3 September 13th edition of Samsung Cup has started. This year we will see 14 Korean players, 15 Chinese player and only 3 from Japan. Samsung is championship sponsored by Korean company, but thanks to great China result in preliminary this year are more Chinese player in main tournament than Korean. Today I will write only 3 matches with Japanse player but before that, here are two videos from samsung opening ceremony.
29 August, 3 Chinese and 1 Japanese Baduk Masters play in semifinals of World Oza Cup. In first game Cho U 9p – #1 from Japan play against #1 from China – Gu Li 9p. In second game Piao Wenyao 5p play against Xie He 7p. In first game were even, but in second game I was sure that Piao Wenyao will win the game. Why? In first Piao Wenyao is in great form. In first rounds he beat two Korean Baduk Masters: Lee Changho and Mok Jinseok. Piao Wenyao play not only interesting baduk, but also is very strong at fighting. Of course from other hand Xie He beat Lee Sedol, but Lee Sedol have some problems with Xie He style. For example Lee Changho in few last game with Xie He had easy games, so in my opinion Piao chance are greater.
After 3rd round of 4th World Go Oza Korea team was knocked, all 3 baduk masters from Korea lost to their Chinese opponent. In 4th game even greater miracle happen. Cho U from Japan beat Liu Xing from China by resignation. I’m not sure but I think this is historical event, when to semifinals of international tournament enter Japanese baduk master, but no one from Korea team!!!