Choi Jung, the New Female Myeongin

The 13th Female Myeongin finally crowned. After the end of the second game, Choi Jung was crowned as the new Female Myeongin replacing Rui Naiwei. Choi won 2-0 from Kim Miri to claim the title.

Choi Jung (left) vs. Kim Miri (right)

Choi won the game after a difficult fight in the center. After she carefully took care of her weak group, Choi played the endgame well and won by 5.5 points. Choi became one of the youngest title holder at the age of 15 years and 3 months.

Choi Jung during her post victory interview

Here is the game record:
Choi Jung (white) vs. Kim Miri (black). Result: W+5.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[13th Female Myeongin, final 2]DT[2012-01-26]
PB[Kim Miri]BR[2p]PW[Choi Jung]WR[1p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+5.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dq];B[qo];W[jq];B[cn];W[cp];B[dj];W[ch];B[en];W[gp];B[fc];W[dc]
;B[eh];W[cf];B[jd];W[qf];B[re];W[lc];B[nc];W[le];B[kf];W[lf];B[kg];W[lg];B[kh];W[pi]
;B[rf];W[hd];B[fe];W[hf];B[de];W[ce];B[kd];W[nd];B[oc];W[hc];B[ld];W[ei];B[di];W[fg]
;B[ge];W[he];B[eg];W[ef];B[gg];W[fh];B[gf];W[ej];B[dk];W[ih];B[gh];W[dh];B[fb];W[ig]
;B[hi];W[ii];B[ij];W[jj];B[ik];W[ki];B[lh];W[ek];B[dl];W[kl];B[im];W[fm];B[jn];W[hl]
;B[gk];W[em];B[dm];W[gi];B[fi];W[fj];B[gj];W[dg];B[fi];W[md];B[mc];W[gi];B[db];W[cb]
;B[fi];W[il];B[jk];W[jl];B[kk];W[li];B[kj];W[ji];B[gl];W[gm];B[ll];W[lm];B[mh];W[gi]
;B[hh];W[mm];B[mk];W[nj];B[nk];W[nh];B[ok];W[lj];B[lk];W[ni];B[qk];W[mg];B[ke];W[of]
;B[ko];W[bj];B[bk];W[cj];B[el];W[fl];B[ep];W[do];B[dn];W[eo];B[fn];W[hm];B[hn];W[fk]
;B[bo];W[fo];B[gn];W[jb];B[kb];W[lq];B[iq];W[hq];B[ip];W[ir];B[bq];W[bp];B[ap];W[ib]
;B[kc];W[cr];B[nq];W[ck];B[br];W[bs];B[kr];W[jp];B[hp];W[hr];B[go];W[fp];B[lp];W[kq]
;B[mq];W[io];B[in];W[kn];B[jo];W[om];B[lr];W[ho];B[qg];W[pg];B[qh];W[qi];B[pl];W[bm]
;B[ci];W[bi];B[ph];W[oh];B[oj];W[ri];B[qe];W[pf];B[rh];W[sh];B[rg];W[oi];B[ca];W[ba]
;B[ne];W[nf];B[me];W[rk];B[rl];W[sk];B[ea];W[da];B[qj];W[rj];B[ca];W[bb];B[bn];W[cl]
;B[gb];W[si];B[nn];W[nm];B[hb];W[ic];B[pm];W[on];B[sl];W[pj];B[pk];W[op];B[pp];W[mo]
;B[mp];W[pn];B[qn];W[lo];B[kp];W[jr];B[no];W[oo];B[mn];W[ln];B[np];W[oq];B[or];W[ec]
;B[ee];W[eb];B[fa];W[da];B[mr];W[fi];B[am];W[al];B[cm];W[bl];B[ha];W[sg];B[js];W[is]
;B[ks];W[sf];B[se];W[mf];B[od];W[cq];B[ao];W[hk];B[hj];W[ka];B[la];W[ja];B[an];W[cs])

A New Female Master Will Rise

After a long years of reign, Rui Naiwei the 10 times Female Myeongin winner finally dethroned this year after she moved from Korea back to China. This mean that a new Female Myeongin will emerge this year. Rui has dominated the title and only Park Jieun and Cho Hyeyeon ever won the title once in the 12 years of the tournament's history.

The 13th series will mark not only a new winner, but also a new generation of Korean female player as 2 youngsters won all the way to the final and face each other to determine who the next master will be. The 15 years old Choi Jung won the winner's block after she beat Cho Hyeyeon in an excellent start, Kim Soojin, and Park Jieun at the final. An amazing achievement for beating 2 of Korean strongest female. Meanwhile, at the loser's block, the 20 years old Kim Miri made her way to the final after she beat Kim Eunsun, Kim Soojin, Cho Hyeyeon, and Park Jieun. A rebound of her first round lost to Park Jiyeon.

Kim Miri (left) vs. Choi Jung (right)

The game was played at January 19 with Choi Jung played black and Kim Miri played white. Choi played a Low Chinese Fuseki at the right side and after Kim invaded the upper right corner, Choi went for thickness at the right side.

Choi Jung. Young and dangerous.

A fight started at the bottom right when Kim Miri attacked Choi's corner. The attack wasn't success as Choi handled it well and killed the invader. The failure made Kim changed her attack to the left side. Choi started a ko fight to save all of her groups and successfully won the ko after 167 moves.

Kim Miri who turned pro in 2008 and had a blast since the start.

The second game will be played at January 26. Will Choi reign as the new Female Myeongin, or will Kim save her chance? We will see.

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[13th Korean Female Myeongin, final 1]
DT[2012-01-19]PB[Choi Jeong]BR[1p]PW[Kim Miri]WR[2p]KM[6.5]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[pq];W[dd];B[qk];W[fq];B[jd];W[fc];B[lp];W[qc];B[qd];W[pc];B[oc];W[ob]
;B[nc];W[nb];B[mc];W[rd];B[re];W[rc];B[qf];W[jp];B[kn];W[lk];B[nk];W[lm];B[jo];W[ip]
;B[nm];W[mn];B[np];W[qq];B[qp];W[pp];B[po];W[jl];B[cj];W[cl];B[cg];W[ce];B[cc];W[dc]
;B[cn];W[co];B[dn];W[dk];B[fo];W[fp];B[hn];W[hl];B[dj];W[ej];B[ei];W[fj];B[fi];W[gj]
;B[kp];W[dh];B[be];W[bf];B[bg];W[cf];B[dg];W[eh];B[di];W[ch];B[bh];W[eg];B[gi];W[hi]
;B[ef];W[fg];B[gg];W[ff];B[hh];W[ii];B[df];W[fe];B[jg];W[rp];B[op];W[qo];B[qr];W[pp]
;B[rq];W[qp];B[rr];W[ql];B[pl];W[qm];B[rk];W[oo];B[pn];W[pm];B[on];W[ol];B[nl];W[pk]
;B[rl];W[qn];B[qi];W[oq];B[pr];W[ni];B[oj];W[ig];B[ih];W[jh];B[kh];W[ji];B[if];W[kg]
;B[jf];W[kr];B[lr];W[lh];B[oi];W[mq];B[mp];W[ho];B[io];W[gn];B[bl];W[bk];B[ck];W[bj]
;B[dl];W[bi];B[ci];W[bm];B[cm];W[al];B[cl];W[ah];B[ag];W[bn];B[ak];W[aj];B[ai];W[qj]
;B[rj];W[ah];B[bo];W[bp];B[ai];W[om];B[nn];W[ah];B[am];W[an];B[ai];W[ok];B[rm];W[ah]
;B[bd];W[cb];B[ai];W[rn];B[so];W[ah];B[hp];W[ao];B[ai];W[sn];B[sp];W[ah];B[cd])

Rui Naiwei Defended Female Myeongin

Rui Naiwei is still the strongest female player in Korea. Eventhough there are many young and strong players, it seems that no one will able to break Rui's domination for awhile.


Cho Hyeyeon (left) vs. Rui Naiwei (right)

The third game was played at February 18. The score was 1-1 and the winner of this match will take it all.

The game was very solid. Both players played solid move like white 38, white 54, and black 61. The game was even for most of the time, but Rui later strongly attacked white's group and got a big advantage from the attacking. Cho resigned at move 205.

This is Rui's seventh consecutive Female Myeongin and tenth in collective. Only 2 other players ever held this title. They were Park Jieun in 2000 and Cho Hyeyeon in 2004. Also interesting is, Cho Hyeyeon has a total of 8 Female Myeongin title match series and it was all against Rui. Cho only success once in 2004.


Rui Naiwei

Here is the game record:
Rui Naiwei (black) vs. Cho Hyeyeon (white). Result: B+R

(;
EV[12th Female Myeongin title match 3]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Cho Hyeyeon]
WR[9d]
DT[2011-02-18]
BR[Female Myeongin]
RE[B+R]
PB[Rui Naiwei]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[qp];W[dc];B[de];W[ce];B[cf];W[cd];B[fq];W[cn];B[df]
;W[fc];B[dj];W[op];B[lp];W[qo];B[ro];W[po];B[rn];W[qq];B[rq];W[pp]
;B[rp];W[qr];B[ql];W[mq];B[lq];W[lr];B[kr];W[mr];B[cq];W[dq];B[dr]
;W[cp];B[br];W[bq];B[cr];W[cl];B[ck];W[dl];B[qf];W[pb];B[nb];W[qc]
;B[qd];W[rb];B[rd];W[oc];B[mc];W[md];B[ld];W[me];B[hc];W[od];B[le]
;W[lf];B[pi];W[mg];B[nf];W[mf];B[jd];W[ci];B[dd];W[cc];B[di];W[bh]
;B[ch];W[cg];B[dh];W[bf];B[dg];W[bg];B[jq];W[fp];B[gp];W[eq];B[fo]
;W[er];B[bp];W[bo];B[aq];W[fk];B[fm];W[dk];B[bi];W[bk];B[cj];W[fr]
;B[gq];W[gr];B[hl];W[hr];B[ip];W[pg];B[qg];W[hb];B[ib];W[pk];B[pl]
;W[ol];B[qk];W[ao];B[ap];W[hd];B[gc];W[gd];B[gb];W[id];B[je];W[ic]
;B[jc];W[fb];B[ha];W[hk];B[il];W[eo];B[ep];W[lc];B[lb];W[fp];B[gh]
;W[go];B[ho];W[fn];B[fd];W[hn];B[in];W[hg];B[kg];W[hh];B[gi];W[hi]
;B[hj];W[gj];B[ij];W[fe];B[ek];W[fi];B[fh];W[gm];B[gf];W[hf];B[ed]
;W[gg];B[fg];W[jh];B[kh];W[ki];B[li];W[kf];B[jf];W[jg];B[lh];W[ff]
;B[bj];W[jj];B[ik];W[lj];B[ni];W[nc];B[kc];W[of];B[ii];W[ji];B[kk]
;W[kj];B[ng];W[nh];B[oh];W[mh];B[mi];W[mk];B[og];W[ne];B[pf];W[oj]
;B[oi];W[ob];B[fl];W[gl];B[gk];W[ar];B[as];W[hk];B[sb];W[na];B[mb]
;W[jo];B[jn];W[io];B[hp];W[ko];B[hm];W[gn];B[ln];W[kn];B[lm];W[eg]
;B[eh];W[kl];B[km];W[jm];B[im];W[jl];B[gk])

Or you can download it here.

Cho Hyeyeon Evened the Score

Cho Hyeyeon (9 dan) evened the score to 1-1 at the 12th Female Myeongin title match. Previously, Rui Naiwei the title holder beat Cho by resignation. However, Cho found her shape in this game and won by 7.5 points. The last game will be played at February 17.


Cho Hyeyeon (left vs. Rui Naiwei (right)

Will Cho finally break Rui's jinx over her?


Cho Hyeyeon

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rating game]DT[2011-02-16]PB[Rui Naiwei]
BR[9p]PW[Cho Hyeyeon]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+7.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[do];W[co];B[cn];W[cp];B[oq];W[qj];B[fc];W[cf];B[qh];W[qo]
;B[qm];W[pp];B[pq];W[pm];B[rp];W[ql];B[dn];W[fq];B[dj];W[db];B[ic];W[qc];B[pc];W[qd]
;B[qe];W[re];B[rf];W[pb];B[ob];W[oc];B[pe];W[nb];B[qb];W[oa];B[rb];W[kc];B[qn];W[pn]
;B[ro];W[ol];B[ch];W[kq];B[go];W[hp];B[ho];W[ip];B[eb];W[ec];B[fb];W[ef];B[mc];W[mb]
;B[po];W[rh];B[pk];W[pj];B[ok];W[pl];B[nk];W[qg];B[ni];W[rg];B[rd];W[mm];B[kl];W[io]
;B[in];W[jm];B[lm];W[jn];B[ml];W[oh];B[rk];W[qk];B[rl];W[bn];B[bm];W[bo];B[oi];W[pi]
;B[cl];W[mq];B[ko];W[im];B[hn];W[jo];B[hm];W[ik];B[mn];W[nm];B[hk];W[hj];B[ij];W[hl]
;B[gk];W[gl];B[jk];W[il];B[hi];W[bg];B[bh];W[ke];B[jb];W[kb];B[me];W[ie];B[rj];W[of]
;B[ng];W[og];B[gf];W[nh];B[mh];W[nf];B[od];W[mg];B[lh];W[ge];B[fe];W[gd];B[fd];W[ff]
;B[hb];W[gg];B[hf];W[id];B[de];W[ee];B[jc];W[kd];B[cb];W[da];B[ea];W[ce];B[hg];W[gc]
;B[gb];W[nr];B[nc];W[lf];B[or];W[jg];B[fg];W[jj];B[gj];W[ji];B[kj];W[ki];B[lj];W[jl]
;B[kk];W[li];B[mi];W[kg];B[mp];W[eg];B[gh];W[eh];B[kp];W[jq];B[cg];W[bf];B[ei];W[fl]
;B[ob];W[ep];B[fn];W[oc];B[nq];W[mr];B[ob];W[ah];B[ai];W[ag];B[bj];W[oc];B[cc];W[dc]
;B[ob];W[nn];B[no];W[ln];B[mo];W[kn];B[km];W[cd];B[ri];W[oc];B[qi];W[ph];B[ob];W[ja]
;B[ia];W[ka];B[hc];W[oc];B[jd];W[je];B[ob];W[ha];B[ga];W[oc];B[gp];W[gq];B[ob];W[mk]
;B[lk];W[oc];B[pf];W[pg];B[ob];W[nl];B[mj];W[oc];B[kh];W[jh];B[ob];W[oj];B[nj];W[oc]
;B[el];W[fk];B[ek];W[lc];B[ob];W[eo];B[en];W[oc];B[ns];W[ob];B[nd];W[oo];B[op];W[ms]
;B[os];W[on];B[lq];W[lr];B[lp];W[kr];B[fj];W[qa];B[ra];W[si];B[sj];W[fh];B[fm];W[sg]
;B[qf];W[sf];B[se];W[fi];B[dh];W[am];B[al];W[an];B[if];W[jf];B[gm];W[ii];B[hj];W[pa]
;B[dp];W[fp];B[cq];W[bq];B[cr];W[dr];B[gg];W[sh];B[rc];W[mf];B[ej];W[df];B[hh];W[hd]
;B[ne];W[le];B[np];W[jp])

Rui Leads Female Myeongin

Rui Naiwei (9 dan) doesn't show any sign that she is getting weaker. In fact, she is still competitive and this reflects in her victory at the first game of the 12th Female Myeongin.


Rui Naiwei

Rui beat Cho Hyeyeon challenger by resignation in a fierce battle. The second game will be played at February 15.

Here is the game record:
Rui Naiwei (white) vs. Cho Hyeyeon (black). Result: W+R.

(;
KM[6.5]
EV[12th Female Myeongin title match 1]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Rui Naiwei]
WR[Female Myeongin]
DT[2011-02-10]
BR[9d]
RE[W+R]
PB[Cho Hyeyeon]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dq];B[do];W[po];B[cf];W[fc];B[fp];W[qf];B[ph]
;W[of];B[nd];W[rd];B[qc];W[rh];B[og];W[nf];B[qg];W[rg];B[pf];W[pe]
;B[qe];W[pg];B[cd];W[qd];B[pf];W[re];B[dc];W[od];B[oc];W[pc];B[pb]
;W[mc];B[ed];W[fd];B[id];W[md];B[ff];W[gf];B[if];W[gg];B[ih];W[gi]
;B[pd];W[oe];B[nb];W[mb];B[rc];W[ij];B[lh];W[lj];B[fh];W[gh];B[hj]
;W[hi];B[ii];W[jj];B[hk];W[fg];B[lf];W[nc];B[mj];W[mk];B[nj];W[lk]
;B[qm];W[on];B[om];W[nm];B[nn];W[pm];B[ol];W[pl];B[nl];W[mm];B[pk]
;W[no];B[ql];W[pn];B[qj];W[nq];B[ro];W[hp];B[fr];W[hn];B[pp];W[qo]
;B[rp];W[gq];B[fq];W[co];B[cp];W[dp];B[cq];W[cr];B[bo];W[cn];B[dn]
;W[bn];B[br];W[dm];B[fn];W[dr];B[bs];W[ao];B[bq];W[fm];B[em];W[el]
;B[en];W[bp];B[ep];W[gm];B[dl];W[cm];B[dk];W[ek];B[bl];W[dj];B[bj]
;W[aq];B[ds];W[bm];B[iq];W[ip];B[kq];W[ir];B[ml];W[lm];B[cj];W[cl]
;B[ll];W[kl];B[km];W[kn];B[ck];W[al];B[jm];W[jl];B[ej];W[fj];B[jp]
;W[jo];B[hq];W[kp];B[jq];W[lq];B[im];W[il];B[lp];W[ko];B[hm];W[hl]
;B[gn];W[ei];B[mq];W[lr];B[ho];W[io];B[in];W[mp];B[gp];W[na];B[oa]
;W[ob];B[gl];W[fl];B[nb];W[cg];B[dg];W[ch];B[dh];W[di];B[ak];W[ci])

Cho Hyeyeon Became Female Myeongin Challenger

Cho Hyeyeon who recently became the fourth female 9 dan successfully won the final game of the 12th Female Myeongin main tournament and won the right to challenge Rui Naiwei the title holder.

This is Cho's fourth consecutive challenge. She also became the challenger in three previous season, but never success.

Cho beat Park Jieun (9 dan) at the final game. Previously, Park beat Cho at the winner section semi-final, but Cho managed to stay calm and won at the final.

Cho sacrificed her stones at the bottom left to create a big framework at the center. Park broke the center moyo, but Cho's territory at the upper left corner is big enough to make her victorious.

The first game will be played at January 13. Rui has a 33-16 record in her favor against Cho.


Rui Naiwei (left) and Cho Hyeyeon (right)


Here is the game record:
Cho Hyeyeon (white) vs. Park Jieun (black). Result: W+9.5

(;
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
EV[12th Female Myeongin challenger decision match]
GM[1]
PB[Park Jieun]
PW[Cho Hyeyeon]
BR[9d]
RE[W+9.5]
DT[2010-12-29]
WR[9d]
;B[qd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dq];B[fc];W[cf];B[lc];W[qn];B[ql];W[qq];B[qp]
;W[pp];B[rq];W[qr];B[po];W[op];B[qo];W[rr];B[no];W[oo];B[on];W[oq]
;B[pn];W[pf];B[od];W[qe];B[rd];W[qi];B[do];W[cm];B[cq];W[gq];B[dp]
;W[dr];B[cn];W[dl];B[cr];W[db];B[qg];W[pg];B[qf];W[qk];B[rk];W[rj]
;B[pk];W[pj];B[qj];W[bn];B[bo];W[qk];B[iq];W[go];B[qj];W[dn];B[co]
;W[qk];B[en];W[mp];B[io];W[gm];B[el];W[il];B[qj];W[ld];B[mc];W[jp]
;B[hq];W[fp];B[ho];W[kq];B[kn];W[mn];B[im];W[hm];B[jm];W[jd];B[qk]
;W[jl];B[kl];W[kk];B[ll];W[lk];B[mk];W[mj];B[ml];W[ek];B[fl];W[fk]
;B[gl];W[gk];B[hl];W[hk];B[fn];W[li];B[dk];W[dj];B[jb];W[ic];B[ib]
;W[hc];B[nf];W[hb];B[ck];W[cj];B[kg];W[lf];B[jk];W[ik];B[lg];W[oe]
;B[ke];W[nd];B[oc];W[kd];B[nh];W[mf];B[nj];W[mg];B[mh];W[nc];B[nb]
;W[ob];B[mb];W[ne];B[lh];W[pd];B[pc];W[qc];B[pb];W[re];B[pe];W[ip]
;B[hp];W[pd];B[dc];W[cc];B[pe];W[em];B[fm];W[pd];B[np];W[nq];B[pe]
;W[ir];B[hr];W[pd];B[qb];W[ki];B[pe];W[oi];B[mi];W[pd];B[bk];W[bj]
;B[pe];W[qh];B[kf];W[if];B[se];W[pd];B[ig];W[jg];B[ie];W[je];B[jf]
;W[hf];B[jh];W[hg];B[pe];W[bl];B[ng];W[pd];B[hh];W[pe];B[gh];W[ii]
;B[ih];W[fg];B[gg];W[gf];B[ff];W[ef];B[rc];W[lj];B[le];W[me];B[ni]
;W[sf];B[an];W[ak];B[mo];W[lo];B[nn];W[jr];B[fh];W[eg];B[eh];W[dh]
;B[lp];W[mq];B[jc];W[ri];B[rp];W[hs];B[gs];W[ln];B[is];W[jo];B[md]
;W[id];B[fe];W[gd];B[gb];W[ha];B[ji];W[jj];B[jq];W[kr];B[di];W[ch]
;B[oh];W[sj];B[sr];W[dm];B[bm];W[cl];B[he];W[ge];B[fd];W[ga];B[fa]
;W[eb];B[ko];W[kp];B[jn];W[fb];B[ei];W[sd];B[oj];W[pi];B[mm];W[lq]
;B[ci];W[bi];B[hi];W[am];B[al];W[kc];B[kb];W[am];B[pr];W[or];B[al]
;W[ia];B[ja];W[am];B[rs];W[ps];B[al];W[la];B[lb];W[am];B[gc];W[hd]
;B[al];W[js];B[hs];W[am];B[he];W[ea];B[al];W[eo];B[gn];W[am];B[bn]
;W[sk];B[sl];W[ph];B[lm];W[lp];B[sc];W[ij];B[kh];W[se];B[sq];W[al]
;B[ss])

Rui Balanced the Sheet

After losing the first game of the 3 game series at Female Myeongin title match, Rui Naiwei the title holder won the second gam by resignation.


Rui Naiwei

The game went very well for Rui, as she occupied 3 corners in the early game, but she had one unsettled group in the upper board. Cho Hyeyeon aggressively attacked the group. Rui didn't settle it as soon as possible, but she attacked Cho's corner first, before defending the group back.


Cho Hyeyeon

Cho Hyeyeon resigned after 239 moves. With this, Rui got the chance to defend her title.


Rui's victory


The game was aired live on TV!

Cho Hyeyeon Won the First Game

The 11th Female Myeongin title match series was started in January 15. This time, for the third consecutive time, Cho Hyeyeon becomes the challenger, challenging Rui Naiwei the title holder.


Rui Naiwei (left) vs. Cho Hyeyeon (right)

The game started by Cho surprisingly played a Japanese joseki in the upper right corner. Usually the joseki is played by Japanese pro.


Cho Hyeyeon (black) vs. Rui Naiwei (white), game up to move 86

The game went to be a fighting game (which is usual for game between Rui and Cho) with a fight in the upper board. The game became complicated. In the end, a semeai involving two big groups occur. Whoever win the fight, will win.

However, Cho Hyeyeon played a double ko, which ensure her victory.

Download the game here