The Quarterfinals and Semifinals

Semifinals

Ms. Kaori Chinen Female Honinbo Mr. Kaiho Rin 9-dan VS Ms. Mika Yoshida 6-dan Mr. Hiroaki Tono 9-dan

Ms.Kaori Umezawa 3-dan Mr.Satoshi Kataoka 9-dan VS Ms.Mayu Hosaka 2-dan Mr.Kimio Yamada 9-dan

Unlike the first round, the atmosphere was not easy at all. Every player was in a serious mood. Many Go fans who must have visited the hall because they liked to watch games in such tension. In both games of the semifinals, the players continued making careful moves. They apparently avoided showy collisions with the opponent. As a result, the two games were prolonged and which pair would win did not become clear till the final stages. The win or loss seemed to depend on delicate struggles that cannot be easily recognized by amateurs. Both games were won by the white pairs with Komi taken into account.

Ms. Yoshida & Mr. Tono pair

Ms. Hosaka & Mr. Yamada pair

Among those who have advanced to the final, both Ms. Yoshida 6-dan and Mr. Tono 9-dan belong to the Kansai Kiin. Mr. Yamada 7-dan belongs to the Kansai Area Department of the Nihon Kiin. And Ms. Hosaka 2-dan is from Awajishima, Hyogo Prefecture in the Kansai area although she belongs to the Tokyo Department of the Nihon Kiin. These two pairs can be said to be appropriate for the last game which will be held in Osaka.

The two pairs who have advanced to the final

Mr. Tono 9-dan: When I am playing games, I don't feel I am in good partnership with her. Now that I have advanced to the final, however, I feel we may be actually in good partnership. When players who belong to the Kansai Kiin advanced to the final, they won the championship in most cases. So, we also will do our best.

Mr. Hiroaki Tono 9-dan

Ms. Mika Yoshida 6-dan

Ms. Yoshida 6-dan: I have believed I am unsuitable for pair Go. Today, I realized that I am a poor player, regardless of solo Go or pair Go. I feel I am indebted to Mr. Tono for covering for me.

Mr. Yamada 7-dan: So far, I have been able to play the games in a relaxed mood. I hope I will be able to do so in the final, as well.

Mr. Kimio Yamada 7-dan

Ms. Mayu Hosaka 2-dan

Ms. Hosaka 2-dan: As my Teai results were poor, I may not be invited to the Ricoh Cup tournament next year. So, I would like to win the championship this year to get myself seeded.

Tournament board

The final will be held at the IMP Hall in Chuo Ward, Osaka on Saturday, January 8, 2000. The match will be real-time presented to 100 countries in the world through the "Pandanet" that is the world's largest Go salon on the Internet.

At the hall, there will be an explanation using a large board by Mr. Masaki Takemiya 9-dan and Ms. Tomoko Ogawa 6-dan as the commentators

Masaki Takemiya 9-dan as commentator

Ms. Tomoko Ogawa 6-dan as commentator

---- by Seiken Ko