It is already New Year. I have officially submitted my thesis, though I am still working on technical corrections. I hope to publish it after my final exams.

January means that there is Joryu Meijin eliminations and I have to write an update about my games.

I have played two games, the first one was last week, against LPSA Ooba Ladies 1dan. It was a central rook vs ibisha game. In later middle I took the lead and did not let it go until end.

Winning this game meant, that my next opponent would be Shimizu Ladies 6dan. So I have been preparing the whole week. Yesterday, I had honor of facing Shimizu sensei in a battle.

I went to the game with this mind set “either I win, or lose and learn something valuable”. This let me relax and concentrate on the game. As predicted, the game was Nakabisha vs ibisha with closed Bishop line. I have gained small material advantage in the beginning, but later was left without the rook (which I gave up for a gold). I have managed to get the knight and the lance with a tokin, but Shimizu sensei put one horse to defense and two rooks to attack. However, the difference in the defense structure was big. I had full castle defending with bottom pawn and then counterattacked using lance. In the end I have surrounded her king and won.

I have not realized the excitement until I left the game room. I remember the result surprised many people, including my shisho. I had to go for a long walk around the city to calm myself down.

I am not satisfied. I feel that I still can still improve a lot. I remember the scary feeling of Shimizu sensei reading all the endgame variations with amazing speed. Maybe that I can improve before the next game. And I have a huge respect for Shimizu sensei after the game.

And I cannot let it go into my head. My opponent will prepare double carefully for the next game for sure. I shall as well. Wish me luck.