■Ricoh Cup Quarterfinals and Semifinals

The Penalty of 3 Moku Divides Heaven and Hell

"Those 3 moku made us lose the game."

After the game, 9-dan Mr. Masao Kato smiled bitterly. His combination with 8-dan Ms. Kazuko Sugiuchi had been showing remarkable stability on the board. However, this pair suffered an unexpected defeat because of a psychological effect that is special to pro players.

During the game, the pair of Ms. Osawa and Mr. Rin played in wrong order and was subjected to komidashi of 3 moku as the penalty under the Ricoh Cup rules. It is said that 3.5 moku is a large difference in professional Go games. As such a sense has rooted in pro players' mind, the penalty of 3 moku is a factor that can cause much disturbance in the game.

Commentator Mr. Kudo said sympathetically, "Now the pair of Ms. Osawa and Mr. Rin has given komi of 8.5-moku in total. It is a great disadvantage." From the opponent's viewpoint, it was natural for Mr. Kato to say that he had become careless due to the additional 3 moku given. Because of the advantage that would lead to a complete victory, Mr. Kato was off his guard for a moment. It was a pitfall. As shown on the game record, the white stones on the center that should have been connected to the white stones on the left part were cut off by the black 137th and following moves. The pair of Ms. Sugiuchi and Mr. Kato suffered a reversal for a moment.

The other quarterfinal was competed between the pair of Ms. Kumiko Yashiro and Mr. Koichi Kobayashi (playing first) and the pair of Ms. Mitsuru Koyama and Mr. Hideo Otake. When the battle which had broken out on the upper part ended, the white stones on the center were about to be connected to the white stones on the lower part by way of the white 102nd move. In an attempt to prevent the connection, the black pair started a strong attack with its 103rd move against the white stones on the center. Thus, another battle began. As a result of intense furikawari from the right part to the bottom right corner, the black pair gained the upper hand. The only alternative left for the white pair was to attack the black stones on the lower part. Again, the black pair returned fire by punching the opponent one after another. At last, the black pair succeeded in killing the white stones on the center to advance to the finals.