. Nakagawa had not won
a single game in their previous six encounters, so most commentators
expected a Goda win. Surprisingly, it was a very easy victory for Nakagawa.
An overwhelming middle game position was confidently converted to a win.
After the game, Nakagawa commented that he would do his best to avoid
relegation from the league, but that might be a little too modest. Since
Tanigawa surprisingly lost against Nakata Isao, Nakagawa is now the only
undefeated player in the red group.
Ryu-o
In the Ryu-O things are slowly getting interesting. In the first group
former Ryu-O title holders Habu, Sato and Tanigawa had already advanced to
the semi-finals. They would be joined by either Morishita or Nakahara. It
was an interesting difference of opinion that was the theme of the game.
Nakahara played an attack, convinced that it was good (maybe winning).
Morishita allowed the attack because he thought that it was an overplay.
Morishita is probably the best defender in shogi, but this time his feeling
was wrong. Nakahara indeed had a strong attack and even though it was not
completely clear it was winning, Morishita lost quickly after a rare
defensive mistake.
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