Chapter 29: Semifinals Showdown: Rising to the Challenge

The main round of the pro qualification tournament.

I’m not sure if the preparation was enough.

Jia Lee, seeded as a research student, advanced directly to the main round. She breezed through the round of 16 two days ago and the quarterfinals yesterday with six straight wins in the double-elimination format.

The semifinals.

With two players qualifying from this tournament, it’s also double-elimination. Starting today, it’s for real.

The top research students are gathered in the semifinals.

Game 1 is at 9:30 AM, Game 2 at 2:00 PM, Game 3 at 5:00 PM.

In short games, mindset and emotional stability are critical.

Even if you lose in Game 1 or 2, maintaining focus is key.

Only those with mental toughness and a bit of luck can become ‘Sujol.’

Sujol, the nickname for 1-dan, means one who can at least protect themselves.

A level where you can wield a weapon against the strongest in the Go world.

For someone without skill to challenge the strong with just pride is foolish bravado, but their defiance can be praised as courage.

Because there’s a chance to win, however slim. It’s no longer a hopeless fight.

In modern Go, the gap between 1-dan and 9-dan has narrowed, making it a level not to be underestimated.

To Jia, it must feel like a massive gateway.

I try to think of words to ease her tension.

As Changmo Shin, I never took students, so she’s my first.

Everything feels awkward and unfamiliar.

“…I hope you don’t dwell too much on today’s results, good or bad. Don’t be overly optimistic or despair. Just use today’s experience as nourishment to grow. Life is long, and luck is fleeting, but in the end, you’ll be judged by skill.”

Jia’s expression is subtle as she hears my carefully chosen words.

“Uh… That’s good advice, but you talking about life being long… Pfft…”

Jia bursts into laughter she was holding back.

An 11-year-old, barely 10 by age, preaching about life must be funny. It’s something I have to accept with this body.

“Haha… That’s so you, Seoa. Sometimes it’s like you’re possessed by some Go-playing old man.”

“…Ugh.”

Her words hit too close to home, and I flinch.

Have I been acting like an old man without realizing it? Despite my efforts to play the innocent girl, have I failed?

“Seoa? That joke just now felt a bit too real. Heh. Don’t push yourself too hard to ease my nerves.”

“Haha, did I get caught?”

I laugh awkwardly, dodging the crisis.

That was close…

I need to watch my behavior from now on…

“Anyway, I’m gonna go all out. Gotta do my master proud.”

Jia strikes a confident fighting pose with a smile.

“Yes! Do your best!”

She heads to the match venue, coffee in hand.

Spectators are strictly prohibited, so I have to wait outside for the results.

Besides me, other parents and teachers of the qualifiers are anxiously waiting.

Who among them will leave smiling?

Jia’s parents didn’t come, at her insistence. After years of preparing for qualification, they’d suffer if she failed, and waiting here in agony wouldn’t help. Better to hear good news later.

With no one to talk to, I wander aimlessly, waiting.

Then, a PC for guests catches my eye.

A few clicks reveal an online Go platform installed.

Logging in as ‘tlsckdah1021,’ I’m flooded with messages. I block incoming messages and match requests.

Still, server-wide chat messages pour in, demanding a game.

One stands out—a verified pro account.

But the chat lacks the dignity of a pro, dripping with vulgarity.

– Yo, tlsckdah1021, feeling good just beating weaklings to pad your record? @@@@@@

What’s with the tacky at-signs?

Isn’t it embarrassing to act so old over a keyboard?

And that outdated tone. Clearly a middle-aged guy.

– Fckin’ punk+#$%^ If you’re so great, come at me@@@@@ lololol~~

Fine, let’s do it.

If only to see less of his obnoxious chat, I send him a match request.

He accepts at lightning speed, and countless users flood the match room to spectate.

Jia Lee stares at the board. The familiar sight feels unusually distant today.

This might be her last chance.

At least as a research student, it’s her final shot.

Seoa tried to ease her tension, but staying calm before a high-stakes match is no easy task.

The first game.

Her opponent is a close junior, two years younger, whom she defeated in the WY Cup amateur tournament’s round of 16.

“It’s a shame we’re meeting before the results are set, unnie.”

Things have been a bit awkward lately since Jia’s been hanging out with Seoa, but the junior smiles warmly.

“Yeah. Let’s give it our all with no regrets.”

“Okay.”

Stone draw results in Jia taking black.

As the clock ticks, Jia plays her first move crisply.

Black 3-3 in the upper-right corner, a move Seoa played repeatedly.

It still feels odd, but Seoa proved through dozens of games it’s not a bad move.

White 2. Star point in the lower-left corner.

Jia plays Black 3, a small knight’s move in the upper-left corner.

The lower-right corner is filled with a star point.

Black 5. Wide knight’s extension from the upper-left corner.

White 6. Knight’s extension from the lower-right corner.

Black 7. Knight’s attachment in the lower-left corner.

White extends to the bottom side with a knight’s move, and black occupies the left side.

White invades the top side.

Jia secures the upper-right corner fully with a one-space extension.

It’s a bit conservative, but a solid shape allows explosive advances.

The opening phase concludes favorably for black.

Endless opening practice with Seoa simplified her moves and cut down time.

The old standard openings that made her hesitate obsessively are wiped clean from her mind.

She can use them if needed, but that’s it.

Now, she feels she can play based purely on her judgment. Her suppressed instincts seem to come alive again.

Following her instincts, Jia probes the right side.

Her moves are crisp and concise.

Even she’s surprised.

Light as a feather, yet precise and gapless.

It’s more than just being in good condition.

She’s changed.

She’s grown.

She’s improved.

Reviewing Seoa’s games endlessly and breaking through openings shattered a wall she couldn’t overcome.

But she can’t get carried away.

Celebrating can wait until after she qualifies.

Jia calms herself and steadily pursues the next move.