Shusaku vs. Kajikawa
By
Michael Redmond
Posted: 2025-05-11T00:10:22Z
Kajikawa Shurei studied Go under Honinbo Shuwa and reached Shodan at the age of 17, eventually advancing to 5-dan.
In 1857 he played Honinbō Shūsaku with a two-stone handicap, achieving 6 wins, 2 losses, and a jigo. In this game the handicap has changed to sen-ni-sen and Kajikawa is taking Black (no komi). Kajikawa Shurei was a physician by profession.
Shusaku's play was characterized by his clear and elegant playing style, as well as his precise positional judgment, which rivaled that of Shūwa. His signature opening as Black, known as "Shūsaku’s Opening," was and still is highly regarded for its solid and reliable nature.In this game his opponent uses it against him.
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