Here is the game record. There was a lot of fighting and sharp moves on both sides.

Since he was led 3-0, this is one of those rare, miracle come-backs in 7 games titles. I remember reading in a Go World review that more often than not the one that comes from behind has better chances statistically to win the 7th game and the title.

Takao Shinji, the current Honinbo title owner, seems disappointed in the photo below:

Here is the game record.
Hane looked very inspired in this game: the attachment at 57, and the following sequence (including the sacrifice at 67) show that he deserved to win.

The 7th and last game will be played in just a couple of days, on July 22nd and 23rd.

The challenger (and Kisei title holder) Yamashita Keigo (left in the photo below) won the first game against Cho U Gosei.

Here is the game record. Yamashita (Black) mounted a double attack and eventually killed one of Cho’s groups.

Next game will take place on July 27th.

Lovers of the game of go know from experience that thinking too long often leads to a bad move.

This quote is not from a Go article, though, but from a political article. Here’s the next sentence:

That’s how most Koreans might have felt watching President Lee Myung-bak’s minor Cabinet reshuffle Monday.

Full article link here, for those of you interested in Korean politics…

He defeated Lee Changho in the final. Gu has an interesting way of concentrating before the game.

The playing room is pretty crowded with reporters - or maybe they allow the reporters in just for a few minutes?

Here is the game record. Interestingly, the otherwise rarely seen 2-space low hasami from hoshi, about which Jie Lie commented in the Lee Changho - Liu Xing game from the semifinals, occurred in this final game as well (move 7).

Gu Li is back in shape less than 2 weeks after losing the China-Korea tengen playoff match 0-2 against Won Sungjin.

One game matched Lee Changho of Korea against Liu Xing of China. Lee (on the left side in the photo) won by resignation.

The second game matched the two top Chinese players: Gu Li and Chang Hao. Gu (on the left side in the photo) won by resignation.

I love the look on the face of Cho Hunhyun (standing, right) as he watches his ex-student, Lee Changho, after Lee’s win.

Cho Hunhyun chatting with Otake Hideo of Japan, presumably about the two undergoing semifinals (games are being replayed on the two boards in front of them). (Cho Hunhyun was insei and became professional in Japan before coming back to Korea).

The final between Lee Changho and Gu Li will be played tomorrow in Tokyo, Japan.

Photo and game record from 4th game:

Game 5 was particularly spectacular, ending in a huge semeai spawning over most of the board.

Next game will be played on July 16th and 17th. Takao is still one win away from keeping his title, while Hane needs two wins to capture it.

I wrote about Hye Yeon and her wonderful blog in the past as well.

Very recently (yesterday, actually), she defended the honor of the female team in the GG Auction Cup, stopping Kim Jongsoo. (This is a Korean tournament between female players and senior male players. The first in the senior team was the famous Jimmy Cha (Cha Minsoo is his Korean name) who eliminated 5 female players before being finally defeated by Lee Minjin. She defeated 4 more seniors before losing to Kim Jongsoo).

Here’s Hye Yeon playing agains Kim Jongsoo:

Photo after the game:

The lids of stone bowls signed by the two players. Guess which one is signed by Hye Yeon:

Very luckily for the American Go players, Hye Yeon will visit the US Go Congress this year!

The challenger, Hane Naoki (on the left hand side in the photo below), will have to win four games in a row now to capture the title.

Position after day 1:

Photo of the title holder, Takao Shinji, handling the sealed move to the referee, Ishida Yoshio 9 dan.

Link to photo source.