"Go is the most complex intellectual game in the world, and people who can play it well are naturally smart people. Pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info November to December 2001, the first World Go Holy War Finals, stay tuned, the duel between two of the smartest people in the world... ”

The above passage is a bit of nonsense, and this is the promotional word prepared by the organizers for this World Chess Holy War. Since it's an advertisement, it doesn't matter if it's a little nonsense.

In fact, the establishment of the "World Chess Holy War" is not only a major event in the Go world itself, but also has a great influence on the whole society. As Hu Yi said, the purpose of creating this competition is to expand the influence of Go in the whole world.

With an unprecedented scale of competition and the excitement of high prize money, this tournament has indeed brought more attention to Go. Especially as the final day approaches. From the East to the West, from true Go enthusiasts to ordinary melon-eating spectators, countless people are looking forward to this final, and countless people are talking about this "showdown between the smartest people in the world." ”

The outside world reacted like this, needless to say as the two parties in the final. In fact, since the day they reached the finals, whether it was Li Xiaoqiang or Li Shifo, their results in other competitions have declined. Since September, there have been frequent reports of their losses.

But no one thinks they are really in the doldrums. Because everyone can see that both of them have been trying some new methods and testing some new methods in the recent period. As two of the best players in the world, the only reason they did this was, of course, to prepare for the upcoming nine-game game.

“。。。 Li Xiaoqiang and Li Shifo, their record between each other should break through 60 sets, right? They have been fighting since they were in their teens, although the champion is Li Xiaoqiang, but if you only look at the chess game, you will find that Li Xiaoqiang has never really thrown Li Shifo away. In the past nearly 10 years, no matter how Li Xiaoqiang progresses, no matter what height everyone praises Li Xiaoqiang's skills. But Li Shifo, there is only Li Shifo in this world! He has always been with Li Xiaoqiang... ”

“。。。 It is precisely because of the existence of Li Shifo that Li Xiaoqiang never dares to slack off, spurring him to climb to a higher peak. Some people may be confused, the two are also veterans of the battlefield, even in the finals of the World Series they have competed many times, and the opponents who are so familiar with each other are said to have nothing to prepare for, but why before this final, both of them seem to be more cautious than ever... ”

“。。。 When the author asked the two parties with this confusion, both of them invariably mentioned a key word: "two-day system!" Yes, the format of this final is so special, nine games, three different game times, which is a great test of the comprehensive ability of chess players. Among them, especially the "two-day system", which is a format that Chinese and Korean chess players have never experienced before, and it is precisely because of the addition of the "two-day system" that this final has added many variables, which is also the reason why the two parties reacted abnormally before the game... ”

“。。 According to South Korean media reports, in order to allow Li Shifo to better prepare for the World Chess Holy War, the Korean Chess Academy specially organized a special game, in which Cao Yanzi, Liu Changhyuk and Li Shifo played two "two-day" games. The purpose of their doing this is, of course, to let Li Shifo adapt to the rhythm of the "two-day system" in advance, but China's Li Xiaoqiang chose another way to experience the "two-day system"... ”

A week before the first game of the "World Chess Holy War" finals, the "Yugen" special game room inside the Japan Chess Academy in Tokyo, Japan.

A final of Japan's "Celebrity Battle" is underway here today, with Cho Ji-hoon challenging the current "celebrity" Noriki Ita. The "Big Triple Crown" competition is played every year, and there is nothing unusual about a game, if there is anything unusual about this game, it is that it is in the referee's seat.

"It is not only our honor to have Li Sang as our notator, but also to make me sincerely afraid when I play the game, for fear that I will be despised by him for playing stinky chess, and it may be for this reason that my attention has been very focused for the past two days. Therefore, my victory in this game of chess can be said to be thanks to Li Sang's blessing... ”

This is the third set of the 'celebrity battle', and Zhao Zhixun, who fell behind 0-2 in the first two games, pulled back a game beautifully, and Lao Zhao, who was in a good mood after the game, joked like this.

And Yitian Kiki, who lost this game, shook his head and smiled bitterly after the game:

"I have to blame Li Sang for losing today, if I pick a person I hate the most in the Go world, then Li Sang is undoubtedly one of the most powerful candidates, as long as I see his disgusting face, I can easily get upset...

Yes, that's how Li Xiaoqiang chose to experience the "two-day" competition. In order to better substitute the atmosphere of the "two-day" game, Li Xiaoqiang did not even choose to be an ordinary spectator, but asked the Japanese Chess Academy for a job as a scorer.

Li Xiaoqiang took the initiative to ask to be a notator, which of course no one could refuse, so there were also post-game comments from two players.

"Master Li, how do you feel after sitting in the game room for two days?"

After the experience, Yukari Umezawa asked Li Xiaoqiang with a smile. Li Xiaoqiang smiled bitterly:

"Otherwise, it's really tiring to kneel and sit, but fortunately we don't have to take this way in our game, otherwise it will really kill you. ”

In Japan, the so-called "Japanese-style game" is used, and the whole room is only tatami mats, and everyone can only "kneel and sit" in the room. To be honest, this method may be okay by accident, such as the "Ahantongshan Cup" in later generations, when the Chinese and Japanese champions compete, they were specially placed in a special game room called "Snail An".

But the "Ahan-Kiriyama Cup" is only rapid, and it is only one game a year. It may be okay to experience it once a year, but if you kneel and play chess like that every day, you really can't stand it without a long-term habit.

"You know why I refused to join the Japanese Chess Academy, right? This is actually the main reason. Li Xiaoqiang and Yukari Umezawa joked.

Hearing Li Xiaoqiang mention this, Yukari Umezawa's expression became gloomy. Of course, she knew very well in her heart that this was just Li Xiaoqiang's casual remarks, and with her understanding of Li Xiaoqiang, she knew that in Li Xiaoqiang's heart, she had never considered joining the Japanese Chess Academy.

It is for this reason that Yukari Umezawa will never be able to become "Yukari Lee".

Yukari Umezawa cleaned up her mood: "These days... You're not going back to China, are you? ”

Li Xiaoqiang stared at Yukari Umezawa, smiled slightly, and said: "If you don't go back, just wait here for the game to start." ”

When Hu Yi organized this competition, since they wanted to hold the world's highest-level Go competition, in addition to the excitement of high prize money, they were also very attentive to the details of some competitions. Take the "two-day system" as an example, because neither China nor South Korea has experience in related formats, such as the "hand-blocking" system, in all Go competitions, only the "two-player" game has a "hand-blocking" system.

Therefore, a long time ago, the organizers invited people related to the Japan Chess Academy to join the organizing committee. And in order to maximize the universality and fairness of the competition, the schedule of the finals is arranged as follows:

The final nine games are divided into 3 stages, and each stage plays 3 games, which is equivalent to 3 trilogy, and in each trilogy, there is a "two-day system", a normal game and a rapid game. Each stage of the competition is held in a different place.

The first stage of the match will be played in Japan, and the second stage of the match will be played in South Korea, and if the first six sets of matches are not decided, then ********** will return to China to decide who is the "World Chess Champion" in China.

"How? There should be no problem with Li Shifo this time, right? ”

Yukari Umezawa asked Li Xiaoqiang softly. Yukari Umezawa seemed to be asking, but her tone was very relaxed, as if she was saying something irrelevant. Indeed, over the years, although everyone often juxtaposes the "two Li", objective analysis believes that the strength of the two is between the best, and believes that Li Xiaoqiang has no certainty of victory only when facing Li Shifo.

But objective analysis is always only objective analysis, as long as he enters the finals, Li Xiaoqiang seems to become invincible. In the final, Li Xiaoqiang's overwhelming record against Li Shifo made everyone full of trust in him.

And with this sense of trust, the closer you are to Li Xiaoqiang, the more people there are.

Hearing Yukari Umezawa mention the upcoming finals, Li Xiaoqiang made up his mind, then shook his head and chuckled:

"Don't look at me winning so much against Li Shifo, but the game with him will always be like a war. As long as it is a war, the battlefield is always full of variables. Especially this time ... ”

"What's wrong with this time?"

"That's why I'm here in Japan, the two-day system, and I think that's probably the biggest variable for this final. ”

"Oh? Do you really think the "two-day" will be the biggest variable? ”

"Yes!"

Li Xiaoqiang must have decided to meet his mind again, as if he was thinking about something, and then said to Yukari Umezawa with certainty:

"If Li Shifo wants to beat me, then the three-set 'two-day' match is the most crucial factor and his only chance. ”

"Oh? Then I'll have to take a good look at it then.,Why do you think that Li Shifo's "two-day system" must be powerful... ”

Yukari Umezawa didn't know where Li Xiaoqiang's idea came from, but she didn't continue to ask, and at such a moment, Li Xiaoqiang was obviously not in the mood to explain in detail.

Li Xiaoli said with a smile:

"Although I feel that Li Shifo in the two-day system should be difficult to deal with, but don't worry, I'm not so easy to win, no matter what, playing here, it's not half of my home field...

Li Xiaoqiang's words changed to Yukari Umezawa, and snorted softly:

"Shameless...

A few days later, Li Shifo arrived in Japan, and the nine-way war between Li Xiaoqiang and Li Shifo was about to begin. And the first game of the nine-game final is precisely the "two-day system" that the two have never tried.

Li Shifo also joked with Li Xiaoqiang:

"Although you can be considered to be playing at home here, in the game of Go, it may not be advantageous to play at home."

Li Xiaoqiang responded with a smile:

"Again, let the horse come." (To be continued.) )