Chapter 794: The high mountain is difficult to cross! Heart in chaos!

On the huge screen, the commentary booth.

The two commentators were prioritizing the analysis of the match between the two professional players at the other chess table.

But after a short period of time,

the director's instructions were clearly transmitted to their headsets, intending to switch the screen image.

Because real-time viewership data and online heat showed that there was another chess table that was attracting equal, or even more surging attention.

Just at this moment,

the screen image switched instantly.

It was exactly Table 1, the duel between Natsume Chikage and Suzuki Takayuki.

The two commentators understood and quickly adjusted their focus.

Inoue Masazo adjusted his headset, his gaze locked onto the screen like a torch.

"Alright, dear viewers, let's turn our attention to another focus battle in the final round of the fifth round!"

"At this moment, the duel has already unfolded!"

"Between Contestant Natsume Chikage, who has been creating surprises all the way and can be called one of the dark horses of this tournament, and the genius teenager Suzuki Takayuki, a third-dan in the Promotion Association who is just one step away from the door of a professional chess player!"

Nanjo Maiko quickly followed, her speaking speed smooth and clear.

"If we predict based solely on paper strength and conventional experience, this might be the group with the most obvious gap among the four sets of matchups in this round."

She skillfully called up the prepared materials.

"Contestant Suzuki Takayuki, only seventeen years old, is already a third-dan in the Promotion Association."

"Within the highly competitive Promotion Association, his winning rate and stability have long been maintained at a top level, and he is hailed by many seniors as one of the 'supernovas' who has the most hope and will win professional qualification the fastest this year."

Inoue Masazo nodded, adding analysis with his steady voice.

"Yes, Contestant Suzuki represents a certain height that young chess players can reach through the combination of systematic training and talent."

He changed the subject to the other side.

"And looking at Contestant Natsume Chikage, also young, also achieved a five-game winning streak that shocked many people, and also stood on the stage of this final battle of the fifth round."

"But according to the materials he submitted and the official records of the Shogi Association, he indeed has not undergone systematic rank certification, and lacks a resume of long-term, high-intensity professional training."

His tone carried amazement and cautious reservation.

"This is enough to prove that Contestant Natsume can break into this final round of the 'Hell Double-Header'—relying almost entirely on pure and astonishing talent!"

"Like Contestant Suzuki, he is an out-and-out 'talented contestant'!"

He paused slightly.

"However, shogi is ultimately a comprehensive art of experience, research, and tempering. In terms of systematic combat experience, deep understanding of fixed patterns, and the accumulation of 'chess sense' for dealing with various situations..."

"I'm afraid there is a distance between Contestant Natsume and Contestant Suzuki that needs time to fill."

He weighed his words, trying to be objective.

"The chess game where he defeated Contestant Morimoto Yuki in the last round was certainly brilliant, and we all witnessed Contestant Natsume's unquestionable strength."

"But regarding whether there were 'state factors' mentioned by Contestant Morimoto after the match, or 'contingency' under specific tactics, we as bystanders cannot assert, and can only remain doubtful for now."

His gaze became sharp.

"And this time, his challenge has been upgraded."

"The opponent is Suzuki Takayuki, who has a higher rank and is considered more balanced and comprehensive."

"If he can defeat this person, then the words of Contestant Morimoto that Natsume Chikage was just lucky will naturally be self-defeating."

Nanjo Maiko took over the conversation, her tone solemn.

"Indeed."

"However, Contestant Suzuki is already in the 'quasi-professional' field, and his experience and preparation must be more sufficient than previous opponents."

"He must have researched and guarded against the tactics Contestant Natsume might adopt."

She further elaborated on the chasm of strength.

"Moreover, from the 'absolute strength' scale recognized by the shogi world, 'rank' itself is a heavy weight."

"The improvement of each small rank often means the tempering of hundreds or even thousands of serious games, and the accumulation of countless failures and reflections."

"Not to mention, every promotion in rank requires facing a large number of other contestants of the same rank."

"Among so many contestants, only one can successfully advance."

"One can imagine how powerful Suzuki Takayuki, who reached quasi-professional at such a young age, is."

She looked at Suzuki Takayuki's calm side profile on the screen.

"So this also means that Contestant Natsume could defeat Contestant Morimoto, a second-dan in the Promotion Association, but might not be able to cross the barrier set by Contestant Suzuki, a third-dan in the Promotion Association and already a quasi-professional."

"The gap on paper between the two is clearly existing."

She added a piece of data.

"Even—according to the past records we have on hand, Contestant Suzuki maintains a very high winning rate in formal clashes with Contestant Morimoto."

"In addition, judging from the predicted support rate on the internet before the match, the proportion of people who are optimistic about Contestant Suzuki winning is also significantly higher than Contestant Natsume... It seems everyone is more optimistic about Contestant Suzuki."

Inoue Masazo made a phased summary.

"In summary, although Contestant Natsume can always inject incredible suspense into the tournament, based on objective analysis, the winning chance of Contestant Suzuki Takayuki in this game undoubtedly occupies a larger probability advantage."

"I don't know if Contestant Natsume can break expectations again and create a miracle. This is undoubtedly the most gripping highlight of this game."

At this time,

the gazes of the two commentators followed the real-time chess game closely.

After a few rounds of probing and clashing, the preliminary situation presented on the chessboard seemed to confirm part of their analysis.

Inoue Masazo's tone became surprised.

"The current situation... on Contestant Natsume's side, it seems slightly at a disadvantage because of the second move."

"But it's not a big problem, after all, the second move is supposed to be at a disadvantage."

"Rather, the current situation surprises me a lot. I thought there would be a one-sided situation at first, but I didn't expect Contestant Natsume to be able to go back and forth with Contestant Suzuki."

Nanjo Maiko observed carefully and said softly.

"On the chessboard, Contestant Suzuki's response appears exceptionally experienced."

"He is not shaken at all by some of Contestant Natsume's seemingly detached moves, like a chariot that has been precisely calibrated, steadily and firmly advancing toward the opponent's line."

"The most critical thing is that while applying pressure, his own formation has no flaws, and the defensive fortifications are built perfectly."

Inoue Masazo nodded, combining the data to analyze.

"Contestant Suzuki's current chess path is completely consistent with the data—a typical 'balanced type', also known as the 'orthodox school'."

"The characteristics of this type of chess player are that they are both offensive and defensive, with no obvious shortcomings. They do not deliberately pursue fierce battles or desperate defense, but choose the most 'correct' strategy that conforms to chess logic according to the natural flow of the situation, pursuing the overall 'harmony' of the situation."

He compared and looked at Natsume Chikage.

"On the other hand, Contestant Natsume... in the first few rounds, his torrential attacks made people think he was a purely 'offensive' or 'belligerent' chess player."

"But after observing these few rounds, I found that his chess style seems to have considerable elasticity and can be adjusted according to the opponent."

"Now it seems that he might be closer to the 'feeling school' or 'genius type'."

He explained.

"This type of chess player is not completely constrained by established patterns and long-term calculations, relying more on keen intuition and instantaneous inspiration, often playing unexpected 'ghost moves' or 'wonderful moves', and the chess path is difficult to fathom with common sense."

Nanjo Maiko heard this, and a flash of realization flashed in her eyes.

"Listening to Mr. Inoue say this, it is indeed so!"

"Contestant Natsume's playing, compared to Contestant Suzuki's balanced 'orthodox school', appears more elusive and unpredictable, and it is difficult for you to accurately capture the deep meaning behind his every step."

Inoue Masazo said with interest:

"I thought Contestant Natsume might appear one-sided before."

"But it seems wrong now... I don't know how both sides will respond when the time comes." ===== CHAPTER 795 =====