Lee Sedol defended Samsung Cup
19, 21 January Lee Sedol 9p was playing with Kong Jie 7p in final of 13th Samsung Cup. Before final Kong Jie result against Lee Sedol was really bad (8 loss and 1 win). In poll on this blog visitor vote for Lee Sedol (12 to 1). Lee Sedol won final with perfect score 2-0. I was sure that Lee Sedol will win this title , but i hope that Kong Jie could fight more.
In first game Lee Sedol took black stones. In bottom-right corner Kong Jie choose the same joseki, which were played last time in Lee Changho-Gu Li game. The main difference was that Kong Jie elect to extend with white 32 instead of playing hane. It is very hard to decide which variation is better.
Lee Sedol sharp skill
After few moves next fight start on upper side. Kong Jie attack black weak group in upper-right corner with white 46. Lee Sedol instead of playing hane at S18, play at 47. After 48 it looks that black will have some trouble, but Lee Sedol show great tesuji with black 49. After this move situation was reversed. Now white stones very under attack.Kong Jie even was forced to play passive play and made a life with white 62.
Chaotic fight
When white settle his group in upper-right corner, Lee Sedol play cap of 63, Kong Jie must think that his situation is bad and tried to complicate with white 64. Lee Sedol of course was happy to start chaotic fight with black 67 and 69. Fight in bottom side was really hard, but Kong Jie instantly decide to play tenuki with white 96. Lee Sedol ignored this move and play some sente moves on bottom side to get a lot of profit. Later he even get to play at black 111.
After black 135 black advantage was clear. Kong Jie try to do something with peep with white 136, but Lee Sedol again show he won’t simply answer Kong Jie moves and play black 137. Some moves latter Kong Jie resigned.
In second game Kong Jie took black stones and play very common opening. Again he play little innovation. Instead of extending with 2 space jump on left side he play black 23. I think he was preparing for some fight in center. Opening goes very smoothly and Lee Sedol decide to end this and start fight with white 28. Up to white 34 exchange look to be in favor for white. Of course black took white corner and settle group on bottom side, but thanks to white 42, Lee Sedol start another fight with white 46.
Kong Jie mistake
In following fight Kong Jie made a ko fight, but he couldn’t afford to lost this ko so he was forced to sacrifice his group on the bottom. Instead of making ko black should let Lee Sedol make a life in gote and then jump to center and fight. After white 78 Lee Sedol secure large amount of territory on bottom side. Game was in white favor but when Lee Sedol play white 126 game was decided. After 264 moves Lee Sedol 9p won by 2,5 points.
Related posts:
- Lee Sedol defended Kuksu title
- Qiu Jun Advance to Samsung Cup Final
- Lee Changho defended 7th KBS Cup
