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