59th Meijin Match Game 4
Black: Maruyama Tadahisa, Meijin
White: Tanigawa Koji, Challenger
59th Meijin-sen, Game 4
May 18th and 19th 2001
1.P7g-7f 00:00:00 00:00:00
2.P3c-3d 00:00:00 00:01:00
3.P2g-2f 00:01:00 00:01:00
4.P4c-4d 00:01:00 00:03:00
5.P2f-2e 00:01:00 00:03:00
6.B2b-3c 00:01:00 00:03:00
7.S3i-4h 00:01:00 00:03:00
8.P9c-9d 00:01:00 00:07:00
9.G4i-5h 00:15:00 00:07:00
10.R8b-4b 00:15:00 00:09:00
11.K5i-6h 00:25:00 00:09:00
12.S3a-3b 00:25:00 00:14:00
13.K6h-7h 00:27:00 00:14:00
14.S7a-7b 00:27:00 00:23:00
15.P5g-5f 00:34:00 00:23:00
16.S3b-4c 00:34:00 00:27:00
17.S4h-5g 00:54:00 00:27:00
18.P9d-9e 00:54:00 00:40:00
19.P3g-3f 01:14:00 00:40:00
For the first time Maruyama is going to try to build an anaguma against
Tanigawa's Shikenbisha opening. Of course Tanigawa doesn't know this yet,
and that is the point of playing 19.P3f first. This gives black the option
of playing a quick attack, which is bad for white if the king is still on
5a, so white more or less has to play the next move.
20.K5a-6b 01:14:00 00:43:00
With the king on 5a, it is hard for black to play the anaguma as the Fujii
system is very strong. However, with the king on 6b, the white camp is
vulnerable, so a quick attack against the anaguma is risky.
21.B8h-7g 01:17:00 00:43:00
22.K6b-7a 01:17:00 00:51:00
23.K7h-8h 01:29:00 00:51:00
24.K7a-8b 01:29:00 01:05:00
25.L9i-9h 02:14:00 01:05:00
26.R4b-3b 02:14:00 02:01:00
This is an attacking plan against the anaguma that was popular two or
three years ago. If black tries to complete the anaguma with 27.K9i,
then white can launch a strong attack with P3e followed by P4e.
27.P5f-5e 02:49:00 02:01:00
Maruyama closes the bishop's diagonal, giving white no opportunity for a
quick attack. From now on the game was expected to continue at a slow
pace, but Tanigawa has other plans.
28.G4a-5b 02:49:00 02:57:00
29.K8h-9i 02:57:00 02:57:00
30.P5c-5d!? 02:57:00 03:28:00
It's almost the end of the first day and Tanigawa decides to open the game
early. There have been games with 30.B5a S4f P6d, but this is a new move
(or better, a new attacking strategy).
31.S5g-5f 04:00:00 03:28:00
32.P5dx5e 04:00:00 04:07:00
33.S5fx5e 04:09:00 04:07:00
34.P*5d 04:09:00 04:13:00
35.S5e-6f 04:14:00 04:13:00
36.B3c-4b 04:14:00 04:15:00
37.B7g-6h 04:58:00 04:15:00
38.B4b-6d 04:58:00 04:15:00
39.P*5e 06:03:00 04:15:00
40.P5dx5e? 06:03:00 05:01:00
A mistake that gives Maruyama the advantage. Pulling back the bishop
with 40.B4b was the correct move. Black's threat of breaking through
on the 2nd file is too dangerous. Probably Tanigawa's temperament
didn't allow him to pull back a piece that he just moved out.
41.P2e-2d 06:08:00 05:01:00
42.P5e-5f 06:08:00 05:01:00
43.B6h-4f 06:17:00 05:01:00
44.P2cx2d 06:17:00 05:06:00
45.R2hx2d 06:18:00 05:06:00
46.P*2b 06:18:00 05:06:00
47.P*2c 06:40:00 05:06:00
48.B6dx4f 06:40:00 05:52:00
Both players wanted the opponent to take this bishop, so the fact that
Tanigawa takes it is a clear indication that black has the advantage.
Black will win a knight and even though his anaguma is incomplete,
this is not enough compensation.
49.P4gx4f 06:40:00 05:52:00
50.B*3c 06:40:00 05:52:00
51.R2d-2g 06:43:00 05:52:00
52.P2bx2c 06:43:00 05:52:00
53.R2gx2c+ 06:47:00 05:52:00
54.R3b-2b 06:47:00 05:52:00
55.+R2cx2b 06:49:00 05:52:00
56.B3cx2b 06:49:00 05:52:00
57.R*2h 06:51:00 05:52:00
58.B2b-3c 06:51:00 05:52:00
59.R2hx2a+ 06:51:00 05:52:00
60.R*2d 06:51:00 05:52:00
61.+R2ax2d 08:01:00 05:52:00
62.B3cx2d 08:01:00 05:52:00
63.R*2a 08:05:00 05:52:00
64.B2dx4f 08:05:00 06:02:00
65.B*6e! 08:05:00 06:02:00
In the press room all analysis was aiming for the standard B5e followed
by N7d attack. 65.B*6e was a complete surprise. It must have surprised
Tanigawa too, as he took more than an hour for his next move. 65.B*6e
is an unusual move, but very strong. It is hard to defend against N*5e
next. Also, this bishop works in defense.
66.P9e-9f 08:05:00 06:40:00
67.P9gx9f 08:05:00 06:40:00
68.P*9g 08:05:00 06:40:00
69.L9hx9g 08:05:00 06:40:00
70.P6c-6d 08:05:00 06:42:00
71.B6ex4c+ 08:25:00 06:42:00
72.G5bx4c 08:25:00 06:42:00
73.N*6c? 08:25:00 06:42:00
A mistake that lets Tanigawa back in. Better was 73.Rx1a+. After
74.R*2h P*5i P5g+ Sx5g Bx5g+ L*6c P*2a Lx6a+ black keeps his advantage.
74.B*6b! 08:25:00 06:44:00
Now black's attack suddenly becomes quite difficult.
75.P*5b? 08:33:00 06:44:00
Very risky. This pawn can now no longer be used on 5i to keep the rook out.
76.R*4i? 08:33:00 06:47:00
Too eager. Tanigawa realizes that he's back in the game and rushes his
attack. If he would have played 76.P9e first, he would suddenly have
good chances: 77.Px9e (P5a+ Px9f is good for white) R*4i S7h B7i+ S*5i
(black can't play a pawn here) +Bx9g Nx9g P*9g K8h Px9g+ Kx9g and white
can choose between N*8e and P7d, which both look very strong.
77.S7i-7h 08:34:00 06:47:00
78.P*9e? 08:34:00 07:28:00
If the right plan is played in the wrong order, often more than one
move turns out to be bad. This is now the losing move. White would
still have good fighting chances after 78.Rx6i+ Sx6i B7i+ R*6h P5g+
Sx5g P*9e Px9e +Bx9g Nx9g P*9f.
79.K9i-8h! 08:45:00 07:28:00
This early escape is winning. White can no longer get to the black king
in time.
80.P9ex9f 08:45:00 07:42:00
81.L9gx9f 08:45:00 07:42:00
82.L9ax9f 08:45:00 07:42:00
83.P5b-5a+ 08:49:00 07:42:00
84.L9f-9h+ 08:49:00 07:46:00
85.K8hx9h 08:49:00 07:46:00
86.R4ix6i+ 08:49:00 07:46:00
87.S7hx6i 08:49:00 07:46:00
88.B4f-7i+ 08:49:00 07:46:00
89.S*8h 08:49:00 07:46:00
90.P*9g 08:49:00 07:58:00
91.N8ix9g 08:49:00 07:58:00
92.+B7ix6i 08:49:00 07:58:00
93.L*9f 08:49:00 07:58:00
Drop where you're opponent wants to drop. This is a mating threat as well.
94.P*9c 08:49:00 08:12:00
95.R*9i 08:50:00 08:12:00
Resigns 08:50:00 08:18:00
White has no way to attack and 97.+Px6a leaves him without defense. After
6 minutes Tanigawa decides to resign. Maruyama bounces back from a bad game
and ties the match at 2-2. Still, in this game there were some flaws as
well even though Tanigawa didn't take the chances he was offered. One
still feels that the momentum is with Tanigawa in this match, but the
fifth game will be vital.