The 90-year-old National Go Individual Championship has entered its final moment. By 6 o'clock in the evening, the rest of the games were over. In the entire arena, only the first station was still fighting.

This game will not only determine the final champion, but may also affect the ranking of other players. Therefore, at this time, this game of chess attracts almost all the eyes on the field. For media reporters, everyone cares about the ownership of the final champion. And for many players, they are concerned about their final ranking.

At this time, among all the chess players, it should be Ma Xiaofei Jiuduan who should be the most relaxed. Because his final ranking is already predictable. Regardless of the outcome of this game. Ma Xiaofei will be the runner-up in this competition. In this competition, Ma Xiaofei's final record is also 11-2. The two games he lost were to Qian Yuping and Cao Dafang respectively. So far, the only game Li Xiaoqiang has lost is to Ma Xiaofei.

It is for this reason that no matter who wins or loses between Li Xiaoqiang and Qian Yuping, it will not affect Ma Xiaofei's final ranking. If Li Xiaoqiang wins, then it will be Li Xiaoqiang's champion and Ma Xiaofei's runner-up. And Qian Yuping, who is 10-3, will withdraw from the battle for the top 3. What if Qian Yuping wins? Then all 3 of these guys are 11-2.

Some reporters and the staff of the competition helped Ma Xiaofei calculate. Suppose there is such a "cascading" situation. Then Qian Yuping will win the championship with the advantage of "small points". And Li Xiaoqiang's "small score" will be 2 points less than Ma Xiaofei. In other words, Ma Xiaofei will also be the runner-up. Li Xiaoqiang will retire to the third place.

While waiting for the final ending, Ma Xiaofei mingled with a group of Go reporters, chatting with the familiar Go reporters around him, while paying attention to the game.

"Ma Xiao, if you only win one runner-up, then I won't congratulate you. Anyway, I would like to congratulate you on your ticket to the Fujitsu Cup. Hehe. Our "god operator" in the province who is dignified in the Go world is also going to deign to participate in the selection competition. ”

Hearing this slightly ridiculous compliment from reporter Zhang Da. Ma Xiaofei could only shake his head and smile bitterly. He pointed to the first table in the arena and said half-jokingly, half-seriously:

"If I could, I'd rather be sitting at that table now. Don't want this runner either. Hey, it's really cruel to think about it, the competition has come to this point, one of the two of them, the loser actually has to start from the selection tournament again......"

"Is the situation clear now?"

"When I was just out of my own game, I went over there and had a few quick glances. At that time, it felt that their situation was still relatively stalemate. But I didn't have time to judge carefully at the time, so the specific situation. I don't know very well. Now there are so many people over there that I can't squeeze in. So now it's even more unclear. Let's wait slowly, it is estimated that the results will be out soon. ”

"So which of the two of them do you think has the better chance of winning this title?"

"It's hard to say, in my opinion, the two of them are completely evenly matched."

When answering reporter Zhang Da's question, Ma Xiaofei blurted out almost without thinking. However, after Zhang Zhidong heard such an answer, he was a little surprised:

"Oh? Ma Xiao, do you really think so? Not everyone generally thinks: the current Xiaoqiang. It seems that a little bit is missing. Compared with Qian Da, should the current Xiaoqiang still be slightly inferior? ”

"Huh? Who thinks so? …… By the way, you just said "everyone", don't you media reporters? Is this the prevailing view at the moment? ”

After listening to reporter Zhang Da's question, it is now Ma Xiaofei's turn to be "surprised". Seeing that Ma Xiaofei's expression didn't look like a fake. Zhang Zhidong hurriedly pushed the young "intern reporter" to the front desk.

"It's him...... His words probably represent the opinion of many Go enthusiasts. They believe that Xiaoqiang's progress has slowed significantly in the recent year. And his form seems to be a bit sluggish......"

"What? Do you really think so? Hahahaha, that's the worst idea I've ever heard this year. Sledgehammer generous. It just so happens that you're all here, come here. You've all come over and tell us what the chess players think of Xiaoqiang. Let the journalist hear the difference. ”

Seeing a group of national players, they all came over with a smile. Reporter Zhang Da is okay, although the young "intern reporter" is a "rational analyst". At this time, it is inevitable to be in a hurry. I saw him blushing. The stammering self-confession:

"This ...... In fact, I am also very optimistic about Xiaoqiang...... But...... However, his achievements in this year should still be below everyone's expectations. Especially compared to previous years. Xiaoqiang's progress speed should be ...... It shouldn't be that fast, right? Therefore, we will think that Xiaoqiang's current situation, has he encountered a hurdle? As long as he breaks through this hurdle, then he will be able to reach a new realm...... Don't...... Don't you nationals think so? ”

After listening to the opinion of the young journalist. Liu Dazhui and Cao Dafang looked like they were smiling. Ma Xiaofei made a painful expression:

"Oh my God, it turns out that in your minds, the current Li Xiaoqiang is still the kind that is not making fast progress? His state can also be regarded as a slump. It can be seen that everyone's expectations for him are too high. Compared to him...... Well, how do you say it in Xiaoqiang's words? Then all of us should find a piece of tofu and hit it headlong to death. ”

"Oh? Don't you chess players think so? ”

"Of course not!"

After making jokes, Ma Xiaofei put away his hippie smile. He suddenly became serious:

"I don't know what other people think. However, in my opinion, Xiaoqiang's progress speed in the past year can only be described as "Shenjun". It's just that at his level, ordinary people can't see it. ”

"Oh?"

That may not be an image enough. So let me give you a simple example. More than 1 year ago, in the year when Xiaoqiang held the title of celebrity. I'm not afraid of people laughing at me for being arrogant, so let's be honest with everyone! Xiaoqiang at that time, although his grades were very good, but deep down in my heart, I think Xiaoqiang is compared to me. He's still a little worse. If I had played five games with him, I thought I would have a better chance of winning. But now, if I have the opportunity to play five games with Xiaoqiang. Even in the deepest part of my heart, I don't think my odds are better. Even my most optimistic estimate. I can only think that it is five or five open. ”

After listening to Ma Xiaofei's words, I looked at his serious expression. Many Go reporters couldn't help but look at each other. These people all know that Ma Xiaofei is a very proud person in his heart. He didn't really need to say anything polite or flattering. Since he commented on Li Xiaoqiang like this, then in his mind, he really regards Li Xiaoqiang as a real opponent.

Hearing Ma Xiaofei's remarks, I was looking at his lonely expression. Even Ma Xiaofei's "enemy" Liu Dazhui can't stand it. It was rare that he didn't fight with Ma Xiaofei this time. He even comforted Ma Xiaofei:

"I said, little demon, you can't be so decadent now, can you? Although on the whole, I agree with you. With Xiaoqiang's current level, I think he has surpassed me and Dafang, but he is not stable enough after all, isn't he? Wait until he gets rid of that weakness. Xiaoqiang can be regarded as a real growth. ”

Facing the comfort of his old enemy, Ma Xiaofei shook his head again and smiled bitterly:

"Sledgehammer, we're all chess players. You can't deceive your heart. Like Xiaoqiang's current unstable state, others may not be clear. Don't we chess players know best? In fact, each of us has experienced this kind of instability. And we all know that Xiaoqiang's current unstable state will only appear in the rising period. is a peculiar instability! To be honest, I think Xiaoqiang's terrible is actually terrible in this place. In some ways. I don't think I'm as good as others......"

"Oh? What are you referring to? ”

This time Ma Xiaofei didn't speak directly, he just pointed his hand upward, and then lowered his head and was silent. Seeing Ma Xiaofei's movements, those Go reporters looked at each other again. I don't know what kind of dumb riddle Ma Xiaofei is playing.

This time. Cao Dafang Jiuduan, who had not spoken, suddenly spoke, and he explained the meaning of Ma Xiaofei's movements:

"Impact, Ma Xiao refers to Xiaoqiang's impact! It must be admitted that at this point. I still very much agree with Ma Xiao's point of view. If it is against those chess players, then Xiaoqiang's impact may be greater than that of us. Let's use the simplest analogy. If I show up at the same time as Xiaoqiang in the World Series. Well at a level like me. The chances of winning the championship will not exceed 10%. In all fairness. Ma Xiao's hope of winning the championship will not exceed 30%. And Xiaoqiang is different, even if he and Ma Xiao are on the same level. Since he has more impact, then he will also have a better chance of winning the championship. I think this should be where Ma Xiao envies Xiaoqiang. ”

"Oh!"

The surrounding Go reporters finally knew what Ma Xiaofei meant. Ma Xiaofei's finger pointed upward, which of course represented a higher-level opponent in his mind. According to Ma Xiaofei's level and strength. Of course, only the best players in the world are. It is the goal of Ma Xiaofei to catch up and the driving force for him to move forward.

And Ma Xiaofei believes that the current Li Xiaoqiang can already be on an equal footing with himself at the real level. As Liu Dazhui said, in terms of stability, Li Xiaoqiang may be slightly lacking. However, in terms of "impact onboarding". Ma Xiaofei thinks that he may not be as good as Li Xiaoqiang.

When reporter Zhang Da thought that he had understood what Ma Xiaofei meant, he couldn't help but shout:

"Ma Xiao, do you really think so?"

"What's so bad about that. In fact, in the national Go team, everyone thinks so, don't believe it, ask them. ”

Zhang Zhidong looked up, and he saw Liu Dazhui and Cao Dafang nodding at the same time.

At this moment, the whole arena suddenly burst into commotion. Reporter Zhang Da suddenly realized that he knew that the last game of chess in the entire arena might be over now.

At the first table, in the center of the entire arena. Li Xiaoqiang and Qian Yuping's hands had already stopped. To be honest, because this game of chess is particularly chaotic, there are many places for robbery and conversion. Both sides are dead. In addition, the time taken by both sides is very tight. Even if the last single official is finished. Li Xiaoqiang doesn't know who wins and who loses. When the game was finally over, Li Xiaoqiang glanced up at Qian Yuping. Judging from his demeanor and expression, he didn't seem to know the final result.

After Qian Yuping found Li Xiaoqiang looking at him, the two looked at each other and smiled.

Everyone waited quietly for the final result of the referee's count. (To be continued......)