Semifinals of 13th LG Cup
3 and 5 November in Jeju, Korean held a two round of the 13th LG Cup. In 3 November Lee Sedol 9p beat Kono Rin 9p; Park Yeonghun 9p beat Chang Hao 9p; Gu Li 9p beat Kim Hyeongwoo 3p and Lee Changho 9p beat Yamashita Keigo 9p. Globally 13th LG Cup could be the biggest succeed for Japan team but even ending with two player at 3rd round of international tournament is not bad for Japan. 3 Korean player and 1 Chinesee enter semifinals. Korea team before 5 November was sure that will take at least one seat in finals.
In Semifinals Lee Sedol 9p play against Park Yeonghun 9p and Gu Li 9p faced Lee Changho 9p. Game Lee-Park was very interesting with some huge exchanges. After 173 moves Park Yeonghun 9p resigned.
In second game between Gu Li 9p and Lee Changho 9p we could see very steady game. Of course in games there were some unexpected issues like black 37. I look at many baduk related sites and everywhere all commentator said that this move is surprising. Black don’t have any problem with life on bottom side. Playing at 43 instead of 37 looks for more natural. Black 37 cannot give me a peace, but there was another weird move from Lee Changho. Black 65 is against what i learn. The rule of CSC (Corner-Side-Center) said that more important is move at 96.
Overall game was very peaceful and yose decide about result. IMHO Lee Changho was too much sure about his yose skill and decide to defend his weak group with black 85 instead of securing corner at 96. After 88 game become extremely close. In byo yomi Lee Changho made mistake and allow white to play attachment at 140 which give white a leading. Lee Changho was even forced to play many ko threat to obtain time and before the end he couldn’t win a ko and lost by 1,5 points.
On other hand Gu Li won the game on very hard batllefield which is endgame for fighters like him. Beating Lee Changho (#1 endgame player) is very good result. Finals between Lee Sedol 9p and Gu Li 9p will be played at Seoul from 23 to 26 February.
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