The Games
Apart from game 2, played in Shiba Park in Tokyo, and game 5 played in Gunma Prefecture, the match was held in various locations actually in Kamakura. The first game was in the Buddhist temple Kenchō-ji. Game 3 was in Engaku-ji, as were games 4, 6 and 9. The games 7, 8 and 10 were in the Hachiman Shinto shrine in Kamakura.
The starting conditions of the match were tagaisen; since the players were of equal rank: colours alternated, with Kitani winning the nigiri. There was no komidashi. Largely unexpectedly, Kitani went 1-5 down over the first six games, and so was subject to beating down. The final four games, beginning 29 December 1940, were therefore played at sen-ai-sen, with Kitani taking Black twice, White, then Black. Of those final games, Go Seigen could win only the second, so that with a net score of 4-6 and a win with White Kitani had salvaged some of his reputation.
All ten games are masterpieces, with both players showing great spirit.
Read more about this topic: Kamakura Jubango
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