In the opening round of the 51st Go Meijin Title Challengers' League organized by Asahi Shimbun, Toramaru Shibano achieved a victory over Atsushi Ida after 192 moves, marking his second consecutive win in the tournament. Although still early in the league, with only the third round having begun, Shibano is currently the only undefeated player. He aims for a rematch against the previous champion, Ryota Iyama, who had defeated him in the last year's challenge. On the other hand, Ida is struggling with a record of 1 win and 2 losses, putting him at a disadvantage early in the competition.

The match showcased an intense battle of large formations where both players sought to establish their territories, making the situation difficult to assess. In the middle game, Shibano capitalized on an opportunity by invading the central territory held by Ida, further disrupting Ida's black formations on the right side, thereby gaining a substantial lead. Ida, in an attempt to reverse his fortunes, aggressively attacked Shibano's white formations in the upper left but ultimately failed to secure a comeback, allowing Shibano to clinch the match.

Looking ahead to March, Shibano is set to face Katsumi Motoki, who currently has 2 wins and 1 loss, while Ida will compete against Juki Kuwahara, who has yet to secure a victory. The outcomes of these upcoming matches will be crucial as players strive to improve their standings in the league and continue their pursuit of the Meijin title.