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< Ricoh Cup First and Second Rounds > |
`The Ricoh Cup Professional Pair Go Championship 2006’ has started. This colorful event played by top 32 professionals, 16 pairs, is very well known among Go fans now. It must be unusual for 32 professionals to gather at a one time. Once a year, that happens only on the day of the 1st and 2nd round. That is why those professionals seemed to have a cheerful expression that they don’t usually show at other games. Let me tell you about the tournament on the 3rd of December which was very lively with the fans. |
This year, too, it was held at Ebisu, The Garden hall in Tokyo. The observers which are increasing every year numbered 1264 people, more than last year’s figure of 1100 people. Hideo Otake Honorary Gosei, the chief judge of the tournament, who arrived before 11am said, ` Already, there are many people queuing at the entrance. I was surprised!’ By the way, the door opened at 11:30 but people started queuing from around 10:30. |
By 11:00, the professionals started to arrive at the waiting room.
U Cho Meijin Oza who got the Oza title a few days ago and his wife, Izumi Kobayashi 6 dan came with Ayumi Suzuki 3 dan. Immediately, Otake, the chief judge, said to them ` I heard that you two are not paired together. You must be disappointed, aren’t you?’
Ayumi Suzuki 3 dan who is a pair with U Chou Meijin Oza said with confidence ` I happened to be on the same train with Cho san so we planed the strategies there. It is a psychological strategy.’
Izumi 6dan’s pair is Keigo Yamashita Tengen. When they were having their strategy meeting, Izumi’s husband was watching with a smile from a distance. When Yamashita Tengen realized being watched, he said ` Our conversation is being listened to from there!’ |
At the lottery to decide the pairing, Masaki Takemiya 9dan, the commentator of this tournament, guessed the winner, Norimoto Yoda Gosei and Kumiko Yashiro Women’s Honinbo pair. He added, `But it depends if he wares kimono or not. That is a point.’ Sure enough, Yoda Gosei arrived in kimono, his costume of victory. Yashiro Women’s Honinbo said, ` I’m glad!’ Yoda Gosei said, `Let’s decide at least our first move.’ He suggested having their strategy meeting and was spirited. |
Satoshi Yuki 9dan and Kazuko Konishi 8dan pair, both from Kansai Ki-in, were having lunch and talking peacefully. When I asked `What is your strategy?’, Yuki 9dan said, `I know her style almost completely.’ I suppose they don’t need to plan strategy. They also seemed very confident. |
I heard that Akino Izawa 3dan who pairs with Naoki Hane Kisei talked to Hane Kisei’s wife only about the color of their clothes, the day before. When some pairs started to show a spirited mood, the rest of the pairs seemed uneasy as if they need to plan their strategy. Izawa 3dan was told by Hane Kisei, `You can do whatever you like.’ And Izawa 3dan said `I don’t know how to plan (a strategy).’ And that made people around her laugh. |
When I listened to some of the pairs’ strategy meetings…
From Meien O 9dan and Narumi Osawa 3dan pair, Meien 9dan said, `It doesn’t matter if we play individually. Let’s play whatever we like.’ It was like him.
From Koichi Kobayashi 9dan and Yoko Inori 5dan pair, a teacher and a student, Koichi 9dan said, `I would rather say we should play slowly. Yoko, you play Go at a quick pace lately, don’t you.’ He sounded like a soft-hearted teacher.
From Kimio Yamada 8dan and Tomoko Kato 5dan pair, Yamada 8dan said, `I like playing Go almost like I’m in a muddle.’ Then Kato 5dan said, `I am scared when it comes to the important situation.’ They thought that they were in trouble but started laughing loudly.
Then, the professionals went in to the tournament hall. Fans welcomed them with applause. |
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To start the tournament, first of all, Mr. Masatake Matsuda, the chairman of the Japan Pair Go Association, an organizer of the tournament, made a speech. |
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Mr. Matsuda said, ` Thank you for coming, everyone. I’m Matsuda, the chairman of the Japan Pair Go Association, taking over from Mr. Ichiro Yoshikuni. This pair Go, at the beginning, I heard that people saying how would this game be settled but it has spread rapidly. Nowadays, in overseas, especially in Europe and America, it has spread remarkably. So, I believe that Go will spread more and more, from now on. Also, I would like to express my appreciation to Ricoh Company for their support to bring those top professionals. I hope the professionals will enjoy playing.’ |
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Then, Mr. Hiroshi Hamada, a supreme advisor of Ricoh Co. Ltd, the sponsor of the tournament, Mr. Ichiro Yoshikuni, the honorary chairman of the Japan Pair Go Association, and Mrs. Hiroko Taki, the trustee of the Japan Pair Go Association, were introduced and then all the professionals were introduced. Then, Hideo Otake Honorary Gosei, the chief judge, announced the start of the game.
Mr. Otake said, `I thank this event for having so many fans. It is a serious game for professionals, so please observe with good manner. I hope you learn a lot and have a nice day. Also to all the players, I hope all of you win. (laughter in the hall) Then, please do nigiri!’ |
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