Life In 19x19

Let's find something fun in Asian games.

One of Japanese pairs wore breathing masks in pair go to prevent speaking to each other by accident

Can players not speak anything to his/her partner during the game, even like 'it's your turn'?

What next, ball gags?

Were the masks voluntary or compelled?

Yuki Satoshi also wore a mask but partner Suzuki Ayumi did not. Given that many Japanese wear these masks at all sorts of times, I'm not so sure it was to prevent talking (which they don't do anyway).

What caught my eye was that all the players are wearing team uniforms. Maybe pro go players should start merchandising - new uniform every season, home and away strips, etc?

As to the talking rule, I don't know the specifics for this event but I think it's usually the rule that no talking is allowed except for the purpose of conferring whether to resign.

Joaz Banbeck wrote:Were the masks voluntary or compelled?

voluntary, of course.

John Fairbairn wrote: As to the talking rule, I don't know the specifics for this event but I think it's usually the rule that no talking is allowed except for the purpose of conferring whether to resign.

Just for fun , even just say resign, people may have to resign in a mutual language, or English. Otherwise you don't know what your opponent is talking with each other.