When all pairs were made, 9-dan Mr. Otake began to forecast the winners as usual.

"The pair most likely to win the championship would be the Ms. Kobayashi & Mr. Yamashita pair. Both players have many titles. I don't think that the Ms. Inori & Mr. Chikun pair will be successful this year. If they win three successive championships, we will have to expel them and prohibit their access to the Nihon Ki-in. (laughter) The second favorite might be the Ms. Chinen & Mr. Hane pair. Apart from how they will play, they look somewhat refreshed. They appear to be perfectly fit for each other, don't they? A dark horse might be the Ms. Yashiro & Mr. Ryu pair as both players are in good condition these days. To tell the truth, however, I believe that the top favorite is our pair because I can play in cooperation with an excellent partner. (laughter)"

Next, 9-dan Ms. Yoshio Ishida commented on the tournament.

"I think that the Ms. Osawa & Mr. Yuki pair is a dark horse, unexpectedly. The top favorite would be the Ms. Inori & Mr. Chikun Cho pair that aims at three consecutive championships. Otherwise, the Ms. Kobayashi & Mr. Yamashita. The Mr. Otake pair might be a great hit. (laughter)."

Finally, players who were present expressed their hopes in the tournament as follows:

Mr. Rin: "I hope I can follow Ms. Tuskuda, who is powerful."

Ms. Tsukuda: "I am happy to be able to participate in this championship. As I hoped to be paired with Mr. Rin, my wish has come true. I will do my best."

Ms. Izawa: "This is my first participation since I was promoted to the dan stage. I will try not to trouble Mr. Kobayashi."

Ms. Inori: "I am sorry that everybody tires of our pair. But I am really glad that I can play together with Mr. Chikun Cho. I believe that he will gently lead me to the championship again this year."

Mr. Hane: "I haven't won any game in the previous tournaments. This year, I can believe in Ms. Chinen's good luck."

Mr. Sonjin Cho: "I wasn't selected as a favorite at all by neither Mr. Otake nor Mr. Ishida. With this in mind, I will earnestly play."

Ms. Koyama: "Other players seem to say that the our pair, Mr. Nakao and myself, is inconspicuous. I would like to let Mr. Nakano play conspicuously in the games."

Ms. Umezawa: "I gave much stress to the superiors who were paired with me. This year, I play together with Mr. Rissei O who is very tolerate. I will do my best."

Mr. U Cho: "This is my second participation in pair Go games. I am still uncertain how to play in pair Go games. Probably, we will have to compete with a strong opponent in the first round. I hope I won't obstruct my partner's play."

Ms. Ogawa: "This is the second time that I am paired with Mr. Kato. I feel that we might be able to advance to the second day if I do my best."

The first round games will be held on Saturday, December 6. As all games will be open to the public, Go fans can closely watch exciting games.

by Taeko Ishii, Go game reporter