The first game of the 46th Kiou Title series 5-game match ,where Itonai 8-dan was challenging Watanabe Kiou was held at Tokyo Shogi kaikan on February 6th.
At first there were supposed to be held at Utunomiya ground hotel in Tochigi prefecture on February 7th. It was cancelled because the state of emergency was issued to Tochigi prefecture on January 14th and they announced that they closed from January18th to February 28th.
Challenger Itonani 8-dan has a unique career. After he graduated from Osaka University, He entered Master of Philosophy and thought . While attending gradute school, He challenged Ryuou Title series in 2014 and won the Ryuou Title from Moriuchi Ryuou(at that time). He is the first graduate professional shogi player to win crown. He is challenging title series since the 2016 Ouza title series.
Watanabe kiou wins the kiou title series for 8 consecutive years and has a permanent kiou crown. He is also playing Oushou Title series 7 game match and is winning 3 straight games.
Game form was snow roof. Sente was Watanabe Kiou. AI`s evaluation was Watanabe kiou`s predominance at opening and middle game.
Gouda 9-dan (commentator at Kiou Title) said that 90% of professional shogi player thought that Watanabe Kiou was better Situation. But Ai score was changed at middle and end game. Itotani 8-wan was better situation. Itotani 8-dan`s king was middle rank king and was difficult to catch. Finally Itotani 8-dan won with 128 moves.
It was a dramatic game at the first game. I am looking forward to seeing next game.
