Han Sanghoon - phenomenal success!

Few days ago Han Sanghoon, 1-dan surprised the world by winning two 9-dans straight in the recent LG cup: Ryu Shikun and Gu Li: Han Sanghoon games
His interview was already published few issues ago, but we decided to mention his success and compose another one from two different sources:

08.05.2007

- You have the highest winning percentage in Korea: 17 wins-2 loses (on 08.05.2007). Will you keep this lead in future?
- I will spoil it quickly after entering important tournaments. My current first place has no meaning at all, because these games are mainly from the first stages of local tournaments

- You almost lost your chance to become a professional as an insei, because of the age limit. What do you think about the current Korean system?
- It was really hard to get a 1-dan. I played 15 qualification tournaments during the last 6 years, including 6 main tournaments (leagues for best 10 players). I got second places 3 times and missed some very good chances. This time it was my last chance to qualify and I used it! There are at least 5 inseis, who are not weaker than me at all, so we can say, that I was just lucky.

- What do you think about the world of professional Go?
- Now I have a chance to play some tournaments with long thinking time control, like 2 or 3 hours per person, and I enjoy them a lot. Usually I use all of my time and play under the byoyomi pressure. Nowadays I am learning a lot from other professionals.

- Tommorow you will meet Park Yeonghun, 9-dan at the semifinal of the Wangwi cup. What do you think about your chances? (A.D: Han won that game)
- I saw lot of Park’s games and know his playing style well. His Go is really solid and we can rarely see mistakes in his games. I think, that my chances are slightly smaller.

- Who is the strongest Korean professional? How do you think?
- Lee Sedol, 9-dan? His reading is best in the world! Lee Changho, Park Yeonghun, Choi Chelhan are also really strong. From Chinese players we can mention Gu Li, 9-dan

- When did you learn Go?
- I was 8 years old and my parents bring me to the Go school, which not far from my home. Later I become a student of Kim Weon, 7-dan

- What can you tell as about your playing style?
- My Go is not territorial-oriented. Usually I get thick positions and use them for attacking or invading. The weakest parts of my Go are fuseki and endgame.

- How do you study Go?
- Every day I replay professional games for about 6 hours. If I have a free time, I enjoy watching and playing billiard and basketball.

- What are your future goals?
- Currently I am not stronger at all than other Korean junior players. Within 3 years I will try to win some tournaments for young professionals. I became a professional later than others, so I have to work harder and more seriously than them.

06.06.2007

- What do you think about your game with Chinese ranking #1 Gu Li, 9-dan? (Gu Li(9p) - Han Sanghoon(1p) - W+R)
- We played a very unusual joseki in the upper left corner and I got a successful result. Later the position was always favorable for me

- How did you prepare for this game?
- I replayed lot of his games and was well prepared. Before the game I decided to take White, if I have a choice. He won the nigiri and took Black, so we both were happy

- What can you tell us about your future plans?
- I reached the 2nd round of the LG cup. Now I would like to win this tournament!

Translated from korean Alexandre Dinerchtein

19th Asian TV Cup

Final

Lee Sedol(9p) - Chen Yaoye(5p) - B+R

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.

The new life of Seo Bongsu, 9-dan

55 years old Seo Bongsu, 9-dan became famous in Korea in 1972 after taking the Meijin title from Cho Namchul, 9-dan. He reached this goal really quick, few years after becoming the professional. He learned Go at the age of 14, which is very late, comparing to current traditions, so we may see that he has a talent.

He was the Korean number two player for a very long time, until the century of Yoo Changhyuk and Lee Changho started. During that time he played more than 50 title matches against Cho Hunhyun, 9-dan, unfortunately losing most of them.

Nowadays it’s hard to meet his name in Korean tournaments. They did not even invite him to take part in Korean League-2007 (It was possible to give him the wild card, but team coaches decided to invite another players, including young 1-dans)

Last year he surprised the world by entering the semifinals of the Samsung cup, which was very unusual in his age. He lost the semifinal match to Chang Hao, 9-dan, but any way, it was an outstanding performance.

We decided to meet him and ask few questions.

- How is your health?
- It's getting weaker. If I visit doctors, they say that everything is fine, but I don’t feel myself same as before. 10 years ago I almost died during one night because of strong cough. So, next day after that episode I completely stopped smoking. If my health condition will improve, one day I will show everyone one more comeback. Young players will probably laugh at me, but they must know that the old tiger is still alive. I will show them who is Seo Bongsu!

- You divorced with your wife after 20 years of living together and created a new family with Vietnamese woman, who is 29 years younger than you. What can you tell us about your new family life?
- 2 and half years passed from my marriage and I enjoy my life a lot! Still I cannot speak Vietnamese, but my wife is good at Korean, so the conversation is not a problem in our case. She eats spicy Korean food well and enjoys watching Chinese and Korean movies. Usually she stays at home. You see, that all main problems are solved! Because of my young wife I am trying to make my best in Go tournaments. If everything will be fine with our financial situation and health, we will plan to have a child in near future.

- Did you visit her home country?
- Yes, few months ago. I meet some Go players and they ask me to help them to develop Go in Vietnam. I feel that I cannot play the role of Cho Namchul, but I will make some efforts for making this game popular. I found a sponsor and next year we will organize a big tournament for Vietnamese players.

- What do you think about the current Korean League? Were you disappointed, because nobody invited you to take part?
- I lost my place during the qualification tournament, but I still thought that coaches will give me the wild card. Maybe they feel that I am too old for playing blitz. And I agree, that if the players have equal power, younger always have an advantage in fast Go. I won few blitz tournaments around 1984, but I feel, that I have to practice blitz more. Maybe I will a chance to enter the league next year, if I train hard. I will take part in Seniors vs Females cup soon and this is a blitz tournament too. It will put a big pressure on me. Our team is already losing a lot (A.D. Here is the tournament table: http://igo-kisen.hp.infoseek.co.jp/ga.html ) It will be a big shame, if our team, including Cho Hunhyun and myself will lose to 15-years old girls.

- What are your future plans?
- As I said before, I will pay attention on my health. I will try to make more money and I hope we will have a child soon. I will try to make everything possible, so my wife can feel: "It was the right decision to get married with Seo Bongsu!"

Translated from korean Alexandre Dinerchtein

3rd Prices Information Cup, League D, Rui Naiwei - Choi Wonyong

This position from game between Rui Naiwei, 9р, and Choi Wonyong, 5p, from 3rd Prices Information Cup. The next sequence is classic tesuji from gandicap game.
After that moves black successfully outgoing in center.
After 17 move, black can connect two stones, but in real game Rui Naiwei select to attack white stones on left side. The main idea was - create territory on lower side and in centre.

Rui Naiwei(9p) - Choi Wonyong(5p) - W+4.5

41st Wangwi(Oi, Throne)

1st game.

Lee Changho(Wangwi) - Yun Junsang(Kuksu) - W+R

Next game at June 14.

62nd Honinbo-sen

2nd game.


Yoda Norimoto(9p) - Takao Shinji(Honinbo) - B+1.5

The current score in match 1-1. 3rd game will take place at June 6-7.

2007 Korean Baduk League, Song Taekon - Na Jonghoon

This position from game after 186 move between Song Taekon(8p), Team Hangame and Na Jonghoon(6p), Team Ulsan Diachae, in 2007 Korean Baduk League. Next move - tesuji black.
On left diagram after 7 move, white need "А". The next position is clear - white lost 6 stones. On right diagram, after 5 move became "ko".
But in that moment white lost is bigger if connect. If atari on selected stone, this variant white end in gote. In any case black must play this variant.

Song Taekon(8p), Team Hangame - Na Jonghoon(6p), Team Ulsan Diachae - B+10.5

62nd Honinbo-sen

1st game

Takao Shinji(Honinbo) - Yoda Norimoto(9p) - B+0.5

45th Judan-sen

In last decisive game, the veteran of Japan Go Cho Chikun(Judan) defeted Yamashita Keigo by 3.5 points and won the match with total score 3-2. Yamashita Keigo again failed challenge Cho Chikun in this title. Cho Chikun kept his title three years in row.
Cho Chikun(Judan) - Yamashita Keigo(9p) - B+3.5

21st Tianyuan(Tengen)

2nd game.
Gu Li(Tianyuan) - Liu Shizhen(6p) - W+R

3rd game.
Liu Shizhen (6p) - Gu Li(Tianyuan) - W+2.5

Gu Li won the match with total score 2-1. He kept the title at five years in row.

45th Judan-sen

3rd game.

4th game.
Cho Chikun(Judan) - Yamashita Keigo(Kisei) - W+R

Current score in match - 2-2. The decisive game at April 25.

Korean League 2007

Rules: The top players in the Korean rating list will take part in Korean League without passing qualification tournament. Other players have to qualify.

Each team has an official coach. The coaches decide the members of their teams. In addition, they can invite one master who did not qualify (wild card).

Each team consists of 6 players.

The first team (who won the right to decide the members first) invited Lee Sedol. The second team invited Lee Changho. Third one invited Choi Chelhan and so on.

The team selections produced some sensations:
1. Kim Yeonghwan, 8-dan, the coach of "Ulsan Diache" invited Paek Hongseok, 5-dan as the first member of his team.
2. Lee Hongyeol, 9-dan, the coach of "Chael Haje" team invited Pae Chunhe, 1-dan as the second member of his team although many top players were still available, including Yoo Changhyuk, Cho Hunhyun, Rui Naiwei and others. This was surprising!
3. Yun Kihyeon, 9-dan, invited Han Sanghoon, 1-dan as the second member of his team.
4. Chang Suyeong, 9-dan, the coach of "World Meridian" team gave a wild card to Park Chonhan, 1-dan, another unknown player, while it was still possible to invite Seo Bongsu, Choi Myeonghun or other top players, who failed to qualify initially.

In my opinion (Alexander Dinerchtein) the strongest team is "World Meridian", which consists of Choi Chelhan, Yoo Changhyuk, Yun Chunsang, Lee Jaeung, Cho Hyeyeon and Park Chonhan.
Translated from korean Alexandre Dinerchtein

An interview with Han Sanghoon, Korean 1-dan

Han Sanghoon played his first game in Korean professional tournaments less than 2 months ago. Now his score is 12-1 ( http://www.go4go.net/v2/modules/collection/byplayer2.php?pid=1086 ). We will ask him few questions.

- What is the secret of your recent performance?
- There are no secrets, no magic. The most important thing is to play seriously. There are many masters who answer the last move of their opponent without deep thinking. I try to think, even if the move seems obvious.
- We can say that you achieved pro status late (Han was 20 years old). How do you feel about it?
- Yes, quite late. I played in the main leagues (for best 10 candidates) for becoming professional 8 times and was always missing my chances. It's still hard to believe that I have now reached my goal! I quit the insei league because of my age (the age limit is 18) and that put a lot of pressure on me.
- When did you start playing Go?
- I was 8 years old when my parents found me a Go club not far from my home. My father loves Go very much! Later I entered the famous school of Kim Won, 6-dan ( http://www.go4go.net/v2/modules/collection/byplayer2.php?pid=637 ). I took part in some tournaments, won some prizes, and decided to study Go seriously.
- LG cup will be your first international tournament. Which players would you like to meet?
- Recently, the Chinese junior players have become very strong and I would like to meet them, Chen Yaoye and Zhou Ruiyang first of all. I played some top players on the Tygem server, who we know to be junior Chinese professionals. My score was about 50-50 and now I would like to meet them in real tournaments.
- How useful do you think it is it to play Go online?
- There are some extremely strong players among the Tygem 9-dans. Of course, we may learn a lot from them!
- What are your future plans?
- I would like to play Go like Lee Changho and become a regular participant in the final stages of pro tournaments!
- What are your first and second goals?
- I would like to take a title one day. I entered the Korean league this time and will try my best. My second goal would be to enter the final stages of international tournaments.

Translated from korean Alexandre Dinerchtein

How strong are Tygem stars?

How strong are Tygem (http://tygem.com/) stars?

Korean Tygem Go server announced a tournament between top 3 Tygem players and Korean Dream team: Cho Hunnyun, Lee Changho and Yoo Changhyuk.

The results are:

First game: Cho Hunhyun, 9-dan lost by resignation to "spiderman1"

Second game: Lee Changho, 9-dan lost his game by resignation to "GoldHammer"

Third game: Yoo Changhyuk, 9-dan lost by 6.5 points to "gurenarukl"

It's hard to believe it, but they played without any handicap! Each game gathered more than 5000 observers. It seems, that Tygem has lot of other good players, considering that these 3 masters are not undefeatable.

Their scores:
Spiderman1 , 9-dan on Tygem, W113-L51
GoldHammer, 9-dan on Tygem, W275-L60
gurenarukl, 9-dan on Tygem, W893-L360

Maybe the online Go is far from the offline Go, or do we need a special experience for playing Go on servers? How strong are Tygem star players? Do we know them in real life? There are so many questions. Chess players will also ask about the possibilities of computer help.

Unfortunately they don't have English client available.

Translated from korean Alexandre Dinerchtein

Interview with Gu Li, 9-dan, the winner of the 6th Chunlan cup.

Gu Li, 9-dan won the match against Chang Hao, 9-dan. Tournament table and game records are available on http://www.go4go.net/v2/

- Suddenly you finished the last game quickly. Was the difference so big?
- Yes, I was more than 15 points ahead even before the lunch break.
- Is it true that yesterday you went climbing on Mount Chagumsan?
- Yes, I did it because I can sleep well if I get tired.
- What do you think about the performance of Hu Yaoyu, 8-dan in the recent LG Cup?
- I don't know the reason why, but he did not show as his power at all. None of the 3 games
in the match were played in his usual style.
- What do you think about the second game of your match with Chang Hao?
- I was leading that game from the early stages. Later, Chang Hao, 9-dan made some
overplays, probably because he was nervous, and I punished them well. Actually, it was not a
hard game for me.
- What are your feelings after winning the match?
- Of course, I am very happy, but one cannot compare the Chunlan Cup to the previous LG Cup,
which was the first World Championship that I won.
- It's your second International victory. Will we see a 3rd?
- Yes, I will try make my best to win more tournaments!

Translated from korean Alexandre Dinerchtein

6th Chunlan Cup

Final. 2nd game.

Playing black Gu Li, 9 dan, defeted Chang Hao, 9 dan, by resignation only in 123 move.

As the result Gu Li won 6th Chunlan Cup with total score 2-0. This is his second title after 10th LG Cup.

In game for 3-4 place, Xie He, 6 dan, defeted Peng Quan, 7 dan, by resignation.

6th Chunlan Cup

Final. 1st game.

Chang Hao(9p) - Gu Li(9p) - W+0.5

Gu Li has taken lesdership 1-0.

Next game at March 25.

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.