The Mystery of 361

This game is the first round of the 32th Meijin Tournament final between Cho U 9p (white) and Takao Shinji 9p (black). I chose this game because I think it is a very interesting moyo game between 2 top Japanese players.

Black 15 is an interest choice. Black felt that neither A or B was good enough. A has the weakness of the J3 invasion, and B is probably too low for the thickness.

Again, black played at 21, a highly unusual move when While white played solidly. Black 21 is trying to attack the white stone, but it left B11 and C17 open. More interestingly, black played at 21 without an extension stone on the upper-side. It is hard to see how he plans to develop the thickness.

Both b31 and w32 are the strongest moves, far from the traditional Japanese playing style. Now the game became very unpredictable.

The fight inevitably led to an exchange. White captured all the corner while black built a thickness to attack white’s lone stone at K17.

Black 61 is again a very agressive moyo move. In contrast, white 60 was a solid territorial move. The game will be determined by how much territory black can make in the center. It is difficult for both side. How deep can white invade without being captured? How much territory does black need in the middle?

(to be continued…)