Sorry that I haven't been updating much. Basically nothing much has happened except me reading Shogi books. Since I don't really know what else to talk, I'm going to post up someone's game (definitely NOT mine) that I have reviewed recently. To remind everyone again, I only have a strength of 1-Dan amateur so please do not expect a professional review from me. If any Shogi players have any suggestions, opinions, ideas or complains, please do so in the comments link. I hope more Shogi players can discussed about this game with me.
Before posting up the review, I hope that the player is not offended by me for posting up his kifu (game records) without asking his permission first. Nevertheless here's the review done by me:
Sente: Spear v1.4 - level 2
Gote: Human Player
1. P7F P3D
2. P1F P4D
This move signals three meanings. (a) Prevent trade of Bishop, (b) Trying to play a ranging rook, or (c) trying to make a Yagura without trading bishops.
3. P6F S4B
This move could signal proably a ranging rook (most probably) or a Yagura.
4. R6H
Since opponent is playing a ranging rook, Gote have two choices: (a) play an anaguma by S3C and later a S2B, or (b) playing a double ranging rook.
4. .... G6B
Not much of a comment on this move but I personally think Gote should play G5B, S6B, S5C for an attacking formation. Playing G5B also helps Gote to complete the "Complete Anaguma' in a move faster. Then again, I cannot say that this is a bad move.
5. G(6I)5H
I realise that the lastest version of Spear is weaker than the older version. Normally Spear would perfer to move it's King first, since it's the basics of the basics in Joseki. Or S3H, signalling a mino castle.
5. .... P8D
6. P3F
It's too early to play this move for Spear.
6. .... P8E
7. P9F
Again, this is a very bad move for Spear/Sente. I have never seen Spear/Sente made such a bad move before. Spear should move B7G as this is the basics of a ranging rook. If not, Gote will gain an upper hand in breaking into Sente's base.
7. .... G3B
Not exactly a bad move but Gote should take this opportunity to punish Sente's bad move by P8F! ....Px8F (forced move) Rx8F B7G and Rx8I+! It's already a huge advantage for Gote as Gote have a promoted Rook and an extra material (knight) in hand!
8. G6G
A senseless move as Spear/Sente should try to cover its mistake by B7G!
8. .... S7B
Again, Gote should try to exploit Sente's weakness by P8F.
9. P2F
Another senseless move.
9. .... K4A
Should have P8F a long time ago for an early victory.
10. S4H
Hoping to aim for a center castle???
10. .... K3A
It's true that a sitting king is a sitting duck but if there's a chance to exploit your enemy's weakness, do it now! P8F!
11. L1H
Probably to prevent Bishop from taking it and promoting Bishop at the same time in the later future. If Sente moves L1H the Bishop needs to take two turns instead of one to get promote and also capture Sente's lance.
11. .... B3C
12. N7G P8F
I think it's a little too late because of the knight at 7G, which Sente might have a chance to block Gote's rook from breaking into the base.
13. P3E P4E
If Gote's afraid of his bishop getting captured, the bishop could always escape to 2B as the pawn has no potential threaten to Gote's base. But then again Gote will have a chance to promote it at 2H or 1I. But what if Sente make 5F as his next move? Then the bishop will never have the chance to promote it. OR ....B5E S3G! Bishop has no chance to promote it and it's a waste of turn.
14. Px8F Rx8F
15. Px3D B5E
16. P3C+
Probably trying to sacrifice the pawn so Sente can drop it back at 3G.
16. .... Sx3C
17. P6E B1I+
18. P'3D S4B
19. P1E P7D
Not sure what Gote is trying to do (probably trying to bring the knight or silver into attack), but Gote could try taking the lance at 1H first to give yourself a supporting attack.
20. B9G R8I+
21. P1D
If you had taken the lance earlier, P1D wouldn't look so threatening now.
22. .... +Bx1H
23. Px1C+ Nx1C
Do not take it with knight as (a) Sente has a pawn in hand and (b) Sente's pawn is at 2F which he can easily get a free knight.
24. P'1D
Winning a free knight.
24. .... G2B
Earlier at move 18, I would recommend S2B but seeing that S4B is an okay move so I made no comment about it. Then again Gote's G2B have made the king's position a little 'unprotective'. Or Gote could ignore G2B because taking the pawn with lance will give Gote no threat at all... for now.
25. B8H P'8G
Gote should try P'8F instead. That way Gote can promote his pawn at 8G. Sente cannot defend the pawn from promoting with silver since Gote is forking the silver and king with his dragon. Therefore Sente has no total defense against the promotion of pawn at 8G.
26. B9G
A clear evidence of why Gote should have played P'8F.
26. .... +Rx9I
27. Px1C+ Gx1C
Look carefully at Gote's king's position and you will see that Gote's king's defense is disrupted or scattered.
28. N'8I L'8H
Oh my god! It's a free kill with +Rx8I! Gote don't need to drop the lance at all!
29. G5F S7C
Sente's attack is too weak or slow so Gote should strike the iron while it's hot with Lx8I+! If hedo, Sente's position is weakened too strong!
30. Sx8H Px8H+
31. Rx8H L'8D
Not a good move because Sente can P'8E and get a free lance! If Gote's afraid of Sente promoting the rook, Gote should P'8D for a safe play to ensure a solid victory.
32. L'8G P'8F
33. Lx8F S'7I
34. R7H +Rx8I
Maybe Gote can try P'8H?
35. Rx7I +R9H
Gote can try N'6G. forking the rook and king at the same time! That way Gote can remove the threat of the rook at 7I and also continue to put pressure on Sente's King!
36. Lx8D K4A
Gote should remove the lance first at 8D with silver but then again lance is not too much of a threat.
37. L'6G G2D
Maybe Gote can try +Rx9G as it removes Sente's defenses and also increases Gote's supporting attacks.
38. +P3C Sx3C
39. S'8H
The resason why Gote should +Rx9G. Now Sente is increasing it's defense.
39. .... P'8G
A good move but if you have +Rx9G earlier Gote wouldn't have to waste an exta turn with this move.
40. Lx8A+ Px8H+
41. R6I +P7H
42. +Lx9A +Px6I
S'6H for the win as
(a) .... S'6H Rx6H +Px6H checkmate! or
(b) .... S'6H K5H Sx6I K5I +P6H checkmate!
43. Kx6I R'8I
Not a good move as Sente can defend by dropping a piece on 7I.
44. N'7I S'6H
Could also try S'7H as:
(a) .... S'7H K6H Sx7I= (the rest are checkmate moves)
(b) .... S'7H K5H Sx7I= (the rest are checkmate moves)
(c) .... S'7H K5I Sx6G+ L'6I L'6H G3H Lx6I+ K4I S5H+ K3I N'2G Gx2G +Sx4H checkmate! (need to recheck with this variation)
Nevertheless it's still not a bad move.
45. K5H Rx7I+
Should have Sx7I= for a checkmate!
46. L'4C K5A
47. Bx7I Sx71+
Should have Sx71= for the checkmate as
(a) R' 6H +Rx6H checkmate, or
(b) K6I (or K5I) +R6H checkmate!
48. R'6H B'6I
49. K5I B7H+
Should have +Rx6H for the checkmate as Kx6H B7H+ (the rest are checkmate moves)
50. Rx7H +Sx7H
Should capture with dragon for easier win. (for the rest of the moves I'm too lazy to list out the checkmate moves as there are too many to type out)
51.S3G +S6I
52. Kx6I +B2G
53. G5H R'8I
54. S'7I +B4I
55. G6H N'8G
56. B'9G Nx7I+
57. Bx7I S'5I
58. P'8H N'8G
59. G7H Nx7I
60. Gx7I +Bx6G
61. Kx5I Rx7I+
62. Resign
Remarks and Opinions: Sente's joseki is horrible however at the end game it's strategy of defense is good. As for Gote, he failed to realise his attack in the early of the game, therefore he should improve his concentration. Gote should seriously practise ALOT OF Tsume Shogi since he have missed too many checkmate opportunities! Improving concentration will not only improve Gote's tsume shogi but also his gameplay!
Ratings:
Sente's Strength: 13kyu
Gote's Strength: 13kyu
I hope that this game review has also help other Shogi beginners to improve their Shogi.
Regards,
Ryou Takehito
