Chen Zude in hospital

[gogameguru]

Chen Zude has been unwell recently, and underwent a successful operation for pancreatic cancer yesterday. He is now recovering in hospital, where he has been visited by the Chinese Women's Weiqi team . He is in high spirits and intends to start playing weiqi again soon. Our thoughts are with Chen, and we hope he recovers soon.

Chen is a legend of Chinese Go. He was the first Chinese professional to become 9 dan after the introduction of professional ranks in China. He is also the current president of the Chinese Weiqi Association. He is (controversially) credited with popularising the Chinese fuseki.

He wrote a popular Chinese book (his autobiography) 'Beyond Self', inspired by his first battle with cancer 30 years ago.

This has been quite a big story in the Chinese weiqi world, with many people wishing Chen a swift recovery.

http://post.weiqi.tom.com/s/1F00090E4015.html

[Joaz Banbeck]

"Successful' is a relative term when describing pancreatic cancer. It is one of the nastier types. I'm not sure how the Chinese doctors are faring, but here in the US a surgical technique that has a 20% survival rate is considered good.

[kirkmc]

Actually, it seems that a 5-year survival rate of around 5% is the norm.

[gogameguru]

That sounds grim.

We're just passing on the news we've read about it. The media reported it as successful. What you take that to mean in the context of an operation is another matter.

[Joaz Banbeck]

"Successful' is a relative term when describing pancreatic cancer. It is one of the nastier types. I'm not sure how the Chinese doctors are faring, but here in the US a surgical technique that has a 20% survival rate is considered good.

Actually, it seems that a 5-year survival rate of around 5% is the norm.

I should have mentioned the period. I meant to say 20% in one year. And yes, it is down to 5% in five years.

[Solomon]

Unfortunately, it seems that Chen Zude has passed away today due to cancer....

[p2501]

http://www.chinesetoday.com/big/article/679115

RIP Chen Zude

I learned about him a bit, when I was researching his biography - he was one of the professionals that signed a kaya-board that is on annual display at the China Cup in Berlin, Germany that I help organize.

[logan]

Thank-you for sharing this unfortunate news. ...

[trout]

RIP Chen Zude

He contributed a lot to Chinese Go.




Picture from 2004 when he was healthy.


Lee Sedol visited Mr Chen. He gave Lee a book signed by him(with attributing Lee as Grand Master).

[Faro]

I have never heard of this player before today. I'm sorry I had to find out about him in such an unfortunate way. My condolences to his family and friends. The world of Professional Go seems to be a very close-nit community. It's always a sad day when someone passes.

[NoSkill]

RIP Chen Zude. I think I've heard the name before.

[danielxr]

He was one of the players firstly start to use Chinese opening, first Chinese player beat 9P Japanese players. He has got cancer on 1980s when he was on the top level and then fighting for over 30 years.