Ms. Umezawa and Mr. Ishida tried to keep each other from gaining the upper hand: Ms. Umezawa: "Mr. Ishida, I can fully display my ability when I am praised. So, please don't criticize me during the game." Mr. Ishida: "Above all, let's aim at the best dresser award. Before the game, I will contact you to discuss what we should wear."

The pair of Ms. Keiko Kato and Mr. Cho was in a friendly mood:
Ms. Kato:	"I feel relaxed because I have known Mr. Cho for a long time. My style of playing Go is not similar to his. But I think we can practice much before the game, which is our strength."
Mr. Cho:	"I am glad that I am paired with Ms. Kato because we are good friends."

The pair of Ms. Kumiko Yashiro and Mr. Yasuhiro Nakano showed a positive attitude by immediately exchanging cellular phone numbers with each other: Ms. Yashiro: "In the past tournaments, I was paired with senior players. But I feel at ease now as I am paired with a younger player." Mr. Nakano: "This is my first participation in this event. I very much look forward to playing in the tournament. Maybe, I won't feel tense since my partner is Ms. Yashiro."

Tengen Mr. Hane, who is paired with 5-dan Ms. Chizu Kobayashi, finished my interview by expressing confidence (?):"I think I will be successful as I am accustomed to an older partner."

Lastly, let me introduce the prediction about the tournament made by 9-dan Mr. Yoshio Ishida: "I am most concerned about the pair of Ms. Izumi Kobayashi and Mr. Takemiya. I am afraid that this pair might break up during a game with one player playing toward the upper and the other toward the lower on the board."

"The pair most likely to win the championship would be last year's champion --- Ms. Inori and Mr. Chikun Cho, followed by the pair of Ms. Aoki and Mr. Sonjin Cho and probably, the pair of Ms. Nakazawa and Mr. Yamashita."

What predictions would you make?

The first round that attracts our attention will be held on December 7, at Ebisu The Garden Hall.

by Taeko Ishii, Go game reporter