Pro Pair Go Ricoh Cup 2002 First and Second Rounds -2-

■First and Second Rounds

Nine-dan Mr. Seigen Go Acts as Chief Judge

The opening ceremony began at 12:00. By that time, a large number of Go fans had thronged the hall and some of them had to watch the ceremony standing up.

After Mr. Ichiro Yoshikuni, Chairman of the Ricoh Cup Championship and Chairman of the Japan Pair Go Association, made a speech, the Master of Ceremonies introduced 9-dan Mr. Seigen Go as the chief judge of the tournament. The announcement of his name caused a stir among the audience.

In spite of the age of 87, Mr. Go walked steadily to the center of the stage and talked in a well-modulated voice about his experience of spreading Go in the United States about 30 years ago. "In Western nations, it is a basic rule that men and women take part in various activities together. Things that cannot be done by both men and women do not become popular. In this respect, pair Go is internationally acceptable and just a thing to spread Go all over the world. At the same time, it helps us increase female Go fans. I hope that pair Go will become more and more popular as a common pleasure throughout the world." This speech received a great applause of the people in the hall.