Pair Go RICOH CUP 2007 [ Ricoh Cup The 3rd Game and The Semifinal ]

Pair Go RICOH CUP 2007 ～リコー杯プロ棋士ペア碁選手権2007～

＜ Ricoh Cup The 3rd Game and The Semifinal ＞

The quarterfinal and semi final of the Ricoh Cup Professional Pair Go Championship 2007 were held at Ebisu the Garden Hall on the 9th of December with the excitement left from a week ago.

Even though it was raining, many Go fans and Pair Go fans gathered and the place was filled with feverish excitement in an instant.

Before the game, at the waiting room, I heard conversations like, “Where are you going for the new year holiday?” and “I am going to Hakone with my family.”, and so on. Three mothers, Izumi Kobayashi Women’s Saikyo, Yumiko Okada 6dan, and Akiko Tsukuda 5dan, who is the assistant at the commentary, seemed to have a relaxed atmosphere showing each other their photos of their children on their mobile phones.

The first person who changed into a spirited mood was Satoru Kobayashi 9dan. As soon as he sat next to his partner, Imin Shei 3dan, he said to her, “Let’s have a strategy meeting.” Shei 3dan answered immediately, “Yes!” When I listened to their meeting, Satoru Kobayashi 9dan was saying, “Let’s do as much as we can. Our opponent wouldn’t mind attacking. So, we shouldn’t be scared of attacking. If we

keep attacking, we won’t lose.” The point of their strategy is “Attack!” For fans, I am sure you cannot take your eyes off from their game.

Then, their opponent, Chikun Cho 10dan arrived and said, “So, I am playing against Satoru san and Shei san? Oh~. A strong opponent. I have to give up.” But he didn’t sound as if he is giving up. Really, it will be a remarkable game.

Next to the Imin Shei and Satoru Kobayashi pair having a strategy meeting, Kimio Yamada 9dan said, “My Go style is also attacking. My style is suitable for Pair Go. So, I usually proceed to the 2nd day of the Championship.” He speaks calmly but if you listen to what he said he is optimistic.
Keiko Kato 5dan and Norimoto Yoda 9dan pair and Kumiko Yashiro Women’s Honinbo and Satoshi Yuki 9dan pair were chatting. Kato 5dan said, “I am not sure if we have a strategy or not.”
When someone said to Ayumi Suzuki 3dan, “The winner from last year seems to have confidence.”, she answered, “No, not at all. I am desperate to win.”

Mika Yoshida 8dan who asked Shinji Takao Meijin/Honinbo a favor on the first day of the championship, “Please, play the game to win!”, asked (?) him again, “Since I came from far away, let me enjoy the games. I don’t want to go home after the 1st game.” Takao Meijin/Honinbo was laughing.

Now, it was a time for the game. The participants went to the game room.

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