(
;
GM[1]
VW[]
FF[1]
DT[February 12, 1974]
SZ[19]
PB[Sakata Eio]
PW[Kato Masao]
C[ 21st Annual Nihon Kiin Championship, Title Match
 Played between Dec. 25, 1973 and Feb. 13, 1974
 Sakata Eio, Nihon Kiin Champion v. Kato Masao 8 dan ]
GN[n735]
EV[21st Annual Nihon Kiin Championship, Title Match]
;
B[pd]
C[ Game 5
 
 W: Kato \(K\)
 
 B: Sakata \(S\)
 
 Played on Feb. 12-13, 1974 at the Nihon Kiin, Tokyo, Japan
 
 289 moves. B wins by 6 1/2 pts. \(Komi= 4 1/2 pts.\) Commentary based on
 Kato's in "Modern Stars", Volume 4]
;
W[dp]
C[ "Welcome! The Killer of Go!" Part 5
 
 So it comes down to this: the 5th game of a best of 5 title match. If Sakata
 could win this game, he would pull off a huge comeback. \(Not as huge a feat
 as Rin, Meijin had performed just months previously, winning the last 4
 games of a best of 7 match after losing the first 3; and Cho Chikun, Kisei
 makes a habit of doing it regularly these days, but in the early 70's this
 was unusual.\)]
;
B[pq]
C[ And a question that was also up in the air was: which style would prevail?
 The attacking posture of "Killer Kato"? Or the nimble parrying \(shinogi\) of
 Sakata? With 2 wins apiece, both players' styles had found ample opportunity
 to shine, but now was the moment of truth. Everything was on the line in
 this one game. What would be the fateful factor? Attack? Defense? What
 actually happened was... astonishing...
 -- Bob Terry]
;
W[dd]
;
B[qk]
C[ B plays the Chinese style opening...]
;
W[dj]
C[ ...while W counters with the 3 star points in a row \(sanrensei\).]
;
B[fq]
C[ Instead of answering B7...]
(
;
W[nc]
C[ ...W plays at W8, because playing at W "a" is unappealing...]
;
B[fc]
C[ ...then B plays at B9 to see how things go \(yosu-miru\).]
;
W[qc]
C[ 3 corner star points are attacked and in no case are those attacks answered.
 This is an unusual development in the opening. W does not want to use W10 to
 defend the upper left corner, neither does W want to make a pincer at W "a",
 because when B invades at B "b" in reply, W's set-up on the left side is
 poorly constituted. W's plan is to first invade at the 3-3 with W10...]
LB [jd]
;
B[pc]
;
W[qd]
;
B[pe]
;
W[pb]
;
B[ob]
;
W[qb]
;
B[oc]
;
W[qf]
;
B[nd]
C[ ...and when the shape is fixed with the moves through B19...]
;
W[dn]
C[ ...W goes back to answer at W20, leaving B to pick up the pace somewhere.]
(
;
B[cf]
C[ S: B's double attack on the corner with B21 entails fighting within W's
 sphere of influence, and for that reason, is questionable.
 
 K: Leaving aside handicap settings, in an even game one fears that the
 double attack on a star point will become an overplay. I expected that B
 would invade the 3-3 point at B "a".
 
 K: B21 will inevitably lead to a dodging & weaving game \(shinogi\).]
;
W[fd]
C[ The same pattern as usual has arisen: S goes rushing ahead while I attack.
 In the case of a double attack on the corner, W's attachment at W22 &...]
;
B[gd]

(
;
W[ec]
C[ ...block at W24 is a set response. The handicap joseki starting with W "a"
 is too mild.]
;
B[fe]
;
W[ed]
;
B[fb]
C[ When B descends to B27...]
;
W[df]
C[ ...W plays a leaning tactic \(motare\) with W28, initiating a slow and
 deliberate attack.]
(
;
B[dg]
C[ It seems to me that the hane of B29 is a heavy move. Turning at B "a" would
 be par for the course.]
;
W[ef]

(
;
B[eb]
C[ Then, after creating a heavy position on the left side, B exchanges B31
 for...
 
 \(B "a" is usual.\)]
;
W[cc]
C[ ...W32, and dealing with the left side \(sabaki\) is more and more difficult.
 B's moves are at cross-purposes.]
;
B[ch]
C[ B's hanging connection of B33 is also heavy. B should develop the upper side
 with a move at B "a".]
LB [jd]
;
W[id]
C[ In response to B's continuing heavy play, W attacks in good form with the
 pincer of W34. It is developing into an ideal attacking game for me.]
;
B[hb]
C[ B35 is a low move, and it is painful to have to defend here, but if W gets
 to play at W35, that one poke at W35 would destroy B's shape, so defending
 is unavoidable.]
;
W[md]

(
;
B[mc]
C[ S: Instead of B37, it was better to hane at B "a", since B37 gives W the
 opportunity to gain momentum with a move at W "b".]
LB [lc]
;
W[hf]
C[ W38 goes swooping over B's positions, aiming at both.]
(
;
B[ie]
C[ B suddenly attaches through W's knight move with B39, a severe move.
 However, S said that sliding to B "a" was better.
 
 Fighting spirit that wells up in the heat of battle leads one to begin
 counterattacking with B39. This is the bold way of playing. During the game
 it was the most unpleasant move to me.]
;
W[lc]
;
B[nb]
;
W[he]
;
B[hd]
;
W[jd]
C[ If B plays boldly, W must answer in the same spirit. Since the ladder is
 unfavorable, drawing back to W44 is the only move.]
;
B[je]
C[ Then B45 through...]
;
W[ke]
;
B[ig]
;
W[hg]
;
B[jg]
C[ ...B49 is a normal flow of moves. For both sides, a confusing battle is
 joined with the stones intertwined in a slugfest. But since W has only one
 group of weak stones, W must have an edge. There will be not a moment's
 respite, though.]
;
W[ib]

(
;
B[ic]
C[ Instead of B51, I was afraid of the counterattack of B "a".]
;
W[jc]
;
B[hc]
;
W[me]
C[ The move of W54 was my pride and joy: since the hanging connection of W "a"
 is sente \(threatening B's group to the left\), W54 in itself settles W's
 group. For B's part, with groups in the upper left, center and left side
 that are not clearly alive, the fight has become difficult.]
LB [kb]
;
B[hh]
;
W[gh]

(
;
B[gg]
C[ But what really makes the game difficult for B is B57, a tremendous
 overplay. B should play at B "a".]
;
W[gf]
C[ The moves from W58 follow an unforked variation.]
;
B[fg]
;
W[ff]
;
B[eg]
;
W[gi]
C[ When W plays W62...]
;
B[ii]
C[ ...B63 cannot be omitted.]
;
W[ce]
C[ When W plays at W64...]
;
B[bj]
C[ ...B slides to B65, but...]
;
W[bf]
C[ ...the atari of W66 makes it difficult for B to make life.]
;
B[di]
;
W[ej]
;
B[cl]
;
W[dl]
;
B[cm]
;
W[cn]
;
B[ei]
;
W[mh]
C[ W74 is a good move, which aims in all directions. After forcing with W "a"
 \(kikashi\), B's group in the upper right also is in some danger.]
LB [kb]
;
B[ik]
;
W[gk]

(
;
B[dr]
C[ S said that instead of B77, B "a" was better, but developing to B "b" is the
 usual course. If B forces \(kikashi\) with B "a"...]
LB [jp]
;
W[gp]
C[ W plays the shoulder hit of W78, a good move which aims at B's center group.]
;
B[fp]
C[ It's natural that B plays at B79 &...]
;
W[fo]
;
B[go]
C[ ...B81, not backing down...]
;
W[gq]
;
B[gr]
;
W[hr]
;
B[fr]
;
W[ip]
C[ ...but B's central group is getting into more and more trouble.]
;
B[lg]
C[ S spent something like an hour or more thinking about B87.]
;
W[mg]
;
B[hq]
C[ B cuts with B89, but this increases the pressure on the center. B is hard
 pressed to come up with a good move.]
;
W[hp]
;
B[iq]
;
W[jp]
;
B[jq]
;
W[kq]
;
B[ir]
;
W[jr]
C[ W forces with W96 &...]
;
B[hs]

(
;
W[kp]
C[ ...connects at W98, and W's advantage is evident, but perhaps playing at W
 "a" was more coldly realistic.]
;
B[eo]
C[ When B plays the atari at B99, W could have saved the marked W stone...]
LB [fo]
(
;
W[bi]
C[ ...That is, by playing W100 at W "a".]
;
B[cj]
;
W[dm]
C[ In answer to W 102...]
;
B[fn]
C[ ...B makes a 1 stone capture at B103 \(ponnuki\), and then...]
;
W[bh]
;
B[bg]
;
W[cg]
;
B[ck]
C[ ...connects at B107, aiming to push through at "a" as a ko threat: an
 indomitable attitude that refuses to give an inch in the ko fight.
 
 Around this point, W's footing is jarred.]
;
W[hi]
;
B[ih]

(
;
W[il]
C[ Instead of playing W110, which makes things complicated, W "a" was simple.
 
 W110 &...]
;
B[jl]
;
W[hk]
C[ ...W112 are overplays, preparations in anticipation of a monumental blunder.]
;
B[im]

(
;
W[ci]
C[ Perhaps at this point W should have played W114 at W "a".
 
 W114 &...]
;
B[cf]

(
;
W[fi]
C[ ...W116 are fateful blunders \(poka\).
 
 W had to play W116 at W "a".]
;
B[ai]
C[ I had a hallucination that even after B117, W could capture at W "a", and
 the ko would continue. This is a blunder of epic proportions. It ranks with
 Takagawa's "non-ko threat" against Fujisawa in the Honinbo Title Match. But
 for sheer stupidity, it is unrivalled. I do not say this with any pride...
 When B played B117, the world went dark; the blood in my veins felt like it
 was moving in reverse. With 1 move, W loses more than 20 pts.]
LB [cg]
;
W[ij]
C[ I toyed with the idea of resigning, but then I gathered my nerves and
 decided to play on for a while.]
;
B[jk]
;
W[jj]
;
B[kj]
;
W[ji]
;
B[ki]
;
W[kk]
;
B[mj]
;
W[kl]
;
B[hl]
;
W[jm]
;
B[il]
;
W[hj]
;
B[kh]
;
W[gl]
;
B[gm]
;
W[hn]
;
B[in]
;
W[fm]
;
B[km]
;
W[mk]
;
B[ml]
;
W[lm]
;
B[lk]
;
W[kn]
;
B[ll]
;
W[km]
;
B[gn]
;
W[oh]
;
B[lb]
;
W[kb]
;
B[ka]
;
W[ja]
;
B[la]
;
W[db]
;
B[kd]
;
W[po]
;
B[mf]
;
W[nf]
;
B[lf]
;
W[ne]
;
B[pm]
;
W[pj]
;
B[qj]
;
W[ol]
;
B[ok]
;
W[nk]
;
B[nl]
;
W[pk]
;
B[om]
;
W[oj]
;
B[no]
;
W[nq]
;
B[oq]
;
W[np]
;
B[oo]
;
W[mn]
;
B[nm]
;
W[ql]
;
B[lr]
;
W[lq]
;
B[rl]
;
W[qr]
;
B[nr]
;
W[mr]
;
B[ms]
;
W[mq]
;
B[pr]
C[ Because of wavering by B, the game got complicated, but after all, W had no
 chance for a recovery. B185 at B "a" would have settled matters then and
 there.]
LB [or]
;
W[qm]
;
B[qo]
;
W[qn]
;
B[pn]
;
W[ro]
;
B[qp]
;
W[rp]
;
B[qq]
;
W[pl]
;
B[mo]
;
W[lo]
;
B[mp]
;
W[kr]
;
B[ls]
;
W[ps]
;
B[ns]
;
W[op]
;
B[pp]
;
W[rq]
;
B[nn]
;
W[or]
;
B[os]
;
W[rs]
;
B[qs]
;
W[mm]
;
B[jn]
;
W[ps]
;
B[rr]
;
W[sr]
;
B[qs]
;
W[ma]
;
B[mb]
;
W[ps]
;
B[em]
;
W[ks]
;
B[qs]
;
W[cg]
;
B[ah]
;
W[ps]
;
B[bo]
;
W[kf]
;
B[qs]
;
W[ho]
;
B[hm]
;
W[ps]
;
B[jo]
;
W[ko]
;
B[qs]
;
W[lj]
;
B[li]
;
W[ps]
;
B[nj]
;
W[or]
;
B[ok]
;
W[is]
;
B[cq]
;
W[if]
;
B[jf]
;
W[kc]
;
B[rf]
;
W[qe]
;
B[rh]
;
W[ld]
;
B[le]
;
W[re]
;
B[rg]
;
W[po]
;
B[ph]
;
W[hr]
;
B[og]
;
W[ng]
;
B[oi]
;
W[of]
;
B[nh]
;
W[pf]
;
B[rm]
;
W[rn]
;
B[cf]
;
W[ae]
;
B[gs]
;
W[sm]
;
B[rk]
;
W[pi]
;
B[qi]
;
W[sf]
;
B[sg]
;
W[se]
;
B[sl]
;
W[oe]
;
B[od]
;
W[sn]
;
B[mi]
;
W[pg]
;
B[oh]
;
W[qg]
;
B[qh]
;
W[pa]
;
B[nk]
;
W[oa]
;
B[na]
;
W[kd]
C[ I will let Sakata have the last word. The following comes from the last
 chapter of "Killer of Go":
 
 Ultimately, the "killer of go" embodies the thrill of the game and, IF
 SUCCESSFULLY CARRIED OUT, the most efficient winning method, without doubt.]
;
B[kg]
C[ It is quite alright for the "killer" to have that nickname. Frankly
 speaking, without powerful fighting strength, that nickname would never be
 given. Possessing formidible vision and reading skills, the "killer" earns
 that reputation and is feared by the community of go players.]
;
W[af]
C[ However, it is also my fervent hope that the reader achieve consummate
 success by using sound moves, and only swing for the outside-the-park home
 run when given the perfect pitch, only then.]
;
B[cg]
C[ 289 moves. B wins by 6 1/2 pts. \(Komi= 4 1/2 pts.\) ])

(
;
W[ij]
C[   W plays W1 as a ko threat.]
;
B[hl]
;
W[cg]
;
B[dk]
C[   When B does the same with B4...]
;
W[dh]
C[   ...W ends the ko with W5, and then...]
;
B[ek]
;
W[fj]
;
B[fl]
;
W[jj]
C[   ...pushes through the center with W9. The outcome of this game will depend
   on whether W can rescue the stones on the lower side successfully.
   
   \[The "killer" must suddenly turn into an escape artist! What a turn of
   events!\]])
)

(
;
W[ag]
C[   W captures at W1, and...]
;
B[ci]
;
W[bm]
;
B[bl]
;
W[bn]
;
B[al]
;
W[ij]
C[   ...pushes through the center with W7 &...]
;
B[hl]
;
W[jj]
C[   ...W9. However...]
;
B[mp]
C[   ...the moves of B "a", W "b" & B "c" are left, and B can attack at B10.
   This way is far from clear.]
LB [dk])
)

(
;
W[ag]
C[   W captures at W1...]
;
B[ci]
C[   ...and after B2...]
;
W[bm]
C[   ...forces with W3 &...]
;
B[bl]
;
W[bn]
C[   ...W5 before...]
;
B[al]
;
W[gm]
C[   ...defending in the center with W7.]
;
B[lk]
C[   B8 cannot be omitted.]
;
W[kb]
C[   Now W fixes the position with W9 &...]
;
B[db]
;
W[qg]
C[   ...W11 &...]
;
B[of]
;
W[po]
C[   ...then turns to the attack at W13, establishing a clear advantage. In the
   upper right, W still has the move of W "a" to aim at, while W can also
   look forward to splitting B in the center by playing at B "b".]
LB [nk])
)

(
;
W[cj]
C[   W forces with W1, and then...]
;
B[bi]
;
W[fn]
C[   ...extends at W3.]
;
B[en]
C[   B can play at B4 and push W around, but...]
;
W[dm]
;
B[fm]
;
W[gn]
;
B[hn]
;
W[gm]
;
B[gl]
;
W[hm]
;
B[hl]
;
W[im]
;
B[fl]
;
W[ck]
;
B[bk]
;
W[bn]
;
B[bl]
;
W[br]
C[   ...W can live in the corner with W19.])
)

(
;
W[fn]
C[   W1 was the fastest way to win.]
;
B[kp]
C[   If B cuts with B2 &...]
;
W[ko]
;
B[lp]
C[   ...B4...]
;
W[jn]
C[   ...W makes a hanging connection with W5, and then...]
;
B[np]
;
W[jj]
C[   ...when W plays W7 &...]
;
B[ij]
;
W[lj]
C[   ...W9, B's stones in the center are doomed. If B uses B6 in this variation
   \(the B marked stone\) to defend the center at B9, W plays at the point of
   the marked stone, and by destroying B's chances for territory here, W will
   take the lead.]
LB [np])
)

(
;
B[dm]
;
W[em]
;
B[fo]
C[   ...and B3...]
(
;
W[en]
C[   ...if W gives in with W4...
   
   \(But instead of being forced, W will play at W "a".\)]
;
B[dr]
;
W[cq]
;
B[iq]
C[   ...B plays the moves to B7.])

(
;
W[cj]
C[     Instead of answering B's forcing move of the B marked stone, I intended
     to play W1 through...]
LB [fo]
;
B[bi]
;
W[ck]
;
B[bk]
;
W[bn]
;
B[bl]
;
W[dr]
C[     ...W7, defending the corner.])
)
)

(
;
B[ii]
C[   B should first defend the center with B1.]
;
W[gi]
C[   Then, when W plays W2...]
;
B[bj]
C[   ...B slides to B3, and the game will be a long and drawn out one. B can
   still aim at cutting at B "a".]
LB [gg])
)

(
;
B[me]
C[   After B1, if W plays at W "a", B attaches at B "b", and the race to
   capture \(semeai\) that results does not look promising for W.]
LB [jb]
;
W[ld]
C[   Therefore, W will connect at W2...]
;
B[ic]
C[   ...forcing B to live with B3 &...]
;
W[jc]
;
B[hc]
C[   ...B5.]
;
W[kg]
C[   I intended to attach at W6 next, and B does not seem to be that much
   better.])
)

(
;
B[bj]
C[   What is one to make of S's statement? Certainly, B1 is a briskly paced
   move, but W forces with...]
;
W[ib]
C[   ...W2, and up to...]
;
B[ic]
;
W[jc]
;
B[hc]
;
W[lc]
;
B[nb]
;
W[kb]
;
B[ie]
;
W[he]
;
B[hd]
;
W[jd]
;
B[db]
C[   ...B13, although B has been allowed to live, W has become very thick...]
;
W[eq]
C[   ...and can turn to the attack with W14 &...]
;
B[fp]
;
W[ip]
C[   ...W16. This position is promising for W.])
)

(
;
B[me]
C[   S: B1 through...]
;
W[ld]
;
B[nf]
C[   ...B3 was best.])
)

(
;
B[cc]
C[   Entering at the 3-3 point with B1 is normal.]
;
W[eb]
C[   If W blocks at W2...]
;
B[be]
C[   ...B has an easy reply at B3.]
;
W[gc]
C[   When W cuts at W4...]
;
B[hc]
C[   ...B feels no regret in discarding 2 stones with B5 and the following.]
;
W[gb]
;
B[hb]
;
W[fa]
)
)

(
;
B[eb]
C[   B1 views the marked B stone lightly...]
LB [cf]
;
W[cc]
;
B[jd]
C[   ...and then B develops on the upper side with B3.])
)

(
;
W[fe]
;
B[cc]
C[   After B invades the corner at B2...]
;
W[ec]
;
B[gc]
;
W[cd]
;
B[bd]
;
W[bb]
;
B[bc]
;
W[cb]
;
B[ge]
;
W[ff]
;
B[ch]
C[   ...the joseki proceeds up to B12. The distance between B's positions on
   the upper side is just right, while managing to make a comfortable
   position on the left side as well.])
)

(
;
B[cc]
C[   In answer to B1, if W blocks at W "a", B pushes at B "b", and W's marked
   stone turns into a lax move.]
LB [cd]
;
W[cd]
C[   Therefore, W blocks at 2, and when...]
;
B[dc]
C[   ...B plays B3...]
;
W[ed]
C[   ...W pushes vigorously with W4 &...]
;
B[ec]
;
W[ge]
C[   ...with W6 and the following...]
;
B[hd]
;
W[he]
;
B[id]
;
W[ie]
;
B[jd]
C[   ...W cedes territory on the upper side to B in return for...]
;
W[eq]
C[   ...an attack on the lower side with W12 &...]
;
B[fp]
;
W[ip]
C[   ...W14. This is one possible game.])
)

(
;
W[dn]
C[   If W defends at W1...]
;
B[jp]
C[   ...and the game proceeds in an ordinary manner...]
;
W[nc]
;
B[pf]
;
W[jd]
C[   ...through W5...]
;
B[cc]
C[   ...B next invades at the 3-3 point with B6, which is an ideal point to
   play in this position. No matter which side W blocks on, W will end up
   consolidating just one large territory. This will be inadequate to counter
   B's set-up.])
)