The first game of the 50th Kisei title series began on Thursday, in Honolulu, Hawaii, marking the
opening of the best-of-seven championship. Defending Kisei titleholder Ichiriki Ryo 9-dan is being challenged by Shibano Toramaru 9-dan.
After eight hours of play, the players sealed a move, with the game scheduled to resume at 3:00 p.m. New York time on January 23. Live coverage and rebroadcasts are available via the Nihon Ki-in’s YouTube channel.
The Kisei is widely regarded as the most prestigious of Japan’s top six professional Go titles. This year’s opening game marks the first time in 29 years that a Kisei match has been played in Honolulu; all remaining games in the series will take place in Japan.
An opening reception was held at the Japanese Consulate in Honolulu, attended by a delegation of approximately 30 guests from Japan and the United States. The delegation included Michael Redmond 9-dan and eight other Japanese professionals, representatives of the Nihon Ki-in, Kansai Ki-in, the Honolulu Go Club, the American Go Association, and Hawaii Governor Josh Green, who was present to welcome the competitors.
In conjunction with the Kisei match, a two-day Go event is being held in Honolulu, featuring professional simultaneous games, beginner instruction, local professional teaching games, and a high school Go competition for area schools. Michael Redmond addressed attendees at the reception and is serving as English-language commentator for the title match, in addition to participating in teaching games and classes.
Story and photos by Ted Terpstra
Photos: (top) Hawaii Governor Josh Green with the Kisei competitors; (bottom right) Michael Redmond addressing the reception audience; (bottom left) Three AGA Teachers of the Year representing the American Go Association.