Following Nakamura Sumire

[John Fairbairn]

I was interested to see the latest report and pro opinion on Sumire after her record-breaking exploit of becoming the youngest ever player in Japan to enter the main even of a tournament. She won through both the B and A Preliminaries of the Women's Kisei at age 10 years 5 months. This was a long way ahead of previous record holder Fujisawa Rina (13 years 5 months). And before the Cackling Carrot claims she had an easy ride, I expect Rina had the same rites of passage.

Sumire is off for 2 weeks summer holiday in Korea, playing fast games, and will not appear in the main Women's Kisei until September/October. But we have apparently already seen some significant changes.

Physically she has lost quite a bit more puppy fat and now has a disarmingly confident smile and pose, which I could easily imagine striking dread into the hearts of opponents, but which certainly does no harm to her public popularity. 40 reporters from 20 media organisations turned up for game with Kimu Hyonjon. At the press conference, Kimu said her opponent made some great moves in the middle game and showed she is both fast and accurate in her reading. In fact the most important feature of this game may have been the fact that Sumire did not cave in when she fell behind. She has learned to fight back.

Referee Yamashiro Hiroshi 9-dan was impressed, too. He noted that the content of the recent game was much better than her first official game, and as the next step he was looking forward to seeing how she plays in games with long time limits.

Sumire is also fast learning the language of pro go: "I was happy I was able to win. I will also strive to do my best in the main event." And not yet 11! Reminds me of Honinbo Shusai when he was young, practising his calligraphy to be ready for the day when he signed fans for fans.

The image of Sumire below is from the entrance to the Nihon Ki-in shop in Yurakucho. Beyond that she is not being exploited too overtly for publicity there. Her name was used to sell some flim-flam for kids such as badges. The main publicity focus is still very much on Iyama.

[Ferran]

Well, the sho in shodan (初段) actually does mean "first". :

My apologies. I'd mixed mental files. I still find it curious that 初 seems to mean (do correct me again if I'm still off) first as in "the beginning of" and not "number one". Discard if it doesn't feel useful, it works for me (then, sometimes, my brain mixes things and... viola )

In penance, I hope this works:



Take care

[Ferran]

This next weekend, against Fujisawa Rina, at Hiroshima:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YakcDGPD9xw

Take care.

[silviu22]

She won through both the B and A Preliminaries of the Women's Kisei at age 10 years 5 months. This was a long way ahead of previous record holder Fujisawa Rina (13 years 5 months).

Who were opponents were in the preliminaries B and A? gotoeveryone doesn't show these preliminaries, so it's hard for me to find out information about them

And before the Cackling Carrot claims she had an easy ride, I expect Rina had the same rites of passage.

Good one

[Ferran]

This next weekend, against Fujisawa Rina, at Hiroshima:

It's already there 3h12m. Fujisawa-Nakamura is the first 90 minutes, introduction and commentary included.

Take care.

[John Fairbairn]

Sumire has been quite active this summer, with exhibition games. Although she lost to Fujisawa Rina (but played well), she beat fellow 1-dan Hane Ayaka (daughter of Gosei Hane Naoki) in the Hankyu Cool of the Evening Festival. She was dressed in a kimono for this.

However, the highlight was a pair go game which set the record, by a LONG way, for the youngest foursome in a pro game. Billed as the Young Stars Dream Match at the World Pair Go in Tokyo, Sumire, 10, partnered Fukuoka Kotaro, 13. Their opponents from China were Wu Yiming and Hu Zihao, both 12. It was a close game, lost by an endgame blunder by the Japanese. But perhaps the most interesting revelation was that Sumire and Kotaro had practised for the match by playing no fewer than 20 pair go games.

Sumire didn't wear kimono for this, but she had to wear an ID card round her neck. Japan's most famous kid needed to be tagged like farm stock??? No doubt there's some job's worth organiser planning drug tests for sugar rushes in these kids before too long.

[Ferran]

OGS is relaying a match between her and Furuta Naoyoshi 4p in the Judan prelims.

https://online-go.com/review/414499

Take care.

EDIT:

Game's over. Untrimmed sgf from OGS:

[Uberdude]

sumire lif1909160021-p1.jpg (79.11 KiB) Viewed 31227 times

(from https://www.sankei.com/life/photos/1909 ... 21-p1.html)

[Ferran]

It must be hard, putting effort to become shodan at 27 (and wasn't that the old age limit? Not sure), putting effort to reach 2nd dan (7 years) and 4th (9 years after 3rd), and having a newcomer win like that when you're in your fifties. I can sympathise.

Take care.

[jlt]

There aren't many data on Furuta Naoyoshi on goratings, https://www.goratings.org/en/players/1625.html

it seems he has never been very strong or active. Nevertheless, this shows that Sumire can beat weak professionals consistently, which is good for her.

[Ferran]

There aren't many data on Furuta Naoyoshi on goratings, https://www.goratings.org/en/players/1625.html

it seems he has never been very strong or active.

http://archive.nihonkiin.or.jp/player/htm/ki000318.htm

That seems to be the case, yes. Sorry I didn't include the link.

Nevertheless, this shows that Sumire can beat weak professionals consistently, which is good for her.

Not so good for those pros, however. Which is the name of the game, mind you, but I can still see their side.

Take care.

[John Fairbairn]

There aren't many data on Furuta Naoyoshi on goratings, https://www.goratings.org/en/players/1625.html

He is now 0-7 so far this year (2019), and last year scored 1-10.

[Ferran]

He is now 0-7 so far this year (2019), and last year scored 1-10.

Do you happen to know if he has further pupils, besides Takagi Junpei?

My reason for asking is that I'm not sure "we", the West, have thoroughly thought what we'll do with our pros, besides tournaments. People like Naoyoshi-sensei might give us a clue.

Take care.

[Ferran]

For those interested, video from the Hiroshima Al cup. I'm afraid I can't search for the SGF for a while. Sorry about that.

Take care.

[Shenoute]

Thanks for the video.
Links to the sgf of the Hiroshima Al Cup games:
- http://kifudepot.net/kifucontents.php?i ... to":{"m":0}}
- http://kifudepot.net/kifucontents.php?i ... o":{"m":30}}