In this Shukan Shogi report two title match games: the fifth game of the
Osho match between Kubo and Sato and the third game of the Kio match
between Kubo and Goda. Here are the games with comments:
[Black "Sato Yasumitsu, Challenger"]
[White "Kubo Toshiaki, Osho"]
[Event "61st Osho-sen, Game 5"]
[Date "March 8th and 9th 2012"]
1.P7g-7f 00:00:00 00:00:00
2.P3c-3d 00:00:00 00:00:00
3.P2g-2f 00:01:00 00:00:00
4.P5c-5d 00:01:00 00:01:00
5.P2f-2e 00:02:00 00:01:00
6.R8b-5b 00:02:00 00:02:00
Kubo has already lost two games in this match when playing his favorite
Gokigen Nakabisha, but he doesn't shy away from trying it again. True to
his reputation, he has prepared something special again.
7.S3i-4h 00:02:00 00:02:00
8.P5d-5e 00:02:00 00:04:00
9.K5i-6h 00:02:00 00:04:00
10.B2b-3c 00:02:00 00:04:00
11.P3g-3f 00:03:00 00:04:00
12.K5a-6b 00:03:00 00:04:00
13.S4h-3g 00:03:00 00:04:00
14.K6b-7b 00:03:00 00:04:00
15.S3g-4f 00:05:00 00:04:00
16.K7b-8b 00:05:00 00:05:00
17.K6h-7h 00:09:00 00:05:00
18.S7a-7b 00:09:00 00:07:00
19.S7i-6h 00:12:00 00:07:00
20.S3a-4b 00:12:00 00:23:00
21.S4f-4e 00:55:00 00:23:00
22.R5b-5a 00:55:00 00:27:00
23.P6g-6f 01:53:00 00:27:00
24.G4a-3b 01:53:00 00:44:00
25.S4ex3d 01:59:00 00:44:00
26.B3c-4d 01:59:00 00:55:00
27.G4i-5h 02:05:00 00:55:00
28.P5e-5f 02:05:00 01:15:00
29.G5h-6g 03:02:00 01:15:00
30.B4d-5e 03:02:00 01:33:00
31.R2h-1h 03:02:00 01:33:00
32.P5fx5g+ 03:02:00 01:42:00
33.S6hx5g 03:02:00 01:42:00
34.P4c-4d 03:02:00 01:56:00
35.P*5f 03:23:00 01:56:00
After the game, Sato admitted that he was completely unprepared for this
opening. Dropping a pawn on 5f is not something a professional player
likes to do, and 35.S5f was analyzed thoroughly in the press room. It
looked good for black after 36.P*3c Sx5e Rx5e P6e Rx6e Bx5d, but Kubo
had seen this and showed Rx6g+ Kx6g G*3a! which is good for white
because black has no square to use the rook, the silver on 3d is hanging
and the black king is in a very awkward position.
36.B5e-6d 03:23:00 02:00:00
37.P6f-6e 03:23:00 02:00:00
38.B6d-5c 03:23:00 02:00:00
39.R1h-2h 03:23:00 02:00:00
40.P6c-6d 03:23:00 02:03:00
41.P2e-2d 03:35:00 02:03:00
42.P2cx2d 03:35:00 02:03:00
43.R2hx2d 03:35:00 02:03:00
44.P6dx6e? 03:35:00 02:15:00
After the game, it took a long time to decide that this might have been
a bad move. It is so natural that it was skipped over first and only
after analyzing the rest of the game the search for the problem that
white has led to re-examining this move. The conclusion was that white
should have played 44.S3c immediately here. Then black can only answer
with 45.Sx3c+ and after 46.Nx3c white has managed to develop his pieces
naturally. Sato said that he was also surprised that after the natural
44.Px6e there was no variation in which he would get a bad position.
45.S3d-2c+ 04:15:00 02:15:00
46.S4b-3c 04:15:00 03:26:00
The sealed move and already Kubo felt that he was in trouble here.
47.R2d-2h 04:15:00 03:26:00
48.P*2g 04:15:00 03:28:00
49.R2hx2g 04:15:00 03:28:00
50.P*2f 04:15:00 03:28:00
51.R2gx2f 04:15:00 03:28:00
52.P*2e 04:15:00 03:28:00
53.+S2cx3c 04:15:00 03:28:00
54.P2ex2f 04:15:00 03:28:00
55.+S3cx3b 04:16:00 03:28:00
56.R*2h 04:16:00 03:28:00
57.G6i-6h 04:52:00 03:28:00
58.R2hx2i+ 04:52:00 03:31:00
59.S*4b 04:55:00 03:31:00
60.B5cx4b 04:55:00 03:53:00
61.+S3bx4b 04:55:00 03:53:00
62.R5a-5d 04:55:00 03:53:00
63.P*6i 05:23:00 03:53:00
64.N*6f 05:23:00 04:17:00
65.S5gx6f 05:29:00 04:17:00
66.P6ex6f 05:29:00 04:17:00
67.B8hx6f 05:29:00 04:17:00
68.S*5i 05:29:00 04:22:00
Kubo had actually hoped that 68.S*6e would work here, but here he
realized that after 69.B*4c Sx6f Bx5d+ Sx6g+ Kx6g +Rx1i +S5b there is
long mate if white takes: Gx5b +Bx7b Kx7b N*6d etc. Maybe he should have
tried this anyway, because Sato hadn't seen this variation and intended
to play 69.B*4c Sx6f Gx6f and because after R6d G6e R6b the rook attacks
the promoted silver, this is an unclear position.
69.B*6e! 05:44:00 04:22:00
Very strong move. It seems like white has the easy reply 70.R6d, but
then 71.B5e! is deadly because Rx6e is mater after N*7d. Having two
golds and two bishops on the 6th file is not often seen, but Sato even
adds a knight and the promoted silver after which there is no way to
break through for white.
70.R5d-5c 05:44:00 04:25:00
71.N*6d 06:37:00 04:25:00
72.R5c-6c 06:37:00 04:34:00
73.G*5d 06:40:00 04:34:00
74.R6c-6b 06:40:00 04:37:00
75.+S4b-4c 06:40:00 04:37:00
76.S5ix6h+ 06:40:00 04:56:00
77.G6gx6h 06:40:00 04:56:00
78.S*5i 06:40:00 04:56:00
79.+S4c-5c 06:44:00 04:56:00
80.S5ix6h+ 06:44:00 05:04:00
81.P6ix6h 06:47:00 05:04:00
82.R6bx6d 06:47:00 05:18:00
83.G5dx6d 06:47:00 05:18:00
84.G*5h 06:47:00 05:18:00
85.S*6b 07:25:00 05:18:00
86.+R2i-6i 07:25:00 05:20:00
87.K7h-7g 07:25:00 05:20:00
Black is threatening mate with S*7a Gx7a Sx7a= Kx7a G*6b K8b Gx7b Kx7b
R*6b etc.
88.N*7a 07:25:00 05:31:00
Here Kubo could have set a final trap by playing 88.+R6h K8f G*9e
because if black plays the blunder Kx9e then P9d K8f +Rx6f is mating
threat that defends against a mating threat and suddenly white wins
because S*7a can be answered with K9c. However, if black answers G*9e
with K7e N*7a Bx2a+ the black king can simply march to the other side of
the board. Of course Sato had also seen this variation. Still, 88.N*7a
is like throwing the towel, because black has an easy attack from here.
89.S6bx6a+ 07:31:00 05:31:00
90.S7bx6a 07:31:00 05:32:00
91.R*2b 07:32:00 05:32:00
92.S*7b 07:32:00 05:33:00
93.S*6b 07:38:00 05:33:00
94.+R6ix6h 07:38:00 05:36:00
95.K7g-8f 07:38:00 05:36:00
96.P*5b 07:38:00 05:37:00
97.S6bx6a= 07:41:00 05:37:00
98.S7bx6a 07:41:00 05:37:00
99.+S5cx5b 07:41:00 05:37:00
100.S*3a 07:41:00 05:37:00
101.+S5bx6a 07:43:00 05:37:00
102.S3ax2b 07:43:00 05:37:00
103.B6ex8c+ 07:43:00 05:37:00
104.K8bx8c 07:43:00 05:37:00
105.S*8d 07:43:00 05:37:00
106.K8c-7b 07:43:00 05:37:00
107.+S6ax7a 07:43:00 05:37:00
108.K7bx7a 07:43:00 05:37:00
109.B6fx4d 07:43:00 05:37:00
Resigns 07:43:00 05:37:00
If white drops a piece on 6b, then Bx6b+ Kx6b S*6c etc. leads to mate,
and moving the king also is a simple mate. After ten years Sato is the
Osho title holder again. Not only that, after losing the Kio title to
Kubo in 2009, he has been without a major title for almost three years.
Needless to say, he found it hard to contain his happiness in the
post-game interview. On the other hand, Kubo gave up his Osho title
surprisingly easy, especially considering that this was the first time
he has ever lost a title defense. He is also struggling in the Kio match
against Goda and dropped out of the A class of the Junisen, so this
seems to be a major loss of form.
[Black "Goda Masataka, Challenger"]
[White "Kubo Toshiaki, Kio"]
[Event "37th Kio-sen, Game 3"]
[Date "March 4th 2012"]
1.P2g-2f 00:00:00 00:00:00
There is actually a very subtle difference between playing P7f or P2f on
the first move. By playing P2f first, black makes sure that white cannot
play the rather unusual 2.R3b opening. This should not make a big
difference, but Kubo actually has a 7-1 score with playing 2.R3b.
2.P3c-3d 00:00:00 00:00:00
3.P7g-7f 00:00:00 00:00:00
4.P5c-5d 00:00:00 00:00:00
5.P2f-2e 00:00:00 00:00:00
6.R8b-5b 00:00:00 00:00:00
7.S3i-4h 00:00:00 00:00:00
8.P5d-5e 00:00:00 00:01:00
Of course, the Gokigen Nakabisha again.
9.K5i-6h 00:00:00 00:01:00
10.B2b-3c 00:00:00 00:01:00
11.P3g-3f 00:00:00 00:01:00
12.K5a-6b 00:00:00 00:06:00
Recently, Kubo has been playing 12.S4b exclusively, usually followed by
13.S3g S5c S4f S4d to stop the black quick attack. In the first game of
the Kio match he won with this, but his recent experiences in the Osho
match and the A class of the Junisen have not been that good. Maybe he
thought it was time to try something different.
13.S4h-3g 00:00:00 00:06:00
14.P4c-4d 00:00:00 00:06:00
This is called the "Sugai Strategy" after 4-dan Sugai, who tried this
first. It is quite a popular variation and after the game Goda said that
despite the fact that it was the first time it was ever played against
him in an official game, he was well prepared for it.
15.S7i-7h 00:38:00 00:06:00
There are only two games with this silver move, but it is considered to
be the best move to prove that the Sugai Strategy is flawed. Black goes
straight for the pawn on 5e.
16.K6b-7b 00:38:00 00:13:00
17.S7h-7g 00:38:00 00:13:00
18.S3a-3b 00:38:00 00:18:00
19.S7g-6f 00:47:00 00:18:00
20.P4d-4e 00:47:00 00:18:00
21.P4g-4f 01:13:00 00:18:00
22.P4ex4f 01:13:00 00:24:00
23.S3gx4f 01:50:00 00:24:00
24.P5e-5f 01:50:00 00:27:00
25.P5gx5f 01:53:00 00:27:00
Goda has been using quite a lot of time for the past few moves, but this
was all in preparation for the choice at this particular point. The
alternative is 25.G4i-5h, but after 26.Px5g+ Gx5g the black position is
solid, but not very appealing.
26.R5bx5f 01:53:00 00:27:00
27.R2h-4h! 01:53:00 00:27:00
Goda had spent his time to decide that this move was playable. It looks
dangerous, so it needed quite some calculation and re-calculation to
make sure that it was the best move. The point is that black threatens
to capture the white rook by blocking the way back with P*5e next. If
white stops this by moving the rook back with 28.R5a then 29.S4f-5e is a
strong move because this threatens both P*5e and P*4d to completely lock
white in. Therefore, white needs some strong action here.
28.B3cx6f 01:53:00 01:03:00
This is one of the dangerous looking variations. The other one is
28.P*4e Sx4e Bx6f Bx6f (Px6f is answered by S*5g) Rx6f Px6f B*5e which
threatens both Bx1i+ and Bx6f (forking rook and the lance on 9i). This
looks good for white, but black can actually answer with R1h and white
has no continuation. Both Goda and Kubo had seen this, so Kubo played
28.Bx6f instead. However, this is also no satisfactory for white, so
Kubo said after the game that it is quite likely that the white position
is probably already suspect here.
29.P6gx6f 01:58:00 01:03:00
30.P*4e 01:58:00 01:03:00
31.S4f-5g 01:59:00 01:03:00
32.R5fx3f 01:59:00 01:03:00
33.R4h-2h! 02:01:00 01:03:00
Another good move by Goda. White threatened P*5f here, so in the press
room moves like K6g or K7h were analyzed but these can be answered by
R2f and the position is unclear. Instead, 33.R2h is much better. The
critical variation is 34.P*5f S4h S*5g Sx5g Px5g Kx5g S*3g R1h (Nx3g
Rx3g+ is a fork on king and rook) S4f+ K6h R2f S*3h and white has no
continuation.
34.S*3g 02:01:00 01:27:00
Kubo must have played this with pain in his heart. Exchanging the silver
he just took for an inactive knight is clearly a desperate measure.
35.N2ix3g 02:11:00 01:27:00
36.R3fx3g+ 02:11:00 01:27:00
37.R2h-3h 02:11:00 01:27:00
38.+R3g-2g 02:11:00 01:31:00
39.S*3f 02:30:00 01:31:00
40.+R2g-2f 02:30:00 01:46:00
41.P6f-6e 02:35:00 01:46:00
42.P*5f 02:35:00 01:56:00
43.S5gx5f 02:36:00 01:56:00
44.N2a-3c 02:36:00 02:15:00
45.P*5d 02:37:00 02:15:00
46.P*5b 02:37:00 02:24:00
47.B8h-5e! 02:37:00 02:24:00
The winning move. This bishop was blocking the escape route of the king,
defends against the indirect fork N*3g (threatening both the gold on 4i
and the silver on 3f) and moves the bishop to absolute center of the
board on 5e.
48.P3d-3e 02:37:00 02:35:00
Here the obvious move is 48.P4f, but black can just ignore this and
start a winning attack with P7e followed by P7d.
49.S3f-4g 02:37:00 02:35:00
50.P4e-4f 02:37:00 02:35:00
51.B5ex4f 02:39:00 02:35:00
52.P3e-3f 02:39:00 02:35:00
53.B*5e! 02:50:00 02:35:00
Kubo has been dancing around with his pawns a little, but this second
bishop on the long diagonal stops all the white wriggling. It takes Kubo
a couple of moves more to prepare himself for defeat, but the game is
over here.
54.N*4b 02:50:00 02:44:00
55.S4gx3f 02:55:00 02:44:00
56.N4bx5d 02:55:00 02:45:00
57.B4f-3e 02:55:00 02:45:00
58.+R2f-2i 02:55:00 03:08:00
59.G4i-3i 02:55:00 03:08:00
60.+R2ix3h 02:55:00 03:20:00
61.G3ix3h 02:55:00 03:20:00
Resigns 02:55:00 03:20:00
White is completely dominated by the two bishops and instead of waiting
to be killed, Kubo opted to resign here. This game is a tie for second
shortest Kio game in history. Only the second game of the Kio match
between Kubo and Sato in 2009 was shorter with only 57 moves. After
losing the first game of this match, Goda has completely turned the
tables with two quick wins. He now has chances to become a title holder
again after a ten year blank. Kubo will not be in a good place now,
losing two very important games in only a couple of days. Will he
recover in time for Game four?
--
Reijer Grimbergen
School of Computer Science, Tokyo University of Technology
1404-1 Katakura, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0982 Japan
Tel: +81-(0)42-637-2591 FAX: +81-(0)42-637-2112
http://www.teu.ac.jp/gamelab/
