I really don’t want to play Go!

Chapter 444 One general succeeds and thousands of bones wither
"I will serve as the chief referee for this Phoenix Cup World Championship. I will be with all the participants for this long period of time, regardless of the final result."

Although Zhao Zhengyang was over seventy years old, his voice was strong and powerful. He paused for a moment, then continued, "I am also very much looking forward to witnessing the amazing performance of all the chess players on the chessboard."

The entire hall suddenly became even quieter, and everyone seemed to feel a somewhat heavy and somber atmosphere.

Although the World Championship initially adopted the most brutal single-elimination tournament, which lasted until the last 64 players were eliminated, it was then switched to a double-elimination tournament, with the final winner determined by the winners of the upper bracket and the losers' bracket.

However, due to the large number of participants, even though the initial format was a single-elimination tournament where losing a game meant elimination, it would still take a considerable amount of time to reduce the number of participants to only 64.

With the addition of a double-elimination tournament and a final championship, this competition is indeed much longer than other competitions from start to finish, posing a severe test of the energy and stamina of all players.

"On the world stage, so many stories have unfolded and so many memorable matches have been created."

Zhao Zhengyang took a deep breath and slowly said, "For example, the earliest Korean and North Korean players innovatively tried the two-star opening in the world championships, which sparked discussions about stones and influence. The small eye opening was no longer the only mainstream opening."

"The Three Stars formation sparked reflection on the trade of influence and territory, while the Unborn Flow sparked discussions on the solidity of the board shape and the expansion of its territory..."

"These games, which originated from world championships and are now based on records from world championships, still shine brightly in the history of Go."

"Although some of these things may not be correct from today's perspective, they still shine with the light of eternal exploration and remain awe-inspiring to this day."

"It can even be said that major world championships have always been driving the progress of Go."

Although Zhao Zhengyang's words were just about the past history of the World Championship, they immediately stirred up everyone's emotions.

Because everything Zhao Zhengyang said was true.

From the impact of the double star formation on the small eye formation, to the changes brought about by various new methods and patterns, and then to the emergence and popularity of formations such as the triple star formation and the unborn flow...

These few words encapsulate the blood and tears of countless chess players over the past two centuries. Countless lives have been lost in world championships, and for every success, countless lives have been lost. The rich history of modern chess unfolds before everyone's eyes like a scroll.

On this painting, heroes ride horses, draw their bows and arrows, and vie for supremacy in the Central Plains, a scene that stirs the soul.

Now, it is they, all the chess players standing in the hall, who will decide how this picture will be drawn next.

They might also have the chance to become the protagonist of the story, or even if they are not the protagonist but just a supporting character, that is enough to be proud of.

After all, most people are destined not even to be a supporting character.

"The fact that you can stand in this hall means you are among the strongest players in the world. As a senior, I know very well what kind of effort you have put in to stand here, and what kind of pain you have been fighting against all this time!"

Zhao Zhengyang surveyed the hall, his words resounding, and said in a deep voice, "And now, after countless hardships, you have finally reached this point!"

At this point, Zhao Zhengyang changed the subject and said again, "However, I want to say that not everything... can be as one wishes."

Upon hearing Zhao Zhengyang's words, the atmosphere in the entire hall suddenly became somewhat somber.

In fact, most people know very well that this is indeed the highest and grandest stage in the chess world, but it is precisely because of its grandeur that it is even more cruel. Even if they have done their best to get here, they are more likely to be ruthlessly overwhelmed.

The saying "One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand" perfectly illustrates this point.

"I went through the same thing back then. Seeing you all is like seeing myself back then."

Zhao Zhengyang took a deep breath before continuing, "Because I've been through it, I won't say anything nice here about how hard you work will pay off, nor do I want you to have too high expectations for achieving good results in the World Championship!"

Upon hearing these words, the reporters in the hall were immediately in an uproar, looking at each other in bewilderment, while many of the participating chess players also looked astonished.

Yu Shao also looked at Zhao Zhengyang with some surprise, feeling that Zhao Zhengyang was somewhat unconventional.

Regardless of its past or present form, the opening ceremony of a world championship typically involves the chief referee or the event organizer giving a speech to encourage the players.

However, Zhao Zhengyang did the opposite, directly and indiscriminately undermining the confidence of the participating players. This was unheard of, and Yu Shao had never seen anything like it in his two lifetimes. He didn't seem like a seventy-year-old man at all.

"Is this something a referee should say?"

One reporter twitched his lips and complained to his partner, "Everyone says that hard work pays off, but when it comes to Teacher Zhao Zhengyang, it turns out that even if you work hard, you might not get a reward."

"That is to say..."

The cameraman, who was also his partner, found it a bit hard to believe.

However, some players in the hall, such as Zhuang Weisheng, Zhu Huai'an, and Araki, remained unmoved by Zhao Zhengyang's words, their expressions calm.

And almost all of these chess players have participated in several world championships.

"Those who can deliver those encouraging words and platitudes without batting an eye must have never participated in a world competition. But I'm different. I've not only participated, but I've also achieved some insignificant results."

Zhao Zhengyang seemed completely unconcerned about the commotion below the stage, and said firmly, "That's precisely why I know very well just how cruel and ruthless the World Championship is!"

Zhao Zhengyang's voice wasn't loud, but it was firm and resounding throughout the entire hall.

The hall fell silent again, and everyone stared at the old man on the stage, as if they could see the turbulent events of the World Championships thirty or forty years ago through the lines on his face.

"One of the lifelong goals of every chess player is to win the world championship."

Facing the crowd below the stage, Zhao Zhengyang slowly said, "In order to achieve this goal, all the chess players have endured countless hardships and gone through all kinds of difficulties to finally arrive at the world championship stage."

"However, the final result may be ruthless. There are so many people here now, but on the first day of the competition, half of you will be eliminated!"

"Many people may feel that everything they have done has been in vain, and all their efforts have been in vain."

Zhao Zhengyang continued, "I don't mean to dampen the enthusiasm of the contestants, nor do I want to put too much pressure on you. I'm just stating the facts, the cold, hard truth that even if you give it your all, you may not achieve your goal."

What I wanted to say was—

"Regardless of the final outcome, when you look back on the game, as long as you have no regrets, feel that you have a clear conscience, and have played in your own style and at your own level, that's enough!"

The whole place was silent.

Zhao Zhengyang slowly scanned the entire room before continuing, "Only in this way, even if you lose in the end, when you look back at your game, you will find that all your efforts over the years have not been in vain!"

The entire venue remained silent.

About two or three seconds later, the entire audience erupted in thunderous applause, and flashes of light filled the hall, mixed with the sounds of camera shutters clicking!
After a moment, once the applause had subsided, Zhao Zhengyang smiled and continued, "On the first day of the competition, half of the participants will be eliminated. But since you've all come from afar, you probably don't want to just stay for one day and go through the motions, right?"

"Of course not!"

Someone in the audience immediately responded with a smile, "I also feel bad that everyone has come all this way only to leave disappointed after just one day, but that's how the competition is, once you're eliminated, you're eliminated."

Zhao Zhengyang smiled and said, "However, I hope that even the eliminated players, unless they have something urgent to attend to, can stay and witness this Phoenix Cup World Championship with me until the very end."

"Even though you've been eliminated, you can entrust the goal of winning the championship to someone you want to support, let them shoulder your dream, and watch them walk step by step towards the finish line for you."

"I hope this summer can bring everyone an unforgettable memory, so that even many years later, when people talk about the World Championship, they can still remember this summer and this World Championship!"

"I have a feeling that this summer will bring us countless surprises and touching moments!"

After Zhao Zhengyang finished speaking, the audience erupted in applause once again.

The tense atmosphere in the hall gradually eased, but everyone's gaze became more resolute, a determination to forge ahead despite knowing the difficulties and obstacles ahead.

"I have finished speaking. Now let's begin the lottery ceremony."

Zhao Zhengyang smiled and said, "With so many people, the draw will probably take a while. I hope everyone draws the opponent they expect."

Upon hearing this, the audience couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Soon, a dozen staff members carried more than a dozen lottery boxes and walked quickly to the participating teams from various countries, then placed the boxes on the table.

Because of the large number of participants in the first round, it was impossible to draw lots one by one like in a regular competition; otherwise, the draw would have gone on until the evening.

Therefore, the method used for smoking was to set up more than a dozen lottery boxes and draw lots at the same time. Then the staff recorded the contestants' numbers and finally compared the numbers. But even so, it would probably take a while.

As the draw was about to begin, everyone's expression became serious, even Zhuang Weisheng's.

Before the number of players is reduced to sixty-four, it is a single-elimination tournament where no game can be lost; losing means immediate elimination. Therefore, advancing depends not only on skill but also on luck.

Even if Zhuang Weisheng and An Hongshi are as strong as they are, if they are unlucky and draw each other in the first round, then one of them is destined to be eliminated in the first round.

Yes, although the names An Hongshi and Zhuang Weisheng seem completely unrelated to the first round, it is indeed a possibility, and this has happened more than once in previous World Championships.

This is what is known as the "enemy's sign".

"I hope I don't draw Professor An Hongshi in the first round?" Zheng Qin said to Yu Shao in a low voice, feeling a little nervous.

"You can't be that unlucky, there are so many people here." Yu Shao chuckled and offered a word of comfort.

“Someone has to carry it, so why can’t I be the one to carry it?” Zheng Qin said, somewhat indignantly.

"Uh……"

This question stumped Yu Shao, who didn't know how to answer for a moment.

Not long after, Zhu Huai'an, who was in front of Zheng Qin, went up and drew his lot. Then it was Zheng Qin's turn to draw his lot.

Zheng Qin took a deep breath, slowly walked forward, and under the watchful eyes of the staff, reached into the fortune-telling box, grabbed a fortune slip from it, and then gripped it tightly, as if he dared not let go.

"Open it and see, what's the number?"

The staff member found it somewhat amusing and asked.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Qin finally carefully loosened his grip on the lottery ticket. Yu Shao also curiously leaned over and craned his neck to look at the number on the lottery ticket in Zheng Qin's hand.

207 number.

This means that Zheng Qin's opponent in the first round will also be the player who draws the same number 207, while none of the Chinese players in the previous draws drew number 207.

Zhuang Weisheng is number 78, and Zhu Huai'an is number 231, so Zheng Qin will at least not be matched against Zhuang Weisheng, Zhu Huai'an, or others.

"Zheng Qin, 207."

Zheng Qin breathed a slight sigh of relief and replied.

The staff member nodded, picked up a pen, found Zheng Qin's name on the list, wrote down 207 after Zheng Qin's name, and said, "Okay, next."

Yu Shao was standing right behind Zheng Qin. Upon hearing this, Yu Shao immediately stepped forward and reached into the fortune-telling box.

When they saw that Yu Shao was about to draw lots, everyone immediately looked at him, including Zhuang Weisheng.

Soon, Yu Shao grabbed a slip of paper from the fortune-telling box and slowly unfolded it. The first number on the slip was 2.

Upon seeing this, Zheng Qin's expression changed slightly, and he suddenly became tense. Zhu Huai'an also stared intently at the paper in Yu Shao's hand, watching Yu Shao open it little by little.

The next number.

7.

Upon seeing the number, Zheng Qin immediately breathed a sigh of relief, patted his chest, and looked away. Zhu Huai'an also lost interest in Yu Shao's draw number and looked away.

Then comes the last number.

Still 7.

"Yu Shao, number 277."

Yu Shao looked up and spoke to the staff.

None of the Chinese players who were drawn just now are number 277, which means that, like Zheng Qin, Yu Shao will not face them in the first round.

This is normal, though. With so many players participating, it's possible for there to be internal battles in the first round, but generally it won't happen too often.

Yu Shao wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but the staff seemed somewhat disappointed after receiving this answer.

The staff member quickly picked up a pen, found Yu Shao's name, wrote down Yu Shao's signature number, and then called out, "Okay, next."

"coming."

Upon hearing this, Su Yiming, who was standing behind Yu Shao, immediately responded and stepped forward.

　Asking for a monthly ticket!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)