also: よいしょうぶ
close contest; even match; worthy opponent
Describes a competition or comparison where the participants are nearly equal in skill or quality, making the outcome uncertain and exciting. Often used in sports, games, or any competitive situation.
昨日の試合は本当にいい勝負だった。
Yesterday's game was a really close contest.
彼とチェスをすると、いつもいい勝負になる。
When I play chess with him, it's always an even match.
接戦 specifically refers to a 'close battle' or 'tight game', focusing on the narrow margin. いい勝負 is broader and can describe any evenly matched situation, not just a nail-biter.
Most common spelling; uses the colloquial いい reading.
More formal or written variant using 良い; can also be read いいしょうぶ in casual contexts, but the よい reading is standard for this spelling.
Compound of いい (good) and 勝負 (match, contest). The phrase literally means 'a good match', implying a well-fought, evenly balanced competition.