Tobi and Hiraki

There are many terms in go, and somewhat there are some terms, that seem similiar, but different. One of them is hiraki and tobi.

Maybe you have known the difference, but some people haven't. So, let see the difference.
Tobi is a japanese word, actually mean 'to jump'. In igo, tobi really means 'to jump', since it is used to jump outside (to the center).

The squared stone is example of tobi

Hiraki is similiar to tobi, but there is a difference. Hiraki is also "a jump", but not to outside. It is a jump in the same vertical line or we can call it moving at the side.

The squared stone is example of hiraki

Niken biraki is usually used to make live.

The squared stone is niken biraki example

Igo's term is, sometimes, complicated, but I found it that it's more interesting to use the terms while discussing ;)

Batoo

Batoo is a recently invented igo variation (maybe properly baduk variation, since it was invented in Korea).

The name batoo, came from the name baduk and chantoo, which means battle.

The game is different from baduk.

Here are some rules:
1. It is played on a 11X11 board
2. At the beginning of the game, both players put 3 stones anywhere.
3. There are +5 points intersection, they are A6,F1,F11,and L6 (circle marked). The player who plays a stone there, gets 5 points.
4. There are -5 points intersection, they are C3,C9,J3,and J9 (all sansan intersection, marked square). The player who plays there, gets 5 points reduction.
5. You have a "special weapon" called nuclear, er... I mean "hidden move". It means that you can play a move, but you don't put the stone on the board (or it is hidden). An interesting idea.

6. The turn is decided by bidding. So, if A bid 4 point, and then B bid 5 point, then B play as black and the game's komi is 5 points, but if B didn't bid higher, A play as black and the game's komi is 4 points.

It seems that lot of money has been invested to make this game popular. Seems that this game try to atract more people (especially children) to play baduk, since the number of interested people, become lower and lower.

Maybe something like Hikaru no Go is needed to attract more people. I am also one from many people who play igo, after reading that comic ;)

Third 33rd Meijin Title Match

The third Meijin title match had been played.

Unlike the first two match, this time Cho U took revenge to Iyama. Cho U won by resignation.
Both player is very well spirited in this game. Cho U played a new move again Iyama's Shusaku Kosumi (move 9), well, maybe this is not the first time this move is played, but at least it's not in Kogo's Joseki Dictionary.Instead of 9, the usual joseki is A, or B which is not joseki, since it has problems.

The continuation outcome is: Cho U territory, Iyama influence toward the center.
Iyama resigned at move 225.

Uchida Shuhei, the 2008 Shinjin O Winner

The final of the Shinjin O Cup has been played. This time, the final were between Uchida Shuhei, 2d and Ha Youngil, 4d.

The Shinjin O is a tournament sponsored by Akahata Shimbun.

The first match was played in September 11, 2008. Uchida Shuhei (W) won by 8.5 points.
The first match

The second match was played in September 22, 2008. Uchida Shuhei won again by resignation.

Let's Talk About: Lee Changho

Yi Ch'ang-ho or well known as Lee Changho, was born in July 29, 1975. He is the disciple of the 16 concecutive years Paewang title holder, Cho Hun-hyeon (or also known as Cho Hunhyun).

Lee turned pro at the age of 11 and at the age of 15, he started to won the title that his teacher won. At 1992, Lee won his first international title, the 3rd Tong Yang Cup.With his win against Hane Naoki (the current Honinbo title holder) at the Chunlan Cup, Lee Changho has won every single international tournament at least twice, except World Oza and Ing Cup (which he only won once). By 2007, he is a 12 concecutive years Wangwi title holder, An achievement that only beaten by Cho Hun-hyeon, his teacher and Ma Xiaochun (who won 13 Mingren titles).

Among the go fans, Lee is nicknamed "Stone Buddha". It comes from the fact that he always keep a straight face and never smile no frown during the match. The nickname also represent his playing style. Lee doesn't attack much or play "crazy go". Instead, his playing style is peaceful and defensive. He often win without deep conflict, letting his opponent to make mistakes and he doesn't show emotion change, win or lose.

It was said by his first teacher that he would always play brilliant moves. When he became Cho Hun-hyeon's diciple. At first, Cho doubt about Lee's go talent. But Cho found out that Lee is a great learner and a deep thinker.

During his studies under Cho, Lee stopped trying to played brilliant moves. Instead he became the master of "common" moves. Lee prefer to play safe move, which he can read further and deeper, instead of brilliant or stunning moves, which he also can't read further.

Right now, Lee is challanged by new generation. He is seriously being challanged by Lee Sedol. According to Kim Seungjoon, 7d, Yi loses his composure because he is no longer guaranteed by his old playing style. More and more young Korean players are as good as him in positional judgement, reading ability, and yose (endgame). Lee pursues a new playing style. A battle ready style. In the process, he makes much mistakes and psychological lapses.

Lee has a series of book, called Li Chang Ho Jingjiang Weiqi Sihuo (Lee Changho's Life and Death). They are 6 volumes life & death books.

In one of the interview with GOAMA newsletter (http://gogame.info/), Lee said that his future goals are showing good records at international tounament and find a more suitable sport than tennis for him.

Lee Changho's record:
2007:

Won 41st Wangwi

Won Sibdang Cup

Won 26th KBS Cup

Won Zhonghuan Cup (an international tournament)

2006:
Won 40th Wangwi

Won 3rd Etland Cup

Won 49th Kuksu

Won 1st Siptan Cup

Yoda Norimoto (W) vs. Lee Changho (B) in the 5th CSK Asian Cup, round 1, W+2.5

2005:
Won 39th Wangwi

Won 5th Chunlan Cup

Member of winning Team Korea in the 6th Nongshim Cup Qualified for Team Korea for the 7th Nongshim Cup

Won 2nd Etland Cup

2004:
Won 8th LG Cup

Member of winning Team Korea in the 5th Nongshim Cup

Won 38th Wangwi

Won 9th GS Caltex Cup

Won 23rd KBS Cup

2003:
Runner-up in 7th LG Cup

Won 4th Chunlan Cup

Won 1st Toyota Denso Cup

Member of winning Team Korea in the 4th Nongshim Cup

Won 37th Wangwi

Won 14th Kiseong

Won 35th Myeongin

2002:
Member of winning Team Korea in the 3rd Nongshim Cup

Won 36th Wangwi

Won 13th Kiseong

Won 46th Kuksu

Won 21st KBS Cup

Won 34th Myeongin

2001:
Won 4th Ing Cup

Won 5th LG Cup

Member of winning Team Korea in the 2nd Nongshim Cup

Won 35th Wangwi

Won 12th Kiseong

Won 45th Kuksu

Won 20th KBS Cup

Won 33rd Myeongin

Won 38th Paewang

2000:
Member of winning Team Korea in the 1st Nongshim Cup

Won 34th Wangwi

Won 11th Kiseong

Won 32nd Myeongin

Won 37th Paewang

1999:
Won 4th Samsung Cup

Won 3rd Samsung Cup

Won 3rd LG Cup

Runner-up in the 1st Chunlan Cup

Won 33rd Wangwi

Won 10th Kiseong

Won 4th Ch'eonweon

Won 31st Myeongin

1998:
Won 11th Fujitsu Cup

Won 9th Tong Yang Securities Cup

Won 32nd Wangwi

Won 9th Kiseong

Won 3rd Ch'eonweon

Won 17th KBS Cup

Won 30th Myeongin

1997:
Won 2nd Samsung Cup

Won 1st LG Cup

Won 31st Wangwi

Won 8th Kiseong

Won 41st Kuksu

Won 2nd Ch'eonweon

1996:
Won 9th Fujitsu Cup

Won 7th Tong Yang Securities Cup

Won 30th Wangwi Won 7th Kiseong

Won 40th Kuksu

Won 1st Ch'eonweon

Won 28th Myeongin

1995:
Runner-up in 20th Kiwang (as a 9-dan)

Won 29th Wangwi

Won 6th Kiseong

Won 39th Kuksu

Won 27th Myeongin

1994:
Won 19th Kiwang (as a 7-dan)

Won 5th Kiseong

Won 38th Kuksu

Won 13th KBS Cup

Won 26th Myeongin

Won 31st Paewang

1993:
Won 4th Tong Yang Securities Cup

Won 18th Kiwang (as a 6-dan)

Won 4th Kiseong

Won 37th Kuksu

Won 25th Myeongin

Won 30th Paewang

1992:
Won 3rd Tong Yang Securities Cup

Won 24th Myeongin

1991:
Runner-up in 2nd Tong Yang Securities Cup

Won 11th KBS Cup

Won 23rd Myeongin

1990:
Won 24th Wangwi

Won 34th Kuksu

1988:
Won 8th KBS Cup

Right now he is at the semi-final of the 6th Ing Cup

Lee Changho (W) vs. Lee Sedol (B) in the 6th Ing Cup, semi-final 1 W+R

Second Meijin Title Match

The second round of Meijin title match has been played.

Like in the first round, Iyama Yuta, the Challenger, won again by half point.

The game was played in Otsu, Shiga at September 17,18.

The second game is more peaceful than the first game. Up to move 47, Iyama gained great thickness toward the center, while Cho gained big corner in the right and solid corner in the lower left.

Iyama Yuta (B) vs. Cho U (W), board position up to move 50

In this game, once again Cho U showed his skill in saving weak group. After Iyama splitted his group in two in the right, Cho managed to saved both.

The next game will be played in Takayama, Gifu at September 24,25

Let's Talk About: Gu Li

Gu Li is one of the strongest player in the world. As in September 5, 2008 he was at number 3 of world tournament's win-loss.

Gu Li was born in February 3, 1982. He became pro in 1995 and reached 9p status in April 2006 when he beat Chen Yaoye in final of 10th LG Cup and became the youngest Chinese player ever to win any international tournament.

His given name Li, literally meaning strength, is also a term in go which roughly translated "the ability of reading". Li also encompasses the meaning of the ability to discover strong moves and the ability to fight. Gu was nicknamed Gu Da Li. Da literally means large, big or huge. This refers to Gu's incredible ability at playing really strong moves that require sharp instinct as well immaculate reading.

Here is the list of his achievements:

In 1999, final four of 1st Ahan Tongshan Cup.

In 2001, won China 8th New Pro Wang champion, the challenger final of 8th Qiwang title and final four of 14th Mingren title.

In 2002, won champion of 2nd Liguang Cup and 2nd National Sports Mass Meeting, winner of China-Korea New Pro Wang dual meet, second place of 1st Bawang title and final four of 7th NEC Cup.

In 2003, won 17th Tianyuan Title and winner of 7th China-Korea Tengen confrontation, won 5th Ahan Tongshan Cup champion.

In 2004, won the champion of 9th NEC Cup and successfully defended his Tianyuan title.
In 2004, won 16th CCTV Cup champion and defeated Kato Masao in the 5th China-Japan Agon Cup Dual Meet, the winner of 8th China-Korea Tengen Dual Meet, and won 17th Mingren title by 3:0.

In 2005, won the champion of the 12th Xinren Wang, successfully defended his Tianyuan title, and won 7th Ahan Tongshan Cup.

In 2006, won 11th NEC Cup champion, successfully defended his Mingren title by defeating Yu Bin 9p in the final, and beat Iyama Yuta in the 7th China-Japan Agon Cup Dual Meet.
In 2006, won 10th LG Cup champion and successfully defended his Mingren Title again by defeating Zhou Ruiyang 3:0.

In 2007, won 6th Chunlan Cup champion.In 2007, achieved the 5th consecutive Tianyuan Title and the 4th consecutive Mingren Title.

Gu Li (W) vs. Ding Wei (B) at the 20th Chinese Mingren, Title Match #2, W+R

In 2008, won 13th NEC Cup champion, 4th Chang-ki Cup champion, successfully defended his Tianyuan title again and won the 21st Fujitsu Cup champion.

Gu Li is very well known for his agressive playing style and his good ability at invading.

In mid 2007, Gu was in his playing slump. Many believe this is due to his father's recent death. However, he soon back in shape and won many tournaments, domestically and internationally.

Gu Li (B) vs. Han Sanghoon (W) at the LG Cup's second round, W+R

Right now, he is at the final of Toyota&Denso cup. He will play against his countryman, Piao Wenyao, for the title.

Gu Li (B) vs. Cho U (W) in the semi-final of 4th Toyota&Denso Cup, B+R

33rd Meijin, First Title Match

The First match of the 33th Meijin title had been played in September 04-05 at Aomori, Aomori.

In this round, Iyama Yuta, the challanger, won from Cho U Meijin, by 5.5 points.

The game was a very well spirited game. The fighting has started since the beginning with a lot of unusual moves.

Board position, up to move 61

It's amazing for a teen to be able to play in a title match. This Meijin's title match is pretty interesting. I wonder who will win. Will Cho defend his title? Or will Iyama steal the title away?
Just wait and see :)

Iyama Yuta counting territory