Archive for the ‘honinbo’ Category

Hane Wins Honinbo

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008

Hane Naoki went all the way in his recovery from 0-3 by winning all 4 remaining games, capturing the Honinbo title from Takao Shinji!

Honinbo 2008, game 8
Honinbo 2008, game 8

Here is the game record. There was a lot of fighting and sharp moves on both sides.

 

Hane Evens the Score in Honinbo: 3-3

Saturday, July 19th, 2008

Hane Naoki won game 6 in Honinbo Title and the score is even: 3-3.

Since he was led 3-0, this is one of those rare, miracle come-backs in 7 games titles. I remember reading in a Go World review that more often than not the one that comes from behind has better chances statistically to win the 7th game and the title.

Takao Shinji, the current Honinbo title owner, seems disappointed in the photo below:

Honinbo 2008, game 6

Here is the game record.
Hane looked very inspired in this game: the attachment at 57, and the following sequence (including the sacrifice at 67) show that he deserved to win.

 

The 7th and last game will be played in just a couple of days, on July 22nd and 23rd.

Hane Comes Back In Honinbo: 2-3

Thursday, July 3rd, 2008

Hane Naoki recovered after losing the first 3 games in his challenge for the Japanese Honinbo title currently owned by Takao Shinji: he won games 4 and 5, closing the gap to just one game difference.

Photo and game record from 4th game:

Takao vs Hane in Honinbo Title 2008, game 4

Game 5 was particularly spectacular, ending in a huge semeai spawning over most of the board.

Takao vs Hane in Honinbo Title 2008, game 5

Next game will be played on July 16th and 17th. Takao is still one win away from keeping his title, while Hane needs two wins to capture it.

Honinbo Title: 3-0 for Takao

Thursday, June 12th, 2008

Takao Shinji won the 3rd game as well in this year’s Honinbo Title. As the system is best-of-seven, one more win will assure Takao of holding the title for one more year.

The challenger, Hane Naoki (on the left hand side in the photo below), will have to win four games in a row now to capture the title.

Takao won 3rd game in Honinbo defense

Honinbo Title, game 3, day 1

Wednesday, June 11th, 2008

Just a quick reminder that the third game of the Honinbo Title started yesterday, and it will conclude today.

Position after day 1:

Game record, game 3, day 1

Photo of the title holder, Takao Shinji, handling the sealed move to the referee, Ishida Yoshio 9 dan.

Sealed move

Link to photo source.

Takao - Hane 1-0 in Honinbo Title

Thursday, May 15th, 2008

Takao Shinji had a good start in the defense of his Honinbo title: he won the first game against Hane Naoki by 3.5 points.

Here is the game record.

Next game will be played on May 27th and 28th.

Honinbo Title - Game 1, Day 1

Wednesday, May 14th, 2008

Hane Naoki is challenging the Honinbo title holder, Takao Shinji.

The game will conclude tomorrow (May 15 in Japan).

Takao Shinji defended the Honinbo title 4-1

Wednesday, June 27th, 2007

Takao Shinji defended the Honinbo title.

The challenger, Yoda Norimoto, only managed to win one out of 5 games.
Again, just like earlier this year in the Kisei title, the younger player defeated the more senior player.

All game records are on the Honinbo title page.

Honinbo Title, game 4, day 1

Sunday, June 17th, 2007

Game 4 of the Honinbo Title started today - there are a lot of variations on the Cyberoro server, especially related to Black’s invasion inside White’s left side moyo.

The game will be concluded tomorrow.

Takao Shinji leads 2-1 in the Honinbo title

Thursday, June 7th, 2007

Takao won the 3rd game of the Honinbo Sen, so the score is 2-1 for him.