Go: Is the portable old man the nine-time champion?

Chapter 243 Lingyun Temple

Lingyun Temple.

This is the location where the Agon Kiriyama Cup China-Japan Match was held.

As for why the Go competition was held in this temple, it's not just because the sponsor of the competition is a Buddhist organization, but also because the world's second-generation Go master once devoted himself to cultivation in this temple and left many traces there.

Of course, many of the traces were created later, but it is indeed regarded by many people as one of the holy sites of Go, and has therefore hosted many Go competitions.

This time, they also hosted the Agon Kiriyama Cup China-Japan Tournament.

At this time, Teruto Kuroki had arrived at the competition venue a few days in advance, because he had just been playing in a Chinese League One match a few days earlier.

There are only two or three days left after the end of the top league season before the Agon Cup matches, so there's no need to go back to China. Otherwise, it would just be asking for trouble.

As for why one can stay in a temple, it's because most temples actually have accommodations. After all, they often hold so-called meditation classes and health retreats, and the students definitely need a place to stay.

However, unlike regular hotels, rooms in temples and Taoist monasteries are not open to the public and cannot be booked directly.

Because the temple is located in a remote mountain area, Lingyun Temple has prepared rooms in advance for both sides of the competition, so they can rest there overnight.

For them, it's also a form of advertising. After all, a room where a celebrity once stayed often attracts a lot of people to come and take photos, especially some obsessive fans.

Kuroki Teruto arrived a few days earlier and might have needed to stay elsewhere, but as the saying goes, the rich are like ghosts pushing a millstone; with money to burn, how could there be no guest rooms? Wherever the rich go, there will be people to ferry them across.

"This is the whole process, and in the end, we can only admit defeat."

Kawaguchi also appeared in Kuroki Teruto's room at Lingyun Temple, setting up the game he had played against Yi Zheng a few days ago.

This wasn't just a loss for him; the entire Shocker team was thrashed 4-0. It can only be said that Tian Ji's horse racing strategy was a complete failure.

Kuroki Teruto took a sip of tea, looked at the situation on the board, and said quietly, "I saw it a few days ago after your match ended."

The game records of the Go League A are all broadcast live and can all be found online. After Kuroki Teruto's match ended, he immediately looked at Yi Zheng's game record, since the two were about to play against each other.

So it's not surprising that Kuroki Teruto saw this game again today; he had already studied it.

Kawaguchi couldn't help but shake his head: "Yi Zheng has won all five games so far this season. If this trend continues, Yi Zheng will probably be the best newcomer in the Go League this year."

Kuroki Teruto was not surprised at all: "It's normal. Most of the Chinese Rookie of the Year winners have won the Best Newcomer award after entering the top league. Why not think about whether he can win the MVP this year?"

Most players who win the Rookie of the Year award in China have already shown their potential. They not only have a guaranteed minimum performance level, but sometimes they also have a strong ability to push their upper limit. They often achieve good results when competing in the top-tier league. Therefore, many of the best newcomers are former winners of the Rookie of the Year award in China.

Therefore, not many people were surprised that Yi Zheng won the league's best newcomer award, since Shen Guhong had already won it last year.

"What a joke, only the championship team can get the MVP. Yun Linglei's team is that strong."

Upon hearing this, Kawaguchi immediately waved his hand, indicating that what Kuroki Teruto said was completely impossible.

After each season of the Go League A, there are various awards, such as the Best Newcomer, which requires the player to have participated in the League A for no more than three seasons and have the best record.

The best captain is the one who has played more than ten matches in the captain position and has the most wins. If the number of wins is the same, the win rate will be considered. If the win rates are the same, the team's performance will be considered.

Then there's the MVP award, which is frequently seen in various games. This title can only be awarded to members of the championship team. Teams can nominate candidates, and the organizers then consider their performance, selecting the winner based on a combination of key games and overall performance. For example, if you, as the team's star player, defeat your opponent in a crucial game during the finals, helping your team win the championship, then you have a very high chance of winning MVP.

Of course, there are also some other insignificant awards, such as the Moral Conduct Award.

However, in sports, competition comes first and friendship fourteenth, and most chess players don't seem to want this award.

Currently, Yun Linglei's team is in the middle of the pack. They don't need to worry about staying in the league, but competing for the championship will be just as difficult.

Even if Yi Zheng performs well this season, it's still a close call for him to reach the semifinals, let alone the finals to compete for the championship.

Not to mention the various super teams in the top league, such as the English team with the best two players plus two standard ninth-dan players, the Oriental Gold team led by Jiang Mobai and composed entirely of Chinese title holders, and the X team of the consortium with Kuroki Teruto and Li Junhe. Which one of them is not a team with strong players and a balanced configuration?

These are all super galactic fleets, and it would be extremely difficult to defeat them consecutively, whether in the playoffs or the round-robin tournament.

Compared to other teams, the main player of the Kinoko team is not as good, and their overall strength is also inferior. How can they win the championship?

Impossible, absolutely impossible.

All we can say is that if we maintain the current personnel configuration, we might have the potential to grow into a super team in a few years.

"Things are unpredictable. I didn't expect Yi Zheng to appear on my field so soon. I thought it would be at least a year or two before I saw him in a world-class competition."

"This kid is too cunning. I came here specifically to warn you."

Upon hearing this, Kawaguchi remembered the purpose of his trip: "I've discovered that his strength may not have reached the level of a true first-class player yet, otherwise he wouldn't be at a disadvantage in many fights against first-class players."

But he always managed to find a winning opportunity even when he was at a disadvantage. I initially thought it was because those young people lacked competition experience and were easily fooled, but after playing against him and carefully reviewing the game, I understood his thought process.

Kuroki Teruto was quite interested in hearing this, since Kawaguchi had actually worked with Yi Zheng before, and might be able to discover something that others hadn't.

Thinking of this, Kuroki Teruto poured the other person a cup of tea: "Take your time."

Kawaguchi picked up his tea and drank it all in one gulp: "The trap he set was very sophisticated. It wasn't just digging a pit for you to jump into, but rather taking advantage of our desire to win."

It creates the illusion for us that we can quickly achieve victory by using a certain method.

When I place my bet on him again, I feel that as long as the top left corner is completely eliminated, the game will be over, so I will be eager to make my move in the top left corner.

But this is precisely their trap; what we believe is the best path to victory turns out to be their most likely opportunity to turn the tables.

Kawaguchi couldn't help but shake his head. Yi Zheng's tactic was truly brilliant. On the surface, the opponent seemed to have found a shortcut to victory, but in reality, this path was the road to the underworld.

It appears to be altruistic, but in reality it is entirely selfish.

"So if you're going to play against him, my advice is not to rush things. You have to take it slow and patient with him!"
His experience and fundamental skills are nowhere near as strong as ours!

PS: Please give me your monthly votes, brothers!

(End of this chapter)