Top 10 Korean Professionals

According to the Hankuk Kiwon ranking system, the following players currently make up the top ten Korean Professionals. Lee Sedol ranks #1 with a comfortable lead in points (9732) above #2 Lee Changho (9598). #3 Park Junghwan (9581) and #4 Park Yeonghun (9580) are very close to Lee Changho’s #2 spot.

1. Lee Sedol (9d)  9732

2. Lee Changho (9d)  9598

3. Park Junghwan (7d)  9581

4. Park Yeonghun (9d)  9580

5. Choi Cheolhan (9d)  9548

6. Cho Hansung (9d)  9503

7. Heo Yeongho (6d)  9503

8. Kang Dongyun (9d)  9500

9. Kim Jiseok (7d)  9484

10. Yun Junsang (8d)  9435

 JustPlayGo joins the Twitter generation

At the suggestion of one of our readers (http://yayforgo.com), JustPlayGo is now on Twitter or is a tweeter or a tweetista or ... Oh well, we’ll see how this works out. Let me know what you think.

 Lee Sedol Interview

Peter Hansmeier has graciously shared his translation of an interview with Lee Sedol after his 3:0 win over Chang Hao in the 2nd BC Card Cup. Thank you, Peter!

Q: Congratulations on your 3-0 victory. It seems as though this tournament was made for you. What are your thoughts?
Lee Sedol: After I won the second game I thought I could win the tournament, but I did not think that I would win 3-0. I am extremely pleased. I would like to thank my supporters. I would also like to thank the sponsors, BC Card Company and its head, Zhang Hengde.

Q: Since your return you have won 24 straight games. Which one was the hardest?
Lee Sedol: The games against Kong Jie, etc. were very difficult, but the most difficult was against Park Younghun.

Q: You already had a streak of 32 straight wins. Do you think you could break this record?
Lee Sedol: That would take 8 more consecutive wins; so that would be difficult. Also, I will be playing some faster-paced games, which will put me under pressure. But, I am not too concerned about winning streaks.

Q: Why did you use so much time in the opening?
Lee Sedol: The opening was very difficult. I have not played or even seen that kind of opening. I believe my openings tend to be ver weak, so I spent some extra time.

Q: Previously you had mentioned that you wanted to be satisfied with your moves; were you satisfied with the games in the finals?
Lee Sedol: The first game was not bad, but the second one had mistakes. The third game did not start well, which I still regret.

Q: Now that you have snatched the title, what is your next objective?
Lee Sedol: I will take a short break, but I cannot relax after winning this title. I must keep up my intensity, and continue to strive hard.

Q: How much time do you spend studying Go each day?
Lee Sedol: I am not so diligent, but sometimes when I am watching TV I will suddenly start thinking of Go.

Q: Do you spend time thinking of “flying daggers?”
Lee Sedol: I do not do any special research…

Q: Before the match Chang Hao said that upon your return you have become more passionate about Go. Is this true?
Lee Sedol: Actually, no.

Q: In that case, what creates this strong desire to win?
Lee Sedol: Even in the past I always wanted to win, but it comes down to whether I can win the difficult matches. That is when my wins look imposing.

Q: What Chinese players are the most menacing?
Lee Sedol: Chang Hao, Gu Li, and Kong Jie are all very strong.

Q: Kong Jie’s recent results have been quite good. You have had good results against him, though, no?
Lee Sedol: That was before Kong Jie began performing so well in international matches. Now we need to reset the records.

Q: Can anyone in Korea stop you?
Lee Sedol: I have played Lee Changho only in the special match for Haiti; I have not had any official matches against him. Aside from him, I have played my other opponents only once each, so there is no special significance. My games against Lee Changho are extremely intense.

Q: This November will be the first Yayun Cup. You and Lee Changho already made the Korean delegation. Do you have any suggestions for the Go world?
Lee Sedol: Haha, that is difficult to say. However, since I am already chosen to participate, I will strive to the utmost to get the gold medal.

Q: Today you revealed your strength; do you have anyone in particular to thank?
Lee Sedol: I have too many people to thank; it is difficult to make a list. My older brother, Lee Xiangxun 7p; Kingsfield Company, etc. I cannot omit my wife and daughter, of course.

Q: In your spare time do you spend time with your daughter?
Lee Sedol: I try to make some time (laugh). Right now I do not get to sing many children’s songs for her.

Q: Are you going to teach your daughter Go?
Lee Sedol: If she shows an interest I could get her instruction, but I would not do it personally. Rather, I would send her to a school.

 Problems with GoDiscussions.com

It looks like GoDiscussions is experiencing problems once again. It’s been down for most of the weekend, with periodic up times. I haven’t seen any reports on what the problem might actually be. I’m guessing Don is missing in action again and probably not aware of the problem himself. In any event, getting updates and news on the situation is difficult and scattered at best.

I know there are some GD members who visit this site. If you have any news or comments or anything else you want to say about the current GoDiscussions dilemma, please share them with us and your fellow GD members. I will have the commenting open without need for approval to make it easier for real-time discussion and will keep this blog entry as a sticky for as long as it’s needed. Let’s hope GoDiscussions is back up soon!

Update: GoDiscussions is back up or at least accessible. There appears to be a database problem so functionality is not all there. On a side note. You know it’s a slow news day for Go when Oro is reporting on baseball. Also, spammers have gotten word that I suspended moderation of comments and have started spamming in full force. So comments are being moderated again thanks to the internet parasites who have nothing better to do with their pathetic, miserable, little lives.

Update2: Fwiffo has created a GD replacement page on Sensei’s Library - http://senseis.xmp.net/?ReplacingGoDiscussions