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 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

Interview with Lee Changho, 9-dan, who won the last game of the Nongsim Cup

- Congratulations! What can you tell us about the last game?
- I played badly and was losing the game. Luckily, Gu Li, 9-dan made a mistake when he was in byoyomi.
- Who is the hardest Chinese opponent for you?
- Young Chinese players and top masters are of course very strong. It’s always difficult to play them.
- You played both Chang Hao and Gu Li recently. You probably know that they will meet each other in the final match of the Chunlan Cup. Who do you think has the better chance of winning the cup?
- Personally I am on Chang Hao's side, because he is my friend, but actually Gu Li is
slightly stronger. There is another important thing: Chang Hao has more experience of playing important international tournaments, so it will be a good final. It’s hard to say who has the better chances of winning it.

P.S. Lee Changho's achievement is really outstanding. His total score in the Nongsim Cup (including preliminary competitions) is 37-1.
Game records of the tournament are available on
Go4Go.net

Translated from korean Alexandre Dinerchtein

8th Nongshim Cup

Brief video report. (~6.5 mb)

8th Nongshim Cup

3rd stage, 4th game. Decisive game.

Exceeding battle from begin to end with very interesting furikowary at end.

Lee Chang Ho(9p) - Gu Li(9p) - B+2.5

The time to relax. "Stone Budda" is smiled. The difficult times behind?

The main hero of 8th Nongshim Cup. Park YoungHoon(9p) - 4 consecutive wins in row. Lee Chang Ho(9p) - 2 main wins at end. Main prize - 150 mln korean won.

"How many stones between me and them?"

8th Nongshim Cup

3rd stage, 3rd game.
Kong Jie(7p) - Lee Chang Ho(9p) - W+R

Lee Chang Ho(9p) with out problem defeted Kong Jie(7p) by killing big dragon.
Tomorrow decisive game. Lee Chang Ho(9p) vs Gu Li(9p).

Ma Xiaochun(9p) - chief coach China team. "What do you think, that enough for win?"

Good game, but there is not end else.

8th Nongshim Cup

3hd stage. 2nd game.

Park Younghoon(9p) - Kong Jie(7p) - W+R

Kong Jie(7p) stopped winning streak of Park Younghoon(9p).
Tomottow will be continue. Lee Changho(9p) is the last hope of Korean team.

"Where is next move? What do you think about that, Gu Li?"

"Will be soon i became so strong"

8th Nongshim Cup

3rd Stage, 1st game.

Yoda Norimoto(9p) - Park Younghoon(9p) - W+1.5

2nd game tomorrow. Park Younghoon will meet Kong Jie.
Good perfomance by Park Younghoon - 4 consecutive wins in row.

Japan - all players out.
Korea - Park Younghoon(9p), Lee Changho(9p).
China - Kong Jie(7p), Gu Li(9p).


All china players help Kong Jie to prepare with meet Park Younghoon.