28th Kio Match Game 5

[Black "Habu Yoshiharu, Kio"]
[White "Maruyama Tadahisa, Challenger"]
[Event "28th Kio-sen, Game 5"]
[Date "March 20th 2003"]
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.P8c-8d     00:01:00  00:00:00
5.P2f-2e     00:03:00  00:00:00
6.P8d-8e     00:03:00  00:00:00
7.G6i-7h     00:03:00  00:00:00
8.G4a-3b     00:03:00  00:00:00
9.P2e-2d     00:06:00  00:00:00
10.P2cx2d    00:06:00  00:00:00
11.R2hx2d    00:07:00  00:00:00
12.P8e-8f    00:07:00  00:00:00
13.P8gx8f    00:08:00  00:00:00
14.R8bx8f    00:08:00  00:00:00
15.R2dx3d    00:09:00  00:00:00
16.B2b-3c    00:09:00  00:00:00
17.R3d-3f    00:11:00  00:00:00
18.K5a-4a    00:11:00  00:01:00
19.K5i-5h    00:12:00  00:01:00
20.S3a-2b    00:12:00  00:10:00
21.G4i-3h    00:15:00  00:10:00
22.G6a-5a    00:15:00  00:12:00
23.P*8g      00:18:00  00:12:00
24.R8f-8e    00:18:00  00:14:00

The furigoma gave Habu the black pieces and it is no surprise that 
Maruyama chooses his favourite R8e-Yokofudori opening in this decisive 
game. This is the third time this variation is played in this match, 
with each player winning one game. Habu lost game three, so he has to 
come up with something new here.

25.B8hx3c+   00:20:00  00:14:00
26.N2ax3c    00:20:00  00:18:00
27.N8i-7g    00:21:00  00:18:00
28.R8e-8d    00:21:00  00:21:00
29.P7f-7e    00:36:00  00:21:00
30.S7a-6b    00:36:00  00:25:00
31.P7e-7d    00:42:00  00:25:00
32.P4c-4d    00:42:00  00:34:00
33.R3f-8f?!  01:02:00  00:34:00

Diagram 1

Habu tries a new idea that Kitajima introduced just two days earlier 
against Chuza. It is a very positive way of fighting the R8e Yokofudori. 
If the rook exchange is actually good for black, this would be an 
important blow for white. As it turns out, this game seems to show that 
in this position R8f is a dubious move.

34.R8dx8f    01:02:00  00:41:00
35.P8gx8f    01:02:00  00:41:00
36.P7cx7d!   01:02:00  00:53:00

Chuza played 36.P*2h Sx2h R*8i R*8c N4e Rx8a+ Rx9i+ B*8d and lost. Being 
able to quickly take the white knight on 8a was probably the reason 
black won the game. With this in mind, Maruyama decides to save the knight 
and wait with his attack.

37.R*8b      01:48:00  00:53:00
38.N8a-7c    01:48:00  01:58:00
39.B*8c      02:08:00  01:58:00
40.R*8d!!    02:08:00  02:54:00

Diagram 2

The move that wins the Kio title. In the press room, only 40.B*9d was 
analysed, which leads to a difficult position after 41.Bx9d+ Px9d B*8c 
N4e, threatening B*9c next. 40.R*8d is much better, as it makes it very 
hard for black to move his major pieces. For example, 41.R8a+ B*9d B7b+ 
Rx8a +Bx8a R*8i gives white a very good position after picking up the 
lance on 9i. After the game, Habu said that he thought that R*8d was a 
possibility, but that he never thought it would hamper his pieces so much.

41.S7i-8h    02:43:00  02:54:00

Most likely a change of plan. Still, now the lance on 9i is defended, 
so black threatens R8a+ again.

42.R8dx8f    02:43:00  03:31:00
43.P*8g      03:14:00  03:31:00
44.R8f-8d    03:14:00  03:31:00

Cool play. Maruyama has seen another brilliant move.

45.R8b-8a+   03:17:00  03:31:00
46.B*4e!!    03:17:00  03:37:00

Diagram 3

Great move and already the game winner. This bishop seems to point to 
nowhere, but it actually is the perfect defence to black's attack.

47.P*7b      03:37:00  03:37:00
48.P6c-6d    03:37:00  03:37:00

The point. Black can't promote the pawn on 7a and if he takes too much 
time, white will win with an attack on the head of the knight 
with P7d-7e-7f.

49.P3g-3f    03:41:00  03:37:00

There is not much black can do. For example, 49.+Rx9a Rx8c P7a+ seems 
to be a way to fight, but after P*8a L*8f Rx8f Px8f Sx7a +Rx9c S6b +R9e 
P*2f black has no way to set up an attack. By sacrificing a pawn on the 
third file, Habu hopes that he will be able to counter with P*3d as 
soon as he gets a pawn in hand.

50.P7d-7e    03:41:00  03:38:00
51.N2i-3g    03:41:00  03:38:00
52.B4ex3f    03:41:00  03:48:00
53.+R8a-8b   03:41:00  03:48:00
54.P7e-7f!   03:41:00  03:52:00

Diagram 4

It is tempting to play 54.P*8a here, but this gives Habu the pawn he 
needs and the time to play P*3d.

55.P7b-7a+   03:41:00  03:52:00
56.P7fx7g+   03:41:00  03:52:00
57.S8hx7g    03:42:00  03:52:00
58.P*8a      03:42:00  03:52:00

Only now. Black has no time for P*3d here.

59.+P7ax8a   03:44:00  03:52:00
60.P*7f      03:44:00  03:55:00
61.S7gx7f    03:45:00  03:55:00
62.P*7g      03:45:00  03:55:00
Resigns      03:45:00  03:55:00

Final Diagram

Habu could have played on a little longer here, as the finish is not 
obvious yet. However, 62.Gx7g P*7e Sx7e Rx8c +Rx8c N6e G7f P*7g P*7i 
N*4f K6h Nx3h+ Sx3h G*4h is threatening mate with B*5i K6i Nx5g= and 
black has no defence. Instead of winning a record tying 13th consecutive 
Kio title, Habu loses three games in a row to give Maruyama his first 
title since he lost the Meijin title to Moriuchi almost a year ago. 
An unexpected outcome of this match, especially considering the 
relatively easy way Maruyama won this final game. Even Habu is 
(sometimes) human...