60496 This was the scene of the last game of the match against Meijin Nakahara, tied with three wins, three losses, one "jishogi" impasse and two "sennichite" draws.
60497 Before making this move each time, Kato would say, "One minute left. Aah, hmm, humph..." his face turning bright red.
60498 An "Ah-ha" must have inadvertently escaped from his lips.
60499 According to Kato, "I advanced, thinking there was nothing else to do but play a sportsmanlike game. Nakahara must have known. The instant I made the move the game was up."
60500 The sixth game of the 41st tournament.
60501 Kato, who had captured his sought-after Meijin title in the previous tournament, was challenged and consecutively defeated by the 21-year old youngster Tanigawa in the opening three games of the series, who created a public sensation as "the youngest ever Meijin".
60502 This was the decisive move.
60503 At this time the media coverage was overwhelming, something still fondly recalled even today.
60504 In the hallway outside the playing room, reporters were holding their breath waiting for the end of the game.
60505 From this time, the new Meijin began to hold a press conference after the final game.
60506 Tanigawa states, "At the end of the game I blanked and I could no longer see my hands. Under these circumstances, I think I dropped my rook at 7-1 with control."
60507 The fourth game of the 51st tournament.
60508 It was Yonenaga's seventh attempt at the Meijin title and it looked like he could remain the "unlucky" shogi player, but he avenged his past defeats with superb game development to win the title and become the oldest Meijin ever at 49 years and 11 months.
60509 It became evident in one instant of the fourth game that he would attain his fervent wish.