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As soon as the 15 pairs were decided, the microphone was faced to Narumi Osawa 3dan, the winner of last year.
Osawa 3dan said, "I have participated in the Ricoh Cup for many times but last year, I paired up with Cho sensei for the first time. He is pleased whenever we won each game and now I understand that in Pair Go, it is told that if you win, your happiness is double so whenever he is happy, I feel that I must do my best! I don't know what Cho sensei is thinking but I think that we are a perfect pair (audience laughed) and I hope to win again, this year." |
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I am sure there are many of you who remember the exciting final game from last year. Because Osawa 3dan won the final, hard and close game, she looked very confident. And it was her declaration of winning with her usual cute smile. |
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| While the place was filled with excitement after the pairs were decided, the matching of the 1st game was announced. The matching is as bellow. Every game seems to be a great matching. |
Ogawa 6dan said, "Those teenagers are a pair. It is the first time to see such a young pair, isn't it?"
Yoshio Ishida 9dan said, "This pair must be a real prospective winner. But they live far away, Osaka and Tokyo so･･･"
Ogawa 6dan said, "Maybe, in Pair Go, it is better to know each other. Kindness is important, isn't it? Ishida sensei?"
Ishida 9dan said, "Shei san goes her own way. So the point is if Iyama san can follow her or not. If they don't practice together, there is a possibility of collapsing half way."
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Then, their conversation changed to Osawa and Cho pair, the winner last year, but･･･
Ogawa 6dan said, "Talking about Shei san, she seemed disappointed and blamed Kono sensei for losing when she lost at the final game, last year. (Kono Tengen, smiled bitterly)"
Ishida 9dan said, "That's right. Because she lost by cunning Chikun san but･･･Chikun san seems that he pours all his energy into Pair Go. (audience laughed)"
Ogawa 6dan said, "Yes. Last year, too, he was biting his handkerchief. (audience laughed)"
Ishida 9dan said, "But, if the prospective winner will be the Shei and Iyama pair, their enemy will be last year's winner." |
Having a fun conversation with Ogawa 6dan, Ishida 9dan guessed the winners of the 1st round and the reasons.
Ishida 9dan said, "Between Yoda san and Satoru san, Satoru san seems to take care of his partner so･･･Chinen and Satoru pair will will."
"Hane san who got the Honinbo title and Keiko Kato san who got the Women's Saikyo title pair. Energetically, this pair will win but･･･Umm, against Yashiro and So pair, I should say the game will be close."
"In the game of Tomoko Kato and Takao pair against Aoki and Yamada pair, it will be a very close game. The latter is a little violent so the former will win."
"Izumi Kobayashi and Sakai pair will probably try making territories. Both of them love territory. They are a bit excessive, so in this game, I suppose Mannami and Yamashita pair will win." |
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Then, after talking about "prospective" and "enemy", Ishida 9dan expected the "dark horse", the Suzuki and Koichi Kobayashi pair.
Ishida 9dan said, "I heard that Ayumi is very fast with reading tsumego."
Ogawa 6dan said, "Ishida sensei, didn't you know that by now?"
Ishida 9dan said, "Koichi san needs to study hard before the game. Or it might be better if he should leave it to Ayumi." |
"The guessing winners", surrounded by laughter, was finished and they began talking about the 1st day of the championship.
Ishida 9dan said, "Anyhow, there are many games to play. I don't know if I can comment on everything･･･"
Ogawa 6dan said, "Last year, you did comment on everything."
Ishida 9dan said, "Oh, really. Then, I will do my best." |
At last, I will introduce 3 players'ambitions among the participating professionals. First of all, So 8dan who is participating in the championship for the first time said, "I have known Yashiro san from Nihon Ki-in's boarding house since I was 11 years old, so I think we will get on well. Immediately, I will get in touch with her and try to have time for practice with her then I hope to have better result!" |
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Suzuki 4dan who is pairing up with Koichi Kobayashi 9dan 2 years in a row said, "Last year, I paired with Koichi sensei and I was very comfortable playing. I think that we will play good Go because we have experience. I'm looking forward to it!" |
| Kaori Chinen 4dan who paired with Satoru Kobayashi 9dan 10 years ago said, "At that time, I only have fun memories, so I am nervous and thrilled. This year, too, I am looking forward to it. Also, I am looking forward to meeting a lot of audience members." |
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I wonder if Yoshio Ishida 9dan's guessing will come true this year!? What kind of drama will be waiting, this year!? The 1st day of the championship will be held on the 6th of December at Ebisu, the Garden Hall, where the 1st and 2nd rounds and the quarterfinal will be held. |
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