Korea Won Jeongganjang

After three consecutive victories, Rui brought the tournament to its climax. It was a showdown between China's strongest team member vs. Korea's strongest team member, Park Jieun (9 dan).


Park Jieun (left) vs. Rui Naiwei (right).

The game quickly turned to a big frame game. Park who played white entered Rui's influence sphere with white 46. Rui strengthen the upper side and finally got her attacking chance with black 77 and black 87. However, Park played it cool and got out with white 144. White then played the finishing blow, white 146 and it wasn't long before black resigned.

With this victory, Korea has won the championship 4 times, while China won 3, and Japan never won the tournament before.


Happy faces of Korean team.

Top prize is 75,000,000 Won (approx. $ 67,000), and for runner up is 15,000,000 Won (approx. $ 14,000).


Prizes for players who won at least 3 consecutive times

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

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rated game]EV[9th Jeongganjang Cup, game 14]
DT[2011-03-28]PB[Rui Naiwei]BR[9p]PW[Park Jieun]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[oq];W[co];B[qj];W[jq];B[cf];W[ci];B[fd];W[ce];B[df];W[ee]
;B[be];W[bd];B[de];W[ed];B[cd];W[cc];B[ei];W[dh];B[ef];W[fe];B[eh];W[ck];B[jd];W[qc]
;B[qd];W[pc];B[nc];W[nb];B[el];W[dm];B[lq];W[mc];B[nd];W[rd];B[re];W[rc];B[qf];W[oc]
;B[od];W[jo];B[ln];W[lj];B[mb];W[lb];B[lc];W[ma];B[md];W[kc];B[mb];W[jj];B[mk];W[mc]
;B[ld];W[pq];B[pr];W[op];B[pp];W[nq];B[or];W[mj];B[jn];W[lo];B[ko];W[kp];B[kn];W[lp]
;B[io];W[hq];B[nj];W[ni];B[oj];W[oo];B[mh];W[lh];B[mi];W[mg];B[nh];W[li];B[lg];W[jg]
;B[lf];W[gg];B[gf];W[ff];B[fg];W[hg];B[gi];W[hj];B[hi];W[ii];B[ik];W[ij];B[ge];W[gd]
;B[if];W[ig];B[ie];W[ce];B[dj];W[cj];B[cd];W[fc];B[bc];W[ce];B[dl];W[cl];B[cd];W[oh]
;B[oi];W[ce];B[em];W[cd];B[dn];W[fj];B[fi];W[cm];B[hp];W[gm];B[gl];W[hl];B[hm];W[fl]
;B[fm];W[gk];B[gn];W[dg];B[gq];W[hr];B[mq];W[gr];B[dp];W[fq];B[eg];W[im];B[gl];W[ng]
;B[ni];W[gm];B[cn];W[hn];B[bn];W[dk];B[ek];W[ej];B[di];W[fk];B[ch];W[en];B[fn];W[eo]
;B[go];W[ho];B[in];W[hm];B[jp];W[gp])

Rui Won Her Third Game

Rui Naiwei is such an iron wall. Being the last player standing from China team, it's such a hard work to bring the team victory, especially because team Korea still has 4 players. However, Rui showed her skill and experience by taking down 3 Korean players.


Rui Naiwei (left) vs. Park Jiyeon (right)

Park Jiyeon is the third Korean player to challenge Rui, after Kim Miri and Lee Hajin failed to stop her.

The game opened with Rui Naiwei, who got white, played a rare pincer. The sequence up to move 25 is rather in a fighting spirit and as a result, white got a big corner while black got thickness. White started to reduce black's moyo with move 46, I wonder if Q14 is better than R14.

A big fight started with black 85. Park Jiyeon aimed her gun at Rui's (not so) weak group. Rui found a way out and Park resigned at move 186.

Here's the game record:
Rui Naiwei (white) vs. Park Jiyeon (black). Result:W+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rated game]EV[9th Jeongganjang Cup, game 13]
DT[2011-03-27]PB[Park Jiyeon]BR[2p]PW[Rui Naiwei]WR[9p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dq];B[co];W[cj];B[gp];W[ep];B[cl];W[en];B[el];W[jp];B[cf];W[ej]
;B[gl];W[gn];B[io];W[jo];B[hn];W[hm];B[gm];W[go];B[im];W[ip];B[fd];W[fe];B[cc];W[gd]
;B[cd];W[fc];B[qo];W[nq];B[np];W[oq];B[op];W[pr];B[mq];W[mr];B[mp];W[qq];B[pp];W[rr]
;B[lr];W[nc];B[qf];W[pg];B[pf];W[ng];B[di];W[ei];B[dj];W[dk];B[dh];W[ck];B[ek];W[dl]
;B[dm];W[cm];B[em];W[dn];B[bm];W[cn];B[bl];W[bn];B[ci];W[pb];B[nf];W[og];B[md];W[mc]
;B[kd];W[qc];B[rh];W[pj];B[de];W[id];B[pl];W[nj];B[qd];W[nr];B[kq];W[jr];B[ok];W[oj]
;B[lj];W[lg];B[kg];W[kf];B[kh];W[lf];B[lh];W[nd];B[ne];W[mg];B[le];W[lc];B[jf];W[ql]
;B[rj];W[pk];B[ol];W[rk];B[he];W[ke];B[jd];W[je];B[ie];W[hd];B[ld];W[if];B[hf];W[jg]
;B[hg];W[jh];B[ji];W[ii];B[jj];W[qn];B[rn];W[rm];B[pn];W[pm];B[qm];W[om];B[mk];W[qn]
;B[jq];W[iq];B[qm];W[qi];B[ri];W[qn];B[jb];W[ed];B[qm];W[fg];B[gh];W[qn];B[gb];W[hb]
;B[qm];W[gi];B[fh];W[qn];B[ir];W[hr];B[qm];W[eh];B[fi];W[hh];B[gg];W[fj];B[hj];W[gj]
;B[hi];W[ih];B[ef];W[dg];B[ff];W[bi];B[ij];W[qn];B[ha];W[ib];B[qm];W[qg];B[rg];W[qn]
;B[rp];W[on];B[qm];W[nk];B[nl];W[ml];B[nm];W[mj];B[lk];W[nn];B[mm];W[mn];B[lm];W[qn]
;B[qj];W[qk];B[qm];W[of])

Rui's Second Victory

Rui Naiwei is a hard wall to break and she proved herself once again by beating Lee Hajin (3 pro) at the 12th game.


Rui Naiwei

Rui launched a heavy attack since the very beginning. Resulting 2 white's weak groups. Lee Hajin saved one of them at move 124, but the other was still in red code. Lee tried her final attempt to save the group by attacking black's group at S14, but Rui didn't fall dor it and white resigned at move 165. With this victory, team Korea is down to Park Jiyeon and Park Jieun.


Lee Hajin

Will Rui able to turn the tide? Or will one of the Parks will stop her?

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

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rated game]EV[9th Jeongganjang Cup, game 12]
DT[2011-03-26]PB[Rui Naiwei]BR[9p]PW[Lee Hajin]WR[3p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[oq];W[ck];B[fc];W[df];B[db];W[cc];B[ic];W[qj];B[qh];W[qo]
;B[qm];W[pp];B[pq];W[pm];B[qn];W[po];B[pn];W[np];B[nq];W[rp];B[qq];W[no];B[om];W[mq]
;B[mr];W[lq];B[lr];W[kq];B[kr];W[jq];B[mm];W[nj];B[lk];W[lj];B[kj];W[li];B[mk];W[ph]
;B[qg];W[pi];B[ki];W[lg];B[kh];W[lh];B[gp];W[jn];B[lo];W[ln];B[mn];W[mo];B[kn];W[ko]
;B[lm];W[jm];B[ip];W[iq];B[gm];W[io];B[hp];W[jp];B[lp];W[mp];B[gr];W[hl];B[gl];W[hk]
;B[jk];W[gk];B[hm];W[il];B[co];W[do];B[dn];W[eo];B[cp];W[fq];B[cq];W[en];B[dm];W[em]
;B[el];W[fl];B[fm];W[fk];B[dk];W[go];B[ho];W[hn];B[gn];W[gq];B[hq];W[hr];B[in];W[jr]
;B[jo];W[dj];B[cj];W[ek];B[dl];W[ci];B[hs];W[ir];B[dp];W[ep];B[dr];W[fr];B[kp];W[bm]
;B[ej];W[di];B[cl];W[bj];B[bl];W[rn];B[rm];W[rr];B[rq];W[sq];B[qr];W[gs];B[of];W[jc]
;B[jd];W[kc];B[id];W[le];B[mc];W[kd];B[gh];W[fi];B[mf];W[pl];B[sn];W[ro];B[on];W[oc]
;B[pc];W[pb];B[qb];W[nb];B[mb];W[od];B[ne];W[qf];B[pe];W[pg];B[rf];W[re];B[pf];W[qe]
;B[rg];W[rc];B[qc];W[rd];B[ri];W[rb];B[ra];W[rj];B[sh];W[sf];B[se])

Rui Naiwei Hanging On

After Moon Dowon's clear swept at the first stage, China was down to their last 2 members, Tang Yi and Rui Naiwei. After Tang Yi's lost, now it's down to the goalkeeper, Rui Naiwei.


Kim Miri (left) vs. Rui Naiwei (right)

Rui started her survival game well by beating Kim Miri (1 dan) at the 11th game of the 9th Jeongganjang Cup. Rui proved herself as a fighter in this game and won by resignation at move 227.

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

(;
KM[6.5]
EV[9th Jeongganjang Cup 11th round]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Kim Miri]
WR[1d]
PB[Rui Naiwei]
BR[9d]
RE[B+R]
DT[2011-03-25]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dq];B[do];W[co];B[cn];W[cp];B[oq];W[qf];B[nc]
;W[rd];B[fc];W[cf];B[qh];W[qc];B[pf];W[qe];B[pg];W[hc];B[db];W[fd]
;B[ec];W[gd];B[cc];W[dj];B[de];W[cd];B[ed];W[ee];B[df];W[bc];B[fe]
;W[ef];B[dg];W[eg];B[eh];W[gf];B[cg];W[bb];B[be];W[bd];B[hb];W[cb]
;B[ic];W[dh];B[fh];W[gg];B[ch];W[di];B[bj];W[gb];B[gc];W[hd];B[fb]
;W[dc];B[gh];W[ib];B[ga];W[jc];B[dn];W[ce];B[bf];W[fq];B[ih];W[gn]
;B[fn];W[go];B[gm];W[fm];B[ep];W[bi];B[ci];W[cj];B[bh];W[bk];B[ai]
;W[eq];B[ek];W[fl];B[hm];W[dl];B[el];W[em];B[dm];W[en];B[cl];W[fk]
;B[ej];W[bn];B[kp];W[ke];B[pl];W[oo];B[po];W[op];B[nq];W[pm];B[om]
;W[pp];B[pn];W[qq];B[pq];W[qi];B[pi];W[qj];B[ri];W[qo];B[rp];W[qm]
;B[on];W[ro];B[rq];W[rj];B[ql];W[rh];B[rg];W[si];B[qg];W[rl];B[rm]
;W[sm];B[qn];W[rk];B[pb];W[pc];B[oc];W[qb];B[hq];W[bm];B[bl];W[io]
;B[jp];W[kn];B[hk];W[fj];B[dk];W[al];B[ei];W[fp];B[jn];W[jm];B[jo]
;W[kk];B[li];W[hj];B[ij];W[im];B[jk];W[hl];B[oa];W[pe];B[oe];W[rf]
;B[sg];W[rn];B[qm];W[sh];B[gr];W[mb];B[ld];W[le];B[me];W[mf];B[nf]
;W[md];B[mc];W[ne];B[nd];W[me];B[ng];W[nb];B[ob];W[lb];B[lc];W[kj]
;B[ki];W[jj];B[ji];W[jl];B[ik];W[lo];B[lp];W[da];B[ea];W[eb];B[qa]
;W[rb];B[db];W[ca];B[jb];W[id];B[ia];W[eb];B[ic];W[fa];B[kc];W[ib]
;B[ea];W[kb];B[ic];W[jd];B[ib];W[fa];B[sj];W[sk];B[ea];W[ip];B[fa]
;W[iq];B[if];W[jg];B[hf];W[lg];B[ir];W[jq];B[kr];W[jr];B[js];W[mo]
;B[lr];W[sn];B[no];W[mp];B[np];W[mq];B[mr])

Kim Miri Ended Japan's Hope

Kim Miri (1 dan) of Korea put Japan's hope to an end after she beat the last team member of Japan, Yoshida Mika (8 dan).


Yoshida Mika (left) vs. Kim Miri (right)

A big fight started at the center after Yoshida attacked Kim's weak stones. The fire spread all over the board and whoever win the fight will win the game. Kim Miri eventually won the fight and Yoshida resigned at move 187.

Here is the game record:
Kim Miri (black) vs. Yoshida Mika (white). Result: B+R

(;
KM[6.5]
EV[9th Jeongganjang Cup 10th round]
FF[3]
SZ[19]
GM[1]
PW[Yoshida Mika]
WR[8d]
DT[2011-03-24]
BR[1d]
RE[B+R]
PB[Kim Miri]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dq];B[qo];W[kq];B[cf];W[fc];B[do];W[cm];B[cq]
;W[cj];B[dp];W[eq];B[bp];W[cd];B[iq];W[oq];B[op];W[nq];B[pr];W[mo]
;B[fp];W[oo];B[nc];W[dg];B[qe];W[jd];B[pm];W[pj];B[ph];W[qc];B[pc]
;W[nj];B[jq];W[kr];B[if];W[he];B[hf];W[ge];B[kc];W[kd];B[jc];W[lc]
;B[lb];W[ld];B[mb];W[kg];B[hi];W[hk];B[ei];W[dh];B[dk];W[dj];B[gk]
;W[gj];B[hj];W[fk];B[gl];W[ej];B[gi];W[fj];B[ik];W[hl];B[gm];W[hn]
;B[gn];W[il];B[jl];W[in];B[jj];W[kk];B[jk];W[jo];B[hp];W[ih];B[li]
;W[rg];B[rh];W[re];B[qd];W[mh];B[jh];W[pg];B[qh];W[pf];B[oi];W[ng]
;B[qk];W[jg];B[ig];W[pk];B[ql];W[ji];B[kh];W[ki];B[lh];W[kj];B[lg]
;W[ii];B[kf];W[mf];B[lj];W[ni];B[mk];W[hh];B[nk];W[lf];B[kl];W[gh]
;B[ll];W[ol];B[mm];W[lk];B[mj];W[nl];B[ml];W[nn];B[kn];W[ij];B[oj]
;W[hs];B[ir];W[is];B[js];W[jr];B[gs];W[ks];B[hr];W[pp];B[qp];W[hc]
;B[gf];W[je];B[jf];W[ff];B[po];W[np];B[ko];W[kp];B[fi];W[fh];B[jn]
;W[im];B[ns];W[ms];B[on];W[nm];B[lo];W[lp];B[no];W[mn];B[os];W[mr]
;B[mp];W[oo];B[bm];W[bl];B[no];W[lr];B[bn];W[ck];B[mq];W[oo];B[hb]
;W[ho];B[jp];W[pp];B[gb];W[go];B[fo];W[fb];B[op];W[no];B[gc];W[rd]
;B[rc];W[rb];B[qb];W[sc];B[gd];W[fd];B[ie];W[hd];B[id];W[qc];B[qf]
)

Yoshida Mika Keeps Japan Alive

After the big slaughter happened at the first stage, Japan's team was down to one last person, Yoshida Mika (8 dan). Yoshida played Tang Yi who won the first game of the second stage earlier today.


Tang Yi (left) vs. Yoshida Mika (right)

The game was close with a little edge on white, but Tang Yi played carelessly (or maybe it was due to byo-yomi?) during the endgame and Yoshida Mika captured the victory with black 207. Black eventually won the game by 1.5 points.


Yoshida Mika

Here is the game record:
Yoshida Mika (black) vs. Tang Yi (white). Result: B+1.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rated game]EV[9th Jeongganjang Cup, game 9]
DT[2011-03-23]PB[Yoshida Mika]BR[8p]PW[Tang Yi]WR[2p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+1.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dp];B[cd];W[qp];B[op];W[oq];B[nq];W[pq];B[cn];W[fq];B[dj];W[fc];B[dc];W[ic]
;B[kc];W[ie];B[nc];W[ch];B[cf];W[eh];B[ci];W[np];B[mq];W[mp];B[lp];W[lq];B[kq];W[lr]
;B[lo];W[nr];B[ge];W[ej];B[ei];W[fi];B[di];W[fh];B[ek];W[fj];B[dh];W[dg];B[cg];W[fk]
;B[el];W[ed];B[qj];W[dm];B[cp];W[cq];B[do];W[ep];B[em];W[bp];B[bo];W[co];B[df];W[ff]
;B[cp];W[pg];B[qm];W[co];B[oj];W[mg];B[kf];W[le];B[jd];W[id];B[je];W[ni];B[nf];W[pi]
;B[pj];W[oe];B[pd];W[ne];B[md];W[me];B[cp];W[re];B[rd];W[co];B[if];W[hf];B[cp];W[ig]
;B[jf];W[co];B[hg];W[hh];B[cp];W[om];B[co];W[en];B[fn];W[eo];B[bq];W[jp];B[jo];W[io]
;B[ip];W[jq];B[jn];W[ho];B[gg];W[gf];B[qh];W[ph];B[rg];W[dn];B[cl];W[br];B[ap];W[cm]
;B[bm];W[kp];B[mo];W[mr];B[go];W[im];B[hm];W[gm];B[fm];W[hp];B[ml];W[jh];B[gp];W[gq]
;B[li];W[nj];B[nk];W[qg];B[rh];W[lj];B[kj];W[mk];B[lk];W[mj];B[kk];W[nl];B[ok];W[ki]
;B[mm];W[lh];B[in];W[hn];B[hl];W[eb];B[gn];W[hq];B[cr];W[dq];B[dr];W[er];B[bs];W[cb]
;B[oi];W[oh];B[db];W[da];B[bb];W[rn];B[qn];W[rm];B[rl];W[ql];B[pl];W[qo];B[on];W[nn]
;B[sm];W[ro];B[jb];W[ld];B[lc];W[ib];B[ii];W[jc];B[ji];W[kh];B[kd];W[hj];B[nh];W[mi]
;B[ik];W[ba];B[cc];W[ca];B[ab];W[pn];B[pm];W[oo];B[qf];W[kb];B[lb];W[ja];B[pf];W[of]
;B[ec];W[fb];B[ee];W[fe];B[dd];W[fd];B[hi];W[gh];B[lf];W[mf];B[nm];W[la];B[mb];W[nd]
;B[od];W[hk];B[gl];W[ij];B[jj];W[dl];B[dk];W[ef];B[de];W[mc];B[nb];W[sn];B[sl];W[mn]
;B[ln];W[ko];B[kn];W[no];B[ol];W[eg];B[on];W[ar];B[aq];W[om];B[ma];W[on];B[ka];W[ds]
;B[as];W[la];B[qi];W[og];B[ka];W[pe];B[qe];W[la];B[fl];W[es];B[cs];W[fp];B[md];W[ka]
;B[mc];W[gk];B[gi];W[ih])

Tang Yi Stopped Moon Dowon

The second stage of the 9th Jeongganjang Cup continues! Previously, Moon Dowon (2 dan) of Korea beat Suzuki Ayumi (6 dan) of Japan to complete her winning streak at the first stage. Unfortunately, Moon failed to do the same at the second stage because Tang Yi (2 dan) of China was able to stop her.


Moon Dowon (left) vs. Tang Yi (right)

The game started with both sides played the Low Chinese fuseki. Tang Yi started the fight by playing black 45. Moon attacked it and a ko fight started. The game became fierce when it became a life or death ko fight. White decided to capture only half of the group with white 140, however I think this is a bad decision because white was low on territory and it was proved because white resigned at move 169.


Tang Yi and Rui Naiwei, the only China's team members left

Here is the game record:
Tang Yi (black) vs. Moon Dowon (white). Result:B+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[9th Jeongganjang Cup, game 8]DT[2011-03-22]
PB[Tang Yi]BR[2p]PW[Moon Dowon]WR[2p]KM[6.5]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dq];B[qk];W[ck];B[gq];W[do];B[jp];W[nc];B[pf];W[jd];B[cc];W[dc]
;B[cd];W[cf];B[bf];W[po];B[np];W[qq];B[qr];W[qp];B[rr];W[qm];B[nn];W[om];B[on];W[pn]
;B[pl];W[rk];B[rj];W[rl];B[qj];W[pm];B[cg];W[df];B[ce];W[de];B[db];W[eb];B[cb];W[fc]
;B[pb];W[ne];B[kf];W[mg];B[md];W[nd];B[kd];W[kc];B[lc];W[ke];B[le];W[ld];B[dn];W[en]
;B[kd];W[je];B[kb];W[ld];B[mc];W[me];B[kd];W[jc];B[lf];W[ld];B[co];W[cn];B[kd];W[pg]
;B[of];W[og];B[ng];W[nh];B[nf];W[mf];B[mh];W[qf];B[qe];W[lh];B[mi];W[lg];B[ni];W[ob]
;B[jf];W[jh];B[ie];W[hc];B[hd];W[ic];B[ih];W[oh];B[qg];W[ig];B[jg];W[hg];B[hh];W[gg]
;B[kh];W[ji];B[ki];W[kj];B[li];W[kg];B[if];W[ld];B[gh];W[jj];B[kd];W[pc];B[qc];W[ld]
;B[dm];W[cm];B[kd];W[oi];B[oj];W[ld];B[dl];W[cl];B[kd];W[nj];B[pi];W[ld];B[dp];W[eo]
;B[kd];W[od];B[oc];W[mb];B[lb];W[pc];B[ph];W[ld];B[oc];W[bg];B[bh];W[pc];B[fg];W[kd]
;B[gf];W[ep];B[oc];W[jb];B[oe];W[nb];B[hl];W[im];B[hm];W[in];B[hn];W[io];B[hp];W[gj]
;B[hj];W[kp];B[jq];W[mp];B[nq];W[kn];B[kq];W[nm];B[mn];W[mm];B[er];W[dr];B[eq];W[ek]
;B[oa])

I Am Legend

Moon Dowon has carved her name and put her portray at Jeongganjang Cup's Hall of Fame. She made a new record, 7 consecutive winning streaks, breaking previous record set by Song Ronghui of China who had 6 non-stop wins 2 years ago.

Moon Dowon met Suzuki Ayumi (5 dan) of Japan. The game was somewhat very simple, less intense compared to the previous game (Moon vs. Song Ronghui's game). Suzuki who played black opened the game with Mini Chinese fuseki and white answered with the watari at the right side. Suzuki Ayumi captured a corner early in the game, but the corner has a ko problem and Moon Dowon used it to attack black at the bottom board.


Suzuki Ayumi (left) vs. Moon Dowon (right)

Suzuki Ayumi's first problem came from her separated group at the bottom board. Although she successfully saved it at move 127, white became very thick at the left side and captured a big frame of moyo. The game quickly entered yose and white finished it without a problem.

Well, well, what can we say. Moon Dowon showed a great quality at the first stage of the competition. Korea still has all 5 members on board, while China is down to Tang Yi (2 dan) and their ace, Rui Naiwei (9 dan). Meanwhile, Japan hit the hard spot with only 1 member left, Yoshida Mika (8 dan). Will Moon Dowon continue her winning streak at the second stage? We'll find out the answer in March when the tournament continues.


Moon's friends are also happy for her. The person in left seems to be Park Jiyeon (2 dan) also Korea's team member at this year Jeongganjang.

Here is the game record:
Moon Dowon (white) vs. Suzuki Ayumi (black). Result: W+3.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[9th Jeongganjang Cup, game 7]DT[2011-01-14]
PB[Suzuki Ayumi]BR[5p]PW[Moon Dowon]WR[2p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+3.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[qd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[fc];W[cf];B[kc];W[qk];B[qn];W[qh];B[qf];W[oh];B[db];W[fq]
;B[cc];W[ci];B[jq];W[oc];B[pc];W[pe];B[pd];W[qe];B[re];W[od];B[oe];W[pf];B[ne];W[rf]
;B[rd];W[ld];B[kd];W[le];B[nc];W[nd];B[md];W[ob];B[me];W[mc];B[mb];W[nb];B[lc];W[pb]
;B[qb];W[rb];B[ra];W[qq];B[pp];W[qp];B[nc];W[qo];B[po];W[pn];B[qr];W[rn];B[qm];W[pm]
;B[rq];W[ql];B[lf];W[lq];B[jo];W[lo];B[ro];W[rm];B[qn];W[qm];B[rp];W[jm];B[kn];W[mn]
;B[ln];W[no];B[mp];W[mo];B[ll];W[hn];B[bo];W[co];B[bp];W[bn];B[dq];W[cn];B[eq];W[ep]
;B[fr];W[cq];B[gq];W[fp];B[cr];W[gr];B[er];W[hq];B[cp];W[kj];B[kk];W[jk];B[lj];W[li]
;B[jl];W[jj];B[il];W[km];B[lm];W[kl];B[lk];W[im];B[mi];W[mh];B[lh];W[ki];B[nh];W[mj]
;B[mg];W[nj];B[hl];W[hj];B[ho];W[gn];B[ko];W[ip];B[lp];W[np];B[mq];W[nq];B[mr];W[nr]
;B[ir];W[fd];B[gg];W[ec];B[eb];W[gc];B[fb];W[fi];B[ff];W[ge];B[ig];W[hh];B[hg];W[cd]
;B[io];W[gp];B[go];W[fn];B[hd];W[gd];B[gi];W[gj];B[dg];W[bh];B[nl];W[nm];B[qg];W[pg]
;B[rg];W[rh];B[sf];W[qn];B[ps];W[he];B[bc];W[je];B[ke];W[ao];B[bq];W[bd];B[fo];W[eo]
;B[ad];W[ae];B[ac];W[rc];B[qc];W[ic];B[ih];W[eh];B[ee];W[ed];B[be];W[eg];B[af];W[ef]
;B[ii];W[ij];B[ol];W[ni];B[mh];W[jf];B[jg];W[jb];B[ap];W[an];B[oj];W[pj];B[gb];W[kb]
;B[lb];W[hr];B[ms];W[or];B[pr];W[hb];B[de];W[ce];B[fe];W[so];B[rs];W[df];B[ok];W[oi]
;B[ah];W[ai];B[sh];W[si];B[sg];W[mm];B[nk];W[kr];B[is];W[kq];B[ks];W[hp];B[jp];W[ag]
;B[ga];W[bf];B[ri];W[sj];B[ae];W[sn];B[sp];W[hi];B[gh];W[ha];B[kh];W[kf];B[jd];W[id]
;B[of];W[la];B[ma];W[ka];B[rj];W[sk];B[kg];W[oo];B[om];W[on];B[og];W[ph];B[fj];W[fk]
;B[fh];W[ei];B[pk];W[qj];B[in];W[hm];B[jr];W[fs];B[es];W[gs];B[ji];W[ie];B[mk];W[ml]
;B[dc];W[gf];B[fg];W[hf];B[iq];W[ns];B[os];W[jn];B[op];W[oq];B[hs];W[if];B[jc];W[pl])

The Moon Still Rises

Yes people, perhaps you can predict it from the title. Moon Dowon (2 dan) won again. Her sixth victory in a row. Today, she beat Song Ronghui (5 dan) of China.


Song Ronghui (left) vs. Moon Dowon (right). It seems that Song decided to grow her hair.

Moon who played black opened the game with Low Chinese fuseki. Song's answer is quite unusual for this fuseki, since usually white approaches the black stone at O3. Song started the fight with an invasion at L3. The sequence up to move 26 looks natural, but I personally like blaack's position better, because her lower right corner looks hard to enter, she can play D2 or D3 anytime to help her group at H4, and white's position at the upper board is still wide open.


Other players at the analysis room

I found black's combination from move 57-67 interesting. Moon Dowon put some weaknesses at white's shape at the upper board and exploits it well. Move 75 is quite intriguing. It seems that white can't cut the stones directly because of the weakness of L17 group and O17 group. If white tried to play L14, black will answer at M14, W M13, B N13, W M12, B O16 and her group is safe due to a damezumari. If white played M14, black will play L15, W K15, black connects with L14 and the battle will be difficult.

Another interesting combination starts at move 111 when black tried to save the corner. Move 122 is a difficult choice for white. I was thinking about the possibility of connecting at O14, but then there are possibilities where both white's groups at P10 and O15 are doomed. White went for S17 and a ko fight started. Black played the ko very well and the outcome reminds me of the latest game from 54th Kuksu title match. After the ko fight, the outcome is pretty much decided and Moon dowon finished it without a problem.


Thumbs up Ms. Moon Dowon. You steal the spotlight this year.

Moon will play the last game of the 1st stage tomorrow against one of Japanese member. I don't know who it will be, but I think it will be Yoshida Mika.

Here is the game record:
Moon Dowon (black) vs. Song Ronghui (white). Result: B+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[9th Jeongganjang Cup, game 6]DT[2011-01-13]
PB[Moon Dowon]BR[2p]PW[Song Ronghui]WR[5p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[qk];W[nc];B[pf];W[pb];B[qc];W[kc];B[fq];W[cn];B[ip];W[kq]
;B[mq];W[ko];B[jq];W[kr];B[in];W[km];B[mo];W[jl];B[hl];W[ij];B[ml];W[gk];B[cf];W[ce]
;B[df];W[fd];B[cj];W[hq];B[hp];W[jr];B[gq];W[ch];B[dh];W[bh];B[cg];W[di];B[ci];W[eh]
;B[dg];W[cl];B[ei];W[dj];B[dk];W[ej];B[ck];W[bl];B[bg];W[fi];B[be];W[bd];B[cc];W[cd]
;B[ld];W[ne];B[lc];W[lb];B[mb];W[kb];B[nb];W[oc];B[mc];W[mf];B[gd];W[ge];B[hd];W[kd]
;B[fc];W[ed];B[le];W[jf];B[kg];W[mg];B[ke];W[je];B[lg];W[mh];B[jg];W[ig];B[ih];W[li]
;B[ic];W[jd];B[if];W[ie];B[hg];W[he];B[fg];W[ec];B[ff];W[ph];B[pj];W[qg];B[qf];W[oi]
;B[fb];W[hb];B[kk];W[rb];B[jk];W[mn];B[nn];W[no];B[ln];W[mp];B[mm];W[nq];B[qb];W[qa]
;B[nd];W[od];B[pc];W[ob];B[oe];W[of];B[pe];W[md];B[og];W[rc];B[pg];W[qh];B[ra];W[sa]
;B[me];W[nf];B[nd];W[rd];B[rf];W[md];B[oh];W[pi];B[ni];W[nh];B[nj];W[rg];B[sh];W[oj]
;B[ok];W[qj];B[pk];W[sg];B[sf];W[ri];B[rj];W[rk];B[qi];W[kf];B[lf];W[qj];B[sj];W[sk]
;B[qi];W[ma];B[oa];W[qj];B[nd];W[si];B[pa];W[np];B[ek];W[gl];B[em];W[hm];B[ik];W[go]
;B[im];W[fn];B[gm];W[fm];B[hn];W[fl];B[dm];W[eo];B[cq];W[er];B[cr];W[eq];B[bo];W[bn]
;B[co];W[dn];B[cp];W[hr];B[gp];W[gr];B[qo];W[fe];B[rj];W[sj];B[gj];W[hj];B[gi];W[hk]
;B[ji];W[il];B[kl];W[jm];B[kn];W[hm];B[jn];W[hl];B[jj])

High Five

It seems that Moon Dowon's time is not over yet. After 4 consecutive victories, she won the fifth game from Mukai Chiaki (4 dan) of Japan.


Mukai Chiaki (left) vs. Moon Dowon (right)


The game was interesting and it seems that Mukai Chiaki had the flow at the beginning of the game. Mukai sacrificed 3 stones to capture black's group at the center. However, Moon Dowon played a great end game and won the game there.


Moon Dowon has 5 victories in her pocket now. Will she win the sixth game?

Move 179 seems to be the winning move. It reduced white's territory a lot and black still had sente. In the end, Moon Dowon won the game by 1.5 points.

Here is the game record:
Moon Dowon (black) vs. Mukai Chiaki (white). Result: B+1.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[9th Jeongganjang Cup, game 5]DT[2011-01-12]
PB[Moon Dowon]BR[2p]PW[Mukai Chiaki]WR[4p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+1.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dq];B[qo];W[kq];B[do];W[fp];B[cq];W[cr];B[cp];W[er];B[cl];W[qf]
;B[nc];W[rd];B[qc];W[qi];B[fc];W[cf];B[db];W[ci];B[qk];W[nq];B[oo];W[no];B[nn];W[op]
;B[po];W[mn];B[mo];W[np];B[nm];W[ln];B[jn];W[en];B[dn];W[ip];B[cc];W[ll];B[jp];W[ko]
;B[jo];W[jq];B[hn];W[ik];B[hp];W[hq];B[io];W[iq];B[fn];W[rc];B[jd];W[lc];B[le];W[pb]
;B[qb];W[nb];B[oc];W[jb];B[mc];W[mb];B[kc];W[kb];B[ld];W[lb];B[pf];W[qg];B[be];W[hc]
;B[ce];W[ef];B[df];W[dg];B[de];W[eg];B[or];W[em];B[eo];W[fo];B[fm];W[el];B[hl];W[bk]
;B[ep];W[bl];B[fq];W[gp];B[br];W[bs];B[ar];W[eq];B[bm];W[gj];B[ck];W[fl];B[gl];W[bn]
;B[cm];W[bj];B[am];W[im];B[il];W[jk];B[hj];W[hi];B[fk];W[ek];B[fj];W[gk];B[hk];W[gi]
;B[ij];W[jh];B[ii];W[ih];B[ki];W[kh];B[kj];W[ng];B[ne];W[pl];B[ql];W[pm];B[qm];W[jm]
;B[ho];W[gm];B[gn];W[hm];B[gq];W[gr];B[go];W[mk];B[fr];W[pp];B[qp];W[fs];B[dj];W[li]
;B[ej];W[jl];B[cg];W[ch];B[bg];W[fi];B[nr];W[mr];B[ok];W[ob];B[mq];W[mp];B[lq];W[lr]
;B[lp];W[lo];B[kp];W[bq];B[bp];W[mf];B[me];W[fp];B[gp];W[qd];B[pc];W[ie];B[rb];W[sb]
;B[og];W[ol];B[nl];W[pk];B[pj];W[oj];B[qj];W[nk];B[nf];W[rj];B[kr];W[jr];B[hr];W[gs]
;B[ks];W[is];B[ms];W[js];B[ls];W[ds];B[fe];W[rk];B[rl];W[pn];B[pi];W[rh];B[on];W[fb]
;B[eb];W[gc];B[fd];W[gf];B[gb];W[hb];B[fa];W[nh];B[bh];W[lf];B[ph];W[je];B[sk];W[ri]
;B[oq];W[mo];B[lj];W[mj];B[lh];W[lg];B[kf];W[oh];B[pg];W[ke];B[kd];W[sj];B[hs];W[ir]
;B[ff];W[fg];B[he];W[hf];B[id];W[jf];B[ei];W[eh];B[ic];W[ib];B[oi];W[ni];B[bi];W[cj]
;B[dk];W[jj];B[km];W[lm];B[kn];W[sl];B[sm];W[qn];B[rn];W[ee];B[ed];W[pe];B[oe];W[qe]
;B[kl];W[kk];B[aj];W[ha];B[al];W[dh];B[ak];W[ga];B[fb];W[ml];B[pa];W[oa];B[qa];W[sk]
;B[om];W[ok];B[hd];W[ji];B[dm];W[gl];B[ra];W[sc];B[ge];W[gd];B[aq];W[cs];B[as];W[dp]
;B[in];W[dl];B[di];W[mm];B[qh];W[jc];B[sa])

Four In A Row

Moon Dowon did it again! After three successful game, she won the fourth game today. This time she beat Li He (3 dan) of China with the white stones.


Li He (left) vs. Moon Dowon (right)

The game opened with black played a 5-3 komoku enclosure at the lower right corner (which is a less popular option nowadays comparing to the direct kakari). White's approach at move 6 is a rather new answer to black's approach. The combination up to move 24 is joseki.

The fight started after black played move 49, separating white's stones. White's position is quite difficult since she has 2 weak groups to take care for. Moon Dowon chose to sacrifice the group at P9 at move 98. Moon later cut Li He's stone at move 128 and Li chose to abandon it. Maybe a solid nobi at K17 is better. Despite losing a big group at the right side, Moon Dowon captured a big territory at the upper and left side. The game was very close, but Moon won the last ko fight and made the gap bigger.

Moon Dowon will play one Japan team member tomorrow. The format of this year's Jeongganjang Cup is different from the previous. There will be only 2 stages this year. Each stage consists of 7 rounds. It seems this is the effect of the late start of the tournament where it usually starts at the end of the previous year and ended at the next year.

Here is the game record:
Moon Dowon (white) vs. Li He (black). Result: W+7.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[9th Jeongganjang Cup, game 4]DT[2011-01-11]
PB[Li He]BR[39]PW[Moon Dowon]WR[2p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+7.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dp];B[oq];W[qf];B[nc];W[rd];B[qg];W[pg];B[qh];W[pf];B[qc];W[ph]
;B[qj];W[qi];B[ri];W[pi];B[pj];W[rh];B[rg];W[sh];B[rk];W[rf];B[fc];W[df];B[fq];W[cn]
;B[jp];W[ec];B[kc];W[fd];B[fo];W[lo];B[lq];W[ll];B[cq];W[dq];B[dr];W[cp];B[br];W[bq]
;B[cr];W[ck];B[nn];W[ol];B[oj];W[pm];B[ml];W[nk];B[mk];W[nj];B[nl];W[ok];B[qn];W[qm]
;B[rm];W[rn];B[ro];W[jo];B[ip];W[no];B[mn];W[lp];B[oo];W[kq];B[kp];W[nq];B[kr];W[jm]
;B[jk];W[op];B[pp];W[np];B[lk];W[on];B[po];W[pq];B[mr];W[or];B[qr];W[mq];B[lr];W[mo]
;B[dk];W[cj];B[pr];W[ko];B[in];W[im];B[hm];W[ik];B[ni];W[io];B[ho];W[md];B[lb];W[mi]
;B[mj];W[oi];B[nh];W[li];B[jj];W[hl];B[mg];W[lg];B[lf];W[kf];B[kg];W[lh];B[mf];W[jg]
;B[ij];W[le];B[me];W[ng];B[mh];W[kd];B[ne];W[nd];B[oe];W[od];B[oc];W[kj];B[jl];W[il]
;B[jd];W[jc];B[gj];W[lm];B[ln];W[fl];B[km];W[hp];B[go];W[kl];B[kk];W[rl];B[sn];W[pe]
;B[ld];W[lc];B[mc];W[kb];B[ld];W[md];B[kn];W[jn];B[cc];W[bd];B[je];W[ke];B[cd];W[be]
;B[eb];W[fb];B[gc];W[db];B[gd];W[gf];B[ce];W[cf];B[fe];W[ed];B[hf];W[hg];B[gg];W[fg]
;B[gh];W[ff];B[gm];W[fk];B[ig];W[he];B[if];W[id];B[fh];W[dh];B[dl];W[em];B[ej];W[dj]
;B[ek];W[bm];B[jf];W[jh];B[ih];W[ic];B[rc];W[sl];B[ql];W[si];B[rj];W[iq];B[jq];W[jr]
;B[kq];W[hr];B[is];W[bp];B[ji];W[kh];B[qd];W[re];B[hj];W[gl];B[ir];W[er];B[eq];W[fr]
;B[eo];W[dm];B[gr];W[ar];B[es];W[qk];B[pk];W[pl];B[pn];W[mb];B[nb];W[la];B[cl];W[bl]
;B[om];W[sc];B[sb];W[sd];B[eh];W[eg];B[nr];W[rb];B[ra];W[sa];B[sj];W[sg];B[sb];W[ep]
;B[fp];W[sa];B[ea];W[da];B[sb];W[ei];B[fj];W[sa];B[fm];W[el];B[sb];W[qq];B[rq];W[oq]
;B[os];W[sa];B[de];W[ee];B[sb];W[rr];B[sr];W[sa];B[cm];W[dn];B[sb];W[rs];B[ps];W[sa]
;B[dc];W[fa];B[sb];W[ns];B[ms];W[sa];B[eb];W[ea];B[sb];W[rp];B[sp];W[sa];B[aq];W[qb]
;B[pb];W[qa];B[as];W[ap];B[do];W[co];B[na];W[ma];B[ki];W[kg];B[fi];W[di];B[ar];W[lj]
;B[nd];W[ld];B[hn];W[og];B[pa];W[en];B[fn];W[gk];B[hk];W[oh];B[of];W[nf];B[qe];W[ie])

Seki and Victory

The third game of the 9th Jeongganjang Cup was played earlier this day. Moon Dowon (2 dan) of South Korea met Chinen Kaori (4 dan) a veteran player from Japan.


Chinen Kaori (left) vs. Moon Dowon (right)

The game was fierce since the very beginning. Chinen started an attack to Moon's group at the left side with black 37. Moon countered by separating black's stones at the bottom side and bottom right corner. Later, white separated black's group and found a counter attack against black's group at the bottom board.

Chinen showed an interesting life and death situation starting with black 157. She sacrificed 5 stones in order to get a seki position. White took sente at the end of complicated fighthing and got out with a big territory at the upper side. Moon Dowon won the game by 10.5 points.


Moon Dowon (left) and Chinen Kaori (right)

So far this is the most interesting game of the tournament. Let see if Moon Dowon can win the fourth game tomorrow.


Post game

Here is the game record:
Moon Dowon (white) vs. Chinen Kaori (black). Result: W+10.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]GN[Rated game]EV[9th Jeongganjang Cup, game 3]
DT[2011-01-10]PB[Chinen Kaori]BR[4p]PW[Moon Dowon]WR[2p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+10.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[qp];W[dp];B[op];W[qf];B[pi];W[nd];B[pf];W[qc];B[qe];W[pc];B[lc];W[nb]
;B[fq];W[cn];B[jq];W[fc];B[fo];W[dk];B[be];W[cd];B[ci];W[cf];B[ei];W[fk];B[bk];W[gi]
;B[cl];W[dr];B[dn];W[co];B[dm];W[dh];B[di];W[jc];B[ii];W[ij];B[jj];W[ik];B[hi];W[jk]
;B[gh];W[kj];B[ji];W[ll];B[jm];W[ln];B[lp];W[qq];B[ro];W[jn];B[km];W[lm];B[im];W[kn]
;B[gj];W[hl];B[hm];W[ol];B[nk];W[nl];B[lk];W[kk];B[mk];W[kl];B[mi];W[ok];B[pj];W[lh]
;B[li];W[kp];B[kq];W[mp];B[lo];W[np];B[mq];W[oo];B[mo];W[no];B[mn];W[nn];B[pp];W[nq]
;B[pn];W[qn];B[mm];W[ml];B[nm];W[om];B[po];W[on];B[or];W[nr];B[pr];W[ip];B[hr];W[gp]
;B[gq];W[gn];B[gm];W[fn];B[fm];W[ki];B[kh];W[kg];B[jh];W[go];B[fp];W[en];B[eo];W[em]
;B[el];W[in];B[fl];W[do];B[dl];W[ni];B[mh];W[jp];B[er];W[ql];B[pm];W[qk];B[rj];W[rk]
;B[ri];W[rn];B[rm];W[qm];B[sn];W[rq];B[qr];W[rp];B[qo];W[rr];B[qs];W[iq];B[ir];W[lr]
;B[lq];W[sm];B[sl];W[sk];B[so];W[rl];B[sm];W[kr];B[jr];W[mr];B[ks];W[js];B[cr];W[dq]
;B[ds];W[br];B[bp];W[cq];B[cs];W[bq];B[bm];W[bn];B[bs];W[ar];B[an];W[ap];B[ao];W[bo]
;B[aq];W[cp];B[ap];W[am];B[ap];W[ls];B[al];W[hq];B[an];W[ao];B[ho];W[hn];B[es];W[is]
;B[gr];W[fs];B[am];W[ns];B[bf];W[kd];B[bd];W[bc];B[id];W[ic];B[me];W[ld];B[gd];W[gc]
;B[rd];W[oq];B[pq];W[gf];B[hf];W[bg];B[bb];W[ac];B[ce];W[de];B[cg];W[df];B[ch];W[od]
;B[rc];W[of];B[og];W[oe];B[pe];W[rb];B[ng];W[gk];B[hj];W[hk];B[kf];W[ad];B[bh];W[ge]
;B[he];W[fd];B[sb];W[ra];B[oj];W[ek];B[hd];W[lf];B[lg];W[mf];B[nf];W[ke];B[jf];W[ne]
;B[gg];W[dg];B[fg];W[os];B[sr];W[ef];B[ff];W[fe];B[hc];W[hb];B[cc];W[cb];B[mg];W[le]
;B[ag];W[qj];B[qi];W[sj];B[si];W[rs];B[sp];W[lj];B[mj];W[cj];B[bj];W[je];B[ie];W[eh]
;B[ae];W[dc];B[fh];W[fj];B[fi];W[qd];B[re];W[hs];B[gs];W[ks];B[ko];W[jo];B[cm];W[jd]
;B[sq];W[qb];B[ss];W[sa];B[sc];W[pl];B[fr];W[as];B[bp];W[aq];B[bp];W[ap];B[ck];W[dj]
;B[ej];W[gl];B[jl];W[il];B[pk];W[ps];B[eg])

Moon Dowon Won Second Game

Moon Dowon (2 dan) continue her victory at the 9th Jeongganjang Cup. After beating Aoki Kikuyo of Japan at the previous game, Moon beat Lu Jia (2 dan) of China today.


Lu Jia (left) vs. Moon Dowon (right)

The opening of the second game was casual. Both sides had strong base (black at the bottom board and white at the right board) and shared sides as well. Lu Jia who played white started the fight with attachment at move 62. Black attacked the group and made use of her extension at C9 well.

Black found the winning combination with her cut at move 155. She put the whole white group in danger and put white in a very disadvantageous exchange. Moon Dowon won the game with a huge 18.5 points margin!


Moon Dowon

I'm quite surprised to see the result, since Lu Jia has a better result in domestic tournaments, but it seems that Moon Dowon is in a great shape. Let see if she can win the third game tomorrow.

Here is the game record:
Moon Dowon (black) vs. Lu Jia (white). Result: B+18.5

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[9th Jeongganjang Cup, game 2]DT[2011-01-09]
PB[Moon Dowon]BR[2p]PW[Lu Jia]WR[2p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+18.5]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[cp];B[eq];W[po];B[qo];W[qn];B[qp];W[qf];B[nc];W[pn];B[nq];W[pj]
;B[cf];W[fc];B[bd];W[do];B[cc];W[ic];B[gp];W[qd];B[qc];W[rc];B[qe];W[rd];B[pe];W[re]
;B[pf];W[pg];B[qb];W[og];B[no];W[pp];B[qq];W[lc];B[nm];W[pl];B[jp];W[dq];B[ep];W[er]
;B[fr];W[dr];B[ck];W[rb];B[me];W[le];B[lf];W[md];B[ne];W[kf];B[lg];W[kg];B[ke];W[ld]
;B[ng];W[kh];B[of];W[oi];B[ef];W[gr];B[fs];W[mp];B[np];W[gq];B[fq];W[hp];B[go];W[ip]
;B[jq];W[in];B[ir];W[jo];B[hl];W[jl];B[ko];W[kn];B[ln];W[km];B[lm];W[ek];B[hn];W[cj]
;B[dj];W[dk];B[ci];W[bj];B[cl];W[di];B[ej];W[ch];B[fk];W[eh];B[fj];W[mh];B[nh];W[mi]
;B[mg];W[dm];B[dl];W[dc];B[dg];W[cm];B[ni];W[nj];B[ok];W[oj];B[bk];W[bi];B[bm];W[bn]
;B[an];W[ao];B[al];W[am];B[kk];W[jk];B[an];W[cb];B[bb];W[am];B[qg];W[rf];B[an];W[cd]
;B[bc];W[am];B[oh];W[ph];B[an];W[nd];B[lh];W[li];B[od];W[am];B[kj];W[jj];B[an];W[bg]
;B[bf];W[am];B[ki];W[ji];B[mj];W[mk];B[lj];W[bl];B[qh];W[pi];B[bm];W[kp];B[lo];W[bl]
;B[jh];W[ih];B[jg];W[jf];B[ig];W[hh];B[hg];W[gg];B[ie];W[je];B[jd];W[kd];B[if];W[ke]
;B[gf];W[gh];B[bm];W[ff];B[fe];W[fg];B[ee];W[bl];B[id];W[jc];B[gd];W[gc];B[bm];W[hq]
;B[an];W[bo];B[hj];W[ij];B[im];W[jm];B[dh];W[ei];B[fi];W[jr];B[kr];W[js];B[iq];W[kq]
;B[lq];W[hk];B[hi];W[fm];B[el];W[gl];B[gk];W[ii];B[ik];W[il];B[hm];W[hk];B[ho];W[gi]
;B[ik];W[be];B[ce];W[hk];B[io];W[gj];B[lb];W[kb];B[mc];W[kc];B[em];W[ol];B[rn];W[rm]
;B[ro];W[sm];B[db];W[eb];B[ca];W[mb];B[nb];W[la];B[ea];W[fa];B[ga];W[da];B[eg];W[fh]
;B[ea];W[fb];B[hc];W[hb];B[hd];W[da];B[cb];W[eo];B[en];W[fo];B[fn];W[am];B[dn];W[bl]
;B[ak];W[jn];B[fp];W[bm];B[es];W[ds];B[ml];W[nl];B[lk];W[nk];B[na];W[qa];B[pa];W[ra]
;B[pb];W[on];B[nn];W[dp];B[om];W[pm];B[ma];W[lb];B[aj];W[ai];B[ag];W[ah];B[af];W[cg]
;B[de];W[ec];B[sn];W[op];B[oq];W[kl];B[ll];W[cn];B[fd];W[gb];B[ed];W[ib];B[oo];W[ea])

9th Jeongganjang Cup Started

The annual all female team tournament, Jeongganjang Cup started with the first game was played at January 8. The opening game was between Aoki Kikuyo (8 dan) of Japan vs. Moon Dowon (2 dan) of South Korea.


Aoki Kikuyo (left) vs. Moon Dowon (right)

Aoki opened the game with her favorite opening, the Low Chinese fuseki. Moon answered it with a new fashion in this fuseki, keima enclosure against black low stone. The game proceed fast and Moon was the first to start a fight with his keima approach. Aoki played a territorial oriented answer and took a potential upper side.

Aoki later played a dangerous combination which left her with an unsettled group at the lower side. Moon later found a good combination (move 142 and 144) and successfully trapped black's weak group at the left side and eventually killed them. Aoki resigned at move 220. She was behind more than 10 points.


Moon Dowon (19 y.o), became pro in 2008 and promoted to 2 dan in 2009.

Here is the game record:
Moon Dowon (white) vs. Aoki Kikuyo (black). Resukt: W+R

(;CA[Windows-1252]SZ[19]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]EV[9th Jeongganjang Cup, game 1]DT[2011-01-08]
PB[Aoki Kikuyo]BR[8p]PW[Moon Dowon]WR[2p]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[W+R]MULTIGOGM[1]
;B[pd];W[dd];B[pq];W[dp];B[qk];W[fq];B[fc];W[cf];B[jd];W[qf];B[re];W[rf];B[qe];W[pf]
;B[nd];W[qi];B[oj];W[nh];B[nf];W[po];B[np];W[no];B[mo];W[nn];B[lp];W[mn];B[qj];W[pi]
;B[mk];W[mi];B[mj];W[jq];B[ko];W[ln];B[jp];W[kq];B[iq];W[ir];B[hr];W[lo];B[mp];W[kp]
;B[ip];W[mr];B[nr];W[js];B[lr];W[kr];B[ms];W[hq];B[eq];W[dq];B[gq];W[hp];B[fr];W[ho]
;B[eo];W[do];B[dr];W[cr];B[fp];W[kj];B[kk];W[jk];B[km];W[kn];B[jl];W[jj];B[lj];W[li]
;B[ml];W[hc];B[kh];W[ki];B[hd];W[ic];B[id];W[jc];B[dc];W[cc];B[ed];W[kd];B[de];W[cd]
;B[ke];W[lc];B[ld];W[kc];B[mc];W[le];B[kf];W[md];B[nc];W[lf];B[lg];W[jg];B[kg];W[jh]
;B[if];W[mg];B[eg];W[cg];B[cm];W[dn];B[cj];W[ds];B[es];W[er];B[jn];W[jo];B[dr];W[ol]
;B[ok];W[er];B[in];W[io];B[dr];W[qc];B[pc];W[er];B[mf];W[gc];B[ng];W[gd];B[mh];W[oi]
;B[dr];W[dm];B[cs];W[cl];B[fe];W[br];B[gb];W[hb];B[eb];W[mb];B[nb];W[la];B[cb];W[bb]
;B[ba];W[ef];B[ff];W[eh];B[bl];W[bm];B[ck];W[dl];B[bn];W[cn];B[am];W[bi];B[bj];W[ej]
;B[cm];W[ak];B[ci];W[bh];B[dh];W[di];B[ce];W[dg];B[bf];W[fg];B[qp];W[hs];B[gr];W[lm]
;B[ll];W[il];B[qn];W[ee];B[bd];W[bs];B[ds];W[fd];B[bc];W[hg];B[fm];W[gl];B[fl];W[fk]
;B[gm];W[el];B[hl];W[hk];B[gk];W[gj];B[im];W[ik];B[hf];W[gf];B[bg];W[ch];B[ri];W[rh]
;B[rj];W[qo];B[ro];W[rn];B[pn];W[op];B[rp];W[oq];B[or];W[qm];B[rm];W[pm];B[on];W[om]
;B[sn];W[oo];B[rn];W[nl];B[oh];W[ni];B[pg];W[qg];B[nq];W[ga])

Down to the Last Game

After beating Park Sohyun in the first game, Cao Youyin of China luckily beat Umezawa Yukari Female Kisei in the third game of
the second stage of the 8th Jeongganjang Cup.




Umezawa who took white in the game actually had the advantage since the beginning, but later she make a terrible blunder during the endgame which
led to a favorable ko fight for Cao. Umezawa eventually resigned.

At move 220, Umezawa made a mistake by playing H14. She should just played N19 to made her group 100% alive and eventually won the game by small margin.

At the fourth game, Kim Hyeoyimin (5 pro) from Korea stopped Cao Youyin 2 winning streak by winning the game as black by 1.5 points. Kim Hyeoyimin decided to play for big moyo
after she trade the corners for outside influence.




Countering this, Cao played a shoulder hit at the bottom board, trying to reduce white's territory. Kim took the advantage by attacking white invader, thus
completing her moyo.

After a tight endgame, Kim Hyeoyimin eventually won the game by 1.5 points.

The fifth game was played December 24 between Kim Hyeoyimin of Korea against one of the Mukai sisters, Mukai Chiaki (3 pro).

Mukai Chiaki who played black in this game decided to play for a close endgame. She played carefully and got sente during the endgame at move 175. It was
a big yose move, because she captured 2 stones, made her group 100% alive, and got sente.



Kim Hyeoyimin resigned at move 227. Mukai Chiaki of Japan will play Li He from China at the Christmas Day.

So far Korea is down to their last player Park Jieun, while Japan has 2 members left Mukai Chiaki and Suzuki Ayumi. China still has the lead with Li He, Ye Gui, and last year's superstar Song Ronghui as their members.

China Keep the Lead

After eliminating Aoki Kikuyo from the competition, Park Sohyun from Korea met Cao Youyin from China in the second game of the second round of the 8th Jeongganjang Cup.

Park who played as white in the previous game got reversed color in this game.


Cao Youyin (left) vs. Park Sohyun (right)

The game opened by black making a wall in the upper board by attacking white's group, but Cao Youyin took the chance when she got sente by making a shimari in the bottom board.

At move 52 white played a capping move, trying to reduce black's moyo. Black responded by also playing a capping move in white area. White's response was aggressive. Playing a pincer and started a semeai.

Black tried to attack white's weak group after her attacked group connected to the upper board.She got some advantage from attacking, but the gap is still big for white who took the advantage when attacking black's group.


Board position up to move 107

Black tried to make a comeback, by attempting to kill white's group. The game turned to a live or dead ko for white. White saved her group when she decided to ignore black's small ko threat and captured black's stone. I wonder if black can skip move 187 and played T18 instead, though move 187 gave a connection between black's group, but it gave white a better chance to live. After all it was a do or die ko for Park.


I think the one who stand behind Cao Youyin is Yu Bin (9p from China) who is the coach for China's Jeongganjang team.

Park Sohyun resigned to Cao Youyin at move 218. Cao Youyin will play one of Japan's member today. With Cao's victory, China keep the lead by still having 4 members in the competition.

Korea Even the Score with Japan

The second stage of the 8th Jeongganjang Cup was started today (December 20). The stage was opened with a match between Park Sohyun from Korea and Aoki Kikuyo from Japan.

When the first stage ended in September (can't believe how fast time fly by O_o) Korea's position is slightly worse than Japan, since 2 of their members already eliminated, while Japan and China both still have 4 members.

However, today Park Sohyun managed to won the game from Aoki Kikuyo and made Korea tied with Japan.


Park Sohyun

Park played the game as white while Aoki Kikuyo played as black. The game opened with Aoki took 3 corners, while Park took the initiative by sacrificing the last empty corner. Up to move 33, the game is usual. White move at 34 is rather rare, since usually white will attach from Q5 to make a ladder breaker, but Park decided to play for territory.


Board position up to move 111

After the exchange in the bottom right corner, white attacked black's weak stones in the center. Black exchanged her uper right corner for a solid position in the upper board (inside white's area). White then played a very good game and hold the initiative.

White 156 is a very big move. It's a big move and white took it first. Black later tried to catch up in the yose (black 165 is a good example of a yose tesuji), but it's not enough to chase white.

White eventually won by 6.5 points.



Tomorrow Park Sohyun will play against one member from China. Let's see who.

Aoki Kikuyo Concluded the First Stage

The last round of the first stage of the 8th Jeongganjang Cup has been played. This time, the match is between Wang Chenxin (2 dan) from China against Aoki Kikuyo (8 dan) from Japan.


Wang (left), Aoki (right)

The game is somewhat full of Chinese style. Aoki who played black opened the game with the low Chinese opening. Wang played the two spaces low approach to counter black's opening. The approach was invented by Yu Bin (9 dan) from China several years ago.


Aoki Kikuyo vs. Wang Chenxin board position up to move 89

Aoki Kikuyo played pincer in response of white's approach. Some say that the pincer is not good in this condition, since it gives white a big corner and suggest the hit shoulder at O4. However, the pincer seem to be Aoki's favorite move. She also played the same opening last year in her game against Song Ronghui (though she lost that game).

The first big trade was made early in the game. At move 68, Wang chose to capture black's stone in the center in return of her corner. However, white played a tesuji at L17 to capture black's group in the upper board, but it seems that black was ready to sacrifice the group.

Another big trade was made at move 123, where Aoki got the bottom left corner in exchange of her group in the left side. After the trade, black was ahead in territory.

The game looked close when the yose started, but later Wang made a blunder when she connected her stones with K12. It let Aoki played a tesuji at L14 and captured Wang's group. Wang should connect at K14 instead of K12 so the game would be very close.

Wang resigned at move 241. She was behind about 6 points including komi.


Wang Chenxing

With this victory, Aoki Kikuyo from Japan sealed the first stage and will open the second stage by playing one of South Korea's team member. Before that, Aoki will challenge Xie Yimin for her Female Honinbo title in the early October.


Aoki Kikuyo

Wang's Third Victory

Wang Chenxing (2 dan) really rocks the first stage of the 8th Jeongganjang Cup. After her two previous victories, today Wang won another game against Yun Jihee (2 dan) from South Korea.


Wang (left), Yun (right)

The game started with a strange sequence in the top right corner, starting with a rare three spaces high pincer by Yun who played as black. Instead of the normal move at R18, white played a tobi tsuke at P15. The sequence up to move 28 is a new sequence for me.


Wang Chenxing vs. Yun Jihee board position up to move 83


Another strange development in this game is black's nobi at move 89. Usually black will directly enter the corner.

Black 133 is the losing move. I don't see what black wanted to accomplish by playing yhis move. It's not sente and the worst is, black let her big group in the corner die!

Later Yun tried to kill white in the middle, but Wang was calm and played a ko fight which is impossible for black to win, because she was short of ko threats. White won by resignation.

Wang is one step closer of repeating Song's 6 concecutive victories in the previous Jeongganjang Cup.

Wang Chenxing's Second Victory

It seems that Wang Chenxing from China doesn't want to stop yet. After a victory from Kim Yunyoung in the first round, she marked another victory by beating Yoshida Mika from Japan.


I wonder who are the three kids in the picture. Future pros?

The game started by Yoshida Mika (who played as black) playing the famous Japanese joseki in the bottom right corner. The joseki is considered as bad for black, but Cho U who holds 5 from 7 big titles in Japan played the joseki a lot.


Yoshida Mika vs. Wang Chenxing board position up to move 73

I think black's opening was slow. Especially move 39. The move gave white chance to invade with P17. Would it be better for black to enclosure the corner?

In the end black lost the game by resignation because run out of ko threat.

China is surely has a good start. I wonder if Wang will repeat Song's success last year.