Lee Changho wins 2nd round of Nongshim Cup

Lee Changho(9d) defeated Liu Xing(7d) of China by resignation in the 2nd round of the 11th Nongshim Cup. This was an extremely important win for Lee Changho both psychologically and professionally. It keeps the Korean team in play, but the battle will be uphill all the way as China has two players left – Chang Hao(9d) and Gu Li(9d). Lee Changho will play Chang Hao in the 3rd round, tomorrow March 11th. Game record to follow.

 Xie Yimin retains her title as Female Meijin

Xie Yimin (Female Meijin) defeated Mukai Chiaki (4 dan) by 2.5 points in the 2nd round of the 22nd Female Meijin title match, thus retaining her title by winning the series 2:0. Xie Yimin is clearly the top female professional in Japan. She holds all three of Japan’s female professional titles – Meijin, Kisei, Honinbo – including the Daiwa Ladies Cup. Game record to follow.

 Lian Xiao wins the RICOH Cup(Xinxiu)

Lian Xiao(3d) defeated Li Haojie(3d) by resignation in the final game of the 4th RICOH Cup(Xinxiu). Lian Xiao is a 15 year old Chinese professional player who was promoted to 1 dan in 2007 and 3 dan in 2009. Sensei’s Library gives the following information on the RICOH Cup(Xinxiu):

Xinxiu, which means “New Talent”, is a Chinese Tournament for youth players, currently sponsored by Ricoh. From 1998 until 2001, a tournament under the same name was sponsored by NEC. Prizes are 30,000 Yuan [ca. 4,400 USD] for the winner and 10,000 for the runner-up

Game Record (W+R)

 Japan eliminated from the Nongshim Cup

China’s Liu Xing(7d) defeated Japan’s Hane Naoki(9d) by 5.5 points in the 1st round of the 11th Nongshim Cup. This leaves Korea and China for the final battle. Liu Xing will face Lee Changho in round 3 on March 10th.

Game Record (B+5.5)

 Lee Changho’s condition is not good

This is the headline from an Oro news report about Lee Changho’s arrival to Shanghai, China for the 3rd and final stage of the 11th Nongshim Cup. Oro is reporting that he is suffering from migraine headaches and his flight into Shanghai had experienced some severe turbulence. It is well known that Lee Changho does not like air travel, so his condition may be the result of a very stressful flight.

Lee Changeho will play the winner of the 1st round between Japan’s Hane Naoki and China’s Liu Xing on March 10th. Lee Changho(9d) is the last player for the Korean team. Hane Naoki(9d) is the last player for the Japanese team, and China has three players left – Liu Xing(7d), Chang Hao(9d), and Gu Li(9d). Updates will follow, if more details become known.

 NHK Semifinal match between Iyama Yuta and Yamada Kimio

The following game is the 57th NHK Cup semifinal match between Iyama Yuta(Meijin) and Yamada Kimio(9d). Iyama Yuta played white and won by resignation, advancing him to the final. Note: this game was played on February 8, 2010 and broadcast on March 7, 2010.

Game Record (W+R)

 Gu Li suffers another defeat

In the quarterfinals of the 10th RICOH Cup, Gu Lingyi(5d) defeated Gu Li(9d) by resignation. This is the second straight tournament loss by Gu Li in the past three days. Mid-level dan players have been showing their strength as of late, giving 9 dans a run for their money. At 18 years of age, Gu Lingyi is one of China’s rising stars, reaching China’s top ten this past August. The RICOH Cup semifinals will pit Wang Lei(8d) against Kong Jie(9d) and Gu Lingyi(5d) against Xie He(7d).

Gu Lingyi

Game Record (B+R)

 Lee Changho wins round 1 of the Kuksu

Lee Changho(9d) defeated Hong Kipyo(4d) by resignation in round 1 of the 53th Kuksu title match. The Kuksu is Korea’s highest Baduk title, the winner of which is commonly considered to be Korea’s strongest player. Last year’s Kuksu champion was Lee Sedol. Round 2 will be played on March 17th.

Game Record (W+R)

 Kono Rin wins the NEC Cup

Kono Rin(9d) defeated Hane Naoki(NEC) by resignation in the final game of the 29th NEC Cup, taking the title away from Hane Naoki. This is Kono Rin’s second NEC Cup title win. The first was in 2008 against Cho Sonjin.

        vs.    
    Hane Naoki                    Kono Rin

Game Record (B+R)

 Gu Li eliminated from CCTV Cup

Zhang Wei(6d) defeated Gu Li(9d) by resignation in the 2nd round of the 2010 CCTV Cup. Gu Li is the second of China’s top players to be eliminated by mid-level dan players. Of the eight players left in the tournament, three are 9 dan and the remaining five are either 5 or 6 dan. At least one of these mid-level dan players will advance to the final.

Game Record (W+R)