11th Ryu-O Match Game 4

Black: Fujii, Challenger
White: Tanigawa, Ryu-O
11th Ryu-O-sen, Game 4, November 18th and 19th 1998
1.P7g-7f           1/1          0/0
2.P3c-3d           0/1          3/3
3.P6g-6f           5/6          0/3
4.S7a-6b           0/6          7/10
5.R2h-6h           18/24        0/10
6.K5a-4b           0/24         3/13
7.P1g-1f           3/27         0/13
8.P1c-1d           0/27         20/33

In this very important game, Tanigawa decides not to play into Fujii's hands.
Instead of fighting the "Fujii system", the move 8.P1d shows to his opponent
that he will most probably not play the Anaguma. If white would still play
Anaguma, P1d would be a serious weakness, especially with white. 

9.S7i-7h           34/61        0/33
10.K4b-3b          0/61         12/45
11.S3i-3h          9/70         0/45
12.G6a-5b          0/70         6/51
13.S7h-6g          12/82        0/51
14.P6c-6d          0/82         49/100
15.K5i-4h          32/114       0/100
16.S6b-6c          0/114        1/101
17.K4h-3i          1/115        0/101
18.S6c-5d          0/115        2/103
19.G6i-5h          6/121        0/103
20.R8b-6b          0/121        3/106

Right side fourth file rook. This is a very aggressive opening, fitting
Tanigawa's style. However, it has taken him a long time to play this and
this is not a sign of thorough opening preparation or strong confidence.

21.P7f-7e!         48/169       0/106

This is a well-timed counter. Black does not allow white to play P7d followed
by N7c. Tanigawa planned to play P7d and a mino castle before attacking. The
move 21.P7e forces him to change his mind.

22.G5b-4b          0/169        57/163
23.K3i-2h          12/181       0/163
24.B2b-3c          0/181        16/179
25.P9g-9f          27/208       0/179
26.K3b-2b          0/208        23/202
27.R6h-7h          3/211        0/202
28.P6d-6e          0/211        51/253

The sealed move at the end of the first day. Only 28 moves have been played,
which shows how careful both players are in this important game. The general
opinion in the press room was that 28.P6e was the only way to continue.

29.P6fx6e          11/222       0/253
30.B3cx8h+         0/222        2/255
31.R7hx8h          0/222        0/255
32.B*3c            0/222        0/255
33.B*7g            2/224        0/255
34.S5dx6e          0/224        13/268
35.P*6f            5/229        0/268
36.S6e-5d          0/229        1/269
37.P8g-8f          0/229        0/269
38.G4a-3b?         0/229        63/332

Tanigawa took a long time analysing the surprising 38.P7d here, but in the end
decided against it. This was a mistake, since 38.P7d is the only way to keep
the initiative: 39.P8e (39.Px7d R7b is not good for white) 40.Px7e P8d P*6e
Px6e P*6f Bx6f S5e B7g P7f Sx7f S6f P*7h (diagram) does not seem to work well, 
but time keeper Higuchi (3-dan) suggested N7c! next, which seems to give white
good chances. After 38.G4a-3b, Fujii grabs the initiative.

39.P8f-8e          3/232        0/332
40.R6b-6d          0/232        2/334

Most professional commentators expected 40.R8b, but Tanigawa did not like
that passive move.

41.P8e-8d          68/300       0/334
42.P8cx8d          0/300        9/343
43.S6g-5f          0/300        0/343

44.P9c-9d?         0/300        33/376

It is hard to find useful things for white to do and in the end Tanigawa 
played this waiting move. However, there was a waiting move that improved
white position: 44.P2d!. Then 45.P6e Sx6e Bx3c+ Nx3c S5e R6a Rx8d
P5d S4e P4d and white has the strong threat P4e. This is much better than
the actual game. Fujii planned to play 45.P9e K2c G4i-5i to defend against
a future promotion of the rook on 6i, but this leads to a long game where
white only seems to have a slight disadvantage. After the pointless 44.P9d
the game is suddenly over very quickly.

45.P6f-6e          12/312       0/376
46.S5dx6e          0/312        1/377
47.B7gx3c+         0/312        0/377
48.G4bx3c          0/312        0/377
49.S5f-5e          1/313        0/377
50.R6d-6a          0/313        3/380
51.R8hx8d          6/319        0/380
52.P*8h            0/319        36/416
53.B*7b            34/353       0/416
54.R6a-6b          0/353        2/418
55.R8dx8a+         0/353        0/418
56.P8hx8i+         0/353        0/418
57.B7b-6a+         3/356        0/418
58.R6bx6a          0/356        4/422
59.+R8ax6a         0/356        0/422
60.S6e-5d          0/356        0/422
61.S5ex5d          4/360        0/422
62.P5cx5d          0/360        0/422
63.R*8a            0/360        0/422

"Double rooks are more frightening than a devil". Next, S*4b will be very
severe. White has no attack and no defense.

64.B*5e            0/360        5/427
65.P4g-4f          3/363        0/427
66.S*4b            0/363        5/432
67.P*6c            6/369        0/432
68.+P8ix9i         0/369        3/435
69.P6c-6b+         1/370        0/435
70.B5ex4f          0/370        3/438
71.S*4g            3/373        0/438
Resigns            0/373        1/439
Time:              06:13:00     07:19:00

Tanigawa took one minute to say goodbye to his Ryu-O title. After retreating
the bishop, +P5b wins easily. The domination of challenger Fujii in his
first title match appearance has been a great surprise. He crowns a great
season with the second most important title in the shogi world.