The 4th-game of the Ouza Title Match

The 4th-game of the Ouza Title Match has been played today.

http://live.shogi.or.jp/ouza/kifu/62/ouza201410070101.html


I was surprised that the Challenger Toyoshima had played Central Rook Strategy, despite a static rook player. And Habu selected a countermeasure, a Silver-63 rapid attack.

Diag.1

Although △S-74 is usually said to be a bad shape as the silver advances far from the opponent's king and the knight on 81 becomes difficult to jump, △S-65 or △S-85 is the aim in this strategy. From here, oppressing the pieces with the two silvers will be important for gote.

Diag.2

▲R-56 was a bold move because the gold on 78 would be a floating piece. At a glance, △S-83 may look severe for sente, however, Totoshima naturally had calculated that during about one hour thinking. From ▲P*73, a slashing sequence, including the major pieces exchange continued.

Diag.3

After the sequence, watching this position, I couldn't say clearly which side got a won position in spite of the bishop-silver exchange. Here, as sente could make the promoted pawn with △P*74, it might be keeping the balance.

Diag.4

Now, the position is at Diag.4. I suppose Totoshima is slightly better.
The promoted pawn on 73 will be able to trade a gold. But, sente's two promoted bishops have a big influence on the board. A long endgame will still go on.