Villach Go Congress 2007 report
My final tournament record: 7-3Final standing (4k group): 289th of 573 (3rd of 29)
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2007-07-28 Final day:
Main tournament: Miracles don't happen and after the poorest fuseki in the tournament I tried hard to come back but lost by 6 points to Martin Koppernock of Germany. 7 wins is nonetheless a great record and hopefully I'll be moving up the ranks a bit. (7-3)
Game record: Erestor - Martin (2k) (B)
The tournament was won by Hong Seok Ui of Korea, with his countrymen Park Jong Wook and Cho Seok-bin being the runner-ups. Young Russian Ilya Shikshin at 4th spot overall clinched the European title. Congratulations!
In "Moby dick" which was sort of official go congress pub I had a unique experience in the evening, when the tournament winner asked me to sign his fan. I humbly did so and asked for returning the favor, which Hong Seok Ui kindly did.
Tournament winners... from some distance :)
Moby dick, go players' h(e)aven
Main tournament: Narita Naoteru-san, 2-dan, from Yokohama, became by chance my second japanese opponent in a row. Actually, I've played a couple of friendly games with Narita-san earlier, so I knew his style and, more importantly, knew that I could prevail. I played a safe territory-oriented game and won on points after just about an hour. (7-2)
Game record: Narita Naoteru (2d) - Erestor (B)
Kang Seung-hee sensei explains a tsumego
Friendly matches were countless
Main tournament: Secured kachikoshi with a win by resignation after a furious battle against Tanaka Hideo-san, 1-kyu, from Nippon. Of course this is the strongest opponent I've ever played and beaten in a tournament. (6-2)
Game record: Tanaka Hideo (1k) - Erestor (B)
Splendid variety of go sets for sale
Guo Juan sensei
With the weather back to hot normal, had some chance to hang around the Villach center, climb 239 stairs to take some nice pictures and relax before main tournament runs into the homestretch.
Main tournament: Rest day.
A Villach church
Yun Yeong-seon sensei leads a workshop
Finally we have a change of the weather here in Villach, with some clouds and rain and pleasantly cool temperatures.
Main tournament: Andreas Koch became a second german 2-kyu player I've ever beaten (after Claas Roever last year in Dublin). Also secured non-makekoshi record for the tournament with 3 days to go. (5-2)
Game record: Erestor - Andreas (2k) (B)
Main tournament in progress
Nakayama Noriuki-sensei talks about go
Main tournament: Won on time, but actually this was a no-contest, as my opponent, Maxim Koronovski (3k) of Germany, didn't bother to show up. Too bad for him. (4-2)
Kobayashi Chizu-sensei giving a lecture
3D go promoted to 4D :)
Main tournament: Rest day.
Did a bit of a sight-seeing, saw apes and bonsai trees and some mountains :).
Main tournament: Rest day.
Macaque
Alps
Macro attempt
Villach
Main tournament: Bounced back at last with a win against Jan Harms of Germany. (3-2)
Game record: Erestor - Jan (5k) (B)
Congress Center Villach
Happy congress participants
Main tournament: Battled Russian Alexander Bitman for 5 hours, lost by 1 point (Ing rules). Needless to say, this hurts. At least Kotomitsuki's doing well in his tournament. (2-2)
Game record: Erestor - Alexander (3k) (B)
Go players hit the Mobydick pub...
...even some really strong ones
Some side tournaments happening at CCV, but a trip (and a climb up) to Dreiländereck - mountain on Austrian-Italian-Slovenian border - was certainly more appealing. :)
Main tournament: Rest day.
Top of Dreiländereck
Slovenian valley
Main tournament: Lost footing for the first time today, made several serious mistakes and resigned in the endgame to Jonas Kraujelis of Lithuania. (2-1)
Game record: Jonas (2k) - Erestor (B)
A house in the vicinity of CCV
Charming Yun Yeong-seon sensei
Saw camels, again, in the morning on the way to the Congress Center.
Main tournament: Exhausting win after some fierce but well-planned fighting against René van Breugel of Netherlands by resignation. (2-0)
Game record: René (3k) - Erestor (B)
Congress Center Villach
Kobayashi Chizu-sensei in simul action
Played two more games of party rengo, lost both.
Main tournament: Set off with the right foot, won against Matthieu Walraet of France by resignation just after 62 moves. (1-0)
Game record: Erestor (4k) - Matthieu (4k) (B)
Party go in progress
Deep contemplation during main tournament
Arrived in Villach, played two games of party rengo, won both. :)