American Go E-Journal » Bosai Cup

Iyama Yuta 9P has surprised many in the Go world, defeating first Lee Sedol 9P and then Gu Li 9P, to bring the Bosai Cup home for Japan.

The 1st Bosai Cup was an invitational even held in Chongqing, China. The format is similar to the Super Meijin, with one player from each of China, Japan and Korea being invited. Three matches were played to determine the winner.

In the first match, Iyama beat Lee in 205 moves, to take his place in the final. Gu then knocked Lee out of the competition and challenged Iyama. On May 18, Iyama continued his good form, winning the tournament in 208 moves.

Is this the final step in Iyama Yuta’s rise to the top? Japanese go players and Iyama’s fans around the world certainly have something to celebrate today. Congratulations Iyama Yuta!

For more details, visit: Iyama Yuta defeats Gu Li, Japan wins Bosai Cup at Go Game Guru.

– David Ormerod; compiled from the reports on Go Game Guru. Photo: Iyama Yuta 9P on top of the world, receives the Bosai Cup.

This year’s Chongqing International Golden Buddha Mountain Tourism and Cultural Festival (in China) features a three-way invitational tournament between the world’s top pros. The tournament is being called the Bosai Cup and Korea’s Lee Sedol 9P, China’s Gu Li 9P and Japan’s Iyama Yuta 9P are competing. These three are facing one another in a series of three exhibition games. Gu drew a bye in the first round, so Lee and Iyama played today (May 16 2011).

Iyama beat Lee by resignation and took the first spot in the final. In a rematch of last month’s 3rd BC Card, Gu will play Lee for the second spot in the final. The match starts at 1:00pm, May 17, Beijing time (1:00am US Eastern Time) and will be replayed live on Cyberoro. The May 18 match will be replayed the following day, also starting at 1:00pm Beijing time.

Can Iyama Yuta bring a win home for Japan?

– Jingning; based on her report Lee Sedol, Iyama Yuta and Gu Li go head-to-head at Go Game Guru, which includes the game record. Photo: (from left) Lee Sedol, Gu Li and Iyama Yuta.