My most memorable game is a game I played with Cho U, who at the time held the title, in the 28th King of the News Stars tournament. At the time, I was 24 and Cho was 23.

Although he was King of the News Stars [a junior title], Cho had won 70 games the year before and just before this game he had become the Honinbo challenger, so he was enjoying fantastic form.

Being slated to play such an opponent, I was scared even before the game started, but I remember that as the game got nearer this changed to a feeling of happy anticipation at being able to play such a strong player.

Though I had planned to play a leisurely opening, my opponent plunged into fighting mode, perhaps because it was an opening he often played. He spent almost no time on his moves. I played cautiously but started to feel uneasy.

In the counterattack of 16, I should have played 25 instead of 24; after the exchange for Black's connection, I could then play at 24. When Black played at 25 in the game, the white position at the top was blockaded, and it had already become a tough game for me.

When I played out at 50, this relieved the pressure on me, though the position was still tough, but the lull was only for a moment. Black 55 was a good move, so White was in trouble.

The instant this move was played, I lamented to myself: 'Was that move possible?' After that, there was nothing good for White. In the end, Black wrapped up the game brilliantly.

With the game a convincing loss, I was left full of regrets, but this game in which I was able to feel directly the strength of a top pro made a deep impression on me.

Revenge! That's what I would like to say, but in order to play Cho you have to win your way through a lot of preliminary rounds. Just getting to play him would be tough . . .
I will focus on doing my best and taking my games one at a time.