April 1974
By
Keith Arnold
Posted: 2024-04-19T10:00:00Z
On April 4th, a Go Mission from China arrived in Japan, ten Chinese go players made the visit. This was the first since 1967, when the Cultural Revolution had interrupted go exchanges which had begun in 1962. The stars of the visit were the two female members (pictured) Miss Kong Xiangming, 18 and Miss Chen Huifang, 19. They performed quite well in two stone games against 9 dan opponents. The top player in the group was Mr. Chen Zude. He managed an even, speed game victory against Kobayashi Kōichi 6d (pictured).
Kong Xiangming (left) and Chen Huifang
Chen Zude vs. Kobayashi Kōichi
After a half point win in the first match last month, Rin Kaihō Meijin dispatched challenger Takemiya Masaki 7d in the 11th Pro Best Ten Final. Game Two was on April 4th and was won by resignation. In Game Three, on April 11, Takemiya switched from his usual "Cosmic Style" but to no avail, losing by two and a half points. (Game records: Game Two, Game Three.)
On April 12th, as part of a Tokyo Go Festival, Cho Chikun played a 30 person simul (pictured).
Cho Chikun plays a 30-person simul game at the Tokyo Go Festival.
An unusual Hon'inbo League wrapped up this month. The eight-player league demotes four players each year and brings in four new ones. All four of the promoted players (Sugiuchi Masao, Miyashita Shūyō, Ishii Kunio and Hashimoto Utarō) were demoted - but the remaining four players all tied with 5-2 records. So, next month a play-off will be arranged between Rin Meijin, Sakata Eio, Katō Masao and Takemiya Masaki to determine who will challenge Ishida Hon'inbo.
Photo from Go Review and Kido Yearbook, game records from Smart Go One