I picked the top players registered so far

Wu Ci-Yang is only playing the first week

Suprising first round losses by Dinerchtein and Pop, both against European 6 dans (Burzo and Surin, respectively). This puts them pretty much out of the running, I guess.

I hope Rob van Zeijst will do well

The European Go Champion usually has a loss or two, right? Not saying it's now promising for Dinerchtein or Pop, but at least it's not the US Go congress, where the winner is typically undefeated.

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Occupy Babel!

In recent years, the European Champion took three losses. In earlier years, one or two losses were also not unusual. But usually those losses are either against strong Asian players, or against other top Europeans (7 dan or professional). Furthermore, taking a loss in the first round is known to be bad for SOS, which has been decisive all to often in recent years. To take a first round loss against a player that is neither a strong Asian player, nor a real top European contender, is not promising for their prospects, IMO

He why can't i poll for Robert Jasiek?


(or just an option to poll for somebody else)

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Promotor and Librarian of Sensei's Library

Jasiek is not playing in the super group.

"Other" would've been a nice option though.

I think Catalin will win!
Dinerstain will not be the 1000000th European champion.
P.S - Whoever wins the ECG becomes the next European champion, right?

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Stefany, web programmer

The EGC results page, for those who want to follow the action: http://www.egc2010.fi/results.php

Well, last year there was a (non-european) player quite near to the top starting outside the supergroup. If the winners have 2 or 3 losses, then even a winner from outside the supergroup may be possible (though unlikely).

I don't recall that happening last year, but it has certainly happened in the past. But those are players that are as strong as the super group players, but not allowed in the super group due to the limit of only 8 non-European players. Players that are outside the supergroup because of their playing strength simply have zero chance

In fact, I highly doubt that any player outside the top 10 has ever won the EGC.

Well, 1 Korean and 3 Europeans left undefeated: Taranu, Shikshin, Kachanovskyy and Kang.

Kang is now 3-0 against Csaba Mero recently, and also 3-0 against Pal Balogh recently, both strong 6 dans. I wonder how she will fair against the European professionals and 7 dans.

she might lose..but probably not.
from what i heard she is stronger than most European professionals and 7 dans.

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"The more we think we know about
The greater the unknown"
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson

Cornel was very close to a victory against her. If I counted correctly and had he taken two stones in the center... instead of defending two stones at the edge.

can you post sgf so i can review?

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"The more we think we know about
The greater the unknown"
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson

the uncleaned sgf is here -> http://files.gokgs.com/games/2010/7/26/EuroGoTV1.sgf
the cleaned version on eurogotv is for premium subscribers only which i advise everyone to be (but am not myself).

Antti Törmänen already beat her in the Rapid Tournament, so she's not undefeatable, but she's undeniably strong

I've played her a few times, and there's no way I can get even close to that level of play. Definitely stronger than the European 6 dans I've played (which includes Csaba Mero and Ondrey Silt)

thank you for the sgf..
i dont think it was a close game..
she had a lead whole time and didnt let go.
solid game.

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"The more we think we know about
The greater the unknown"
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson

Well, so much for the wisdom of crowds. 8 rounds in, and Ilya Shikshin and Artem Kachanovskyy are running away with it. They're two games ahead of the EGC contenders, except for Taranu, who is one game behind. They're even a game ahead of the top Korean players. With only two games to go, one of the two of them should definitely win. http://www.egc2010.fi/results/egc-main-results.txt

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Occupy Babel!

Actually, Taranu is two games behind, it's only Ali Jabarin who's one game behind (and Israel are eligible for EGC contention aren't they?)