Accompanied by Jiang Chenghua, the provincial Go team, Li Xiaoqiang came to Shencheng. In this place, the attribution of the title of the first "celebrity" in the Chinese Go world will be decided.

To be sure, as a newly founded Go competition, China's "celebrity battle" has not received much attention. Take Li Xiaoqiang as an example, when he participated in the ring match, but also when he was racing all the way, not to mention a real Go fan, even an ordinary person who didn't know Go was very concerned about his performance in the ring. But back in the domestic arena, it is clear that there is no such treatment.

In the promotional language of the organizers of the competition, this competition will naturally be crowned with China's "highest level", "highest level" and other terms. But when the game came to the last minute. Everyone was amazed to find that the "highest level" may be called "the highest level". But there is certainly no way to talk about the "highest level".

It's only natural that this happens. In this day and age. Nie Whirlwind is considered to be the undisputed first player in Chinese Go. And the two chess players who entered the finals of the "Celebrity Battle" were actually Li Xiaoqiang and Liu Dazhui, not to mention Nie Whirlwind, even Ma Xiaofei was also eliminated early. Although the "Nie Ma Shuangxiong" in the Chinese chess world were eliminated by the two players who entered the finals, Li Xiaoqiang and Liu Dazhui competed for the title of "celebrity" in China, so in the minds of the vast majority of people, it will definitely not represent the highest level of Chinese Go.

"I know what most people think, indeed, a person like me sitting on the edge of the chessboard to compete for the highest honor in the Chinese Go world. Even I feel a bit nondescript. I know very well that at my current level, I am not worthy of the title of "celebrity" at all. But that's why I had to give my best in the last game. Strive to play good chess. My idea is very simple, my idea has nothing to do with winning or losing, the only thing I hope is: this "Chinese Go Celebrity Birth Book" left by me and Mr. Liu will not tarnish the sacred title of "celebrity" of Go, if we can do this. Then I'll be satisfied. ”

In his pre-game speech, Li Xiaoqiang's "scene words" were very beautiful. His words also drew bursts of applause. When the organizers and sponsors of the competition listened to Li Xiaoqiang's words, they were also smiling.

Indeed, when the Chinese Go Celebrity Battle was just being created. Everyone's mind is actually very simple, everyone really wants to help Chinese Go and help Chinese players increase some competition opportunities. It is precisely because of this that with the east wind of the ring match, China's "Tianyuan Tournament", "Celebrity Tournament" and other title battles were born one after another.

At the time of the establishment of these "news chess battles," the Chinese side did not have much experience. Therefore, in many tournament formats, and even in the name of the tournament, some things from the Japanese title fight are copied.

When Li Xiaoqiang said that the title of "celebrity" represents the "highest honor" in the Go world. Everyone suddenly remembered: the word "celebrity" does have a very special meaning in the Go world.

The title of "celebrity" comes from ancient China. But this title is given an extremely profound connotation by the Japanese game of Go. The history of Go in Japan is not an exaggeration to say that they all revolve around the title of "celebrity". Whether it is the "celebrity chess house" of the past. Or the modern "celebrity war". The Japanese chess world has been around the title of "celebrity" and has been born countless fierce battles. There are too many interesting stories left. Of course, he also left behind a lot of hand-me-down chess scores that are enough to be recorded in the history of Go in the world.

It must be said realistically that these connotations of Japanese Go. This is something that the current Chinese Go community cannot do for the time being. But anyway, Chinese Go is now starting to do it! This term, which was born in China, has now been invited back to its homeland by Chinese Go people.

After Li Xiaoqiang's "scene talk" was explained, the microphone was handed to Liu Dazhui. He first glanced at Li Xiaoqiang. Then there was a smile at the corner of his mouth:

"I used to know that Lu Dao Xiaoqiang played Go well, and he was a very difficult opponent to deal with. I really didn't expect that our Xiaoqiang's eloquence was so good. Hehe, Xiaoqiang is really not a genius. It seems that "the capable can do anything". But then again, I agree with what Xiaoqiang said just now. I have now decided to do what Xiaoqiang said. I did my best in the game, and I hope to work together with Xiaoqiang to leave a chess game worthy of the title of "celebrity". ”

"Ha Luha, no, no, no. Xiaoqiang, that's a little slippery head, we already know the way. Sledgehammer, how can you be like him? Your words are very good, but there is no substance. Well, I'm not going to beat around the bush either, I'll just ask. Sledgehammer, you answer me, you have a lot of trouble about the outcome of this last game. What do you think? Remember, don't lie, tell the truth. ”

The competition was held in Shencheng, so on such an occasion, of course, Zhang Zhidong and Zhang Da reporters are indispensable. Zhang Zhidong is a person from "Go" magazine, and "Go" magazine is one of the organizers of China's "Tianyuan War". But the rules of the Chinese Go media are different from those of the Japanese Go media. If it were in Japan, according to Zhang Zhidong's identity, it would not be suitable to appear on this occasion. But the Chinese media doesn't matter. For example, "Go" magazine, although they will focus on the "Tianyuan Match", they will also focus on the "celebrity battle" such a major final. And the "Mass Daily", which is the organizer of the "Celebrity War". Other media reports are welcome.

Reporter Zhang Da relied on his good relationship with the national Go team. I am very familiar with the two participating chess players. Therefore, on this occasion, he did not think of "letting go" Liu Dazhui. Therefore, he took the lead in making trouble, and he had to ask Liu Dazhui to say "the truth".

In the coaxing of a group of Go reporters, Liu Dazhui had no choice but to raise the microphone again:

"Hehe, I'm not afraid to tell you that before Ben came to Shencheng, I was full of confidence in myself. I was well prepared for this match. I'm ready to give it a go. I don't know what Lu Dao is for, as long as I see Xiaoqiang himself, I feel that I have no bottom in my heart, and I will feel furious in my heart. Because I don't know how many wonderful ideas are waiting for me this time. As we all know, the Japanese Go community calls Xiaoqiang "a wizard on the chessboard". Without real understanding, everyone will not know how powerful his "witchcraft" is. His "witchcraft" is not something that ordinary mortals can resist. Of course, I, Liu Dazhui, am just a mortal, but in order to make the game more intense, I have to reluctantly make it difficult, hoping that I can resist his witchcraft. What do you think? I hope you will cheer me on when the time comes......"

What's going to happen in this game? In other words, the first "celebrity" of Chinese Go. Under what circumstances will it be born? With the "statement" of the two players before the game, everyone became more and more interested.

Such a match did not cause much repercussions among Chinese chess fans. But within the Go world, there are still a lot of people who pay attention. What is even more surprising is that even the Japanese Go community has sent reporters to cover this news chess game in China for the first time. In Shencheng, Zhang Zhidong can be regarded as half of the host, so he came forward to receive his peers.

"Hehe, Mr. Yamada, I really didn't expect that. I actually saw you on this occasion. ”

"What's so strange about that? Ha Luha, I'm also a Go reporter, and I'm here to cover an important game. Isn't that what I do? ”

"But...... But ......"

"Hehe, Mr. Zhang may not know what to say. Li Sang of your country is currently a star-like existence in the hearts of our Japanese Go lovers. There are many chess fans who are very concerned about Li Sang's movements. We are a professional Go magazine. Even if it's just for the sake of sales, you have to cover this game. ”

"Hahaha, Xiaoqiang's fame in Japan. Is it really as big as you say it is? ”

"Of course! As an unborn Go genius, this is not only recognized by the Japanese professional Go community, but also by ordinary chess fans. For a person who really likes Go. Of course, he will pay attention to Li Sang's performance on the chessboard, and everyone wants to witness the growth of a peerless genius, which I think is a very normal thing. ”

"You're right, as a Go enthusiast. It may indeed be very interesting to pay attention to Xiaoqiang's performance on the board. I, for example, am particularly interested in his performance on the chessboard. As long as he plays, I will be very mental. Just wanted to see him on the chessboard. And it will show something different. ”

"Hehe, as you said, Li Sang's game can be regarded as a hot topic in the Go world at the moment. In addition to Li Sang's personal charm, there is another name that can never be avoided. The name is, "Go Celebrity"! Before I came to China, I interviewed many well-known people in the Japanese Go world. My question is actually very simple, I just want to ask you: in the Chinese Go world, there may be a 13-year-old Go celebrity on the verge of being produced, what do you think about this? Among them, Mr. Sakata's answer is the most interesting, do you want to know how Mr. Sakata answered? ”

"Oh, what did Mr. Sakata say?"

At this time, Zhang Da reporter became interested, and at this moment, the fire of his gossip burned again. Because in the Go world, about "celebrities", Mr. Sakata has a very famous saying that circulates in the chess world:

"There can never be a celebrity in his 20s!"

This was when Mr. Lin Haifeng won the right to challenge Japan's "celebrity battle" at the age of 23. As a reigning "celebrity" in Japan at the time, Mr. Sakata used this sentence as his battle declaration. Use such a sentence to meet the challenges of juniors.

Of course, the final result is known to everyone. Therefore, the Yamada reporter asked people such a question, and what is even more excessive is that Mr. Lin Haifeng was 23 years old back then, and Li Xiaoqiang is 13 years old now!

In this way, it is no wonder that Zhang Zhidong is very curious to know how Mr. Sakata of the Tomb answers......

"Even now, I still can't believe that there are 13-year-old celebrities in the Go world! Yes, you can call me an old stubborn, but that's what I think......"

"Oh, was that how Mr. Sakata replied at the time? It seems that he is not optimistic that Xiaoqiang can win in this game. ”

Yamada glanced at Zhang Zhidong and said with a smile:

"Don't worry, Mr. Sakata's words are not finished yet, so I'll repeat his words in full."

Reporter Yamada learned from Sakata Eio's demeanor and tone, and repeated it word by word:

"Even now, I still can't believe that there are 13-year-old celebrities in the Go world! Yes, you can call me an old stubborn, but that's what I think. But...... But China's Li Sang is really different, he is so different! Maybe...... Perhaps, he is an exception. ”

"Oh, is that what Mr. Sakata said this time? Haha......ha

Unlike Zhang Zhidong, the two reporters talked for a while. Reporter Yamada seemed to be in deep thought, for a long time. He let out a long sigh, and he said faintly:

"Hey! Celebrity...... Celebrity! In our Japanese Go world, when did it ......?"

Indeed, if you understand the history of Japanese Go, you will know what "celebrity" means to the Japanese Go world. Let's not talk about him in ancient Japanese Go, let's take modern Go as an example, as long as you briefly talk about the attitude of a few chess players towards "celebrities", everyone will have a different feeling.

Frankly, he said that since he said that he was centered on me, he should treat me appropriately accordingly. Even if you don't want to give me the title of "First Celebrity", you shouldn't treat me as an ordinary member of the Thirteen! I'm still haunted by this. ”

It was Mr. Wu Qingyuan who said this. What everyone didn't expect was that Mr. Wu, who seemed to have a very light view of many things, would be so obsessed with such an incident that he recorded it in his autobiography.

What Mr. Wu talked about is the past when Japan first founded the "Celebrity War". At that time, Mr. Kure used the Yomiuri Shimbun's "Juban Chess" as a stage. Dominated the Japanese chess scene for 20 years. Some people may not know that during this period, although the Japanese Chess Academy was established, it was for various reasons. Mr. Wu Qingyuan is not a member of the Japanese Chess Academy. If you want to talk about Mr. Wu's identity. At that time, he was one of the employees of the Yomiuri Shimbun, a major newspaper. He used such an identity to confront the entire Japanese chess academy. Prior to that, there had been some news chess battles in the Japanese Chess Academy, such as the "Honinbo Battle" and so on. However, Mr. Wu is not eligible to participate.

And when Mr. Wu demoted the masters of the Japanese Chess Academy one by one, so that the Japanese Chess Academy could no longer find anyone to fight against. Naturally, the entire Japanese Go community fell into a rather embarrassing situation. Because Mr. Wu Qingyuan was the first in the world at that time. The Japanese Chess Academy should have awarded him the title of "celebrity". But again, for well-known reasons, the Japanese side did not do so. It was also at this time that the Yomiuri Shimbun began to hold the "Celebrity Battle", the first "Celebrity Battle" in Japan, in which 13 top chess players, including Mr. Kure, formed a large circle to determine Japan's new "celebrities".

And what Mr. Wu is talking about is such a past story. Later, due to the "car accident incident", Mr. Wu's competitive state declined significantly. Therefore, although he was later called the "Showa Chess Saint", it is a pity that he did not have the title of "celebrity" throughout his life.

From Mr. Wu's above paragraph, we can feel that his "resentment" is very deep. Li Xiaoqiang believes that it is better to talk about the status of the title of "celebrity" in the mind of a chess player than anything else.

Mr. Wu is like this, not to mention junior chess players such as Mr. Sakata.

Zhao Zhixun's almost masochistic obsessive consciousness threw him into a bottomless and lonely swamp, and Zhao Zhixun's game was to crawl out of the swamp of despair little by little...... If he loses the game, Zhao Zhixun will become a child, and tears will flow out. He didn't return late at night, drinking heavily and wandering the streets. Later, Sakata Einan couldn't look past it, so he caught Zhao Zhixun and advised: "How can celebrities" cry? "Celebrities" are representatives of the chess world, and "celebrities" are also public figures......"

Yes, in the Japanese Go world, "celebrities" are so important, and "celebrities" are the representatives of the chess world!

Later, when Mr. Kobayashi Koji and Ma Xiaofei met in the "Sino-Japanese Celebrity Competition":

"As a representative of the Japanese Go community, I must not lose this tournament ......"

When Mr. Kobayashi said this, many Chinese were uncomfortable listening to it. even thinks that Kobayashi Koji is not very good at saying "scene words", and thinks that his character has a bit of a "stunned" component.

What everyone doesn't know is that what Mr. Kobayashi said was just his sincere words.

And now, what Li Xiaoqiang is about to participate in is the competition for China's "celebrities". On the day of the match, Li Xiaoqiang, as usual, entered the game room early, he made all the preparations, and he quietly waited for the arrival of his opponent.

What will happen in this game of chess? Everyone watched silently. (To be continued......)