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2013 Yokohama ST Commentary: Round 4

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Go to: Before the Tournament, Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4, Round 5, Round 6, Round 7, Round 8, Round 9, Round 10, Round 11, Round 12, Round 13, Round 14, After the Tournament.

Henry, Kristen, Liam and I walk half a block to the nearest bento shop, and bring back food to eat in the playing room. I get the chicken karaage bento. The weather feels a little cooler today, only 34°C and 47% relative humidity, but we're glad to be back in the 23°C playing room.

Masanori Yasoshima substitutes for Oil as Player #8 this afternoon.

I'm enjoying the level of politeness and formality in Japanese play. It's not unheard of for English players to say "thanks for the game", but it's practically obligatory here, and I've even heard it followed with "otsukaresamadeshita", a formulaic phrase used to express gratitude and sympathy for another person's efforts.

Board 1: Kunihiko Kuroda (JPN) vs. Kien Hung Yeo (MYS). Cool play: TOTALISER# (not challenged); it has an even cooler anagram. 385-380 to Henry, his closest win.

Board 2: Yoshihisa Itsubaki (JPN) vs. Kunihiko Kuroda (JPN). Bingos: COALMEN, HINDERS, ANTIFUR. 438-261 to Itsubaki.

Board 3: Isao Takemura (JPN) vs. Tadao Takeda (JPN). Bingos: SURGING, OUTLIVE. 345-342 to Takeda, another squeaker.

Board 4: Warodom Geamsakul (JPN) vs. Yasoshima. Bingo: STIRRING. 350-312 to Warodom.

Henry leads 4-0 +1106 ahead of Hirai +777.