Return of the King
17-23 March Lee Changho 9p and Hong Kipyo 4p played in the 53rd Kuksu final. Before 17 March Lee Changho was leading in the final 1-0 but needs to win two extra games. Hong Kipyo show resistance and won 2nd game and made tie 1-1…
In the opening Lee Changho by taking black stones play very nice and thick opening, but unfortunately instead of utilizing potential of his moyo he goes for territory. In first place this looks reasonable, because Lee Changho is very strong in the endgame.
Unexpectedly Hong Kipyi found winning tesuji in late middle game phase. Black situation become very bad. Lee Changho resigned after 172 moves
In next game Lee Changho took white and play his standard baduk. He secure some teritorry in the opening and then use his yose to win the game. In second half black position wasn’t good but when Lee Changho release in late endgame final blow, Hong Kipyo couldn’t answer and resigned immediately.
In last game of the final Lee Changho play black stones and play mini chinese opening, which is well known. Lee Changho show improvement to this opening with black 15. This show that professional don’t stop searching for better moves even in well known and played ad nauseam opening. This is good example for us amateur to not copy opening blindly and tried every time something new maybe even crazy :)
In opening Hong Kipyo play very weird opening and give Lee Changho solid lead before middle game. He tried to mess up situation with invasion in bottom right corner, but Lee Changho answer very strongly. Situation was even worse in second half of middle game stage. Hong Kipyo was forced to play many dame points when Lee Changho was capturing more and more stones. After only 145 moves Hong Kipyo resigned.
Lee Changho won 53rd Kuksu title. This is the oldest Korean tournament and most important in Korea. Kuksu is not only a title for tournament, but also synonym of Baduk King in Korea. The strongest masters in Korea like Cho Hunhyun are very often referred as Kuksu for example Cho Kuksu.
This is very important title for Lee Changho and good start for the new year. Actually he holds 3 titles: Myeongin (Korean Meijin), KBS and Kuksu and return as #1 baduk master in Korea pro scene.
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