Yesterday (March 27) Takao Shinji and Cho U faced off in the honinbo league. They were tied at the top with 5-0 while everyone else is already showing 2 losses or more. Takao won by resignation to take the lead in the league and become the favorite to challenge titleholder Iyama Yuta. All the drama is not over yet, however. Cho is ranked 3rd in the league while Takao is 4th. As a result, Takao still needs to beat Imamura Toshiya in April or have Cho lose to Yamashita Keigo. If Cho wins and Takao loses in their final games, Cho will end up the challenger.

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Dave Sigaty
"Short-lived are both the praiser and the praised, and rememberer and the remembered..."
- Marcus Aurelius; Meditations, VIII 21

On what basis are they ranked 3rd and 4th? I can see those ranks on Mr Kin's page but no immediate reason for it.

It's based on results from previous year.

My previous post was wrong regarding how the league is decided. The Honinbo League still uses a playoff system (last used three years ago when Yamashita and Iyama tied). The final league games this year will be played on April 8th, a week from Monday. A playoff, if necessary, will be played on April 11 (per the Nihon Kiin Honinbo web page).

_________________
Dave Sigaty
"Short-lived are both the praiser and the praised, and rememberer and the remembered..."
- Marcus Aurelius; Meditations, VIII 21

No need for speculation, Takao Shinji won the league 7-0.
http://www.nihonkiin.or.jp/match/2013/04/68_1.html

Cheers,
Vesa

A few days ago Iyama defended his title in the deciding game against Takao. I hope he `ll win the Grand Slam next year !