From: bogin YAHOO CO JP> Date: 27 mar 2003 Subject: Habu Ryu-O will challenge Moriuchi Meijin for the Meijin Title The final playoff game for the right to challenge Moriuchi Meijin for his title took place yesterday, March 26, at the Shogi Kaikan in Tokyo. Habu Ryu-O defeated Sato Kisei in 98 moves. Game 1 of the best of 7 match between Habu Ryu-O and Moriuchi Meijin will begin on April 17 in Nara Japan. Habu Ryu-O's results have been some what up and down so far this year. He did defend his Ryu-O title by coming back against Abe 7-dan, and then recaptured the Osho tile from Sato Kisei. He also won the 36th he won the Quick-play Championship. But he got knocked out of the NHK Cup by Tomioka 8-dan and then was defeated in the challenger finals for the Asahi Open by Fukuura 7-dan. However, he did come from behind to win when he had to in the A Class and then beat 2 tough opponents in the playoff games so perhaps he has a little momentum on his side. Moriuchi Meijin has been busy for the past 6 months or so hosting the NHK TV Shogi Lesson and as far as I know hasn't done to well in any of the other challenger tournaments for the other Big 6 titles. He also got knocked out in the 3rd round in the NHK Cup tournament and thus wasn't able to defend that title. Also, since he is the reigning Meijin, he hasn't had to play through a tough A Class schedule as Habu Ryu-O did. So, perhaps he may be a little rusty. Any predictions on who will win? Bill Gaudry __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! BB is Broadband by Yahoo! http://bb.yahoo.co.jp/