Just after New Year's Day in 92, Li Xiaoqiang and the Chinese Go delegation came to South Korea. [The final of the 3rd Toyo Securities Cup World Professional Go Championship is also about to begin.]

This is the first time that the Korean Go world has held a world championship, so when the final comes, the host country seems to be taking it seriously. Not only did they hold a grand welcome dinner on the day Li Xiaoqiang arrived, but they also held a more formal press conference on the first day before the official competition.

The scale of this press conference was not small, and there were many reporters who came, including Go reporters from China, Japan, and South Korea. However, the whole process seems a bit tedious, and people don't see anything new.

Indeed, since the finals between Li Xiaoqiang and Li Shifo, various Go media have been hyping up this matter for nearly a month. During this period, various articles of commentary, analysis, comparison, and prediction emerged one after another. So by now, it seems that everyone has already said what they should say, and there are no new tricks to come up with over and over again.

Let's take a look at the two protagonists of this press conference:

"My opponent is very strong, his style of play is unpredictable. I cherish the opportunity to play him, but I don't think I have much chance of winning. All I can say now is that I will do my best to keep the trophy in Korea as much as I can. ”

Li Shifo's "pre-match speech" was very polite and sleek, and it was completely a set of standard diplomatic rhetoric. No matter how the reporter asks questions, he always responds with these few sentences. Considering that he has always been so boring, more reporters pointed the microphone at Li Xiaoqiang. Because in the eyes of these journalists. Although Li Xiaoqiang is usually silent, in such a public place, Li Xiaoqiang occasionally speaks boldly. However, what these reporters didn't expect was that Li Xiaoqiang's "pre-game speech" this time was more diplomatic and sleek:

"About this competition...... I'm afraid I don't need to say more. Because everyone has written about it before. I think everybody's reporting is very well written, very well analyzed, and everything that needs to be said has been said. So I don't have much to say right now. All I can tell you is that I can't wait to face off against my opponent......"

Due to the lack of cooperation of the two main parties, their speeches were as bland as boiled water. In the entire press conference, not to mention the saber-rattling expected by the organizers. The punchline beads connected the scene. You don't even feel much tension. In this way, the whole press conference had to end hastily. Everyone waited quietly for the game to come.

After the press conference, the Chinese delegation returned to the hotel. Li Xiaoqiang now needs to recharge his batteries to prepare for Day 2. On the way back to the hotel. Reporter Zhang Da joked with Li Xiaoqiang:

"Huh. I said Xiaoqiang, you guy is getting better at talking now. What do you mean by "everybody's right"? Then you might as well admit that you are better than your opponent. Is it fun to go around like you just did? Boring! I've noticed that you're getting bored right now......"

After listening to reporter Zhang Da's jokes. The other two members of the Chinese delegation, who were traveling with Mr. Li, laughed.

Don't look at Li Xiaoqiang, who is now participating in the finals, in fact, there are not many members of the Chinese delegation this time. It is still Coach Luo who leads the team. After so many years, as long as Li Xiaoqiang participates in major international competitions. Then Li Xiaoqiang, Coach Luo, and reporter Zhang Da, the "fixed 3-person group" has almost become a routine.

The reason why everyone arranged it this way, of course, was mainly because of feudal superstitious activities. In other words, it's a psychological suggestion. Because as long as this "fixed group of three" goes abroad to compete, then Li Xiaoqiang always seems to be able to achieve good results. If that's the case, why should everyone change? You know, although no one says it explicitly, in the Go world, it is actually very particular about this.

Of course, there are two other reasons for the low number of people who came this time. No. 1: It was during the final of the "Toyo Securities Cup". The annual Chinese Go "Tianyuan Tournament" is also held at this time. At present, in China, most of the well-known chess players have gathered in Shencheng. They are vying for the right to challenge "Li Xiaoqiang Tianyuan". So they don't have time to come to Korea.

The second reason is that the final of the "Toyo Securities Cup" will be divided into two stages. At the beginning of the month, two sets were played in Seoul, and after 10 days, the match will be moved to Jeonju, South Korea, which is Lee Seok-fo's hometown. Since this is the case, it will definitely not be possible to tell the winner in the first stage of the competition. The closing ceremony could not be held. For this reason, China did not send more heavyweights to South Korea this time.

Since everyone is not familiar with the Korean Go world at this time, it is the same as when the "Toyo Securities Cup" was opened. Li Xiaoqiang was accompanied by an interpreter who was temporarily invited from the Chinese Embassy. The translator is also a young man named Liu Kaichao. Liu Yi is also a Go enthusiast, although he has not been learning chess for a long time, he usually pays attention to all kinds of Go news in the media. Therefore, after he listened to Zhang Da's words, he also laughed.

Indeed, in fact, when Li Xiaoqiang and Li Shifo met in the finals. External public opinion is generally optimistic about Li Xiaoqiang. Not only is the Chinese Go community optimistic about Li Xiaoqiang, but the Japanese Go community also believes that Li Xiaoqiang's strength is superior. If that's the case, forget it, after the reporter Zhang Da came to South Korea, Liu Translator told him that for the prediction of the results of this competition, in fact, the Korean media are also cautious, most of the media think that the duel between Li Xiaoqiang vs Li Shifo is five or five, and only a few media think that Li Shifo's strength is superior, and he has a greater chance of winning.

When reporter Zhang Da first heard the news, he was actually a little confused, since the predictions were all five or five, how could it be regarded as "cautious in speaking"? Then Translator Liu smiled and explained to him, saying that you still don't know a characteristic of Koreans. One of the biggest characteristics of Koreans is actually their "hard mouth". For example, he now says "five-five-open", but you can't take it literally. When they say that it is open, they don't really think that it is open in their hearts. They only said this when they thought that Li Shifo had won a small face. And what do they really think about when five or five open? Then it may have already blown into the sky.

"You're saying that Koreans never admit that they're really not good. Even if they really think that Li Shifo's level is worse than Xiaoqiang. But they say five-five-open, which is already the bare minimum wording, is that what it means? ”

Yes, that's what it means, and now you can see why I say they are "cautious." ”

"Hahahaha."

When reporter Zhang Da and translator Liu walked into the press conference, they had actually been discussing the topic of "being cautious in speaking". Therefore, when they walked out of the venue, reporter Zhang Da would come to joke about Li Xiaoqiang's "You are all right".

"Hehe, make no mistake, I really think they're right. In my mind, I really think that this final is a five-to-five match. If you don't believe it......"

For Li Xiaoqiang's current "fake abandonment". The other 3 naturally don't take it to heart. They wouldn't really care about the meaning of Li Xiaoqiang's words now. Because it's the time for the big game. From the perspective of reporter Zhang Da, he just wanted to liven up the atmosphere and relax his mood by making this joke. As for what Li Xiaoqiang thinks in his heart, everyone thinks it doesn't matter at this time.

Of course. Li Xiaoqiang also thinks. It may be true that the Korean media in this era think that Li Shifo is not as good as himself. Although the current Li Shifo already has a "young Jiang Taigong". "A boy from the universe", "alien" and other nicknames, Koreans can't understand what is behind Li Shifo's ignorant expression? In their eyes. Lee Seok Buddha is an incredible existence, and the mystery of Lee Seok Fo has cast a terrifying shadow in the hearts of Korean professional chess players.

However, it must be admitted that all this is only happening in South Korea. This influence did not spread to the entire world chess scene. To put it simply, although the current Korean Go is booming, the current Korean Go is still only the "non-mainstream" of the world chess world, and the real mainstream seems to be still in the Japanese Go. Regarding this, the current Korean Go also admits it. They don't have much of a foundation right now. The so-called heritage in Go actually requires a game of victory and the accumulation of champions.

Obviously, compared with the Korean Go of later generations, they still lack such confidence. At least they don't dare to go around and claim "as the most powerful country in the world of Go......

For example, compare the current Li Xiaoqiang with Li Shifo. If you compare it in the whole world chess world. Even Korean chess fans have to admit that of course, Li Xiaoqiang looks more mysterious and incredible. said that Li Shifo is a "boy from the universe", then Li Xiaoqiang is more like a "boy from the universe". said that Li Shifo is an "alien", then Li Xiaoqiang is more like an "alien". Therefore, under the backdrop of Li Xiaoqiang, Li Shifo is of course a little overshadowed.

As for what is the truth of the matter? The finals, which are about to begin, seem to provide an opportunity for everyone to witness. This is also one of the most attractive aspects of the battle between Li Xiaoqiang and Li Shifo.

The day of the finals has finally arrived. As usual, on the day of the first set, it was reporter Zhang Da who accompanied Li Xiaoqiang to the court.

"Xiaoqiang, I always feel that you are different this time. Tell me the truth, do you really think your opponent is that strong this time? It shouldn't make sense, because from any point of view, you should be a lot better than him. I really don't know why you're so excited this time, even more excited than when you played against Japan's "Six Super Leagues" in the past......"

When he was walking on the road, reporter Zhang Da was there again nagging and looking for something to say. But then again, reporter Zhang Da's unintentional words are really to the point. In Li Xiaoqiang's mind, Li Shifo is of course different from Japan's "six supers". Although judging from any analysis on paper, the current Li Shifo is not stronger than the "six supers". Even Li Xiaoqiang thinks so about this.

But as long as you are a reborn, you have lived through the era of Li Shifo. Then when you really face Li Shifo, then you will definitely have a very special feeling.

How do you say that? This is like the latest "World Cup", there was a popular saying in world football:

"What is football? Football is a game in which 22 people play on the field, and in the end the Germans win. ”

To be honest, if you change this sentence a little and apply this sentence to the former Li Shifo, it is actually very appropriate:

"What is Go? Go is a game in which two people play chess, and in the end Li Shifo wins. ”

Now that Li Xiaoqiang has been reborn, he has finally met Li Shifo. Will he be able to redefine the game of Go?

Reporter Li Xiaoqiang and Zhang Da have come to the door of the game room. At this time, Li Xiaoqiang stood still, he smiled slightly at reporter Zhang Da, and then he said:

"Reporter Zhang, do you want to know why I'm so excited?"

"Why?"

"That's because...... I wonder what kind of game Go is...... I really want to know! ”

After saying this, Li Xiaoqiang walked into the game room without looking back. Leaving reporter Zhang Da alone outside dumbfounded:

"What exactly is Go? You thought about this before the competition? Inexplicably, today's Xiaoqiang is really inexplicable......" (to be continued......