■First and Second Rounds

Games Start
As 9-dan Mr. Seigen Go, chief judge, declared the opening of the tournament, the first round started. There were eight game sections in the hall. The spectators freely moved from section to section to watch every game or stayed in the section where their favorite players were playing.
Although all sections were roped off, the players playing at the board were almost within the hands reach from the spectators. There would be no other Go events in which the fans can watch pro players playing so close at hand. Also, there would be few other occasions where as many as 32 star pro players, 16 men and 16 women, gather together. It was a great spectacle.

Among those visiting the venue, I talked to a group of three cheerful boys. They are in the first year of Yanagisawa junior high school in Nishi Tokyo City. They started learning Go only a year ago and now play games in the Go club of their school three days a week. "Go is enjoyable. I don't know why, but I enjoy it." The boys told me that none of their parents play Go and that they were taken to TEPIA Hall by an adult whom they got acquainted with at a Go parlor. They said in excitement, "I am surprised that so many pro players are here," and "We have to be careful not to disturb the players while we are walking around." Asked about their favorite pro players, they gave different names, "Rissei-sensei," "Yoda-sensei," and "Cho-sensei." According to them, the number of students who join their Go club is increasing partly because of the influence of a popular Go comic. "But there are few girl members. So, we can't play pair Go games." As I advised them to hold a pair Go tournament to attract girls, they looked to be at a loss.