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Hiroshima - Honinbo - 75 years on

Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 3:03 pm
by John Tilley
Today marks the 75th anniversary of the dropping of the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. The second game of the 3rd Honinbo Title Match took place on August 4th, 5th and 6th in Hiroshima - the game was moved to the suburbs, as constant air raids made the city centre too dangerous. Iwamoto and Hashimoto Utaro were re-playing the moves of the first two days when the bomb dropped at 8:15am. The players cleared up the mess, had lunch and finished the game.

The best article in English is in "The Go Companion" by John Fairbairn and T Mark Hall - a "must read" article.

Some fifteen years after Hiroshima the Nihon Kiin founded the English language Go magazine "Go Monthly Review" in January 1961. I spent 14 months in Japan from 1969 to 1970 - Iwamoto sponsored me for a visa and was my teacher, Segoe (the match referee) was a regular visitor to Iwamoto's Go saloon in Ebisu, Tokyo on Sundays and he often joined in ren-Go games. Segoe was I think the first professional to visit the UK. Hashimoto came by once to Ebisu in August 1970 and he and Iwamoto left together early - perhaps for dinner. Segoe and Iwamoto were both very enthusiastic and supportive in their efforts to spread Go around the world and that is something we should all remember.

John Tilley

Re: Hiroshima - Honinbo - 75 years on

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2020 12:37 am
by Ferran
I usually replay that game, yes. Well, half of it. I'll try to replay it this weekend, but I have some things I must do first.

I don't have the Companion, but there's also a good review in "Honinbo Tournament - The early years", J. Fairbairn.

BTW, does anyone know if there's a Free [as in speech] commentary of that game?

Take care.

Re: Hiroshima - Honinbo - 75 years on

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2020 3:47 am
by John Tilley
There is a 20 page commentary in "Modern Master Games - Volume 1" by van Zeijst and Bozulich, with historical notes by John Power.

It's not free - but then for US$11.99 as ePUB it's good value.

Take Care - John

Re: Hiroshima - Honinbo - 75 years on

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2020 5:47 am
by Ferran
John Tilley wrote:It's not free - but then for US$11.99 as ePUB it's good value.
Sure, but I'm looking for a commentary that's free to share and modify.

Take care.

Re: Hiroshima - Honinbo - 75 years on

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2020 1:44 pm
by Ferran
Looks like I can't upload it properly, but...here.

Sometimes I even feel I understand the moves...

Take care.