Mori versus Fukui

In this commentary, I make frequent reference to a commentary by Wayne Schmittberger in New rules for classic games [Schmittberger92].

This is a little doubtful ‐ the Free King will be better placed on the back rank (it is still possible to move it to 5l, after the Gold moves). Here it may be vulnerable in the middle game, if the centre opens up.

This Pawn sacrifice is designed to free White's position, and drive Black's Lion away from it's dominant position.

Now White takes command in the centre. I think P - 5g was too early for Black ‐ he should have developed a bit more steadily ‐ GB - 4g before P - 5g is usually better. When Black saw Ky - 7e, he should have played Ky - 7g himself. This would emphasis Black's space advantage.

Wayne suggests that White is not worried about Black winning a Pawn by Ln - 2f, as White's attack is quick and dangerous. Whilst the point is true, Black cannot play Ln - 2f as White can respond with P - 2e, and the Lion must go back again. Then White can play P - 8g with an attack.

Black's previous move was part of a plan to defend with the Side Mover along the fifth rank. This is not so good, as White can simply attack it. But Now Black makes another poor move.

The temptation for White is to capture the Go-Between. This will give him an extra piece with which to assault Black's position. But Black can counter with Ph - 10g, DH - 9f, Ph x 12e, SM - 12d, Ph x 10c. Then SM - 12h - 9h will give strong pressure on the twelfth file, as Wayne points out.

However, White simply plays developing moves, and Black loses several tempi, when he still attempts to sally with the Phoenix (if he were to simply defend the GB with P - 9h, White will be able to speed his attack with GB - 9f, wrecking Black's defences.).

Aiming at the Side Mover immediately it moves forward. At least, if I had been playing it, that would have been the intention. Judging by the way Fukui follows up, he is simply developing his overall attacking position. Exchanging on 8h is premature, as Black can play GB - 9g if his Copper comes forward to 8h.

Black has again advanced an edge Pawn. Since he is not in a position to launch an attack on the edge, this is a mistake (if the intention is to pre-empt P - 1f by White, then it is false thinking, as for White to play this would be helping Black to attack ‐ the Lion will be able to capture the Pawn).

BT - 9b is played to allow B - 9a, defending 5e, and threatening at some time to play P - 5f. I think this is too slow to be worth playing. White should simply continue with his own attack (FL - 10e - 11f etc.).

Black prepares to sacrifice the Side Mover. White should respond with P - 10g, effectively cramping Black, keeping the Phoenix from participating in the defence of the tenth file, intensifying the pressure on 8h, and giving his Lion a good square on 10f. Then advancing the Go-Between will be very strong, and White will be able to pick off the Side Mover at his leisure. In the meantime, the pressure in the centre is maintained.

Black has taken advantage of the diversion of the Lion to the flank, to relieve some of the pressure in the centre. Now 10f is no longer available to the Lion, as Black can respond with B - 4l and C - 8h, further relieving the centre.

White should not capture this Copper, as it brings Black's Lion into action with a gain of tempo. Wayne suggests P - 7f, followed by C - 6d - 7e.

If White plays C - 8h, B - 4l, C x 8i=, B x 11e, C x 8j=, DK 5j x 8j, P x 11e follows. Then Black can play S - 8g. Better for Black is re-capturing with R x 8j, P x 11e, R - 10j. White is still handicapped by his Lion blocking the Go-Between, so Wayne's suggestion looks best.

Wayne praises this move, but I cannot see the point in it. Since White intends to play DH - 5k and P - 2h anyway, and the Bishop's position does not interfere in this plan, he may as well leave it where it is for now. He cannot stop S - 7g in any case, nor can he stop the White Lion from moving to 6f if it so desires..

If Ph - 6g or Ph x 10g, then P - 7i+ is strong. In fact, Black would be helpless.

This is very bad, as Black's bad move of P - 1g is now transformed into a powerful attacking move. DH - 4c is correct, and White would still be ahead.

Premature. Black must play VM - 3c urgently, so as to fix up his shape. The move he plays is consistent with DH - 1d, as he is looking to play DH x 5h next. But he will not get the chance, as now Black is able to justify B - 3k.

Fukui is being stubborn in persistently attacking the Copper. He must still play VM - 3c. Black could then attack with P - 1f, P x 1f, RC x 1f, DH - 2c, P - 2e, making full use of his Bishop on 6h (he has P - 3e next, after VM - 3d).

He should play Ln - 5d. Then White can play P - 1f, VM - 3c, P x 1f, DH - 2c, P - 2e, VM - 3d, P x 2e+, VM x 2d, B x 3e. Or simply B - 5g. Who is ahead? I think it is Black.

Fukui prefers to go in for an exchange. If this were a little later in the game, it would be good for him. As it is his bad shape on the left flank proves fatal.

I don't understand why Mori makes this exchange now. I would just play S - 8i.

An indication that Black is in command. White is unable to make use of his majority of vertically-moving pieces. Now that the centre is stabilised, we will see the Lion start to play it's part.

I suggest that this is an indication that the repetition rule in force was repetition-by-position. If the rule were repetition-by-sequence, Black could now play Ln - 4f, and White would not be able to answer with DH - 6d.

The wrong way.