Sujjin Jang

Shin Jin-seo, Korea's top Go player, kicked off his 2024 Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance World Go Masters campaign with an impressive win, defeating China’s Wang Xinghao in a 221-move match on November 12 in Goyang, South Korea. Shin, playing with black stones, secured his place in the tournament’s round of 16 by forcing a resignation from Wang.

Wang Xinghao, ranked sixth in China and recognized as one of its most promising players, was a challenging opponent for Shin. The two players previously split their encounters; Shin defeated Wang in last year’s Samsung Fire Cup round of 32, while Wang emerged victorious in the Ing Cup’s round of 16 this past July. Despite Wang’s early lead in this latest match, Shin’s resilience and strategic play in the endgame turned the tide, resulting in a comeback victory. Their rivalry is set to continue in February 2024 when they face off in the finals of the first Nanyang Cup World Go Masters in Singapore.

Shin, who has maintained his position as Korea’s top Go player for an impressive 59 consecutive months, is now aiming for his second Samsung Fire Cup title, having first claimed the championship in 2022. Following a quarterfinals exit last year, he is eager for redemption and the opportunity to secure a third major title this year, alongside his LG and Lanke Cup wins.

Korean female players also celebrated notable victories in the tournament. Choi Jeong, ranked first among Korean female players, defeated former world champion Gu Zihao in a nail-biting match that ended with a half-point win after 258 moves. Choi made history in 2022 as the first female player to reach a major world championship final when she faced Shin in the Samsung Fire Cup. With this victory, she continues her journey towards another landmark achievement.

Choi also recently reached a career milestone by becoming the first female Go player in Korea to achieve 800 career wins, a record built over 14 years since her professional debut in 2010. Her career record stands at 800 wins and 360 losses, boasting an impressive win rate of 68.97%.

Kim Eun-ji, the second-ranked Korean female player, also advanced to the round of 16, winning by resignation over Chinese opponent Xie Erhao after 256 moves. This marks a historic moment for Korean Go, as it’s the first time two female Korean players have reached the round of 16 in a world championship.

In other matches, Ahn Jeong-gi advanced to the round of 16 in a major tournament for the first time, defeating China’s Chen Zhengxun in a gripping 338-move game. However, seasoned players Yoo Chang-hyuk and Choi Myung-hoon were eliminated, falling to China’s Xie Ke and Li Xuanhao, respectively.

With these strong performances, Korea’s Go players are poised to make a substantial impact in this year’s Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance World Go Masters. For fans who are closely following the tournament and considering engaging in sports betting, 인증된 먹튀검증사이트 is a reliable platform to verify safe and secure betting options, ensuring a trustworthy experience.