An interview with Kong Jie, 8 dan

Kong, 8-dan becomes the top Chinese, according to September national rating. He was the first one in August, 2004, but after that he was always behind Gu Li, 9-dan. The current situation is:
1. Kong Jie, 8-dan
2. Hu Yaoyu, 8-dan
3. Gu Li, 9-dan
4. Wang Xi, 9-dan
5. Chang Hao, 9-dan

Congratulations! What is your current score in 2007?
Thank you! I played lot of tournaments and cannot remember the total score

Few weeks ago you won 13 games straight against Chinese masters, but after that you lost to Yoo Changhyuk, 9-dan (Korea) at the 1st round of the Samsung cup. What do you think about this game?
I made lot of mistakes. It was a very bad game

Did you cry after losing it?
It's normal. You cannot win all of your games – sometimes you have to lose too.

Your achievements on international arena are not so high. What is the reason?
I don't feel any difference between international and Chinese games. I try to make my best in every game. Maybe it’s a matter of time or luck

If we make an ideal Chinese team for playing international matches, which board will you take?
Gu Li, 9-dan must be the first one. Chang Hao – second. I will probably sit at the third board.

Chang Hao, 9-dan got the wild card for the Nongshim cup. What do you think about the decision of Chinese Weiqi Association and the chances of the Chinese team?
It was the right decision. Chang Hao, 9-dan is good at important matches. Chinese team never won this tournament before, but this time the chances are very high, because the team members are strongest ( A.D.: Chang Hao, Gu Li, Wang Xi, Hu Yaoyu, Peng Quan)

Lee Changho, 9-dan, as usual, will be the first board of the Korean team. Who has better chances against him? Gu Li or Chang Hao?
It's hard to say. Everything will depend on their current form.

You played against Lee Changho, 9-dan in 2003 during the Chunlan cup and beat him. What do you think about your current chances?
That time I was much weaker and it was a big sensation. I became stronger and I feel that I have good chances, if we meet each other again.

What do you think about your chances against Hu Yaoyu and Gu Li?
I played lot of games with Hu Yaoyu and feel that we are about the same strength. Gu Li has much better score in our games, so it seems that he is stronger than me.

Kong Jie, 8 dan, 25 years old.
Current record - 47 games, 34 wins, 13 losts, 4 place.

Translated from korean by Alexander Dinerchtein