Last Year's Champion Pair is the Top Favorite. What Pair is the Second Favorite? Every year, 9-dan Mr. OTAKE acted as the predictor. Regrettably, however, he did not attend the meeting. Mr. ISHIDA was asked to substitute for Mr. OTAKE. Suddenly designated as the pinch hitter, Mr. Ishida looked at a loss. It seems very difficult to guess which team will win in Pair Go games.

Instead of directly guessing the winner, Mr. ISHIDA suggested how each pair could advance through the tournament. As to the pair of 6-dan Ms. Kazuko KONISHI and 9-dan Mr. Satoru KOBAYASHI, for example, he said, “Ms. KONISHI previously became a champion when she paired with Mr. HASHIMOTO as she successfully took the initiative in the games. This pair may be a prospective winner depending on Mr. KOBAYASHI.” Concerning the pair of 4-dan Ms. Akiko TSUKUDA and Kisei Mr. Rissei O, he remarked, “Ms. TSUKUDA has very good results these days. Mr. O can skillfully exhibit a good partnership with any player. This pair is promising.” After all, he said, “I suppose that the pair of 7-dan Ms. Mika YOSHIDA and 9-dan Mr. Hiroaki TONO, last year’s champion, is the top favorite.” This year, there seem to be no outstanding pair. An unexpected pair may become the champion.

Each Player's Deteremination to Win Every player is determined to win after his/her partner is determined. I have interviewed some players, who have revealed their feelings as follows:

9-dan Mr. Kaiho RIN: (Being older,) I thought I could possibly advance to the quarterfinals with only one win. But it may be difficult because my partner Ms. OSAWA is young. Still, I aim at winning the championship because this year’s finals will be held in Taiwan.

6-dan Ms. Tomoko OGAWA: Last year, participation by the executive committee's recommendation was introduced. Mr. TAKEMIYA (9 dan) and I are recommended participants this year. First, I was at a loss whether I really deserve to be recommended. As I asked Mr. TAKEMIYA’s advice about this, he said, making a “V”with his fingers, “You are lucky, aren’t you, Tomo? You aim at victory!” This made me feel somewhat relieved. But I may make my partner Mr. ISHIDA disappointed by making poor moves. Now I worry about this.

2-dan Ms. Narumi OSAWA: I am relieved because my partner would tolerate my poor moves. As I am not sure if I can participate in next year’s tournament, I will do my best this year.

9-dan Mr. Masao KATO: I have got accustomed to Pair Go. Also, I have been given an advantage. I am already considering how to play in the semifinals and finals. Our rival is last year’s champion pair. As veterans are good at quick play, I believe that our pair is the top favorite.

9-dan Tetsuya KIYONARI: I am participating in this event for the first time. Of course, however, I aim at winning the championship. To tell the truth, I am on a diet because I wish to get the best dresser award, too.

9-dan Mr. Satoru KOBAYASHI: The fact is I only aimed to be paired with Ms. SUGIUCHI. Ifso, I would be dressed in kimono in playing the first and second round games with her. However, my partner is Ms. KONISHI. As she has become a champion previously, I will leave everything to her.

4-dan Ms. Yukari UMEZAWA: I aimed to be paired with Mr. Rin (because he is older). After all, our pair is the youngest. We have to win two games straight. But I believe that he (9-dan Mr. Sonjin CHO) is a good partner in a long-range perspective.

Gosei, Mr. Keigo YAMASHITA: This is my first participation and I am not familiar with Pair Go. Furthermore, I have to win two games to advance to the quarterfinals because I am young. It may be hard but I will do my best not to trouble my partner, Women’s Saikyo Ms. Hiroko SHINKAI. 3-dan Ms. Kumiko YASHIRO: I have taken part in all the previous championships. However, I cannot meet the selection criteria for next year since my results in this year are poor. The only way to participate in the next year's tournament is to become the champion this year.

The first and second round games will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2000, starting at noon, at the TFT Hall in Koto ward, Tokyo.

(by Takeshi YOKOUCHI)