< The Awards Ceremony >

Ms. Hiroko Taki, Director and Secretary General of the Japan Pair Go Association, presented the diplomas and prizes to the winning pair of Hsieh and Kobayashi and the runners-up, Osawa and Mizokami. The winning pair also received a magnificent trophy, but it was quite heavy, so it was handed over cautiously.

When Ogawa 6-dan congratulated Hsieh, the latter smiled broadly and said: 'I'm really happy.'

Kobayashi 9-dan looked relieved. 'When I was paired with Hsieh, I felt an absolute responsibility to win the tournament,' he said.

When Ogawa asked Hsieh what it was like being paired with Kobayashi, she replied with typical modesty: 'I learnt a lot. He helped me out in difficult positions.'

Ogawa then asked Hsieh what was the secret of all her success in Pair Go. Hsieh replied: 'In each position I make it a rule to play the move that I think is best. I don't know what my partner is thinking anyway, so I don't worry about it.' In short, Hsieh just played her natural game.

< The Party >

At the party held to wind up the tournament, Hsieh's fierce deciding move was a popular topic. Hsieh commented modestly: 'It was a move played on the spur of the moment.' 'That's marvellous,' Ishida responded. 'I didn't see it at all,' said Kobayashi and praised his partner lavishly.

Ishida also praised the runners-up. 'Osawa and Mizokami scored a splendid win over Suzuki and Kobayashi in the semifinal,' he said. 'They also started out well today.'

The two were also paired in last year's tournament. 'I think we have a bond,' said Osawa. Apparently she had a premonition they would do well.

This year the participants wrote their impressions of Pair Go on coloured souvenir paper. These sheets were displayed on the walls of the tournament venue for the first three rounds, which was open to the public. Many fans could be seen reading them with keen interest.

Ms. Hiroko Taki, Director and Secretary General of the Japan Pair Go Association, expressed her gratitude to the players. 'The earnest and enthusiastic attitude of the professional Go players conveyed itself to us,' she commented.

Ishida 9-dan contributed to the harmonious atmosphere of the party with his final comment. 'Pair Go has a different flavour from one-on-one Go. I hope you will all support the tournament again next year.'