An interview with Han Sanghoon, 1-dan

An interview with Han Sanghoon, 1-dan, the first 1-dan in Go history, who entered the final match of the World Go Championship (LG cup).

Congratulations! What was the most difficult game in this tournament?
The last one with On Sojin, 4-dan. It was really close finally and I think, that I was slightly behind until the endgame stage.

You became a professional about 1 year ago. Did you think that you can reach the final match of the World Go Championship so quickly?
I remember that it was very hard to become a professional. I was almost 18 and it was my last chance to win the qualification among inseis. Of course, I did not think, that I can show good results quickly. I was surprised, that professional tournaments are not much harder than the insei league :)

What are your weakest and strongest parts in Go?
I am weak at the opening, but I feel myself confident in middlegame fights. Usually I try to defend my groups solidly, before fighting.

Who is the hardest opponent for you?
Yun Junsang, 6-dan. I lost him twice and feel that he is much stronger than me. Also his Go style is very impressive.

What do you think about your final match with Lee Sedol, 9-dan. How big are your chances?
I never played him before, but I saw lot of his game records and I know that Lee Sedol, 9-dan is much stronger than me. Any way, I will try to win the match! Usually I am not afraid of the star opponents at all!

Translated from korean by Alexander Dinerchtein