58th Meijin-sen, Game 5
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Black: Sato Yasumitsu, Meijin
White: Maruyama Tadahisa, Challenger
58th Meijin-sen, Game 5, 31 May and 1 June 2000
Notes by Reijer Grimbergen
1. P7g-7f
2. P3c-3d
3. P2g-2f
4. P8c-8d
5. P2f-2e
6. P8d-8e
7. G6i-7h
8. G4a-3b
9. P2e-2d
10. P2cx2d
11. R2hx2d
12. P8e-8f
13. P8gx8f
14. R8bx8f
15. R2dx3d
16. B2b-3c
17. R3d-3f
18. S3a-2b
19. P*8g
20. R8f-8e
The pivotal game five and again the R8e Yokofudori. Both players stick
to their prepared openings: the R8e Yokofudori in the games where Sato has
black, the Kakugawari opening when Maruyama is black. Sato has no reason to
fear Maruyama's R8e Yokofudori opening. In game 1 he lost, but he should have
won, and in game 3 he overwhelmed Maruyama.
21. R3f-2f
22. K5a-4a
23. K5i-5h
24. S7a-6b
25. G4i-3h
26. G6a-5a
27. S3i-4h
28. P7c-7d
29. P3g-3f
30. P*2e
31. R2f-2h
32. P*8f
33. P8gx8f
34. R8ex8f
35. P4g-4f
36. R8fx7f
37. B8hx3c+
38. N2ax3c
39. S4h-4g
40. P2e-2f
41. P*8h
A new move by Sato. In game 1 he played N7g. P*8h is a hard move to play
for a professional as it seems to be a defence only move and it takes away
the possibilities of dropping the pawn higher up the 8th file, like on 8c.
Sato judged that it is more important to defend against a white pawn drop on
8h. Also, black now threatens to take the pawn on 2f, as B*4d is no longer
effective.
42. P*8g?!
Maruyama was clearly surprised by Sato's new move and takes 140 minutes
for his reply. He chooses the sharpest variation, but this game shows that this
might not have been the best choice. . .
43. P*7g
Now Sato takes his time for his reply. "The Meijin wins by one minute"
was the joke in the press room. The people there must have been a little bored
waiting almost five hours for two moves. It is unclear if Sato had not given
enough thought to P*8g in his preparation. The problem is that 43. Px8g Rx7h+
Sx7h B*8h is good for white. For example R*8b N7c and the white knight is
going to help in attack.
44. R7f-7e
It seems like Maruyama had counted on 44. Px8h+ here. However, in the end
he decided that he did not like Px7f (Sx8h R7e looks like the game
variation, but then white has two pawns in hand instead of one) +Px9i N7g +P8i S6h.
Giving up the pawn on 8g that was just dropped so forcefully is not a
good sign.
45. P8hx8g
46. R7e-2e
47. N2i-3g
48. P2f-2g+
The sealed move. Maruyama realised that he was in trouble and tries to
complicate things for his opponent.
49. G3hx2g
50. P*2f
51. N3gx2e
52. N3cx2e
53. P7g-7f!
A fine move. The gold on 2g is hanging, but in this case it is better
for black to let it be taken than to save it. Gx2f N3g+ is good for white,
while Px2g+ Rx2g is good for black. An interesting example of how positional
considerations can take preference over material.
54. N8a-7c
55. R*8a
56. P7d-7e
57. B*1e!
Another good Sato move. This bishop is aiming at the gold on 5a and at
the same time at the pawn on 2f. Now Maruyama is forced to break the status
quo and take the gold.
58. P2fx2g+
59. R2hx2g
60. G*3g
61. R2gx2e
62. G3gx4g
63. K5hx4g
64. B*9b
65. N*7d!
A strong counter to the fork of king and rook. If Maruyama takes the
rook, the games is over after 67. Nx6b+ Gx6b Rx2b+.
66. N*3c
Desperate defence.
67. B1ex3c+
68. B9bx7d
69. P5g-5f
70. S2bx3c
71. R2e-2a+
72. N*3a
73. P7fx7e!
The foundation of the victory. The black king now has a lot of free
space on the left side of the board as it can run to 8h if necessary. White has
no good way to attack.
74. B7dx5f
75. K4gx5f
76. B*9b
There is a saying in shogi that in professional games the player forking
king and rook will lose. If so, Maruyama just lost this game for the
second time...
77. K5f-6f
78. B9bx8a
79. P*5b!
The deciding move.
80. G5ax5b
Of course white can not take with the king, as the gold on 3b must be
defended. Maruyama could have resigned here, but plays some quick moves
that have no meaning.
81. G*2c
82. G5b-4b
83. G2cx3b
84. G4bx3b
85. G*5b
86. K4ax5b
87. +R2ax3b
88. S*4b
89. B*4a
90. K5b-6a
91. G*8b
Resigns
Time: 07:53:00 08:01:00
This is not a mating threat yet, but as white has no attack and no
defence against +Rx4b next, Maruyama resigned. A great performance by Sato, who
has completed his comeback from 2-0 down with three consecutive wins. He now
must be considered the clear favourite to get his third consecutive
Meijin title, as he has outplayed Maruyama for most of the match. Will game 4
see another Kakugawari game, or will Maruyama try something else?
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