Semi-final of Kisei challenger tournament
The other big game last week was the semi-final of the Kisei
challenger tournament between Meijin Sato and Moriuchi. It was a surprisingly
one-sided game where Moriuchi seemed to be better prepared in a difficult Yagura
position. Sato tried everything to turn the tables, but Moriuchi showed
some great form in playing a perfect game. He will need all of that and
perhaps a little luck to take the final hurdle to challenge Kisei
Tanigawa. Habu is waiting in the final and their mutual score of 22-11 strongly
favours the four crown holder. However, in the Kisei tournament they
played only once and that game was won by Moriuchi. A good omen?
Oza challenger tournament
In the Oza challenger tournament Fujii showed that there is still a
difference between being a great talent and being a top player. He
stopped young Kimura, who tried the unusual Wrong Diagonal Bishop against the
Ryu-O. Fujii was not impressed and built a strong anaguma position.
He ended the game with some great play that took the professionals in
the press room completely by surprise. Fujii seems to be in good form,
and his next game against Goda, also in great form, might be very
interesting.
Kisei qualification
While the current Kisei tournament is still underway, the
qualification for the next one has already started. There was a lot of attention for
the professional debut of 15-year old Watanabe, who had to play Sato
Shinya. Sato is considered a very talented player, but Watanabe is considered to
be the new Habu. Watanabe showed why, as he beat Sato to give himself a
nice birthday present, as he turned 16 on the 23rd, just a couple of
days after his game against Sato.
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