The record heat days have been passed away and now the chilly season is come in no time. In prior to the opening of the “RICOH Cup Professional Pair Go Tournament 2005” on December 4, this year, a lottery to decide who plays with whom was held on October 5 at "Hotel Metropolitan Edmont”, Tokyo, Iidabashi.

The professional pair Go tournament is now one of the regular events at the end of the year, so greetings like “It passed away one year before we know it.” were exchanged all over the lottery site.

Ms. Mika Takanishi, Nippon Television Network announcer, also a fan of Go herself, acted as the emcee. The players, the emcee and the media reporters were dining together happily and proceeded with the lottery.

First of all, on behalf of the organizers, Ichiro Yoshikuni, the chairman of Japan Pair Go Association, gave the opening speech. "Thank you very much for gathering here in spite of the very chilly weather. It is really cool today, changing suddenly from hot days of around 30 degrees Celsius until the end of September. This tournament will count the 11th anniversary this year. During this period, the Pair Go seems to have been more popular steadily year by year. Particularly in the Go tournaments held in foreign countries, the Pair Go is always organized besides the normal game of 1 to 1. Also in Japan, participants to the amateur pair Go tournaments have increased for these years. As for the pair Go tournament by professional Go players, on the other hand, both man and woman 16 top players will join together so every fans of Go are looking forward to watching the games. Moreover, when I knew the lineup of the nominating member this year, I felt the rejuvenation of the Go society, quite strongly this time. Please enjoy yourself today, talking about a theme who would play with whom."

Mr. Hiroshi Hamada, the supreme advisor of Ricoh Co., Ltd, the tournament executive committee, gave a toast. Mr. Hamada himself is a fan of Go and has 6th dan.

"I am honorable to be a sponsor to this tournament. While I observe the tournament every year, I am pleased to see the visitors increasing every year. This is the only opportunity where the tops of the Go society meet together, and it seems to be the most exciting event for the fans. The Go society does not have the off-season, although the sporting activity has both the on- and off-seasons. I really appreciate that it must be a hard work to have 16 top professional players all together here. Now, I would like to give a toast to a successful tournament this time and the most promising growth the tournaments into the future."

For a while, they enjoyed the conversation eating the meal with great relish. Now, as having meals, all the players were worried about what pair is born and who becomes own partner this year.