Matsumoto versus Mori

White's Free King and left-side Dragon King are removed from the board, and their squares are occupied by the Vertical Movers. The Ferocious Leopard in turn occupy the squares vacated by the Vertical Movers, and then White starts the game.

There is a strageic problem with this Free King maneuver when the Dragon Kings are placed on 6k and 7k. Where is the King to go?

With the centre sure to open up in the future, the King will not look safe there. But moving the King towards the Free King doesn't seem to be a good idea either. This leaves the left flank as the only place to put the King, but it is natural for White to attack on that side, and he now makes the first move to do so.

Both sides have strong central positions, so the game is likely to be quite slow. Black has fallen further behind in development owing to the maneuvers with the Kylin. White's Ferocious Leopards are in good positions for action both in the centre and on the flanks.

Threatens a fork with the Phoenix.

The Free King looks to be well placed on 2k, as Black can either bring a Dragon King behind it to attack down the second file, or he could play BT - 4j, DE - 5k then K - 6l - 5l - 4l - 3l. White promptly discourages this latter plan by preparing to attack on this side (I don't know that either player was thinking about Black castling on this side ‐ Black for one promptly does the opposite).

Promptly removing the King from Black's threatened line of action. White now looks to have the better prospects on both flanks. Black is strong in the centre, but it is not clear how he can open it up. Somehow he must activate his Lion. Attacking on the fourth fifth and sixth files looks to be his best plan.

I don't understand this.

Mori starts his attack. I don't see why Matsumoto promptly takes the Pawn.

White has been keeping Black too busy during the last ten moves, to let him try opening up the eighth file for exchanges. But now Matsumoto might try Ph - 10k for that purpose. Instead he concentrates on driving the White Lion back.

I cannot see why Matsumoto elected to sacrifice the Dragon Horse for the Rook. Taking the tokin with the Blind Tiger seems perfectly safe to me.

Ln - 7h, B - 2c, Ln - 6h is more natural, but the Lion's route to attacking the White King is solidly barred by the Copper and Silver Generals, the Ferocious Leopard, the Bishop and the Dragon Horse. Perhaps this is why Matsumoto elects to defend instead.

Already the Black Phoenix is under terrible pressure. Black's last three moves have ensured bad shape for his King. Instead he should have been thinking of playing something like P - 9h, G - 9i, DH - 10j and BT - 9j.

Answering with Ky - 8h looks best. White could then play Ln - 10e, threatening Ln - 8g, so Black would be far from comfortable.

Mori must have been certain of winning to play this move, as Black has no threats here.

This move is just too dangerous, considering White's follow-up. But I can't suggest how Black is to play any better at this stage.

To protect the Lion, so that Black cannot answer B - 8f with Ln - 8h. Now Black should play something like FK - 1l to stay in the game.

Matsumoto resigns. There is little point in playing on. If SM - 4j, the simple approach is to play Ln - 5i, SM x 3j, Ln x 4k, SM - 8j (perhaps), Ln - 3i, mopping up. White can get a White Horse to provide further support, once the 10k/1b digonal becomes blocked.