No, I would say that Yoshi did not speak go, he did not speak Japanese. Yoshi spoke Pro. He knew what a pro wanted to say, even if he did not say it. He knew how to take the most reserved pro, and bring him out of himself and make everything so entertaining and accessible - not just to the strong, not just to the weak, but to everyone, spouses and non-players included. And he took care of them, made sure they were happy and entertained. If a pro had an issue with the way things were being done, we would never know if it were not for Yoshi. He knew, and he let us know. He lived his life like he played poker - he always made sure there was action. The Congress gets harder every year for many of us, whose eyes glaze over new faces, looking for the old friends who will never return. In 2005, we lost the future in Greg Lefler. In 2009 we lost so much promise in Jin Chen and Landon Brownell. Last year we lost the personification of the soul of the Congress in Nakayama. And now we have lost the laughter.
winter's last cruel chill shadows a most joyous light august's laughter dies
- Keith Arnold; this post originally appeared on Life in 19x19; photos by John Pinkerton