POLL: Lee Sedol vs Gu Li - who will win

[Joaz Banbeck]

It is ten games in ten months. Who will win?

[nacroxnicke]

Gu Li wins by 6-4

[moyoaji]

I'm giving 7-3 to Sedol. However I expect every match will be a hard fought win for either side.

[xed_over]

It'll be first one to reach 6 wins or a tie -- I don't believe they'll play out the remaining games if they can no longer reach a tie.

6-0
6-1
6-2
6-3
6-4
5-5
(and visa versa)

So the real question is, how many games will they play, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10?

[nacroxnicke]

I don't know the format of the jubango, but I keep saying that Gu Li wins, mark my words, (and he will win by a lot)

Seriously, this will be great, i'm eager waiting for it.

[oren]

It'll be first one to reach 6 wins or a tie -- I don't believe they'll play out the remaining games if they can no longer reach a tie.

It may depend on the sponsorship deal.

[Joaz Banbeck]

It'll be first one to reach 6 wins or a tie -- I don't believe they'll play out the remaining games if they can no longer reach a tie.

It may depend on the sponsorship deal.

If I were one of the hosting clubs - particularly the 9th or 10th city - I'd have some kind of clause in the contract that says they will come and play a competitive game. Otherwise, all of the preparation is for nothing.

There is an interesting way of providing incentives for this. If a player has lost 6 games - and the match - every win thereafter doubles the loser's prize at the winner's expense. ( In the most extreme circumstances, player A could win the first 6 games, then B wins the next 4, making his total 2*2*2*2*30,000 = 480,000. Player A would then get only 800,000 - 480,000 = 320,000. )
This might keep the match interesting even if one player gets an early lead.

[moyoaji]

It'll be first one to reach 6 wins or a tie -- I don't believe they'll play out the remaining games if they can no longer reach a tie.

6-0
6-1
6-2
6-3
6-4
5-5
(and visa versa)

So the real question is, how many games will they play, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10?

Traditionally jubangos were played out entirely. Sensei's has a page that shows results from some previous jubangos http://senseis.xmp.net/?Jubango

I know in modern times it seems silly to play something like this out, but I would like to see it be a traditional jubango because it can show how much stronger one player is from another. In fact, they used to force a player to take a handicap if they lost too many games - and the handicap could increase if they didn't come back after that. Fujisawa Hosai famously resigned from the Nihon Ki-in, and ended a jubango, after being beaten down to taking black every game against Go Seigen.

If anyone has any information on the format of these matches I would love to see it. I can't find anything via Google except for articles about it happening.

[SoDesuNe]

I think Gu Li is going to win, either one or two games ahead.

[ez4u]

...
There is an interesting way of providing incentives for this. If a player has lost 6 games - and the match - every win thereafter doubles the loser's prize at the winner's expense. ( In the most extreme circumstances, player A could win the first 6 games, then B wins the next 4, making his total 2*2*2*2*30,000 = 480,000. Player A would then get only 800,000 - 480,000 = 320,000. )
This might keep the match interesting even if one player gets an early lead.

So what do you think is the game 6 strategy for a player leading 5-0?

[RBerenguel]

I voted for a 5-5 tie... Essentially I'm not sure who may win. It's been a long while since I followed Gu Li or Lee Sedol playing, so I'm kind of wondering where they stand. This will tell

[DrStraw]

Why are people using a Japanese term to refer to a competition between a Chinese and a Korean player? Personally I have no problem with it as I am used to Japanese terms, but I just found it a bit amusing given the push by many to move away from Japanese terms.

I did not know this was taking place as I don't follow the pro scene any more. What is the reason for it?

[gowan]

I think if they just play for money it isn't very interesting. Historically multigame matches happened for reasons other than money. There were matches to determine whether one player or another should be promoted, whether a player could be Meijin-godokoro, and, in the case of the famous matches of Go Seigen in the 20th century, they happened because Go was not allowed to play in tournaments. If he had been allowed to play in tournaments I doubt that the matches would have happened. Gu Li and Lee Sedol play each other often in tournaments. The whole thing is simply an exhibition to make money for the sponsors. Just think, whichever one wins will it really mean anything? They'll still be playing in tournaments. The go scene isn't a "king of the hill" kind of thing. And world champions are out of fashion now. Just consider the lack of excitement about the recent chess world championsip match.

[cdybeijing]

I think if they just play for money it isn't very interesting. Historically multigame matches happened for reasons other than money. There were matches to determine whether one player or another should be promoted, whether a player could be Meijin-godokoro, and, in the case of the famous matches of Go Seigen in the 20th century, they happened because Go was not allowed to play in tournaments. If he had been allowed to play in tournaments I doubt that the matches would have happened. Gu Li and Lee Sedol play each other often in tournaments. The whole thing is simply an exhibition to make money for the sponsors. Just think, whichever one wins will it really mean anything? They'll still be playing in tournaments. The go scene isn't a "king of the hill" kind of thing. And world champions are out of fashion now. Just consider the lack of excitement about the recent chess world championsip match.

I disagree. I think 800,000 USD all or nothing is a pretty strong motivation for a professional go match, aside from any legacy considerations.

[SoDesuNe]

And world champions are out of fashion now. Just consider the lack of excitement about the recent chess world championsip match.

I don't know what counts as "lack of excitement" but the media coverage was quite good, at least in the newspaper I read (and in bigger news websites). They did not include games but they wrote a great deal about Carlsen and Anand.