By John Power, Japan Correspondent for the E-Journal
Choi wins 4th Go Seigen Cup
This is a Chinese tournament for women professionals founded to honor the memory of Go Seigen (Wu Chingyuan). Choi Jeong 9P of Korea, for some time now ranked as the world’s number one female player, prevailed over three Chinese players who made the semifinals and won the cup for the second time. Results follow.
Semifinals (Nov. 30). Yu Zhiying 7P (China) (B) beat Wang Chenxing 5P (China) by resig.; Choi Jeong 9P (Korea) (B) beat Fang Ruoxi 5P (China) by resig.
Final. Game One (Dec. 2). Yu (B) by resig.; Game Two (Dec. 3). Choi (B) by resig.; Game 3 (Dec. 4). Choi (W) by resig.
China wins Agon Kiriyama Cup play-off
The annual play-off between the Japanese and Chinese winners of their respective versions of the Agon Kiriyama Cup was held on December 8. Taking black, Gu Jihao 9P of China beat Kyo Kagen 9P of Japan by resignation after 165 moves. Gu also won the play-off in 2018, beating Ichiriki Ryo. China now has 16 wins to six losses in this series (four of Japan’s wins came in the first four years). Because of Covid, there was no game played in 2020. First prize is 5,000,000 yen (just under $44,000) and second is 2,000,000 yen.
Shibano wins Ryusei
The final of the 30th Ryusei tournament was telecast by the Igo & Shogi Channel, the sponsor, on December 27 (it was actually played on October 18). It featured a clash between two members of the top four in Japanese go at present. Playing white, Shibano Toramaru 9P beat Kyo Kagen (Xu Jiayuan) Judan by resignation after 162 moves. Shibano also won the 26th Ryusei.
Suzuki to challenge for Women’s Kisei
The play-off to decide the challenger for the 25th Women’s Kisei title was held on December 6. Suzuki Ayumi 7P (B) beat Kato Chie 2P by 4.5 points, so for the third year in a row the title match will feature a clash between Suzuki and Ueno Asami. Suzuki took the title from Ueno in 2020, winning 2-1, but Ueno took it back, also winning by 2-1.
Kuksu Mountains World Championship
The 7th Kuksu Mountains International Baduk Tournament was held from December 10 to 12 in Korea. It was won by Byun Sangil of Korea, who defeated his compatriot Shin Jinseo in the final. A net search using the tournament name given above (with or without the “7th”) will take you to an exemplary site with details in English not only of the main tournament but also of preliminary tournaments held in China, Taiwan and Korea. Would that all organizers of international events were so helpful.
For Japanese fans, the most interesting point was the performance of Kyo Kagen, his best in an international tournament. Selected results follow.
Round 1 (Dec. 10). Kyo Kagen 9P (Japan) (W) beat Kim Myunghoon 9P (Korea) by resig.; Byun Sangil 9P (Korea) (W) beat Kono Rin 9P (Japan) by resig.; Yamashita Keigo 9P (Japan) (B) beat Choi Jeong 9P (Korea) by 1.5 points.
Round 2 (Dec. 10). Kyo (B) beat Huang Yunsong 8P (China); Shin Jinseo 9P (Korea) (W) beat Yamashita by resig.
Semifinals (Dec. 11). Shin (W) beat Xu Jiayang 9P (China) by resig.; Byun (B) beat Kyo by resig.
Final (Dec. 12). Byun (B) beat Shin by resig.
Tomorrow: International tournament for seniors; 77th Honinbo League; Meijin League; Sumire’s progress; Promotions/Retirements; Obituary: Kikuchi Yasuro