The first Sampo Kosanole World Top Player Championship is ready to kick off following a highly anticipated opening ceremony held on March 25, 2025, at the Korea Baduk Association in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. With nine players participating, the tournament promises to be a riveting showcase of skills and strategy in Go.
The opening ceremony was attended by key figures in the Go community, including 심범섭, the chairman of Infobell, and representatives from the Korean Go Association and the Korean Professional Go Players Association. The anticipation surrounding the championship has been heightened not only by the caliber of the competitors but also by the tournament's unique full-league format—a first for a major Go championship.
As the event gears up, it will officially commence on March 26, 2025, and will feature matches at 10 AM, 12 PM, 5 PM, and 7 PM each day. The first match will pit Chinese players 쉬자양 9-dan against 투샤오위 9-dan, setting the stage for an exciting bout right out of the gate. Meanwhile, Korean participants 신진서 9-dan and 박정환 9-dan, ranked first and second in Korea respectively, are fierce competitors with expectations to dominate the league.
신진서 expressed both excitement and confidence leading into the matches, stating, "The Sampo Kosanole championship has a deep connection with me, and I hope to showcase my skills to the fullest in this tournament. The league format brings more pressure compared to a tournament, but I intend to rise above it. I believe my chances of winning are 50%." His confidence reflects his past successes, having won all previous Sampo Kosanole Cups until 2024.
In contrast, the absence of 커제 9-dan, another marquee player, has cast a shadow over the tournament's buildup. Initially, he declined to participate due to a controversial decision made during the LG Cup, where he faced disqualification due to rules violations regarding stone management. This backlash led to his withdrawal from the tournament, thus generating a significant discussion about player conduct and tournament regulations.
Following negotiations surrounding the fallout from the LG Cup incidents, the Korean Go Association decided to abolish certain punitive measures related to stone management in hopes of fostering greater participation and enthusiasm. Consequently, 커제's decision to withdraw prompted the invitation of 당이페이 9-dan as a wildcard entry to replace him, adding another layer of intrigue to the competition.
For the first round, aside from the opening match between 쉬자양 and 투샤오위, 신진서 and 박정환 will clash in an eagerly awaited showdown that pits Korea's top-ranked players against each other. In other notable matches, 당이페이 will compete against Taiwanese player 쉬하오훙, while 신민준 will face Japan's 후쿠오카 고타로.
As the excitement builds, the stakes are high: the championship winner will receive a prize of 200 million won, while the runner-up will take home 100 million won. Each match will follow a cumulative time system, providing an additional 30 seconds per hour, allowing players to strategize and reflect on their moves more effectively.
The Sampo Kosanole tournament not only serves as a platform for top players to compete but also aims to unite Go enthusiasts from Korea, China, Japan, and Taiwan, transcending territorial boundaries through shared passion. 심범섭 emphasized this vision during his speech at the opening ceremony, stating, "As someone who loves Go, I have two dreams. The first is to spread the rich culture of Go, which has developed together among the three eastern nations, to the world. The second is for Go enthusiasts, professional players, and associations to unite for peace and coexistence among the three nations. Today is the first step toward realizing this dream."
As the inaugural tournament unfolds, many will keep a close eye on the performances of the competitors, anticipating the emergence of new stars and memorable matchups. The tournament is not just about competition; it is about camaraderie and a collective effort to elevate the game of Go onto the global stage.
The Sampo Kosanole championship is positioned to become a staple event in the Go world, with the first phase running through March 30, 2025. The second phase will follow in June, leading to finals scheduled for October—ensuring that interest in the tournament remains high and engaged throughout the year.
