An interview with Kang Changbea, new Korean professional

Kang Changbea, 7-dan (22 years old)(rights on photo), who won the Korean Prime Minister Cup in 2007, finally became a professional!

He won the Qualification tournament, open for both inseis and amateurs. The second winner of the qualification is Park Siyoul (19), who is also the former insei of the Korean Baduk Assosiation.

You may heared about Kang before. He became famous in Korea after winning the KPMC-2007 with the perfect 8-0 score. Former WAGC winner Hu Yuqing from China was second (most people think that Hu is the strongest amateur in the world). Here is the KPMC tournament table: http://senseis.xmp.net/?KoreaPrimeMinisterCupWorldBadukChampionship

Since 2006 Kang won five other important amateur tournaments and several times he successfully played in qualification stages of Profesional World Championships. He crushed such a strong opponents as Ko Guntae, 6-dan pro and O Chusong, 2-dan pro in Samsung cup qualification.

Some other info: Kang is a student of Chang Suyong, 9-dan and he is the 4th professional, produced by Chang's Go school. First 3 are almost unknown. Kang became amateur in 2005 — he was not able to stay in insei league anymore, because of his age. Kang started to play Go at the age of 7. His favorite professional is Lee Changho, 9-dan

Here you can read some interview questions, from the official KBA website.

Congratulations! Was it hard to win the qualification?
Yes, I met lot of inseis and it's much harder to beat them than regular amateurs. It's a pity that I cannot play in amateur tournaments anymore — I enjoyed them so much! I even took part in the Amateur Taewang tournament in Taegu city few days before the 1-dan qualification tournament. (A.D. Kang won it by beating Park Seunggyun, 7-dan in the final)

How do you think, can you show a good score on professional arena?
I know, that it will be very hard. Top 10 professionals are much stronger than me, but others are about the same level with top amateurs. Any way, I have a big dream — I want to win a World Professional Championship one day.

How did you study Go since 2005 the year you became an amateur?
I played in amateur tournaments it was very useful. Also, I still learned a lot from my teacher Chang and other students and teachers of his Go school. I studied even more seriosely than I was an insei!

Translated from korean by Alexander Dinerchtein

An interview with Takao Sinji, 9-dan (Japan)

Takao, 9-dan stopped the outstanding winning streak, showed by Kang Donyun, 8-dan (Korea) in Nongshim cup.
http://www.go4go.net/v2/modules/tournament/scorechart.php?key=28-10-ns

Congratulations! What do you think about your game with Kang? Most people said that he had no chances in this game.
Yes, I never was behind. Both fuseki and middlegame were good for me. Later it was a bit difficult for me to estimate the balance, because of byoyomi, so I was not sure, that I am still winning.

You are the last member of the Japanese team, but your team still has chances of winning the cup, if you win 5 games straight. What do you think about your chances?
I was afraid that Japanese team will not win any games at all. There are 4 players, who are still alive — Lee Changho, Lee Sedol, Gu Li and Chang Hao. All 4 are very good players and I cannot even think about winning 5 games straight. It will be very difficult for me to win a single game in the next stage.

Nongshim cup is a very popular tournament in Korea and China. Why is it almost unknown in Japan?
Maybe because of our bad results. I cannot see any other reasons.

According to the Nongshim cup rules only native-born players can take part in the competition. So, we cannot see Cho U and Cho Chikun in Japanese team. What do you think about this rule?
Yes, it's a pity that they cannot play. We cannot change the rules, so the only way for us is to improve the level of other candidates.

Translated from korean by Alexander Dinerchtein

An interview with Gu Li, 9-dan, who entered the final of the LG cup-2008

What do you think about your game with Lee Changho, 9-dan?
It was a hard game for me, which was very close till the lunch break. I know, that Lee Changho, 9-dan is very good at yose, so I was afraid that I will lose my game. Our score was 4-4, but I lost two very close games 0.5 and 1.5 points. It's a very common thing for Lee Changho, 9-dan to win all close positions by several points. I was surprised that I won my game in yose, after his mistakes.

You won 2 very important games against Lee Changho — LG cup semifinal and the final game of the Fujitsu cup few months ago. Can we say, that you found a key?
I believe, that Lee Changho, 9-dan is still the best master in the world. I can get good positions in fuseki against him, but it is still hard for me to keep them. I still have lot of things to learn from Lee Changho.

Your recent results in International events are very impressive. Do you think, that your Go improved a lot?
I feel, that Chinese victory in Nongshim cup was very important. Chang Hao, 9-dan won his games against Park Yeunhyun and Lee Changho. Our team got the cup even without my help as a board number one player. We got the feeling that our masters are not weaker than Koreans. It was a very important feeling!

Korean professionals think that you start playing better after winning the Fujitsu cup (by beating both Lee Sedol and Lee Changho). Do you feel so?
Yes, probably. I trust them :)

You will meet Lee Sedol in the final of the LG cup. What do you think about your chances?
Lee Sedol, 9-dan showed much better results than me on International arena. We are about the same age, but I am far behind on number of won events. I am happy, that I will meet him and I am sure, that I can learn a lot from our match.

Two aggressive players (You and Lee Sedol) won their games against two players of defending styles ( Lee Changho and Park Yuenhun). Can we say, that your styles are better?
I agree, that we have similar styles with Lee Sedol, but it's hard to say, that we show better results than players of other styles. Yes, we both won our games yesterday, but who knows, who will win next time? Both Lee Changho and Park Yeunhyun are very strong players and it's always hard to beat them.

Translated from korean by Alexander Dinerchtein

An interview with Seo Bongsu, 9-dan

An interview with Seo Bongsu, 9-dan, who will take part in King of King’'s Tournament on Tygem Go server, using his real name.

There are 32 players in total, and only one of them Seo Bongsu, 9-dan decided to show his face and play under his real name. The winner of this tournament will get $30.000, the runner up will receive $10.000.

Seo-sabonim, can you please describe us your current life?
Recently I play Go on Tygem Go server all day long. Also long time ago I decided to learn how to play on saxophone and I am taking lessons from my friend now. I thought, that it’s easy to use it, but actually it’s necessary to put a lot of efforts for creating any sound. The only sound I can create now is "Piiik…"

Why did you decide to play in King of King’s Tournament under your real name?
I know that almost all players, who will take part in this event are professionals. It’s good that I can learn something from them – it’s the main goal I have

When did you start to play Go on Tygem?
About 2 months ago. I reached 9-dan exactly in 2-months

What do you think about internet Go?
It’s interesting! Also, it’s interesting to observe games, because they are usually fast. I was a beginner few months ago. I made mouse slips often and was angry every time, when my opponents escape or write bad words about myself. Nowadays I am getting more experience and I don’t pay much attention on such things

It’s possible to choose opponents from 4 countries: Korea, China, Japan and Taiwan. Which players do you play more?
Usually I play in Chinese Room. My opponents are quite strong and it’s hard for me to keep a good score. I heard, that most of Chinese 9-dans on Tygem are professionals, so it’s not surprising that they beat me easily

Do you remember the nicknames of the opponents, you played?
Yes, of course. I have to remember them, so I can take revenge in future. Also I wrote 5 names of players with bad manners and attached this paper near my computer. I will never play them again!

What do you think about your chances in King of King’s Tournament?
They depend on pairing luck. I know, that there are lots of participants, who are stronger than me. I can finish the tournament quickly, if I meet them in first rounds

It’s a 5th King of King’s Tournament , but you are the first professional, who will take part in this event under his real name. Can we say, that it’s easier to play, if people don’t know you?
Yes, it’s true, but I will play for getting pleasure, first of all

Translated from korean by Alexander Dinerchtein

An interview with Lee Sedol, 9-dan, the winner of the LG World Go Championship

Lee Sedol, 9-dan won the final match against Han Sanghun, 2-dan with 2-1 score on February, 28

Congratulations! What do you think about the 3rd game of the match?
I was behind in the opening. I allowed him to take so many points. I got my lead in the middle game. Later Han, 2-dan had some chances of changing the situation, but he did not use them.

How about the first two games?
They were hard for me in the beginning too. I played bad fusekis and I am not satisfied of my play in general.

What can you say about your opponent?
His Go is very thick and solid. It’s not surprising, that recently he is showing very good results.

Will he enter the Top group of Korean players soon?
Hmmm. It’s hard to say. Right now he has not much experience of playing important games. We will see how he will feel himself after losing the final match of the LG cup.

How do you think, who enjoyed your victory most of all?
My wife, of course! (laughing)

You won 2 World Championships this year. What are your future plans for 2008?
I will try to win 1-2 more

Which international tournament is the most important one for you?
Ing cup. It has biggest prizes and they held it only once per 4 years.

Lee Changho, 9-dan set the record of the highest tournaments income in 2001 ( A.D.: It was about $1.000.000). What do you think about your chances of earning more money than Lee Changho in 2001?
I will try, of course, but I am not sure, that it’s possible.

You will play Lee Changho, 9-dan a lot in 2008. What do you think about your chances?
His health condition in 2007 was not good, but now he feels himself better, so he is a very dangerous opponent again. I think, that our chances are about equal and I still have lot of things to learn from him. For example, he is much stronger than me in fuseki.

Do you work on fuseki stage yourself?
Yes, but it’s not improving at all. Fuseki theory is developing very quickly and it’s getting harder and harder to follow it.

Can we compare Korean and Chinese Go? Which country is stronger right now?
Korean players were stronger few years ago, but now the situation changed a lot. I think, that if we play a big match with China, the chances will be 50-50.

Translated from korean by Alexander Dinerchtein

An interview with Chang Hao, 9-dan

An interview with Chang Hao, 9-dan

We counted the current rating points and noticed that you can become the top player in the first Chinese rating list of 2008. Do you know about it?
Hmm, probably I will. I did not count myself, but it looks possible. I lost 14 games in 2007 and only 3 of my opponents (Piao Wenyao, Wang Yao and Liu Xing) were lower than me in the Chinese rating list (A.D: according to the Chinese Weiqi Association rules, the player lost a lot of rating points, if he loses to someone weaker than himself). My other opponents, who beat me, such as Gu Li, Lee Changho, Lee Sedol, Wang Xi, Hu Yaoyu and others were higher than me in the rating list, so I lost only few rating points after losing my games.

What can you tell us about your impressive performance in Chinese City League - 2007?
Yes, it was a successful event and I usually play well in Chinese Leagues. For example, I scored 90% in 2000 (9-1) and about 80% in 2001 ( 16-3 or something similar). This year I played all rounds - won 20 games and lost only 2. Unfortunately my achievements in other Chinese tournaments in 2007 were much lower. I did not even reach any quarterfinals. Yes, I won the Samsung cup on International arena, but any way we cannot say that the year of 2007 was very successful for me.

Somewhere on the internet I read that you tried to avoid the game on the first board of the Chinese City League against Lee Sedol, 9-dan (Shanghai vs Guizhou teams), because you was afraid of losing. Is it true?
Really? I never heard about it before. I think that Lee Sedol, 9-dan plays in the Chinese City League for making our players stronger and for attracting new sponsors. If I lose my game – I will feel myself sad, and even if I win it – it will not make me happy. I will play him a lot in future during the international tournaments. Our game in Chinese City League would have no meaning, so I decided to play on another board A.D: Chang Hao played against Wang Lei, 8-dan and Lee Sedol, 9-dan crushed Hu Yaoyu, 8-dan instead of Chang. Lee Sedol's team won that match by 3-1 score (2007-09-27)

Lee Sedol's score in 2007 was excellent. He won a lot of important tournaments. Can we say that his era is started?
Yes, Lee Sedol, 9-dan showed us a lot of good games in 2007. He is extremely strong and popular among Go fans, but we cannot say that his Go has no weak points. You saw his recent match against Park Eunhun, 9-dan. Lee, 9-dan lost it after winning first the two games – we have to notice this episode.

Did Lee Sedol, 9-dan become stronger in 2007?
We can say so. Also his Go style improved a lot. He was always fighting like crazy in the past, but nowadays we can often see him playing solidly, especially, when he is leading. And if the position is unfavorable for him, he is very good at making games complicated, like he did a lot in the past.

Can you please compare Lee Changho's and Lee Sedol's achievements?
I am sure, that Lee Sedol, 9-dan cannot be on the top as long as Lee Changho, 9-dan, who was unconditionally the best master in the world during the last 15 years, but we can say that the overall level of Go players was lower. Nowadays there are too many masters of the same level. It's hard to keep the high winning percentage against such players.

Not long time ago you won a pair pro tournament in China together with your wife Zhang Xiang, 8-dan. Will you take part in Pair Go tournament during the Beijing Olympiad and fight for the gold medal?
We will not. According to the rules, it's possible to choose one tournament only, so I will probably take part in Individual Championship or in Team Championship. Also, I don't think that my wife will play in the Pair Go Championship at all.

Translated from korean by Alexander Dinerchtein

An interview with Park Yeonghun, 9-dan, the winner of the Korean GS Galtex cup

An interview with Park Yeonghun, 9-dan, the winner of the Korean GS Galtex cup.

Congratulations! You surprised us a lot by winning the title after losing first 2 games!
Yes, I think, that it was over too. I thought that I already lost the match, so it was easier to play the 3rd game.

What can you tell us about the last game?
Lee Sedol, 9-dan made a big mistake in the opening and I thought, that I can finish the game easily. Later the position suddenly became close.

You will play him again in the final match of the Samsung World Go championship. What do you think about your chances?
In my previous interview I said, that he is the most difficult opponent in the world. I still think so, even after winning the GS Galtex cup.

You beat Gu Li, 9-dan in the semifinal of the Samsung cup. What can you say about that match?
I was behind in the deciding game and thought that my chances are close to zero. Later he was too passive in the endgame and gave me the chance.

Can we say that Gu Li's style and Lee Sedol’s style are similar?
I don't think so. It's possible to imagine the next move, which will be played by Gu Li, but Lee Sedol , 9-dan plays so many unexpected moves!

As a GS Galtex titleholder, which master you would you like to meet in the title match next year?
I know that the challenger will be strong, but if possible, I want to avoid another match with Lee Sedol, 9-dan.

Translated from korean by Alexander Dinerchtein

An interview with Lee Sedol, 9-dan

Lee Sedol, 9-dan won the Korean Kuksu titlematch by beating Yun Junsang, 6-dan with the 3-0 score. It's a great achievement! We remember that Yun Junsang, 6-dan got this title by winning Lee Changho, 9-dan last year with an outstanding 3-1 score! Both Lee Sedol and Yun Junsang are fighters, so Yun was probably an easy opponent for Lee.

Congratulations! What do you feel after winning the match?
I am happy. Kuksu is the oldest Korean tournament and it was my dream to win it.

Why is it so important for you?
Because I can add "Kuksu" word to my family name. There are only few people in Korea who can do it: Yun-kuksu, Kim –kuksu, Cho-kuksu, Lee-kuksu and only few others.

What can you tell us about the last game of the match?
Both made a lot of mistakes. Finally I was 1.5 or 2.5 points behind, but Yun, 6-dan made a big mistake at the end. It was a hard game for me from the early opening.

Is it hard to play so many tournament games?
Yes, I am getting tired, if I play a lot of games with 2-3 hours thinking time straight. Blitz games are much easier for me. I don't care much if I lose them, but if I lose serious games – they can make me sad and disappointed.

What do you like more? Attack your opponent or take territory and defend your weak groups?
Of course, I like to defend more. It's much easier. If you are behind on territory, it's usually necessary to kill groups – this task is too hard on pro level.

In your previous interview you said that you are weak at fuseki. How do you study it?
I don't know how to make this stage stronger. Usually I win my games in middlegame.

Chinese players said that "Lee Sedol's era is starting in Korea". Can we say so?
Not yet! I will play both Samsung and LG final matches, but even if I get the both titles, it's still early to say so.

Who can take away your lead?
Let me take it first :) There are lots of unknown young players in Korea, Hang Sanghun, 1-dan for example. I must be afraid of them!

Currently you keep 7 titles. What is the most important one for you?
All professional players like the tournaments with bigger prizes more!

You can see the games from the Kuksu tournament here:
http://www.go4go.net/v2/modules/collection/bytour2.php?tid=8

Translated from korean by Alexander Dinerchtein

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

An interview with Park Yeonghun, 9-dan

An interview with Park Yeonghun, 9-dan who entered the final match of the Samsung World Go Championship after beating Gu Li, 9-dan (China) with 2-1 score.

Congratulations! What can you tell us about your match with Gu Li?
All 3 games were difficult for me. Gu Li's lead in last two games was obvious, but he finished them passively and gave me chances in yose. He did not make any big mistakes, but made some dubious moves in endgame.

If we check the games, we can see that Gu Li, 9-dan has an outstanding middlegame power. Is it true?
Yes, his Go is powerful. I tried to keep my games simple, but I was not able to control them.

Why did you stay in the same room with Choi Wongyoung, 5-dan in the hotel?
I think, it's better to stay with someone, instead of staying alone. Also it's possible to study Go together and prepare for your games.

You will play the final match with Lee Sedol, 9-dan. What do you think about your chances?
I am currently 0-2 behind in the GS Galtex match against Lee. He is a very hard opponent and I know, that my chances are smaller. Any way, I will try to make my best.

Translated from korean by Alexander Dinerchtein

An interview with Chen Seuyen, 7-dan (Taiwan)

Chen Seuyen, 7-dan, who became a professional in Korea, is currently one of the strongest Taiwanese players. He is the first board of the Taiwanese team during the Korea-Japan-China-Taiwan match for young professionals. We decided to meet him during this tournament and ask for an interview.

How is your life in Taiwan?
Taiwan is my native country and I feel myself fine. Also I won several big tournaments recently, and they make me happy.

Which pro titles do you currently keep in Taiwan?
Kuksu, Tengen and CMC TV cup.

Who is the strongest master in Taiwan?
Zhou Junxun, 9-dan is still strongest. I won a match against him not long time ago, but only because his shape was not good. Xiao Zhenghao, 5-dan is also showing good results recently.

How do you think, who are the 4 strongest players in the world?
Lee Sedol is first one. Lee Changho, Gu Li and Cho U are numbers 2, 3 and 4.

What is the goal of Taiwanese team in Korea-Japan-China-Taiwan match?
Personally I will feel myself happy, if I win 2 games. Last year our team won 5 games and this time we will try to improve this performance. I understand, that our team is still weak for fighting for first places.

What are your future plans?
I will stay in Taiwan for at least 2 years. After that I may return back to Korea. Everything will depend on the situation in Taiwanese Go.

What are the main Go problems in Taiwan?
I would like to have more chances for playing Chinese, Korean and Japanese players. Right now we don’t have any international tournaments or matches. Also, there is not much strong players in Taiwan and it’s hard for me to find good opponents.

Yesterday you won the game against Korean first board Lee Youngkyu. What can you tell us about that game?
The game was favorable for me from the very beginning, because of his mistake in the opening. Later I made some mistakes too and the situation became dangerous. I was lucky finally.

Do you play Go by internet?
Not so often, but it's my only chance of meeting strong players from other countries.

Do you think that your Go improved a lot after you return back to Taiwan?
I don't think so, but now my life is easier, so I can spend more time for studying Go.

Translated from korean by Alexander Dinerchtein

An interview with Yoo Changhyuk, 9-dan

An interview with Yoo Changhyuk, 9-dan, from "Chungang Ilbo", one of the largest Korean newspapers.

We heard that you suggested a new system for Korean professional tournaments. Can you please describe it?
Yes, I think, that it’s necessary to change the current situation. There are lots of young players in Korea, who are not able to become professionals, because there are only few vacant places yearly. I think, it’s possible to allow them to take part in pro tournaments together with foreigners. They can make our tournaments much more interesting.

Currently there are 230 professionals in Korea. All of them are getting money from tournament sponsors, even if they lose in the first round. If you increase the number of players, the tournament income of each player will become smaller. Am I right?
Yes, of course. I suggest to give prizes only if you enter 1/64 stage. Most of professionals are getting money from teaching Go, so this decision will not be so painful for them. Older players will lose only $300-800 monthly, comparing to the current situation. I think, it's better to give more money to young players, so they can work harder and harder and compete well with Chinese players.

Will the Korean Baduk Association accept your idea?
It’s hard to say. I know that old players and even some younger players are against of it. I feel, that we cannot change the current situation without accepting this rule. It’s a pity that we are losing so many young and talented players, just become they cannot become professionals.

What can you tell us about your Go school?
Everything is fine. We are teaching kids together with Choi Kyubyeong, 9-dan and Kim Yeonghwan, 8-dan. I think, that I am getting stronger, because I play lot of games with strong students :)

We heard that some young Korean professionals are also studying in your school. Is it true?
Yes. Lee Youngkyu and Choi Wongyong are visiting our school daily. Park Yeunghun, 9-dan is also an often guest.

I have the last question, which is different. You lost your wife 3 years ago ( A.D: She died, because of her health becomes weaker after she gave birth to last child). Will you marry another woman?
(Yoo's faces is getting red) I don’t want to discuss this subject. I have two kids, 4 and 6 years old. They love me a lot.

Translated from korean by Alexander Dinerchtein

An interview with Kang Changbe, the winner of the Korean Prime Minister cup

You played 8 games with foreigners. What do you think about their strength?
They surprised me a lot. I thought, that they are much weaker.

Did you make any friends?
I cannot speak English, so it was hard for me to communicate with them.

If we exclude your games with China and Japan, what was the most difficult one?
My last game with Frank Janssen, 6-dan (The Netherlands). I was behind in the opening.

According to the rules of the Korean Baduk Association, they give pro 1-dan grade to the winner of the World Go Championship, if he is Korean. Prime Minister cup has very similar members. What do you think about the idea of making the winner professional?
There are only few strong players here: China, Japan and Taiwan. Others are much weaker, so it’s much harder to win the Korean Pro Exam tournament. I will be glad to see the special decision of the Korean Baduk Association, but I think, that they will not accept it.

Can we say that the Korean Qualification tournament for the Prime Minister cup was harder than the main tournament?
Yes, I think so.

How will you spend the prize money? (A.D: $3000)
I will bring them to my parents

The tournament table
Commented games from the tournament will be available : http://www.go4go.net/v2/modules/alex

Translated from korean by Alexander Dinerchtein

An interview with Wang Xi, 9-dan

Wang Xi, 9-dan, the member of the Chinese team won two games straight during the recent Nongshim Cup

What do you think about your games?
Both games with Hong Minpyo, 6-dan (Korea) and Kono Rin, 9-dan (Japan) were easy for me. I got a big lead in the beginning twice. The last game with Kono Rin, 9-dan was even easier. I was able to keep some time till the end of the game, so I counted the balance accurately and was sure, that I am winning.

What do you think about your chances in the next game?
I will meet someone from the Korean team. All members are very strong. I will try to win at least one game more.

We heard that Lee Changho, 9-dan will appear earlier and he will not stay as the last member as usual. You will probably meet him in your next game.
Yes, I heard about it too.

So, if he really will be the next one, what will you say us about your chances?
I will make my best. I know that my chances are smaller, but I am not afraid of him.

Will you prepare for this game?
I know his Go very well, so it's not even necessary to prepare. I played him 3 times and my score is 1-2.

The next game of the Nongshim cup will be played in Pusan (Korea) on November, 26.



Translated from korean by Alexander Dinerchtein

4 interviews with Samsung cup semifinalists

Gu Li, 9-dan, His last game in Samsung cup

What do you think about your game with Yoo Changhyuk, 9-dan?
The opening was comfortable for me, but later I spoiled the position and it was unclear, until Yoo, 9-dan made a big mistake. I was lucky!

You will play a best-of-three match against Park Yeonghun, 9-dan in November. What do you think about your chances?
It will be an interesting match. Park, 9-dan has a very solid playing style and he is always a difficult opponent. I will try to make my best!

Park Yeonghun, 9-dan, His last game in Samsung cup

I feel that you won your game against Han Sanghun, 1-dan easily. Is it true?
Actually, it was very complicated. I decided to kill his big group and it was an overplay. I killed it finally, but it was possible to lose this game even after killing it

Your next opponent will be Gu Li, 9-dan. Your current score is 0-1 against him. Can you take revenge this time?
He is a very difficult opponent and the match will be hard for me. I have some time till the semifinals and I will seriously study his games.

If you reach the final, which player would you like to meet?
I did not think about it yet


Lee Sedol, 9-dan, His last game in Samsung cup

You got a huge corner at the ko fight in the beginning. Was the game already over after the opening stage?
The corner was huge, but I was not happy with that result, because of bad adji. I won the game much later, because of good endgame. We can say that it was a very complicated game.

You played 15 games with Chang Hao since 1997, and even few years ago your score was not good. Did you become stronger or find a special key?
That time I was much weaker. I beat him in the final match of the Toyota-Denso cup in 2005 and got the feeling, but he is not stronger than me. Now my score is 10-5 and I feel that the situation changed a lot.

Your next opponent is Huang Yizhong, 6-dan. You never met him before. What do you think about him?
Yes, I never played him before, but I saw his games and know that his Go style is very thick and solid. I must be careful in the opening and will try to prepare for our match.

You played a lot of games in 2007 and your winning percentage is really high (80%). Maybe you know some magic methods?
I was just lucky. I won lot of bad games. If I see them now, I cannot even understand how it was possible to win such positions. There is no magic, just luck.

Your fans think that you become the strongest master in the world. Do you agree with them?
No, not yet. I will win Samsung and LG cup and think about this subject once again :)


Huang Yizhong, 6-dan, His last game in Samsung cup

You surprised us by beating Hu Yaoyu, 8-dan. What can you tell us about this game?
I was behind, but won it luckily, because of his endgame mistake.

You reached the semifinals of the Samsung cup. What are your feelings?
It was hard to imagine such result. I am happy!

Your next opponent is Lee Sedol, 9-dan. What do you think about your future match?
I believe that Lee Sedol, 9-dan is the strongest player in the world and I am happy that I will get a chance to learn something from him.


Translated from korean by Alexander Dinerchtein

An interview with Yoo Changhyuk, 9-dan

Yoo Changhyuk, 9-dan, who is 41 years old, is currently keeping 7 games straight winning record

He beat lot of good players, including: Heo Yongho(twice), Kim Jiseok, Cho Hunhyun, Kong Jie, Park Yeonghun and Kim Kiyoung.

We decided to meet him and ask some questions:

What can you tell us about your current life?
I have a Go school and spend all my free time by teaching students. Also, sometimes I work for Baduk TV and take part in Go tournaments

Congratulations on your results in Samsung cup! What can you tell us about this tournament?
I don't have chances to play in World Go Championships often, because of my low positions in Korean Rating, so I have to make my best in every international tournament I play. I won such championships 6 times and I feel that I am still able to do it again.

What do you think about your next opponent – Gu Li, 9-dan?
I won some games against Gu Li in the past, but they have no meaning. Now he is one of the top masters in the world and everyone think that his chances must be higher. Any way, I am not afraid of him and will try to make my best.

1.5 years ago you set the record of 1000 wins in professional tournaments. Were you happy?
I was not counted my wins and it was a big surprise for me. It takes me 20 years to reach it. As well as I know, there are only 4 players in Korea, who won more than 1000 games.

Your Go school was opened 3 years ago, but still you were not able to produce any professionals. What is the reason?
I try to work with beginners, who has talent and it seems that we will need few years more. It's possible to accept already strong students, who learned Go in other schools, but I don't like this idea. Also I always ask the permission of their former school directors before accepting such students. I feel, that some students I have, are already on pro level, but recently it's not enough. They must be able to show good result on pro arena.

What can you tell us about your family?
I don't want to answer this question now. ( A.D.: Few years ago Yoo Changhyuk, 9-dan lost his wife, who was ill after giving birth to his child )

Translated from korean by Alexander Dinerchtein

An interview with Kang Dongyun, 7-dan

An interview with Kang Dongyun, 7-dan, the winner of the Korean Osram cup (New stars tournament)

What can you tell us about your last game with Paek Hongseok, 5-dan?
It was a close game. He made some aggressive moves and lost it at the end, probably because he thought, the he is behind. Actually it was still close

You won King of Kings tournament with short thinking time control (10 min) and Osram cup, which is blitz tournament too (5 min per player with byoyomi). Can we say, that you are good at speed Go?
I don't think so. There are lots of mistakes from each side, if we play blitz. This time my opponents made more mistakes then me, so we can say that I was just lucky.

We heard that you play Go by internet a lot. Does it help you in blitz tournaments and can we say that your achievements in tournaments with long-thinking control are not as good, because of it?
Internet Go is very useful, I think. It helps to improve your reading and it's good for studying new patterns. I try to play Go as much as I can with other professionals offline, but I also want to play Go in late hours, so I try to find my opponents on Tygem or Cyberoro.

So, what is the reason of your unsuccessful results in other tournaments, except blitz?
There is only one reason – I am not strong enough for beating good opponents. Also, it's hard for me to keep myself concentrated during several hours. Usually I get good openings, but lose my advantage later.

What are your future goals?
I will try to play my games even more seriously than now and ,as any other professionals, I will try to show good results in international tournaments



Translated from korean by Alexander Dinerchtein

An interview with Gu Li, 9-dan

Gu Li, 9-dan won 9 games straight (against Chang Hao, Wang Yao, Tuo Jiaxi, Li Kang, Wang Haoyang, Cho Hanseung(twice), Cho Hyeyeon and Kang Dongyun). We decided to meet him and ask about this record.

How many games straight did you win? Do you know?
Yes, I know!

What is your own record?
7 years ago I won 16 games straight, but after that I was not able to break this record. Maybe I can do it this time! It’s very hard to win so many games straight, because all opponents on my road are very strong!

Which games were the hardest?
My game against Chang Hao, first of all. Also it was difficult to beat Cho Hanseung and Li Kang. I cannot remember any easy wins at all!

What was the most painful game you lose during this year?
It was my game against Han Sanghoon, 1-dan (Korea), 12 LG second round. My condition was not good and I made lot of bad moves. After that game I saw lot of articles with titles like "Gu Li lost to unknown Korean 1-dan". It was painful to read them

What do you think about Lee Changho, 9-dan. Is he still World #1 player?
Yes, without any doubt. He is losing more games than before, but any way he is the best master in the world

If we make a united Chinese-Korean-Japanese rating list, which place will you occupy?
I think, I must be somewhere in best 10. First one is Lee Changho, second is Lee Sedol. It's hard to say who the next one is. Maybe Cho U, maybe Park Yeonghun or Choi Chelhan.

Translated from korean by Alexander Dinerchtein

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

An interview with Yoon Youngsun, 5-dan

Yoon Youngsun, 5-dan is getting married in September.

Here you can read an exclusive interview with Yoon Youngsun, 5-dan. The questions were compiled by Alexander Dinerchtein:

Congratulations! How did you meet Rasmus?
We met in Sweden Leksand Baduk Camp. We played Rengo together but we were just friends. I visited Europe several times and met him. Finally we become close to each other.

Does he have any brothers, who are not yet married?
He has one sister. She is 3 years younger than him and single.

Is it true that Antonio Banderas is your favorite actor?
No. I liked Brad Pitt but not anymore...

Rasmus is currently a 2-dan amateur. Of course he will be happy to take some Go lessons from you. What will you ask him in return? Will he wash the dishes or clean the floor?
Many people think that I play or teach him a lot, but it is not true. I play with him very rare. I'm sorry about it.

What can you tell us about your friend Kang Seunghee, 2-dan. Will she make an international family too?
She likes to live here. But she doesn't know yet. She wants to teach many nice people here. I will try to help her as much I can.

Time to ask some Go questions. Is it true that you play Go on KGS (Kiseido Go Server) and your ID is "tartaric"?
No. It is not me. I have one ID. But I played only teaching games.

Your life story is similar with Guo Juan, 5-dan. She got married in Holland and stopped playing in pro tournaments. Will you take part in European tournaments, like Guo Juan?
No, I will not play tournaments here. I'm not allowed to play in Europe.

Everyone is getting weaker without practice. If you stay in Germany, you will not be able to play in pro tournaments often. Will you try to keep yourself in good shape and how?
I know. But when I came here I already gave game up. I want to teach a lot of children who has talent. Sometimes I study pro games. It is really interesting!

What do you think about the current system of Female World Go Championships? Usually they are not inviting any players except Chinese, Koreans and Japanese. Feng Yun, 9-dan can play for USA, you can play for Germany, Guo Juan for Holland, Svetlana Shikshina for Russia. Is it necessary to change the system and give them a chance?
Actually I didn't think about it. If I can play, it would be nice, but I would like to give them a chance.

We know that your playing style is very aggressive (just one example for our readers) Will it become softer after marriage?
Well ... I don’t think so ... I like to fight. It is more fun and interesting.

We read your Go books about shapes and ko-fights. They
are useful, but there are lots of other books on these topics. Will you write us something special? Maybe without Go diagrams at all?
I'm just a beginner in writing books. I'm happy that people like it. There are a lot of nice books in Europe. At least I tried to show Korean style. I already finished my third book. It is called "100 tips for Amateur players". I think the people don’t need difficult or complicated things. Basic is the most important. I felt it from teaching here. I hope you like my new book!


You may also read an opinion of another Korean professional – Cho Hyeyeon, 7-dan : blog Cho Hyeyeon By the way, her Go blog is quite interesting. As well as I know, it's the only English blog of an Asian pro.

Alexander Dinerchtein