Chapter 773

Inoue Miyabi also smiled and picked up the thread.

"Right, that's the charm of competitive matches. Anything is possible."

Just then.

Both seemed to receive a prompt from the broadcast room through their headsets at the same time.

Nanjo Maimai's face immediately showed just the right amount of surprise.

"Oh? We just received an interesting piece of off-field information."

She looked at the camera.

"As far as we know, Moonlight Private Academy, where Natsume Chikage attends, and Tianhao Private Academy, where Morimoto Yūki is..."

She deliberately drew out her tone.

"Between the two schools, there seems to be some long-standing... well, you could say 'competitive relationship'."

Inoue Miyabi cooperated by showing an "I see" expression and took over the conversation.

"No wonder! That explains some of the previous situations."

He looked at Nanjo Maimai and said in a chatty tone.

"Does Nanjo-san remember the previous duel between Araki Yuai and Honda Takashi?"

Nanjo Maimai immediately understood and covered her mouth with a light laugh.

"Of course I remember. That 'exchange' after the match was quite... intense."

Inoue Miyabi shrugged helplessly and smiled bitterly at the camera.

"To be honest, the scene at that time... well, because both contestants were quite emotional and some of the content in their words was not suitable for live broadcast, the director had to urgently switch the screen and process some of the audio."

"So some viewers might not have seen the complete aftermath."

He said seriously.

"But this also shows that when contestants from the two schools meet, they really do spark some extra intense fireworks."

"Therefore, today's duel between Natsume and Morimoto..."

He looked at the two on the screen with burning eyes.

"To some extent, perhaps it also carries a certain battle for honor between the two schools."

"Thinking of it this way, the result of this match is even more anticipated!"

Nanjo Maimai nodded with a smile.

"Indeed, this undoubtedly adds an extra layer of meaning and interest to the match."

During their conversation.

Both of their gazes refocused on the real-time shogi game.

Professional keenness made them notice a certain change almost at the same time.

Inoue Miyabi spoke first, his tone carrying a hint of surprise.

"Hmm... I noticed that Natsume's shogi style today seems very different from before."

"He didn't choose the highly aggressive, even somewhat 'unorthodox' intense playing style from the previous rounds."

"Instead... it has become unusually steady, step by step."

Nanjo Maimai also immediately discovered this, appreciation showing in her eyes.

"That's right!"

"This is a very smart and timely strategic adjustment!"

Her analysis was fast and clear.

"Facing a strong enemy like Morimoto, whose fundamentals are extremely solid and who has a keen sense of the situation, if he continued to use that high-risk, wide-open surprise tactic, it would be easy for the opponent to instantly see through his intentions and give a fatal counterattack."

"At that point, the situation could take a sharp turn for the worse, falling into an irrecoverable disadvantage."

"Natsume clearly realized this."

Her tone carried approval.

"So, he decisively switched to a more solid, steady shogi style that focuses on defense and accumulation."

"This is definitely a wise and correct on-the-spot decision!"

"And this ability to flexibly and quickly adjust one's own tactical style according to the opponent's characteristics..."

She intensified her tone.

"Is precisely one of the important indicators of whether a shogi player possesses professional quality!"

Inoue Miyabi deeply agreed and sighed with emotion.

"Indeed."

"This also makes me feel even more emotional about Natsume's talent."

"Without systematic guidance, to be able to get to this point on his own, and to possess such keen tactical sense..."

He shook his head, his regret overflowing.

"His talent is really very high. If he had a famous teacher to guide him and systematic training, in time, his achievements would definitely be limitless."

"However..."

He changed the subject and returned to reality.

"As far as this game is concerned, the gap in talent might be partially compensated for by tactical adjustments, but the chasm of experience, the deep understanding of complex situations, and the resilience in the mid-to-late game..."

"These, I'm afraid, cannot be completely solved by on-the-spot changes."

Nanjo Maimai nodded gently without refuting.

The objective and professional analysis of the two commentators was clearly transmitted to the ears of many viewers through the speakers throughout the hall.

In the audience, in the area where Gu Chuan Changhong was.

This white-haired old man listened to the commentary, couldn't help but shake his head repeatedly, a smile of unknown meaning hanging on the corner of his mouth.

Only judging by rank... really too naive.

He thought to himself.

However, he also understood the judgment of these two commentators.

After all, Natsume Chikage's previous shogi style was really... too shocking.

Not only was his shogi speed breathtakingly fast, but he also especially liked walking on a tightrope, specifically choosing those high-risk, seemingly tempting but actually dangerous moves where a slight carelessness would lead to losing the whole game.

Everything was just to end the battle as quickly as possible.

He didn't care about any piece loss, nor did he pay attention to any temporary disadvantage.

This way of playing, let alone ordinary viewers and commentators, even he, an old shogi fan who had been immersed in shogi for decades, was sweating and heart-pounding when he first saw it.

If he hadn't personally asked Natsume Chikage about his thoughts later, and personally experienced that bottomless strength on the shogi board...

He would probably have been the same as those two commentators, thinking that Natsume Chikage was in dire straits this time.

But once you understand Natsume Chikage's train of thought...

You will feel a shiver and fear from the bottom of your heart.

Ordinary shogi players pursue controlling the situation, accumulating advantages, and winning steadily throughout their lives.

No one will actively place themselves in danger.

Because once a disadvantage is formed, the difficulty of recovering is like climbing a cliff.

Once the opponent's advantage snowballs, what follows is likely a crushing defeat.

Without a grand vision of the overall situation, without the terrifying computing power to see through all changes, without absolute confidence in one's own shogi strength...

It is simply impossible, and one wouldn't dare to "play with fire" like Natsume Chikage.

To be able to do this...

Gu Chuan Changhong narrowed his eyes.

I'm afraid only those "title holders" standing at the pinnacle of the shogi world, and... the "Dragon King".

This precisely shows that as long as he doesn't encounter those monster-like top professional shogi players...

Natsume Chikage facing other opponents is really like... a game between an adult and a child.

The so-called "switching to a steady shogi style"?

Gu Chuan Changhong glanced at Natsume Chikage's calm side profile on the screen.

That is probably just because...

He wanted to change his way, to complete this crushing of his 'enemy' in a more upright, more impeccable posture.

Therefore, listening to the commentators' unfavorable analysis, he just stroked his beard and smiled without saying a word.

The result will never be what you think.