28th Kio Match Game 3

[Black "Habu Yoshiharu, Kio"]
[White "Maruyama Tadahisa, Challenger"]
[Event "28th Kio-sen, Game 3"]
[Date "February 21st 2003"]
1.P7g-7f     00:00:00  00:00:00
2.P3c-3d     00:00:00  00:00:00
3.P2g-2f     00:02:00  00:00:00
4.P8c-8d     00:02:00  00:00:00
5.P2f-2e     00:03:00  00:00:00
6.P8d-8e     00:03:00  00:00:00
7.G6i-7h     00:04:00  00:00:00
8.G4a-3b     00:04:00  00:00:00
9.P2e-2d     00:05:00  00:00:00
10.P2cx2d    00:05:00  00:00:00
11.R2hx2d    00:05:00  00:00:00
12.P8e-8f    00:05:00  00:00:00
13.P8gx8f    00:07:00  00:00:00
14.R8bx8f    00:07:00  00:00:00
15.R2dx3d    00:08:00  00:00:00
16.B2b-3c    00:08:00  00:00:00
17.R3d-3f    00:12:00  00:00:00
18.K5a-4a    00:12:00  00:00:00
19.K5i-5h    00:17:00  00:00:00
20.S3a-2b    00:17:00  00:01:00
21.G4i-3h    00:18:00  00:01:00
22.G6a-5a    00:18:00  00:02:00
23.P*8g      00:21:00  00:02:00
24.R8f-8e    00:21:00  00:03:00
25.R3f-5f!?  00:22:00  00:03:00

Diagram 1

A very recent new idea, introduced by Miura in his A class Junisen game 
against Habu on February 5th. Normal is 25.R2f, but there are a number of 
reasons why R5f is worth a thorough investigation. First, with the rook on 
2f, black blocks the sideway working of the rook after a future P3f (an 
inevitable move in this opening). This gives white the chance to start a 
counter attack with P8f aiming at the pawn on 7f. With the rook on 5f, this 
pawn is still defended. Another white attacking plan is P7e followed by 
Px7f or P*7f if black takes the pawn. With the rook on 5f this is also 
not very threatening as black can take back with Rx7f. Finally, moves to 
pester the rook like P*2e or B(*)4d are also no longer possible. Of course, 
having the rook on 5f has its drawbacks. After all, Habu won the game 
against Miura in 58 moves...

26.S7a-6b    00:22:00  00:08:00
27.P3g-3f    00:22:00  00:08:00
28.P7c-7d    00:22:00  00:26:00
29.N2i-3g    00:27:00  00:26:00
30.N8a-7c    00:27:00  00:27:00
31.S3i-4h    00:27:00  00:27:00
32.P9c-9d    00:27:00  00:44:00
33.P9g-9f    00:36:00  00:44:00
34.P1c-1d    00:36:00  01:12:00
35.B8h-7g!   00:40:00  01:12:00

Important. Miura answered the edge pawn push with 33.P1f (in that game 
the edge pawns were still on 9g and Pd) and got into trouble after 
34.P*2f since 35.P*2h is answered by 36.P1e Px1e P*1h Lx1h B*2i.

36.B3c-4d    00:40:00  01:27:00

Almost a waiting move. A clever way to invite Habu into action.

37.P9f-9e?!  01:37:00  01:27:00

Diagram 2

Played after a long thought, but after the game Habu criticized his 
choice. The idea is that 37.Px9e 38.Px9e 39.P7e is good for black after 
both 40.Rx7e P*9b Lx9b P*9c Lx9c Bx4d Px4d B*8d or 40.R8d P*9b Lx9b Bx4d 
Px4d Px7d Rx7d B*8c.

38.S2b-3c!   01:37:00  02:01:00

This is the move that Habu underestimated. When black takes the edge pawn 
on 9d, this only invites a counter attack on that file. Still, black has 
no choice.

39.P9ex9d    01:48:00  02:01:00
40.P*9g      01:48:00  02:07:00
41.L9ix9g    02:36:00  02:07:00
42.N7c-6e    02:36:00  02:26:00
43.B7gx4d    02:41:00  02:26:00
44.S3cx4d    02:41:00  02:26:00
45.P3f-3e    02:41:00  02:26:00
46.B*9h      02:41:00  03:15:00
47.B*9f      02:45:00  03:15:00
48.R8e-8d    02:45:00  03:15:00
49.G7h-8h    03:02:00  03:15:00
50.B9hx8i+   03:02:00  03:18:00
51.G8hx8i    03:02:00  03:18:00
52.L9ax9d    03:02:00  03:18:00
53.B*6f      03:11:00  03:18:00
54.N*7e!     03:11:00  03:23:00

Diagram 3

White is desperately attacking, while black is desperately defending. It 
is very hard to say how is better in this position, but after 54.N*7e the 
white attack becomes unstoppable. The question is, can black set up a 
faster attack?

55.P7fx7e    03:28:00  03:23:00

Here Habu intended to play 55.S7h, but he realised in time that after 
56.Lx9f Lx9f Nx6g+ Kx6g (Sx6g Rx8g+) B*4i white is winning.

56.L9dx9f    03:28:00  03:23:00
57.B6fx4d    03:29:00  03:23:00
58.P4cx4d    03:29:00  03:24:00
59.L9gx9f    03:29:00  03:24:00
60.N6e-7g+   03:29:00  03:50:00
61.S7i-7h    03:30:00  03:50:00
62.+N7gx7h   03:30:00  03:52:00
63.G8ix7h    03:30:00  03:52:00
64.B*8i      03:30:00  03:52:00
65.S*6i      03:34:00  03:52:00
66.B*9g      03:34:00  03:53:00
67.R5f-2f    03:36:00  03:53:00
68.P*2c      03:36:00  03:54:00
69.L*2e      03:36:00  03:54:00

Diagram 4

This attack looks heavy, but also impossible to stop. Many thought here 
that the black attack was going to be quicker than the white one.

70.P2c-2d!   03:36:00  03:56:00
71.L2ex2d    03:36:00  03:56:00
72.S*1e!     03:36:00  03:56:00

With this fine one-two defensive punch, Maruyama shows his resilience. 
Being forced to drop this silver here doesn't look very good, but it is 
white's only chance to win.

73.R2f-2i?   03:36:00  03:56:00

Better is 73.R4f Bx7h+ Sx7h B7i+ Rx4d K5b Rx7d and the position is still 
very difficult.

74.P*2f      03:36:00  03:56:00
75.L2dx2a+?  03:52:00  03:56:00

Habu uses 16 minutes to make the decisive mistake. 75.N*3f Bx7h+ Sx7h 
B8h+ P*2c +Bx7h P2b+ G4c N*5e still gives black reasonable chances to 
win. After 75.Lx2a+ the black attack is too slow.

76.B8ix7h+   03:52:00  03:56:00
77.S6ix7h    03:52:00  03:56:00
78.B9g-8h+   03:52:00  03:56:00
79.P*2c      03:56:00  03:56:00
80.+B8hx7h   03:56:00  03:57:00
81.P2c-2b+   03:56:00  03:57:00
82.G3b-4b    03:56:00  03:58:00
83.B*2e      03:56:00  03:58:00
84.G5a-5b!   03:56:00  03:58:00

The decisive move. Black can't get to the white king in time.

85.+L2a-3a   03:58:00  03:58:00
86.K4a-5a    03:58:00  03:58:00
87.+P2b-3b   03:58:00  03:58:00
88.R8dx8g+   03:58:00  03:58:00
89.+P3bx4b   03:58:00  03:58:00
90.K5ax4b    03:58:00  03:58:00
91.N*5i      03:58:00  03:58:00
92.+R8g-8h   03:58:00  03:58:00
93.K5h-4i    03:58:00  03:58:00
94.+B7h-6i   03:58:00  03:58:00
95.K4i-3i    03:58:00  03:58:00
96.S*2g      03:58:00  03:58:00
Resigns      03:59:00  03:58:00

Final Diagram

White threatens mate with Sx3h+ Kx3h +Rx4h etc. and there is no 
defence. 97.Gx2g is answered by G*4i followed by mate and 97.Rx2g 
Px2g+ also wins for white. A fine game to win for Maruyama. Not only 
does he save the match, he also stopped Habu who was on a roll, 
especially with black. Habu had won all the title match games he 
played this year and had a winning streak of 25 games with the black 
pieces going into this game. Game 4 will prove if this game has given 
Maruyama enough confidence to get back into this Kio match.