In the 51st Go Master League challenger selection tournament hosted by Asahi Shimbun, Yoshiki Yoto achieved a middle-game victory over Kazuaki Kuwahara, concluding the match in 228 moves. With this win, Yoto leads the league with two wins and one loss, while the recently emerging talent Kuwahara, at only 17 years old and the youngest league member, now faces two consecutive defeats.

The match began with Kuwahara taking an advantageous position early on, responding well to Yoto's strategies, and the battle intensified with complex exchanges. At one point, AI evaluations favored Kuwahara's position significantly, showing over 90% probability of his success. However, as the match progressed into a complex mid-game where strategic adjustments were limited, Yoto's battle prowess emerged as he ultimately outmatched Kuwahara in the exchanges, closing the match effectively in his favor.

Following this round, which represents the conclusion of the third phase of this season's league, only Toramaru Shibano remains undefeated with a record of 2-0, while Yoto and other competitors in the second cohort stand at 2-1 and 1-1 respectively. Upcoming matches in March will feature Yoto against Fukuoka and the anticipation builds as Shibano faces off against Motoki, outlining an exciting progression in the competitive landscape of the Go Master League.