Cho Hanseung, The New Kuksu

The 55th Kuksu tournament ended on November 16. The series went all the way to the fifth game. Cho Hanseung had the lead after game 3, but Choi Cheolhan won game 4 and made the series went for the fifth game. Cho Hanseung then won the last game and won the title with it. This is the first Kuksu title for Cho Hanseung and his first tournament victory after 2 years. His last victory came from GS Galtex Cup in 2009.

Cho Hanseung, the new kuksu

Here is the game records:

 Game 4

Choi Cheolhan (left) vs. Cho Hanseung (right)

Choi Cheolhan (black) vs. Cho Hanseung (white). Result: B+R

(; EV[55th Kuksu title match 4] KM[6.5] FF[3] SZ[19] GM[1] PW[Cho Hanseung] WR[9d] DT[2011-11-14] BR[9d] RE[B+R] PB[Choi Cheolhan] ;B[qd];W[dc];B[dp];W[pp];B[ce];W[oc];B[kd];W[ed];B[hd];W[df];B[cg] ;W[dh];B[dg];W[eg];B[eh];W[ef];B[di];W[cf];B[ch];W[bf];B[pc];W[od] ;B[pf];W[mc];B[qn];W[nq];B[rp];W[fq];B[cn];W[dr];B[mp];W[mq];B[kp] ;W[qq];B[oo];W[qh];B[qg];W[ph];B[nf];W[pk];B[lb];W[ld];B[kc];W[lf] ;B[mh];W[ql];B[ol];W[nj];B[kg];W[ne];B[of];W[kf];B[mf];W[me];B[jf] ;W[pb];B[qb];W[pd];B[qc];W[nb];B[pa];W[lg];B[lh];W[nd];B[hq];W[cq] ;B[eq];W[ep];B[fp];W[eo];B[dq];W[er];B[cp];W[gq];B[gp];W[hp];B[ho] ;W[ip];B[fn];W[bp];B[bo];W[io];B[hr];W[gr];B[gs];W[fr];B[jq];W[en] ;B[fm];W[bq];B[fo];W[dn];B[co];W[dl];B[bl];W[ek];B[fl];W[np];B[jn] ;W[fk];B[cm];W[no];B[qm];W[hk];B[dm];W[hb];B[gb];W[gc];B[hc];W[fb] ;B[hi];W[jl];B[in];W[jj];B[kk];W[mk];B[kl];W[jk];B[lj];W[jg];B[kh] ;W[if];B[je];W[ig];B[gg];W[gf];B[ib];W[ii];B[ha];W[rq];B[rl];W[rk] ;B[sm];W[rn];B[ro];W[on];B[po];W[pn];B[nn];W[nm];B[mn];W[op];B[qo] ;W[mm];B[qj];W[rj];B[pj];W[qk];B[om];W[ln];B[pm];W[on];B[ml];W[nl] ;B[ok];W[oj];B[oi];W[nk];B[pi];W[oh];B[ni];W[rg];B[rf];W[ri];B[sg] ;W[sh];B[rh];W[cj];B[dj];W[rg];B[sf];W[sp];B[rh];W[el];B[ck];W[rg] ;B[so];W[sq];B[rh];W[hn];B[hm];W[rg];B[br];W[cr];B[rh];W[cl];B[bk] ;W[rg];B[ap];W[aq];B[rh];W[rm];B[sn];W[rg];B[fs])

Game 5

Choi Cheolhan (left) vs. Cho Hanseung (right)

Cho Hanseung (black) vs. Choi Cheolhan (white). Result: B+1.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[55th Kuksu title match, game 5]DT[2011-11-16] PB[Cho Hanseung ]BR[9p]PW[Choi Cheolhan]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+1.5]MULTIGOGM[1] ;B[pd];W[dc];B[qp];W[dq];B[de];W[co];B[oq];W[ce];B[cf];W[cd];B[dg];W[fc];B[ck];W[qj] ;B[ql];W[qf];B[qh];W[rh];B[mc];W[qc];B[qd];W[pc];B[rc];W[nc];B[nd];W[od];B[oe];W[oc] ;B[ne];W[pe];B[qe];W[pf];B[rf];W[rb];B[qg];W[og];B[rd];W[md];B[lc];W[ld];B[mf];W[kc] ;B[kb];W[kd];B[nb];W[ob];B[mb];W[jb];B[pa];W[qb];B[la];W[nh];B[lg];W[oa];B[na];W[sb] ;B[oi];W[ni];B[oj];W[li];B[jg];W[ml];B[ol];W[nk];B[ok];W[kh];B[kg];W[ii];B[hg];W[hd] ;B[gi];W[qq];B[hk];W[rp];B[pp];W[qo];B[po];W[qn];B[kl];W[rr];B[lk];W[nj];B[ln];W[mn] ;B[mo];W[jk];B[jl];W[mg];B[lf];W[jh];B[ic];W[id];B[hi];W[lm];B[kn];W[no];B[mp];W[pn] ;B[nm];W[kk];B[ll];W[mm];B[nn];W[lj];B[fq];W[km];B[jn];W[jm];B[im];W[il];B[hl];W[ik] ;B[dr];W[cq];B[eq];W[cl];B[dl];W[cm];B[bk];W[fn];B[cr];W[in];B[hm];W[go];B[dn];W[dm] ;B[do];W[en];B[ep];W[el];B[dk];W[bp];B[gn];W[br];B[fo];W[hq];B[dp];W[cp];B[hp];W[ip] ;B[ho];W[gp];B[nl];W[mk];B[iq];W[pq];B[oo];W[jq];B[ir];W[kp];B[io];W[jo];B[jp];W[hf] ;B[gf];W[ip];B[hn];W[hr];B[jp];W[or];B[jr];W[cs];B[rm];W[ja];B[ka];W[jd];B[bl];W[bm] ;B[nr];W[nq];B[mq];W[er];B[fr];W[ds];B[ed];W[ge];B[if];W[ff];B[he];W[fd];B[be];W[bd] ;B[fg];W[rg];B[ri];W[op];B[np];W[oq];B[af];W[ek];B[ej];W[sc];B[re];W[qi];B[sh];W[ph] ;B[sg];W[pi];B[ad];W[bc];B[ef];W[fe];B[rn];W[ro];B[pg];W[oh];B[of];W[mr];B[lr];W[ns] ;B[rj];W[ee];B[ac];W[ab];B[ae];W[dd];B[df];W[bg];B[bf];W[bb];B[ih];W[dj];B[di];W[ij] ;B[fs];W[ie];B[hf];W[am];B[fk];W[fl];B[gk];W[qk];B[rk];W[on];B[no];W[hj];B[gj];W[al] ;B[ak];W[ls];B[ks];W[lq];B[ms];W[eo];B[gq];W[ls];B[kr];W[lh];B[ms];W[fp];B[fo];W[ls] ;B[ng];W[nf];B[ms];W[ng];B[nr];W[cj];B[bj];W[mr];B[cn];W[bn];B[nr];W[ci];B[bi];W[mr] ;B[jc];W[ib];B[nr];W[ch];B[bh];W[mr];B[hc];W[hb];B[nr];W[ei];B[fj];W[mr];B[gc];W[gd] ;B[nr];W[os];B[gb];W[fb];B[mr];W[dh];B[cg];W[sn];B[sm];W[so];B[es];W[dr];B[sd];W[ke] ;B[jf];W[qm];B[pl])

Cho Hanseung Leads 55th Kuksu

The 55th Kuksu title series continued on November 8. This time, Choi Cheolhan the Kuksu title holder played white and Cho Hanseung played black. Cho Hanseung opened the game with a great combination from black 17 to black 27. White survived the attack, but black got a big thickness at the center.

Choi Cheolhan (left) vs. Cho Hanseung (right)

Cho Hanseung extended his lead by stealing white's corner. He played black 131-135 and ended in sente. Choi Cheolhan resigned not long afterward. Cho Hanseung now leads the Kuksu title series by 2-1. The fourth game will be played on November 14.

Cho Hanseung leads by 2-1. Will he seized the title at the next game?

Here is the game record:

Cho Hanseung (black) vs. Choi Cheolhan (white). Result: B+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[55th Kuksu title match, game 3]DT[2011-11-08] PB[Cho Hanseung]BR[9p]PW[Choi Cheolhan]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1] ;B[qd];W[pp];B[dd];W[dp];B[qn];W[nq];B[kc];W[qo];B[pn];W[pj];B[ph];W[nj];B[no];W[om] ;B[pl];W[mm];B[nl];W[ol];B[po];W[qp];B[nm];W[ml];B[nk];W[ok];B[nn];W[mk];B[mj];W[ni] ;B[lj];W[kl];B[lo];W[lq];B[jo];W[il];B[lh];W[ng];B[lf];W[mf];B[pf];W[le];B[ke];W[pd] ;B[pe];W[ne];B[ld];W[lg];B[kf];W[kg];B[mh];W[nh];B[mg];W[kh];B[ji];W[ki];B[kj];W[jj] ;B[me];W[nf];B[jk];W[ij];B[ik];W[mi];B[hj];W[li];B[ii];W[in];B[kq];W[io];B[lr];W[mr] ;B[lp];W[mq];B[iq];W[ip];B[hq];W[fo];B[jp];W[ig];B[hl];W[qc];B[rd];W[pc];B[qi];W[cl] ;B[cj];W[fq];B[bn];W[co];B[bl];W[dl];B[cm];W[dm];B[jm];W[ch];B[cf];W[db];B[dc];W[eb] ;B[cb];W[gc];B[ic];W[bb];B[cc];W[ca];B[bc];W[hc];B[id];W[gf];B[ef];W[he];B[ck];W[cn] ;B[bm];W[gl];B[ej];W[jl];B[hm];W[im];B[gm];W[gp];B[fl];W[qj];B[rc];W[mc];B[md];W[nd] ;B[gr];W[fg];B[fe];W[ge];B[cq];W[bo];B[er];W[fr];B[dr];W[en];B[eh];W[fs];B[br];W[kr] ;B[jr];W[ls];B[rj];W[rk];B[ri];W[rn];B[rm];W[ro];B[qm];W[qk];B[js];W[lb];B[lc];W[mb] ;B[qb];W[pb];B[rb];W[jb];B[jc];W[ib];B[fh];W[dk];B[dj];W[gs];B[hs];W[hr];B[ir];W[gq] ;B[hr];W[kn];B[ko];W[ba];B[ab])

Choi Cheolhan Won Game 2

The 55th Kuksu title series met Cho Hanseung won the first of the best-of-5 games. Choi Cheolhan as the title holder didn't let him lead for too long as he won the second game a week later to bring the score even again.

Choi Cheolhan (left) vs. Cho Hanseung (right)

Choi who played black was back to his forte, fighting, in this game. He started an attack with black 53. Cho defended his group well and Choi shifted the attack to the right side with black 75 and 77. As a result, black got a strong thickness toward the center. Cho Hanseung probed the center with white 122, but Choi successfully seized the center with black 165. Cho resigned 12 moves later after black 177.

With this victory, the standing for both players is 1-1. The third game will be played on November 8.

Here is the game record:

(;
EV[55th Kuksu title match 2]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Cho Hanseung]
WR[9d]
DT[2011-10-25]
BR[Kuksu]
RE[B+R]
PB[Choi Cheolhan]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[co];W[op];B[oq];W[nq];B[pq];W[mp];B[no]
;W[mo];B[nr];W[nm];B[mr];W[ck];B[ep];W[eq];B[fp];W[gq];B[cq];W[qf]
;B[nc];W[dp];B[do];W[cp];B[fq];W[fr];B[gp];W[hq];B[bp];W[bq];B[cr]
;W[er];B[br];W[bo];B[aq];W[bn];B[hp];W[jq];B[jp];W[rd];B[cm];W[bm]
;B[em];W[iq];B[ci];W[ek];B[cf];W[ce];B[df];W[fc];B[gk];W[ei];B[fe]
;W[fl];B[hl];W[cn];B[dn];W[gl];B[hm];W[hk];B[gj];W[ik];B[kp];W[lq]
;B[ip];W[cj];B[kq];W[kr];B[lr];W[js];B[di];W[dj];B[kl];W[eg];B[nk]
;W[be];B[pk];W[he];B[de];W[ed];B[cd];W[bd];B[cc];W[bc];B[db];W[bb]
;B[gf];W[hc];B[hf];W[qm];B[nn];W[qk];B[qj];W[pl];B[ok];W[on];B[mn]
;W[rk];B[rj];W[ro];B[pn];W[qo];B[oo];W[rq];B[hi];W[qc];B[je];W[of]
;B[jc];W[me];B[mg];W[kd];B[kc];W[lc];B[lb];W[ld];B[mb];W[jd];B[pc]
;W[jg];B[ie];W[nh];B[mh];W[mi];B[ng];W[og];B[ni];W[oh];B[li];W[oi]
;B[id];W[nj];B[mj];W[ic];B[ni];W[ib];B[ka];W[mi];B[qd];W[kf];B[ni]
;W[ja];B[kb];W[mi];B[fd];W[ec];B[ni];W[hd];B[if];W[mi];B[gc];W[gb]
;B[ni];W[ff];B[fg];W[ef];B[oj];W[fh];B[ih];W[rb];B[qb];W[rc];B[ne]
;W[pi];B[ge];W[ee];B[pj];W[om];B[po];W[rp];B[qe];W[re];B[qg];W[rf]
;B[qh])

Cho Hanseung Leads Kuksu

The 55th Kuksu Cup reached its title match series with Choi Cheolhan Kuksu will take Cho Hanseung, the challenger, in a best-of-5 series. Cho Hanseung took an early lead of the series by winning the first game.

                              Cho Hanseung (left) vs. Choi Cheolhan (right)

Cho Hanseung who played black gave Choi Cheolhan a big lower left corner for a thickness toward the center. Cho Hanseung showed a solid endgame and won the game by resignation after 243 moves. The next game will be played on October 25.

                                          Cho Hanseung took game 1

                              Will Choi Cheolhan get his revenge at game 2?

 Here is the game record: Cho Hanseung (black) vs. Choi Cheolhan (white). Result: B+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[55th Korean Kuksu, title match #1]DT[2011-10-17] PB[Cho Hanseung]BR[9p]PW[Choi Cheolhan]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1] ;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[op];W[jp];B[cf];W[ci];B[fd];W[df];B[cc];W[dc];B[dg];W[ce] ;B[ef];W[de];B[bg];W[eg];B[dh];W[ff];B[be];W[bd];B[di];W[ee];B[do];W[dk];B[fp];W[eo] ;B[ep];W[dp];B[dn];W[go];B[cp];W[cq];B[bp];W[fr];B[gp];W[fo];B[ho];W[fm];B[ip];W[bq] ;B[cl];W[dl];B[ck];W[cm];B[dm];W[bm];B[el];W[ek];B[fl];W[fk];B[gl];W[cj];B[gk];W[hq] ;B[hp];W[iq];B[fj];W[dj];B[fh];W[co];B[cn];W[bn];B[em];W[bo];B[mc];W[kc];B[id];W[md] ;B[nd];W[je];B[hf];W[ne];B[nc];W[me];B[oe];W[qe];B[nf];W[mf];B[mg];W[lg];B[ng];W[qh] ;B[jg];W[jf];B[ld];W[lf];B[lc];W[ig];B[jc];W[jh];B[qj];W[qd];B[qc];W[rc];B[lq];W[jo] ;B[hn];W[qq];B[pq];W[qo];B[rq];W[mp];B[lp];W[lo];B[mo];W[no];B[mn];W[np];B[ln];W[oo] ;B[ko];W[ro];B[er];W[qr];B[rp];W[or];B[po];W[pn];B[pp];W[mr];B[qn];W[pm];B[lr];W[rn] ;B[pr];W[ol];B[nm];W[on];B[ps];W[eq];B[oj];W[fq];B[rl];W[nj];B[qm];W[ql];B[rm];W[oi] ;B[pj];W[nk];B[mi];W[lj];B[ni];W[kk];B[jn];W[ae];B[rb];W[pe];B[qb];W[of];B[od];W[rj] ;B[qk];W[pg];B[og];W[pf];B[pi];W[hg];B[af];W[bf];B[rd];W[re];B[be];W[ad];B[hh];W[hi] ;B[gg];W[gi];B[jj];W[ik];B[ih];W[kg];B[ii];W[gh];B[hj];W[ij];B[ji];W[gf];B[kh];W[ki] ;B[jg];W[fg];B[lh];W[jh];B[jk];W[kr];B[jl];W[ls];B[fi];W[fb];B[sc];W[ri];B[pl];W[om] ;B[hc];W[gb];B[hb];W[kd];B[kb];W[jd];B[jb];W[bf];B[se];W[rg];B[be];W[li];B[jg];W[bf] ;B[fc];W[eb];B[bh];W[jh];B[mh];W[he];B[hd];W[sf];B[aj];W[cg];B[ch];W[bk];B[gj];W[gg] ;B[jq];W[kq];B[kp];W[jr];B[kl];W[ll];B[ok];W[nl];B[lm];W[sd];B[rc];W[ph];B[oh];W[eh] ;B[ei];W[le];B[ie];W[if];B[ga])

Choi Cheolhan Won Kuksu

Choi Cheolhan is truly on fire. After winning Chunwon title , Choi scored his second title this year by winning Kuksu title over Lee Changho.


Lee Changho (left) vs. Choi Cheolhan (right)

The game started by both sides played a Low Chinese opening. Lee made the approach at G3 and white answered with the simplest move. Choi quickly invade Lee's moyo with a probe at White 16. The game quickly turned to be a semeai. However. black's shape wasn't very strong and Choi cut black's group apart with M11. Lee Changho resigned surprisingly quick. At move 98!

Here is the game record:
Choi Cheolhan (white) vs. Lee Changho (black). Result: W+R

(;
SZ[19]
KM[6.5]
GM[1]
EV[54th Kuksu title match 4]
FF[3]
DT[2011-02-14]
PB[Lee Changho]
BR[Kuksu]
RE[W+R]
PW[Choi Cheolhan]
WR[9d]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dq];B[qk];W[ck];B[gq];W[do];B[jp];W[nc];B[pf]
;W[pb];B[qc];W[kc];B[po];W[qq];B[qp];W[oq];B[pr];W[op];B[pp];W[lq]
;B[kq];W[lp];B[kn];W[mn];B[ll];W[nl];B[nm];W[ko];B[jo];W[km];B[lm]
;W[ln];B[jn];W[mm];B[pl];W[ml];B[lk];W[mj];B[lj];W[pj];B[mi];W[nj]
;B[qi];W[df];B[ek];W[gp];B[cp];W[fq];B[co];W[cq];B[dn];W[eo];B[cl]
;W[bl];B[bm];W[dl];B[cm];W[dk];B[bk];W[bj];B[al];W[hq];B[cj];W[dj]
;B[ci];W[di];B[ch];W[jl];B[il];W[jk];B[jm];W[dh];B[cg];W[cf];B[eb]
;W[fc];B[kh];W[fb];B[no];W[ik];B[mo];W[lo];B[lr];W[mr];B[kr];W[qj]
;B[qh];W[rk];B[qm];W[ri];B[rh];W[rl];B[om];W[pk];B[ql];W[li])

Choi Cheolhan Took the Lead

Choi Cheolhan (9 dan) is a step closer for his third Kuksu title. He won the third game of the 54th Kuksu title match and leads the series by 2-1.


Lee Changho (left) vs. Choi Cheolhan (right)

The game opening is quite unusual with white invaded with white 12 instead of finishing the joseki at the left side. Things became difficult for white when black cut white's group with black 149 and threatened the whole white group at the upper side. I personally think white 168 is the losing move. Perhaps white should solidly defense at F18 and avoid the dangerous ko fight.


Choi Cheolhan

Here is the game record:
Choi Cheolhan (black) vs. Lee Changho (white). Result: B+R

(;
EV[54th Kuksu title match 3]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Lee Changho]
WR[Kuksu]
DT[2011-01-25]
BR[9d]
RE[B+R]
PB[Choi Cheolhan]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[qk];W[fq];B[nc];W[fc];B[cj];W[cl];B[cf]
;W[re];B[rd];W[qe];B[qd];W[qi];B[mp];W[oi];B[ok];W[qo];B[qp];W[rp]
;B[rq];W[oo];B[np];W[qm];B[qg];W[rg];B[nm];W[om];B[nl];W[pp];B[qq]
;W[rk];B[hq];W[ch];B[bh];W[bg];B[cg];W[bi];B[bf];W[ci];B[cc];W[cd]
;B[bd];W[dc];B[bc];W[ic];B[cn];W[cp];B[fr];W[er];B[dm];W[dl];B[fm]
;W[hp];B[iq];W[gp];B[el];W[ek];B[fk];W[ej];B[fj];W[ei];B[fi];W[gl]
;B[fl];W[ah];B[eh];W[dh];B[ip];W[hn];B[ho];W[go];B[io];W[en];B[gq]
;W[gn];B[eq];W[ep];B[fp];W[em];B[dr];W[cb];B[bb];W[jm];B[bq];W[bp]
;B[eg];W[gh];B[ij];W[ih];B[kj];W[jk];B[ik];W[hl];B[jl];W[kl];B[il]
;W[kn];B[ff];W[hf];B[lh];W[mc];B[nd];W[nb];B[ob];W[lf];B[le];W[ke]
;B[ld];W[kk];B[jj];W[lj];B[li];W[mj];B[ni];W[qj];B[kd];W[je];B[nj]
;W[kb];B[lb];W[sd];B[pg];W[qh];B[jb];W[ib];B[jc];W[rc];B[jd];W[id]
;B[ia];W[ha];B[ja];W[db];B[hb];W[ee];B[ef];W[fh];B[ba];W[hj];B[hi]
;W[hk];B[hh];W[gi];B[hg];W[ig];B[he];W[gg];B[ie];W[ce];B[be];W[gf]
;B[ge];W[fa];B[gc];W[eb];B[im];W[in];B[ii];W[if];B[jo];W[jn];B[ga]
;W[fe];B[gd];W[qb];B[fb];W[gb];B[dk];W[ck];B[fb];W[ki];B[jh];W[gb]
;B[bl];W[ha];B[bk];W[dj];B[bj];W[cm];B[dn];W[bm];B[bn];W[am];B[an]
;W[aj];B[fn];W[fo];B[eo];W[fq];B[al];W[ak];B[fp];W[cr];B[gj];W[kf]
;B[fq];W[en];B[do];W[br];B[ga];W[mg];B[lm];W[lo];B[ko];W[ln];B[mn]
;W[lp];B[lq])

Choi Evened the Score

After a heart breaking lost at the first game, Choi Cheolhan (9 dan) beat Lee Changho at the 54th Kuksu title match series.


Choi Cheolhan (left) vs. Lee Changho (right)

Lee who played black opened the game with a recently fashionable way to play the Low Chinese. Lee soon played for a big moyo at the upper board. Choi quickly entered the moyo with white 42 and saved the group without any problem. Choi then continued to destroy black's moyo at the center without many problems. Lee resigned at move 166.


Choi Cheolhan

Here is the game record:
Choi Cheolhan (white) vs. Lee Changho (black). Resulr: W+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[54th Korean Kuksu, title match #2]DT[2011-01-14]
PB[Lee Changho]BR[9p]PW[Choi Cheolhan]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dq];B[do];W[co];B[cn];W[cp];B[qk];W[dj];B[jp];W[nc];B[pf];W[pb]
;B[fc];W[ec];B[fd];W[df];B[lc];W[qc];B[oc];W[ob];B[nd];W[re];B[po];W[qg];B[fg];W[pg]
;B[nh];W[dn];B[fj];W[dm];B[dk];W[cj];B[cc];W[eb];B[ce];W[de];B[bf];W[bg];B[bb];W[id]
;B[if];W[kd];B[nb];W[ld];B[mc];W[ge];B[fe];W[hf];B[dg];W[cf];B[be];W[hg];B[hc];W[cg]
;B[ic];W[ie];B[kf];W[lf];B[kg];W[ke];B[jc];W[eg];B[ef];W[eh];B[fh];W[lg];B[kh];W[ng]
;B[lh];W[oh];B[mg];W[mf];B[mh];W[nf];B[oj];W[qq];B[qp];W[oq];B[pr];W[op];B[pp];W[lp]
;B[kq];W[ln];B[lq];W[nm];B[km];W[kn];B[jn];W[nk];B[lk];W[pl];B[ql];W[pk];B[fq];W[qn]
;B[rn];W[pn];B[rm];W[jm];B[jl];W[im];B[lm];W[oo];B[in];W[hm];B[hn];W[gm];B[ik];W[gn]
;B[go];W[fo];B[gp];W[er];B[el];W[ej];B[fk];W[dl];B[or];W[gr];B[fr];W[fs];B[ek];W[ck]
;B[qf];W[rf];B[mp];W[mo];B[nq];W[iq];B[no];W[nn];B[np];W[pj];B[rh];W[mj];B[on];W[lj]
;B[kj];W[kk];B[jj];W[rj];B[qj];W[ri];B[qi];W[qh];B[qd];W[rd];B[rk];W[af];B[ae];W[ca]
;B[db];W[da];B[ba];W[ag];B[ei];W[dh];B[jr];W[ip];B[ho];W[gq];B[hq];W[fp])

Lee Changho Won Game 1

The 54th Kuksu title match series has started. The first game from the best of 5 was played at January 12. Choi Cheolhan (9 dan) challenges Lee Changho Kuksu for his title.


Lee Changho (right) who won the 11th Nongshim Cup for Korea.

The game started casually. Lee Changho (white) went for the corners while Choi Cheolhan created a moyo at the bottom board. Choi attacked Lee's group early in the game with move 75 and put white group to a ko fight to alive. Lee chose to abandon it and cut black's stones instead.


Choi Cheolhan

Choi Cheolhan's trouble started from the shoulder hit at move 82. Choi decided to come out instead of assuring his life with B12, because white's moyo will be too deep if he let white played D14. Lee Changho played a great sequence up to move 114 and then directly cut black's group with white 116. Lee then created a ko fight to determine the status of Choi's group, but then it became clear that white's group at the right side still had a big aji. Choi resigned without fought the ko.

The second game will be played at January 14.

Here is the game record:
Lee Changho (white) vs. Choi Cheolhan (black). Resut: W+R

(;
EV[54th Kuksu title match 1]
KM[6.5]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Lee Changho]
WR[Kuksu]
DT[2011-01-12]
BR[9d]
RE[W+R]
PB[Choi Cheolhan]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dq];B[do];W[qf];B[pi];W[qc];B[qd];W[pc];B[od]
;W[rd];B[re];W[rc];B[qe];W[nc];B[fp];W[qn];B[po];W[qk];B[qo];W[ro]
;B[pn];W[qm];B[rp];W[ri];B[pf];W[co];B[cn];W[cp];B[dm];W[fr];B[cf]
;W[fc];B[bd];W[eo];B[ep];W[dp];B[fo];W[bn];B[en];W[bm];B[pl];W[pk]
;B[ok];W[oj];B[nk];W[oi];B[qi];W[rh];B[qg];W[pj];B[jq];W[kk];B[lj]
;W[ik];B[rn];W[rm];B[so];W[rg];B[rf];W[kn];B[lp];W[cc];B[jj];W[kj]
;B[ki];W[jk];B[mi];W[lh];B[qh];W[sj];B[sg];W[qj];B[rk];W[sh];B[rj]
;W[sf];B[sk];W[li];B[mj];W[dg];B[cg];W[ch];B[df];W[bh];B[ef];W[eh]
;B[bc];W[bb];B[fe];W[gd];B[fh];W[fi];B[gh];W[hf];B[gf];W[hg];B[oc]
;W[ob];B[gi];W[ii];B[lf];W[fj];B[gj];W[fk];B[gk];W[fl];B[gl];W[fm]
;B[gm];W[gn];B[hn];W[fn];B[ho];W[hm];B[ip];W[mh];B[nh];W[ng];B[oh]
;W[dl];B[eg];W[dh];B[he];W[ge];B[ie];W[gg];B[fg];W[ji];B[hh];W[ih]
;B[ig];W[rl];B[si];W[ff])

Choi Cheolhan Challenges Lee Changho

Choi Cheolhan (9 dan) vecame the challenger of the 54th Kuksu title. He will play the title holder, Lee Changho, in a 5 games title match series.

Choi Cheolhan met Kim Jiseok (7 dan) at the challenger's decision match and played 3 games against him.

Kim Jiseok took the early lead when he beat Choi at the first game. Choi opened the game with a recently fashionable approach, white 10. As a result, white got potential at the right side while black captured a big corner at the upper right. White later played a ko fight and use it to invade black's bottom right corner. Later, white let black's group at the right side escaped and captured 3 stones in the center to help his group at the left side.


Kim Jiseok

The first game's record:
Kim Jiseok (black) vs. Choi Cheolhan (white). Result: B+3.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[54th Korean Kuksu, title match #1]DT[2010-12-22]
PB[Kim Jiseok]BR[7p]PW[Choi Cheolhan]WR[9p]KM[6.5]RE[B+3.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[co];W[oq];B[mp];W[qf];B[pi];W[md];B[qe];W[pf];B[oe];W[pe]
;B[qd];W[od];B[of];W[og];B[nd];W[oc];B[nc];W[pc];B[rf];W[rg];B[qc];W[nb];B[mc];W[ne]
;B[nf];W[me];B[pg];W[qg];B[mb];W[qb];B[rb];W[pb];B[na];W[ph];B[mf];W[lf];B[mg];W[po]
;B[qo];W[pn];B[qn];W[pm];B[qm];W[ql];B[pl];W[qk];B[pk];W[qi];B[pp];W[op];B[oo];W[no]
;B[on];W[om];B[nn];W[nm];B[mn];W[mm];B[ln];W[lm];B[km];W[kn];B[kl];W[mk];B[lp];W[jn]
;B[jp];W[oa];B[ob];W[qr];B[qj];W[rj];B[pj];W[rk];B[rr];W[nb];B[le];W[ld];B[ob];W[kq]
;B[kp];W[nb];B[ke];W[lb];B[ob];W[rq];B[pr];W[nb];B[lc];W[kd];B[ob];W[mo];B[lo];W[nb]
;B[kc];W[jd];B[ob];W[rs];B[or];W[nb];B[ma];W[rc];B[rd];W[jc];B[ob];W[ra];B[sc];W[nb]
;B[kb];W[sb];B[rc];W[mi];B[kf];W[se];B[qa];W[re];B[sa];W[jb];B[ob];W[jg];B[pa];W[cf]
;B[fq];W[fp];B[gp];W[ep];B[gq];W[dl];B[lj];W[lk];B[em];W[dm];B[dn];W[en];B[eo];W[fn]
;B[fo];W[go];B[do];W[gn];B[cq];W[bq];B[cr];W[kk];B[di];W[bo];B[bp];W[fk];B[fh];W[ff]
;B[hh];W[fi];B[fg];W[gf];B[dg];W[cg];B[ch];W[df];B[gi];W[ei];B[eh];W[hj];B[ck];W[dj]
;B[cj];W[bl];B[if];W[jf];B[je];W[ie];B[kg];W[kh];B[lg];W[bn];B[dk];W[ek];B[bg];W[bi]
;B[ig];W[he];B[jh];W[bh];B[ri];W[si];B[qh];W[rh];B[nj];W[mj];B[nh];W[rm];B[in];W[im]
;B[hn];W[ho];B[hm];W[io];B[il];W[hl];B[jm];W[gm];B[ij];W[im];B[ik];W[ii];B[ji];W[jj]
;B[dc];W[cc];B[cd];W[ec];B[db];W[bd];B[hc];W[ic];B[ed];W[ce];B[fc];W[fd];B[ee];W[ef]
;B[gb];W[ap];B[cp];W[hq];B[cb];W[bb];B[hi];W[jl];B[jk];W[hk];B[kj];W[ll];B[gd];W[gr]
;B[fr];W[ir];B[oh];W[qi];B[gs];W[hs];B[hr];W[gg];B[hp];W[gh];B[ar];W[jl];B[ih];W[ip]
;B[iq];W[eb];B[ea];W[fe];B[fb];W[ni];B[oi];W[rp];B[pq];W[rn];B[cm];W[cl];B[cn];W[bm]
;B[ha];W[ca];B[aq];W[gj];B[ps];W[nr];B[nq];W[ec];B[hd];W[id];B[eb];W[lh];B[nk];W[ao]
;B[ro];W[so];B[qq];W[sr];B[nl];W[ol];B[ok];W[ka];B[la];W[ja];B[np];W[qs];B[ki];W[km]
;B[ng];W[pg];B[sd];W[sf];B[ec];W[de];B[hb];W[ba])

At the second game, Choi who took black played a territory oriented game. He played Low Chinese Opening and then invade at 3-3 early in the game. White sacrificed his 6 stones to get some extra stones at the upper side. The game ended with both players got big chunk of moyo.


Choi Cheolhan

The second game record:
Choi Cheolhan (black) vs. Kim Jiseok (white). Result: B+2.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[54th Korean Kuksu, title match #2]DT[2010-12-24]
PB[Choi Cheolhan]BR[9p]PW[Kim Jiseok]WR[7p]KM[6.5]RE[B+2.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dq];B[do];W[co];B[cn];W[cp];B[qk];W[dn];B[jq];W[nc];B[pf];W[pb]
;B[qc];W[kc];B[cm];W[en];B[cj];W[ch];B[cc];W[dc];B[cd];W[de];B[bf];W[cf];B[ce];W[bg]
;B[df];W[cg];B[db];W[eb];B[cb];W[fc];B[ej];W[be];B[bd];W[af];B[ab];W[el];B[fh];W[ef]
;B[bi];W[po];B[np];W[qq];B[qr];W[qp];B[rr];W[qm];B[nn];W[mo];B[op];W[on];B[om];W[nm]
;B[ol];W[rk];B[rl];W[no];B[oo];W[mn];B[pn];W[qn];B[pm];W[ql];B[rj];W[pk];B[qj];W[pl]
;B[pj];W[ok];B[nl];W[oj];B[lq];W[oh];B[qh];W[ml];B[nn];W[mm];B[mk];W[pg];B[qg];W[nk]
;B[on];W[ne];B[lk];W[of];B[km];W[pe];B[qf];W[qe];B[re];W[jk];B[li];W[jo];B[ko];W[dk]
;B[dj];W[fi];B[bo];W[bp];B[jh];W[gi];B[an];W[lg];B[hh];W[gh];B[hi];W[hj];B[ij];W[gk]
;B[dh];W[dg];B[hk];W[gj];B[ck];W[ik];B[jn];W[ig];B[kg];W[ji];B[ni];W[oi];B[lf];W[ih]
;B[ng];W[og];B[ke];W[jf];B[mg];W[oe];B[qd];W[jd];B[gq];W[fr];B[fq];W[gr];B[er];W[eq]
;B[hr];W[dr];B[qb];W[ho];B[hp];W[oc];B[go];W[in];B[im];W[gn];B[fo];W[pr];B[or];W[di]
;B[gs];W[es];B[hm];W[hn];B[fn];W[gm];B[fm];W[fl];B[dl];W[rm];B[sk];W[rq];B[sq];W[qa]
;B[ra];W[pa];B[rc];W[ap];B[ei];W[eh];B[ld];W[lc];B[sp];W[ek];B[em];W[eo];B[ep];W[dp]
;B[fp];W[ci];B[ro];W[qo];B[hl];W[gl];B[ki];W[kj];B[je];W[ie];B[jg];W[kl];B[ll];W[nh]
;B[mh];W[nj];B[mi];W[md];B[dm];W[do];B[jp];W[io];B[pc];W[ob];B[ea];W[fa];B[da];W[if]
;B[kf];W[mf];B[lh];W[bj];B[aj];W[ah];B[od];W[ao];B[bn];W[pi];B[nd];W[me];B[ad];W[qi]
;B[ri];W[ip];B[iq];W[ai];B[bk];W[kn];B[ln];W[pp];B[ps];W[ae];B[fj];W[bh];B[bj];W[sm]
;B[sl];W[kd];B[le];W[fs];B[hs];W[kk];B[fk];W[gg];B[jm];W[ii];B[lm];W[jj];B[sr];W[mc])

The final game was played at 5 January. This time Kim Jiseok played black while Choi played white. So far Choi played all his games at the main round with white and won by resignation.

Black opened the game with Mini Chinese Opening. Both players exchanged their corners early with move 63 and 64. Choi showed his fighting skill with He attacked a strong group (black's group at m12) and successfully trapped it. Kim Jiseok resigned after 174 moves.

The third game's record
Choi Cheolhan (whitr) vs. Kim Jiseok. Result: W+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]GM[1]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]SZ[19]FF[3]EV[54th Kuksu challenger decision match round 3]
DT[2011-01-05]PB[Kim Jiseok]BR[7d]PW[Choi Cheolhan]WR[9d]KM[6.5]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dp];B[qp];W[cd];B[fq];W[dn];B[kq];W[iq];B[jo];W[eq];B[fp];W[hp];B[go];W[ho]
;B[hn];W[gn];B[fn];W[gm];B[fm];W[in];B[hm];W[gl];B[jm];W[fl];B[im];W[em];B[hr];W[lq]
;B[hq];W[kr];B[cq];W[kp];B[er];W[cp];B[bq];W[dj];B[ip];W[jp];B[io];W[ko];B[jn];W[nc]
;B[pf];W[ic];B[ed];W[df];B[ef];W[eg];B[cc];W[bc];B[bd];W[dc];B[ce];W[cb];B[dd];W[cg]
;B[ec];W[dr];B[dq];W[de];B[cc];W[ep];B[db];W[fr];B[oc];W[pq];B[qq];W[mb];B[pr];W[bf]
;B[ob];W[qj];B[ql];W[rl];B[qm];W[qg];B[qf];W[pg];B[kc];W[kb];B[jb];W[jc];B[lb];W[kd]
;B[lc];W[ld];B[ib];W[of];B[og];W[ne];B[rg];W[rh];B[rf];W[pi];B[ng];W[mc];B[ka];W[hc]
;B[ni];W[rm];B[rn];W[qk];B[hb];W[kg];B[je];W[jd];B[mf];W[hf];B[jg];W[jh];B[ig];W[lf]
;B[ih];W[me];B[fg];W[ee];B[ff];W[fe];B[eh];W[gh];B[dg];W[ch];B[gd];W[ie];B[ej];W[ek]
;B[di];W[ci];B[gj];W[ji];B[fk];W[el];B[ii];W[jj];B[li];W[ij];B[hj];W[hg];B[hh];W[gg]
;B[lg];W[kf];B[hk];W[lh];B[mh];W[kh];B[nk];W[pl];B[pn];W[be];B[sm];W[pm];B[qn];W[nl]
;B[ok];W[pk];B[nm];W[ml];B[ol];W[om];B[nn];W[mk];B[kk];W[nj];B[oj];W[mj];B[oi];W[lj]
;B[kj];W[mi];B[ki];W[kl];B[jk];W[mm])