John Fairbairn wrote:This game was played 9 months before Sumire achieved a jigo (even, taking komi) against a top pro, Cho U.
9 months represents about 15% of her entire playing career, and I'd wager that she was working very much harder then ever in those last 9 months. So, in her case, a massive improvement after the Tygem game is not really surprising. I think, also, that for people of limited experience (of any age) we must expect a lot of deep blips as they encounter new experiences, and the recent Ch'oe Cheong game may come under that category.
Sorry for the late reply, but I think you are mistaken. A Korean friend told me that this particular game was in fact played on February 8th of 2019, not nine months prior as you had stated. The game was arranged when Sumire did a celebratory tour of South Korea as a 'newly-minted' professional. Her opponent was an amateur 5-Dan who was picked to play Sumire because he was of the same age, born in the same month in fact.
I know this is just one game, but coupled with Sumire's other games against professional players in which she was absolutely trounced, I can't help but have reservations about Sumire's promotion to the professional ranks. Her promotion to me looks more and more like a desperate publicity stunt. What were the adults thinking? Has anyone considered Sumire's welfare?
