Overview

• Game 1 began at 9 a.m. local time at the Matsuin‑tei tea room in Hamamatsu with three hours of main time each and a result expected tonight.
• By nigiri, Shida took Black and played the first move at the right‑upper komoku, leading to sustained fighting in the same corner.
• Stand‑by official Naoto Hikosaka said Ichiriki pressed into battle and predicted a narrow decision late in the game.
• Ichiriki seeks a third straight Tengen defense and arrives fresh off winning the Agon Kiriyama Cup on October 1.
• Shida is making his first challenge for one of Japan’s seven major titles, and Chunichi Web is streaming live coverage of the match.