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

12 LG, 2nd round.

That's tournaments always nice days!

2nd round, Seoul, Korea.

Gu Li, 9 dan, vs Han Sanghoon, 1 dan. Very hard testing for 1 dan. Unbelievably, but number one of China was overpowed by 1 korean dan, who has got pro status few months ago!

Gu Li(9p) - Han Sanghoon(1p) - W+R

Yamashita Keigo, 9 dan, can sleep while playing :-). Lee Sedol, 9 dan, too serious.

Lee Sedol(9p) - Wang Lei(8p) - B+R
On Sojin(3p) - Yamashita Keigo(9p) - B+R

Park Jungsang, 9 dan, again got very strong opponent - Xie He, 6 dan. The title holder of Fujitsu Cup in very complicated game defeted one of the best china players.

Xie He(6p) - Park Jungsang(9p) - W+R

As the result of second round: only one favorite player from China stay, Hu Yaoyu, 8 дан. From Japan only Kono Rin, 9 dan, pass to next round. The big sensation - young korean baduk players show good results. The main favorites stay: Lee Sedol, 9 dan, and Cho U, 9 dan.

Han Sanghoon, 1 dan and On Sojin, 3 dan.

11th LG Cup

Final. 3rd game.

Zhou Junxun(9p) - Hu Yaoyu(8p) - B+0.5

Zhou Junxun won 11th LG Cup with score 2-1!

11th LG Cup

Final. 2nd game.

Hao Yaoyu(8p) - Zhou Junxun(9p) - B+0.5

The current score in match - 1-1.
The decisive game at March 22.

11th LG Cup

An interview with Zhou Junxun, 9-dan

The final match of the 11th LG cup will start on March 19 in Seoul. The players are Hu
Yaoyu, 8-dan from China and Zhou Junxun, 9-dan from Taiwan.

- What is the meaning of this match for you?
- It was the main dream of my life!
- What do you think about your chances of winning the match?
- I have about 48% of winning
- What is your private score with Hu Yaoyu, 8-dan?
- As well as I remember, we played twice and we have one-one score
- What can you tell us about your opponent?
- Hu Yaoyu, 8-dan is very strong and he has a good fighting spirit. It’s always hard to beat
him
- How did you prepare for the match?
- I tried to keep my common schedule. I slept well and eat well. I did not make anything
special. I printed Hu Yaoyu’s games and replayed them
- What are the main problems of Go in Taiwan?
- We have fewer tournaments than in Korea or Japan and our prizes are much smaller
- How do you think, who are the top 3 professionals in the world?
- Lee Changho, Lee Sedol … and it will be nice, if I can be a third one someday
- Who are the most difficult opponents for you in Taiwan?
- Lin Zhihan, Chen Seuyen and Yoo Kyeongmin. They are very strong.

Have a good match!

Translated from korean Alexandre Dinerchtein

11th LG Cup

Final. 1st game.

Zhou Junxun(9p) - Hu Yaoyu(8p) - B+R

Next game at March 21.

11 LG cup

Semifinals.

1. Zhou Junxun(9p) - Hong Minpyo(5p) - B+2.5
Hong Minpyo killed big dragon but lost the game.
2. Jo HanSeung(9p) - Ha Yaoyu(8p) - W+1.5

As the result, all korean are eliminated. This time again, final will held wihtout korean players. Two "dark horses" will played the 11 LG Cup final.