The 4th game started . (Ryuo sen) Shogi News .

Shogi News; The 21st Ryuo sen 7 games title match .

The 4th game of 21st Ryuo sen title match between WATANABE and HABU started 9:00 A.M. (in JST) 26 November 2008 at Kikuchi city , Kumamoto .

Now the score of this match is "WATANABE 0 win - 3 win HABU" . To get 21st Ryuo title HABU need only one more win before he lose continuous 4 games . In the other hand , WATANABE must win all 4 games to defend his title .

You can see the game record on the Net .
http://live3.shogi.or.jp/ryuou/kifu/081126.html
(Flash version , written in Japanese language )
http://live3.shogi.or.jp/ryuou/kifu/081126_j.html
(Java version , written in Japanese language )


Sente; HABU Yoshiharu (Meijin , Osho , Kisei, Oza)
Gote; WATANABE Akira (Ryuo)

(diagram 1)

1.P-2f P-8d
2.P-2e P-8e
3.G-7h G-3b
4.P-2d Px2d
5.Rx2d P*2c
6.R-2h S-7b
7.S-3h P-3d
8.P-9f P-9d
9.P-1f P-1d
10.S-2g P-8f
11.Px8f Rx8f
12.P*8g R-8d
(diagram 1)



HABU selected "Aigakari" opening in this game . Some professional players were surprised , because they thought HABU would select "Yagura" opening . After Rook's Pawn exchange , HABU backed his Rook to 2h . In Aigakari opening , backing Rook to 2h will lead the game relatively quiet and slow one include "Bou Gin" , "Koshikake Gin" .

HABU selected "Bou Gin" , and WATANABE replied R-8d form . R-8d form is usually called "Uki Bisha" , and this form has attacking and faster charactor .

(diagram 2)

13.S-3f K-5b
14.P-7f P-7d
15.Bx2b+ Sx2b
16.S-8h S-7c
17.S-7g S-6d
18.S-4e P-7e
19.S-5f S-3c
20.P-6f S-4d
21.S-6g G-7b
22.K-6h N-7c
23.G-5h N-3c
24.K-7i
(diagram 2)


WATANABE advanced his camp very offensive one . This means WATANABE's king can't make safty in the same time .

HABU's Kakoi became "Gin Yagura" , and WATANABE started attacking .

WATANABE sealed the 48th move and the game stooped once until next morning . The game will restart 9:00 A.M. 27 November .