Go Controversy Erupts as Keje 9dan Protests Defeat in LG Bae Finals
Teh centuries-old world of Go,a strategic board game revered across Asia,has been thrust into turmoil following a heated dispute between korean and Chinese players. The controversy centers around Chinese Go player Keje 9dan, who was declared the loser in the 29th LG Bae Chosun Ilbo Finals held in Seoul on January 23, 2025, after violating newly introduced “seat management” regulations.
The incident unfolded during the finals hosted by the Korea Baduk Association, where Keje was warned by the referee for breaching the rules. Unlike Korean Go, wich calculates territory as a house, Chinese Go only counts stones on the board, leading to confusion over the regulations. Keje, who refused to accept the foul declaration, did not resume the game, sparking a chain reaction of protests and diplomatic tensions.
The China Baduk Association swiftly issued a statement rejecting the outcome, and the Chinese team boycotted the awards ceremony the following day. Keje,who was awarded a runner-up prize of 100 million won,also abstained from attending. In a bold move,the association announced on January 25 that foreign players would be barred from participating in the Chinese Go League,further escalating the conflict.
Keje took to social media to express his discontent, modifying his profile from “World Congress 8 Crowns” to “World Congress 9 Crowns” and stating in a live broadcast, “I was insulted in korea,” and “I will never compromise.” His stance garnered widespread support from Chinese netizens, with many flooding his weibo account with messages of encouragement. Chinese media echoed the sentiment, declaring, “The game that did not realy win in the game has won the championship.”
The controversy has also impacted international Go events. The 1st Sawpal Cosanol World’s Best Articles tournament, scheduled for February 6 in Seoul, was postponed after the China Baduk Association declared its absence. Four Chinese players, including Keje, were slated to compete.In response, the Korea Baduk Association announced plans to review the seat management regulations after the Lunar New Year holidays. Initially introduced in November 2024 to prevent confusion during international competitions, the rules have now become a focal point of contention.
| Key Points | Details |
|————————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Event | 29th LG Bae Chosun Ilbo Finals |
| Date | January 23, 2025 |
| Location | Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Korea |
| Main Figure | Keje 9dan, Chinese Go player |
| Controversy | Violation of seat management regulations |
| Outcome | Keje declared loser; Chinese team boycotts awards ceremony |
| Impact | Postponement of 1st Sawpal Cosanol World’s Best Articles tournament |
| Social Media Reaction | Keje’s Weibo flooded with supportive comments |
| Future Action | Korea Baduk Association to review regulations post-Lunar New Year holidays |
as tensions simmer, the Go community awaits a resolution that could redefine the rules of engagement in this ancient game. The incident underscores the cultural and procedural differences between korean and Chinese Go, highlighting the challenges of maintaining harmony in international competitions.
For more details on the unfolding controversy, visit the original source here.
EditorS Questions with Insights on the Go Controversy
Editor: can you explain the core issue that led to the dispute between Korean and Chinese go players?
Guest: The dispute centers around the newly introduced “seat management” regulations in the 29th LG Bae Chosun Ilbo Finals. Keje 9dan,a Chinese Go player,was declared the loser after violating these rules. The primary confusion arose due to the differences in how Korean and Chinese Go calculate territory—Korean Go counts territory as a house, while Chinese Go only counts stones on the board. this procedural difference led to the misunderstanding and subsequent controversy.
Editor: How did Keje and the Chinese Baduk Association react to the decision?
Guest: Keje refused to accept the foul declaration and did not resume the game, which escalated the situation. The China Baduk Association swiftly rejected the outcome, and the Chinese team boycotted the awards ceremony. Keje also abstained from attending, despite being awarded a runner-up prize of 100 million won.Additionally,the association announced that foreign players would be barred from participating in the Chinese Go League,further intensifying the conflict.
editor: What was the public reaction to this incident?
Guest: Keje took to social media to express his discontent, changing his profile from “World Congress 8 Crowns” to “World Congress 9 Crowns.” He stated in a live broadcast, “I was insulted in Korea,” and “I will never compromise,” which garnered widespread support from Chinese netizens. Many flooded his Weibo account with messages of encouragement. Chinese media also backed his stance, with headlines declaring, “The game that did not really win in the game has won the championship.”
Editor: How has this controversy impacted international Go events?
Guest: The dispute has caused significant disruptions. The 1st Sawpal Cosanol World’s Best Articles tournament, scheduled for February 6 in Seoul, was postponed after the China Baduk association declared its absence. Four Chinese players, including Keje, were slated to compete. In response, the Korea Baduk Association announced plans to review the seat management regulations after the lunar New Year holidays.
Editor: What are the broader implications of this controversy?
Guest: This incident underscores the cultural and procedural differences between Korean and Chinese Go, highlighting the challenges of maintaining harmony in international competitions. It has also brought attention to the need for clearer and more universally accepted regulations to prevent such disputes in the future.
Concluding Thoughts: The Go community is now at a crossroads, awaiting a resolution that could redefine the rules of engagement in this ancient game. The controversy between Korea and China has not only disrupted major tournaments but also emphasized the importance of understanding and respecting differing traditions and procedures in international sports.