American Go E-Journal » Samsung Cup

Won Seongjin Wins 16th Samsung Cup

Thursday December 8, 2011

After several months of preliminaries and finals, the 16th Samsung Cup wrapped up surprisingly quickly this week, with a three game match between Won Seongjin 9P and Gu Li 9P. The games were played over three consecutive days starting on December 5, 2011. Won clinched the third game on December 7, scoring a 2-1 win, as well as his first major international title. Both players are renowned for their thick and powerful fighting styles, but many go fans expected Gu, who’s known as ‘muscle man’ in Asia, to defeat ‘Won punch‘ in the heavyweight stakes. Even if Gu’s fans were disappointed with the results, they can’t have been disappointed with the games, which thoroughly demonstrated the power and creativity of both masters.
– Jingning; Games and photos are available in her original article: Won Seongjin wins 16th Samsung Cup! 

Photo: Gu Li 9P (left) and Won Seongjin 9P play the opening of the second game.

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Gu Li and Won Seongjin Reach 16th Samsung Cup Final

Sunday November 6, 2011

The finalists for the 16th Samsung Cup were set on November 3. Won Seongjin 9P defeated Chen Yaoye 9P and Gu Li 9P eliminated Na Hyun 1P (a day earlier) in the quarter finals. The Samsung Cup quarter finals are played as a best of three match, rather than a straight knockout. Gu Li taught young talent Na Hyun a thing or two, defeating him in two straight games. Meanwhile, Won Seongjin and Chen Yaoye fought it out to the bitter end. Their third game was a 355 move epic, featuring numerous interesting moves and ko fights. This sets the stage for a China vs Korea final, which will surely be please the sponsor. The final will start on December 6, 2011. Check the Pro Go Calendar for details on the Samsung Cup and other tournaments as they’re added.

– David Ormerod; based on his original article: Gu Li to face Won Seongjin in 16th Samsung Cup final (which includes game records and more photos).

Photo: Won Seongjin 9P (left) counts the second game with Chen Yaoye 9P.

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Samsung Cup Group Stage Results

Monday August 29, 2011

The group stage of the 16th Samsung Cup finished on August 26. Unlike other go tournaments, the Samsung Cup doesn’t use a straight knockout in the round of 32. Instead, the players compete in groups of four, with two players advancing from each group. Go Game Guru has a more detailed explanation of how the Samsung Cup round of 32 works. Lee Changho 9P made it through to the next round after receiving a wildcard qualification for the group stage, which he initially expressed reservations about accepting. Unfortunately for Park Junghwan 9P (recent winner of the 24th Fujitsu Cup) and Piao Wenyao 9P (who won the 15th LG Cup in February 2011), luck was not on their side and they’ve both been eliminated. Park and Piao faced very strong competition in a group with Chen Yaoye 9P and Li Zhe 6P. Soccer fans would call this the ‘Group of Death’. The Chinese tiger cub generation are making their presence felt, as are young pros from Korea. In particular Li Xuanhao 3P and Na Hyun 1P are both only 16 years old! This promises to be a very exciting tournament. Here’s the draw for the round of 16, which will be played in Korea starting on October 4 (that’s October 3, US time).

Lee Changho 9P vs Gu Li 9P
Lee Sedol 9P vs Kong Jie 9P
Kim Junghyun 3P vs Chen Yaoye 9P
Kim Jiseok 7P vs Li Zhe 6P
Won Seongjin 9P vs Li Xuanhao 3P
Na Hyun 1P vs Peng Liyao 5P
Lee Younggu 8P vs Tan Xiao 5P
Park Younghun 9P vs Guo Wenchao 5P

– Jingning; based on her Samsung Cup reports at Go Game Guru. Photo: Li Zhe 6P (left) plays Park Junghwan 9P.

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