カド番ばん

noun

make-or-break game; crucial match

In go or shogi tournaments, a game where a player risks demotion or elimination if they lose. Often used in professional title matches or league play.

• 名めい人じん戦せんのカド番ばんで、挑ちょう戦せん者しゃは負まけられない一いっ局きょくを迎むかえた。

  In the make-or-break game of the Meijin title match, the challenger faced a must-win situation.

noun

ozeki in danger of demotion

In sumo, an ozeki who failed to get a winning record in the previous tournament and must achieve at least 8 wins in the current 15-day tournament to avoid losing the rank.

• 先せん場ば所しょ負まけ越こした大おお関ぜきは、今こん場ば所しょカド番ばんで迎むかえる。

  The ozeki who had a losing record last tournament enters this tournament in danger of demotion.