43rd Oi Match Game 3

Black: Habu Yoshiharu, Oi
White: Tanigawa Koji, Challenger
43rd Oi-sen, Game 3, August 6th and 7th 2002
1.P7g-7f     00:00:00  00:00:00
2.P8c-8d     00:00:00  00:06:00
3.S7i-6h     00:02:00  00:06:00
4.P3c-3d     00:02:00  00:07:00
5.S6h-7g     00:03:00  00:07:00
6.S7a-6b     00:03:00  00:16:00
7.P5g-5f     00:08:00  00:16:00
8.P5c-5d     00:08:00  00:21:00
9.S3i-4h     00:11:00  00:21:00
10.G6a-5b    00:11:00  00:44:00
11.G4i-5h    00:51:00  00:44:00
12.S3a-3b    00:51:00  00:55:00

Starting the Yagura opening from a Mino formation is an idea by Sato 
Yasumitsu and he has had quite a lot of success with it. Recently,
other professionals have been using it as well and Tanigawa said 
that he had decided before the game that he would play like this 
if the opening would be Yagura. 

13.P6g-6f    00:53:00  00:55:00
14.P4c-4d    00:53:00  01:03:00
15.B8h-7i    00:58:00  01:03:00
16.B2b-3a    00:58:00  01:11:00
17.G5h-6g    00:59:00  01:11:00
18.G5b-4c    00:59:00  01:21:00
19.P3g-3f    02:03:00  01:21:00
20.P7c-7d    02:03:00  01:32:00
21.K5i-6h    02:20:00  01:32:00
22.P7d-7e    02:20:00  02:07:00

One of the points of this opening. If black tries to win a move by 
playing the early king castle (i.e. taking the high route K5i-6h-7h-8h 
instead of K5i-6i-7i-8h), white can play this exchange on the 7th 
file as soon as black plays K6h. Without the king on 6h, black can 
counter P7e with B4f.

23.P7fx7e    02:21:00  02:07:00
24.B3ax7e    02:21:00  02:12:00
25.P6f-6e    02:22:00  02:12:00

This is considered the best plan for black. This vanguard pawn will 
now become the theme of the game. If black can keep the position 
with the pawn on 6e, he will get the advantage. White has to attack 
this vanguard pawn and if this attack succeeds, it will be white 
with the better position.

26.K5a-4b    02:22:00  02:22:00
27.K6h-7h    02:32:00  02:22:00
28.K4b-3a    02:32:00  02:33:00
29.B7i-4f    02:35:00  02:33:00
30.R8b-9b    02:35:00  02:34:00
31.S4h-5g    02:35:00  02:34:00
32.B7e-4b    02:35:00  02:47:00
33.S5g-6f    02:47:00  02:47:00
34.S6b-7c    02:47:00  03:01:00
35.K7h-8h    03:06:00  03:01:00
36.K3a-2b    03:06:00  03:12:00
37.G6i-7h    03:14:00  03:12:00
38.P9c-9d    03:14:00  03:13:00

Diagram 1

39.P2g-2f    04:25:00  03:13:00

The sealed move. Habu took a long time for this (71 minutes). Black 
wants to play 39.P*7e, but then the white counterattack 40.P*6d is 
strong. By putting pressure on the head of the king, Habu creates the
right timing for P*7e as we will see.

40.P9d-9e    04:25:00  03:23:00
41.P1g-1f    04:26:00  03:23:00
42.P1c-1d    04:26:00  04:11:00
43.P2f-2e    04:54:00  04:11:00
44.S3b-3c    04:54:00  04:17:00
45.P*7e      04:54:00  04:17:00

The point of 39.P2f and 43.P2e. With the hanging gold on 4a, it is 
hard for white to start the fight with 46.P6d here.

46.G4a-3b    04:54:00  04:23:00
47.S7g-7f    04:54:00  04:23:00
48.P4d-4e    04:54:00  04:30:00
49.B4f-3g    05:09:00  04:30:00
50.S3c-4d    05:09:00  04:31:00
51.P8g-8f    05:17:00  04:31:00
52.P6c-6d    05:17:00  05:14:00
53.P6ex6d    05:18:00  05:14:00
54.S7cx6d    05:18:00  05:14:00
55.P*6e      05:18:00  05:14:00
56.S6d-7c    05:18:00  05:14:00
57.R2h-4h?!  05:45:00  05:14:00

Diagram 2

Although things don't work out badly for black, Habu was not happy 
about this move. After the game he suggested 57.R5h as better. 
For example, 58.P*7d Px7d Sx7d P*7e S6c G6g-7g and black's position 
is very solid and it is difficult to find a good plan for white.

58.P*6d      05:45:00  05:50:00

Tanigawa doesn't hesitate. With the rook on 4h, black can't attack 
on the 2nd file and is vulnerable to bishop drops.

59.P6ex6d    05:50:00  05:50:00
60.B4bx6d    05:50:00  05:50:00
61.B3gx6d    05:56:00  05:50:00
62.S7cx6d    05:56:00  05:50:00
63.B*8c      05:56:00  05:50:00

Habu realises that he has no good attack here, so his plan is to 
stop white from attacking. Creating a promoted bishop is a first step.

64.R9b-8b    05:56:00  06:05:00
65.B8c-6a+   06:00:00  06:05:00
66.P*6e      06:00:00  06:05:00
67.S6f-7g    06:00:00  06:05:00
68.N8a-9c    06:00:00  06:07:00
69.+B6a-7a   06:05:00  06:07:00
70.R8b-4b    06:05:00  06:10:00
71.P*6c      06:10:00  06:10:00
72.S6dx7e    06:10:00  06:47:00

Positive play as is Tanigawa's style. Still, most professionals in 
the press room preferred Habu's position here.

73.S7fx7e    06:41:00  06:47:00
74.B*3i      06:41:00  06:47:00
75.S*5g      06:41:00  06:47:00
76.B3ix4h+   06:41:00  06:56:00
77.S5gx4h    06:41:00  06:56:00
78.R*4i      06:41:00  06:56:00
79.S4h-5g    06:52:00  06:56:00
80.R4ix2i+   06:52:00  06:56:00
81.P6c-6b+   06:52:00  06:56:00
82.N*6f      06:52:00  07:00:00
83.G7h-6h    07:00:00  07:00:00
84.+R2ix1i   07:00:00  07:06:00
85.B*6c?     07:01:00  07:06:00

Diagram 3

A bad mistake and maybe even the losing move. Correct was 85.B*7d to 
take the pawn on 6e one move earlier than in the game after 86.G3b-3c 
87.Bx6e. White can not save the knight on 6f, so it looks like his 
attack will be stopped completely. Habu probably worried about 86.L*7c, 
but then 87.+P5b Lx7d +Px4b G3bx4b Sx7d is good for black.

86.G3b-3c    07:01:00  07:18:00
87.B6c-7d+   07:10:00  07:18:00
88.+R1i-5i!  07:10:00  07:18:00

The problem. White has used the extra move to save the knight on 6f. 
White's attack suddenly gets much stronger again.

89.+B7dx6e   07:21:00  07:18:00
90.N6f-5h+   07:21:00  07:18:00
91.G6hx5h    07:32:00  07:18:00
92.+R5ix5h   07:32:00  07:18:00
93.G6g-6h    07:32:00  07:18:00
94.+R5h-5i   07:32:00  07:18:00
95.P*6d      07:32:00  07:18:00
96.P8d-8e    07:32:00  07:25:00

Aiming at the sweet spot: the head of the black king. White's 
attack can no longer be smothered, so black has to try and find a
way to attack himself.

97.P6d-6c+   07:34:00  07:25:00
98.P8ex8f    07:34:00  07:25:00
99.S7gx8f    07:34:00  07:25:00
100.L*8e     07:34:00  07:30:00
101.+P6b-5b  07:34:00  07:30:00
102.R4b-3b   07:34:00  07:30:00
103.+P6c-5c  07:34:00  07:30:00
104.G4cx5c!  07:34:00  07:35:00

Diagram 4

Important move. This gives white a pawn in hand, frees the sideways 
movement of the white rook and also slows down the black attack. 
If white allows +Px4c Gx4c, then N*2d gives black chances to attack.
With the gold on 3c and the rook on 3b, black can't make a mating threat.

105.+P5bx5c  07:34:00  07:35:00
106.L8ex8f   07:34:00  07:35:00
107.S7ex8f   07:35:00  07:35:00
108.P*6d!    07:35:00  07:44:00

Diagram 5

The winning move.

109.+B6ex5d  07:42:00  07:44:00

109.+B6f is answered by 110.S*7i K7h P6e +Bx6e G*5h and white wins. 
109.+Bx5d is a desperate try to create space for the king to escape 
up the board.

110.S*7i     07:42:00  07:46:00
111.K8h-7g   07:48:00  07:46:00
112.S7ix6h=  07:48:00  07:46:00
113.S5gx6h   07:48:00  07:46:00
114.G*6f     07:48:00  07:46:00
115.K7gx6f   07:48:00  07:46:00
116.+R5ix6h  07:48:00  07:46:00
117.K6f-7e   07:48:00  07:46:00
118.S*7c     07:48:00  07:48:00
119.N*7g     07:51:00  07:48:00
120.P*7d     07:51:00  07:49:00
121.K7e-7f   07:51:00  07:49:00
122.P*8e     07:51:00  07:50:00

The pawn that white took on his 104th move. Everything is coming 
together now.

123.+P5c-4c  07:57:00  07:50:00

Habu chooses to allow mate, as 123.Sx9e S*8d is also hopeless.

124.G*7e     07:57:00  07:51:00
Resigns      07:57:00  07:51:00

Final Diagram

Mate after 125.Sx7e Px7e Kx7e P*7d K7f S*7e K8g P8f. Another fine 
game by Tanigawa, who is now 3-0 up with four to play. Never has 
someone come back from 3-0 down in a best-of-seven match, so Habu 
has a chance to further build his legend by being the first player 
to do so. However, considering the way he is playing in this match so 
far, he should worry more about losing in straight games, which has 
never happened to him before. Tanigawa is now the overwhelming 
favourite to stop Habu from getting his 10th Oi title in a row.