52nd Oza Match Game 1
[Black "Moriuchi Toshiyuki, Challenger"]
[White "Habu Yoshiharu, Oza"]
[Event "52nd Oza-sen, Game 1"]
[Date "September 2nd 2004"]
1.P7g-7f 00:00:00 00:00:00
2.P8c-8d 00:00:00 00:02:00
3.G6i-7h 00:00:00 00:02:00
4.P3c-3d 00:00:00 00:04:00
5.P2g-2f 00:00:00 00:04:00
6.G4a-3b 00:00:00 00:04:00
7.P2f-2e 00:01:00 00:04:00
8.B2bx8h+ 00:01:00 00:04:00
The Kakugawari opening with loss of tempo. A popular opening these days.
White loses an extra move, but can keep the pawn on 8d, which gives more
opportunities for a counter attack with N8e.
9.S7ix8h 00:01:00 00:04:00
10.S3a-2b 00:01:00 00:04:00
11.S3i-3h 00:06:00 00:04:00
12.S2b-3c 00:06:00 00:05:00
13.S8h-7g 00:06:00 00:05:00
14.S7a-6b 00:06:00 00:07:00
15.P1g-1f 00:06:00 00:07:00
16.P6c-6d 00:06:00 00:09:00
17.P4g-4f 00:08:00 00:09:00
18.S6b-6c 00:08:00 00:10:00
19.S3h-4g 00:08:00 00:10:00
20.P1c-1d 00:08:00 00:11:00
21.K5i-6h 00:08:00 00:11:00
22.K5a-4b 00:08:00 00:12:00
23.P9g-9f 00:10:00 00:12:00
24.P9c-9d 00:10:00 00:13:00
25.G4i-5h 00:11:00 00:13:00
26.G6a-5b 00:11:00 00:14:00
27.P3g-3f 00:11:00 00:14:00
28.P7c-7d 00:11:00 00:16:00
29.S4g-5f 00:14:00 00:16:00
30.S6c-5d 00:14:00 00:20:00
31.K6h-7i 00:15:00 00:20:00
32.K4b-3a 00:15:00 00:22:00
33.N2i-3g 00:24:00 00:22:00
34.N8a-7c 00:24:00 01:13:00
35.S7g-6f 00:26:00 01:13:00
36.P8d-8e 00:26:00 01:23:00
37.S6f-5e 00:39:00 01:23:00
38.S5dx5e 00:39:00 01:27:00
39.S5fx5e 00:39:00 01:27:00
40.P8e-8f 00:39:00 01:28:00
41.P8gx8f 00:39:00 01:28:00
42.R8bx8f 00:39:00 01:28:00
43.P*8g 00:39:00 01:28:00
44.R8f-8e 00:39:00 01:28:00
45.S5ex6d 00:42:00 01:28:00
46.N7c-6e 00:42:00 01:28:00
47.P2e-2d 01:58:00 01:28:00
48.P2cx2d 01:58:00 01:40:00
49.P*2c 02:07:00 01:40:00
50.G3bx2c 02:07:00 02:03:00
51.N3g-4e 02:11:00 02:03:00
52.S3c-4d 02:11:00 02:17:00
This game is an opening preparation battle. Six years ago, Moriuchi and
Habu played a game with a very similar position in the 16th Zen-Nihon
Pro tournament. The difference was only in the position of the edge
pawns on the right. In that game, the pawns were on 1e and 1g, while
in this game they are on 1d and 1f. In the game played six year ago,
Habu had black and played 53.B*6a, after which 54.G4b 55.S*5a 56.B*3g
57.Sx4b= 58.Kx4b 59.R2g 60.Bx4f+ 61.Nx5c+ 62.Sx5c 63.Sx5c+ followed
and Habu won. However, in the post-mortem analysis it was found that
white had missed a subtle defense that would have won the game and the
overall conclusion was that white was winning. However, in the current
game this conclusion is no longer valid. With the pawns on 1d and 1f,
black can play the same line as above, but instead of 61.Nx5c+, 61.Sx5c+
62.Sx5c 63.G*5b 64.K3a 65.Gx5c, he can take the silver. The difference
is that in the position with the pawns on 1d and 1f, 67.Bx4c+ next is
a mating threat (G4b K2b +B3b K1c +Bx2c Kx2c S*3b K1c G*2c). With the
pawn on 1e, Bx4c+ is not a mating threat, so white has two free moves
instead of one.
53.S*6c!? 03:15:00 02:17:00
So why did Moriuchi not play 53.B*6a here? The reason is that here he
suddenly realized that he had overlooked a possible defense for white:
54.S*4a. Then black can try a number of moves, for example 55.G4g or
55.B7b+, but after 55.G4g P*6c N9g R8b Moriuchi did not like the weakness
on 7g and 55.B7b+ B*3g R2g Bx4f+ N9g Nx5g+ leads to a position "I do not
want to think about" (Moriuchi). After the game, Habu admitted that he had indeed
prepared S*4a. Still, judging this rather passive looking defense as good for white needs
Habu-like abilities. Actually, this move had already been played six years ago in a game.
Habu has won the opening preparation battle. 53.S*6c is a bit heavy, but not a bad move.
However, changing his plans has broken Moiruchi's rhythm and invites a mistake.
54.G5b-4b 03:15:00 03:21:00
55.S6cx7d= 03:30:00 03:21:00
56.P*7g 03:30:00 03:23:00
57.N8ix7g 03:32:00 03:23:00
58.N6ex7g+ 03:32:00 03:23:00
59.G7hx7g? 04:08:00 03:23:00
The mistake. Moriuchi had to take the rook. He was worried about 59.Sx8e
N*6e, but after G5h-6h B*5i R*6a K2b G6hx7g Nx7g+ N*6h! is a very good
defense (found by Sato Yasumitsu who was following the game in the press
room). White has other attacking options besides B*5i, for example B*3g,
but the position is definitely not easy.
60.N*6e 04:08:00 03:39:00
Now the rook that was doomed is saved and stays on the board until the
end of the game. 61.G7h fails to P*7g and the white attack is too strong.
61.S7dx6e 04:09:00 03:39:00
62.R8ex6e 04:09:00 03:39:00
63.S6dx5c= 04:26:00 03:39:00
64.S4dx5c 04:26:00 03:40:00
65.B*5f 04:26:00 03:40:00
66.B*4d 04:26:00 04:29:00
67.P6g-6f 04:37:00 04:29:00
68.R6e-5e 04:37:00 04:30:00
69.P*2e 04:50:00 04:30:00
70.P2dx2e 04:50:00 04:33:00
71.N*3e 04:50:00 04:33:00
72.B4dx3e 04:50:00 04:33:00
73.P3fx3e 04:50:00 04:33:00
74.N*8e 04:50:00 04:34:00
75.B*8f 04:50:00 04:34:00
76.S*7e 04:50:00 04:40:00
Resigns 04:59:00 04:40:00
A nice silver sacrifice to end the game. 77.Px7e fails to Nx7g+ Bx7g P*7f
and wherever the bishop goes to, S*7g is next. Moriuchi could have played
on for a little while, but after nine minutes he decides to give Habu the
satisfaction of ending the game with a beautiful move. Habu's phenomenal
endgame skills are apparent in this final position, but Moriuchi shows a
lot of confidence to resign in a position where the strength of his opponent
is so apparent. Still, Habu ends a bad streak of starting his last three
matches against Moriuchi by dropping the opening game.