Opening Ceremony

   It was a big cafeteria hall. An appetizing smell stimulated my empty stomach as I got in. There were a few hundreds of people sitting and standing, and one Chinese gentle man was making a long speech with a translator beside him. He seemed like a representative of the main sponsorship. At the time my mind was fully occupied with two thoughts that I couldn't afford to pay attention to the seemingly typical welcome speech. One thought was I wanted to let organizers know that we arrived there so that they can introduce us to people. The other one was to observe the participants to see if there are some that I can recognize. Anyway, the speech finally ended, and the organizer said the dinner is ready. YES. That was the end of the opening ceremony. I ran to the other side of the hall to greet with three Korean professional players from Hungary, and asked them if we missed an introduction session. Fortunately they said the organizer never tried to introduce any professional player yet. Because I was thinking of grabbing the microphone and doing the self-introduce if it seemed necessary, I could feel so relieved to know that I wouldn't have to do something ¡®brave.' So I took a glass of wine instead of scary mic, and walked about the hall, having brief conversations with many players. Although the ceremony seemed to lack contents; good wines, champagnes and fine supper seemed good enough to compensate.

Introduction

   First day of the main tournament. After having breakfast at hotel I slowly walked to the school building that was being used for European Go Congress. Every player besides staff members and organizers seemed to be playing. It was so quiet with solemn atmosphere. As you may noticed, the times players are playing is the most idle moment for professional players. Thus, I walked around and visited many playing rooms, but didn't watch a specific game carefully. It's one of my habits from past experiences that some people told me not to see their games as they get stiff when they are aware of being watched by a professional player. I could understand so well since I experienced myself before becoming a pro.

   Anyway, then Mok 9P, Dia 1P and I had a meeting with Mr. Juho, the pro coordinator. We discussed our official schedules during the stay, and settled some review sessions and simultaneous games. The very first plan was the introduction, which EGC officially introduces all professional players to the participants. I liked the idea of the introduction, and inwardly thought what to say on the stage. If I recall correctly, I wanted to say "Good afternoon dear players. I am Hajin, professional three dan player from Korea. Although I've been to Europe a few times before, it's first time for me to experience European Go Congress. I am so grateful that I at last could make here, and I wish we would have great time here together." Yes. Something like this. Yet later it turned out to be useless as all I needed to do was just to stand up and bow to the audience.

   Thinking back, it was quite reasonable not to make professional players speak for themselves since many of Chinese and Japanese players didn't seem to speak English. Also, Martin Stiassny, the president of European Go Federation, has made some good comments of the players. Just one little thing bothered me was that Martin introduced Mok 9P simply as a 9 dan pro, while he is one of the top 10 players of the decade in Korea. Well, most of the participants should have known that though. Anyway, just like this, I officially got into 2010 European Go Congress.

Game Review

  



















The weather was getting hot and humid as if the air was absorbing the players' passion and perspiration for Go and the Go congress. I was in charge of one game review corner from 12 to 3'o clock. At a pub? I wish it was. But it was in the afternoon. I'm not sure if I should ever say this, but I had an embarrassing experience the day before this day. What happened was that Mr. Juho asked me if I could review some games for about an hour even if it wasn't included in the official schedule. So I was sitting alone in the game review room 1, and surprisingly no one asked me to review his/her game during that time. It was before the introduction, so maybe people didn't know I was professional. Anyhow, even though some people looked inside, none of them came in. Once, I even asked one guy who just looked in the room, ¡®Do you want game review?' Then he didn't answer, just looked at me and left there. Probably I should have said ¡®Hi, How are you?' first.

   Anyway, this experience somehow discouraged me, and I was a little worried that it may happen again. However, it turned out to be just opposite. Many players came, and some of them left notwithstanding their games commented because they had to wait too long. Although I couldn't have break during the whole session, it still felt better than sitting alone.

   Then from 3'o clock Mok 9P did his first lecture in English. He reviewed the top board game between Cornel and Kyoung-Nang. Overall his English skill was surprisingly good. In addition, I also found out that he is very fluent at Chinese and Japanese, good at soccer and also practicing the piano. He is obviously the proud of Korean Baduk community. Anyway, the lecture went very well.

   From 6'o clock, Kim Sung-Rae 8P held a lecture on capturing race. I also went there because I heard of his reputation in teaching, and curious to see myself. His lecture was indeed well-prepared and participation-inducing. He would indicate a specific person and asked questions to check whether they were understanding properly.

- http://www.starbaduk.com/diary/23020