Choi Cheolhan takes a lead in Ing Cup
After losing 1 game to Lee Changho 9p in Ing final, Choi Cheolhan 9p won two straight games and take a lead 2:1. To win the title Choi Cheolhan only need to win one more game. Last year time he was very close to win title but lost to Chang Hao 3:1, so this can be his great moment to make comeback.
In this game Lee Changho (Black) play very nice opening, but when He decide to sacrifice 3 stones in center everything started to be very messy. Fight on left side was very risky and in the end Lee Changho fail to kill white dragon. Of course game was still pretty even but Lee Changho must pay penalty for extra time (4 points for 2 extra time) and after 300 moves Choi Cheolhan won the by 7 points.
This time Lee Changho 9p took white stones, and shock me a little with opening. White 26 is novel play. Black get chance to get some profit by attacking white group on right side. On other hand white 34 is interesting shape :) Game become a big fight between small groups. Choi Cheolhan show great skill by attacking both white groups in center and at upper side. After 191 moves Lee Changho resigned.
Last time Choi Cheolhan won international title in 2005, so it is huge gap. Choi Cheolhan starts this year with great records (Maxim Cup) and it looks that he will make great comeback. Everything will be decided in April, when 4th and 5th (if needed) games will be played in Taiwan between Lee Changho and Choi Cheolhan. I hope there will two more games, because I love to watching flow of stones in beautiful games.
UPDATE: Thx to Jan Simara to pointing my mistake (of course previous Ing Cup was played 4 years ago).
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It is interesting.
The first 24 moves in this 3rd game same as the first 24 moves in Gu Li – Lee Sedol game in the 2nd game of final of 13rd LG Cup.
http://www.baduk.nexik.net/lg-cup/gu-li-won-lg-cup/#more-945
Come on man…Previous Ing cup was not one year ago,but 4 years ago.