Peter Lee, winner of the poetry division of the 2026 Bob High Memorial Song & Poetry Contest
at the recent US Go Congress, was also this year's 2026 Go Congress Die Hard section champion.
The Game, And After
The clock runs.
In the silent air, only byoyomi counts.
The board waits for a deep breath.
The final stone rests upon the board.
The game is done.
Counting starts. Pressure mounts.
Beyond the counting lies endless depth.
The final score is known; silence is restored.
The stones speak once again.
We follow forgotten lines.
Win or lose, there is only gain.
We trace each move with quiet smiles.
Across the board, we learn together.
No one leaves the board the same.
Bound by black and white forever,
Respect lives in our game.
by Peter Lee