The 8th Chunlan World Baduk Championship is going to be held in Beijing on March 26th. Korea has won the Chunlan Cups for 4 times so far, and is challenging for another victory with Lee changho 9P(runner-up  of 7th Chunlan Cup), Lee Sedol 9P, Choi Chulhan 9P,  Kang Dongyoon 9P and Heo Yongho 7P.

Korea is in good condition. Lee Changho won the 53  th Kuksu Cup on March 23th against Hong Kipyo, and at the 11th Nongshim Cup, was on a three-game winning streak. Lee sedol is also in good condition; after coming back, he has won 9 consecutive games.

The host country, China enters 10 players including Chang hao 9P (winner of the 7th Chunlan Cup), Kong Jie 9P, Gu Li 9P, and Chen Yaoye 9P. China has won the Chunlan cups twice.

Japan enters 5 players including Iyama Yuta 9P, Yamashita Keigo 9P, and Cho Chihun 9P. Japan has once won the Chulan cup. Above this, Taiwan 1 player, U.S 1 player, and Europe 1 player participate.

Chunlan Cup is the only world championship which China holds. It started from 1999 and is sponsored by Chunlan groups (appliance company). Each player is given 3 hours and 1 minute's overtime counting for 5 times for the time. The compensation points are 7.5 and the champion and runner-up prize are $150,000 and $50,000 million respectively.

At the last cup, Chang hao 9P of China won the championship defeating Lee Changho 9P by 3:1.

The 1st round takes place on March 27th, and the 2nd round is March 29th in China Weiqi Association. The round one, two will be broadcasting live on China Sina Weiqi, Cyberoro, Paran Baduk, and Yahoo Baduk.

     -       Korean Baduk Association/Cyberoro.com

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