I really don’t want to play Go!

Chapter 465 Su Yiming, yes, Araki No

Time soon came to the next day.

At eight o'clock in the morning, Yu Shao arrived at the competition venue ahead of time to wait for the draw ceremony.

Before long, the other players also entered the competition venue one after another. Around 8:20, all the participating players had arrived.

Unlike yesterday, half of the players today, although their expressions were serious, were clearly in a relaxed state.

The other half of the players had serious expressions, and a hint of tension could be clearly seen in their eyes; even Zhu Huai'an was no exception.

They were all players who fell into the loser's bracket yesterday, which means they only have one last chance. If they lose this game today, they will have to stop here.

"Everyone is here."

Seeing that all the participating players had arrived, Zhao Zhengyang walked onto the stage, looked around, and without saying much, got straight to the point: "In that case, let's start the draw now."

Upon hearing this, the contestants in the winners' bracket narrowed their eyes slightly and began to line up to go on stage to draw lots.

The winners' bracket and losers' bracket draw boxes were not the same. The losers' bracket players, each with their own thoughts, came to another draw box and began to draw their own losers' bracket draws.

As the contestants in the winners' and losers' brackets began drawing lots, the crowd below the stage couldn't help but buzz with discussion.

"There are only 32 people left in the winners' bracket. I wonder what the draw will be like today."

"With only thirty-two people left, the possibility of a civil war is indeed very high, but let's try our best to avoid a civil war."

"Zhu Huai'an has fallen into the loser's bracket, and Zhang Dongchen, the Go Saint, also lost to Ander yesterday. There are very few Chinese players left in the winner's bracket."

"I wonder who Professor An Hongshi will face in this round, and... Professor Araki..."

The crowd around whispered among themselves, speculating about the draw results for today's match. Those who watched Arakino draw the lots, especially those who had seen Arakino and Higashiyama Kaoru play their game yesterday, had very complicated expressions.

Even now, the game of chess from yesterday still seems to be right before their eyes, and they still feel a deep sense of awe when they think about it.

Before long, all the players had finished drawing lots. As usual, Zhao Zhengyang picked up a pen and paper and began to inquire about the results of the draw.

"Table number seven, An Hongshi, yes, Jing Zhongqin."

After quickly noting down the names of the two players who drew number seven, Zhao Zhengyang asked again, "Which two players drew number eight?"

Yu Shao glanced at the slip of paper in his hand again, then quickly raised his hand and replied, "I am number eight."

"I'm also number eight."

Soon, a man with round-hole glasses, long blond hair, a hooked nose, and a thin build raised his hand.

Yu Shao immediately looked at the man and quickly recognized him.

Ed, who holds both the titles of Chess King and Grandmaster, is the most famous European chess player besides Hans. Yesterday, he defeated Su Tong, the last remaining Russian player, and successfully entered the winners' group of 32.

Ed happened to be looking at Yu Shao, and their eyes met briefly in the air.

Upon seeing that his opponent was Yu Shao, Ed clearly felt the pressure, his expression as if facing a formidable enemy. However, he still nodded slightly to Yu Shao in the end. Yu Shao was somewhat surprised, but quickly returned the gesture with a nod.

“Table number eight, Yu Shao, yes, Ed.”

Zhao Zhengyang picked up a pen and wrote down the names of Yu Shao and Ed, then asked, "What about number nine?"

"it's me."

Soon, Araki's voice rang out from the crowd.

Upon seeing that number nine was Araki, everyone was slightly taken aback. Immediately afterward, many people looked around the crowd and began searching for other players who had also drawn number nine.

"I'm number nine too."

Soon, a young voice rang out from the crowd.

Immediately afterwards, Su Yiming slowly raised his hand and spoke.

When they saw that the other player who drew number nine was Su Yiming, many people were taken aback at first, and then their expressions changed slightly as they looked at Su Yiming.

Number Nine —

Su Yiming, yes, Araki No!
"Is Su Yiming's opponent Araki?"

Yu Shao couldn't help but look at Su Yiming, and pondered for a moment, carefully recalling the game of chess that Araki had played before.

In that game, Arakino indeed displayed extremely strong chess skills. His calculation and judgment were outstanding, especially his understanding of the external influence and territory, which surprised even Arakino.

"However, judging from that game, it is not surprising that Arakino defeated Zheng Qin and even made it all the way to the top 64, but he should still be slightly inferior to Su Yiming and An Hongshi."

"He is most likely no match for Su Yiming."

Thinking of this, Yu Shao quickly looked away.

Finally, after a short while, once the draw numbers for the losers' bracket and all the players in the losers' bracket were confirmed, Zhao Zhengyang spoke again: "It's 8:40 now. Players, please get ready. The match will start promptly at 9:00."

Once the draw results were all out, the amateur chess players in the audience couldn't help but start discussing it.

"Su Yiming is actually facing off against Araki-sensei!"

"This is going to be really interesting. I wonder who will win and who will lose."

"They faced off in the second round, and for a moment I didn't know whether to be happy or not."

Hearing the whispers around him, a young man looked puzzled and asked, "Why are you all so excited? It's not like we're facing Master An Hongshi or Master Yu Shaoguo. Why is it like a showdown between the best?"

Didn't you watch yesterday's game?

Everyone was taken aback. A man in his thirties with a full beard couldn't help but ask, "Is it the game between Araki-sensei and Higashiyama Kaoru?"

"I didn't watch it. I was watching Professor An Hongshi's game yesterday. It was so beautiful."

The young man shook his head and answered truthfully: "It was very late after the match ended, and I got up early to watch the match, then went back and went straight to sleep. I didn't watch any other matches."

Hearing this, the man was silent for a moment, then took a deep breath and said, "Then you should watch this game of chess today."

"I dare say, I'll definitely give you a surprise, no—"

The man was halfway through his sentence when he couldn't help but think of the game between Araki and Higashiyama Kaoru yesterday. Before seeing that game, he had never even considered that Araki had a chance of winning. So he finally changed his words and said, "I was shocked."

Hearing the man's words, the young man looked completely bewildered, but the man seemed to have no intention of explaining. He shook his head, turned around, and left.

"What riddle-maker?"

The young man rolled his eyes, but in the end he decided to watch Su Yiming and Araki's game of chess later, since he had originally wanted to watch Su Yiming's game today.

About ten minutes later, the contestants gradually returned to the competition venue. Yu Shao also rushed back from the restroom and went straight to his table, number eight, to wait for the competition to begin.

Finally, after a while, Zhao Zhengyang glanced at his watch, coughed lightly, and said, "Time's up, contestants. You may now begin guessing who goes first!"

Upon hearing this, Ed, who was opposite Yu Shao, immediately became extremely serious. He quickly reached into the chess box, grabbed a handful of white pieces, and clenched them tightly in his palm.

Yu Shao immediately took a black piece from the chess box and placed it on the chessboard.

Ed released his grip, and the white piece immediately fell onto the chessboard.

Five, an odd number.

Ed quickly finished counting and said in English, "I am the white piece."

"I play black."

Yu Shao nodded, picked up the black pieces from the chessboard and put them back in the chess box, then bowed to Ed and said, "Please give me your guidance."

"Please give me more advice."

Ed immediately returned the greeting.

Yu Shao raised his head, staring at the empty chessboard in front of him. After thinking for a moment, he finally picked up a piece and made his first move.

Hey!
Seventeen columns and seventeen rows, three times three!
The game has begun!

Meanwhile, a group of amateur chess players and previously eliminated contestants, upon seeing the start of the game, exchanged glances and immediately and without hesitation strode towards the ninth table.

Soon, the ninth table was completely surrounded by a crowd.

Of course, Yu Shao was completely unaware of all this, as he was completely absorbed in his game of chess, constantly taking pieces out of the chess box and placing them down.

Hey!
Hey!
Hey!
In an instant, the sound of pieces being placed echoed throughout the competition venue.

……

……

Shortly after, the eighth table.

"So that's how it is. No wonder you didn't dig in the previous move but instead used a tiger's mouth to reinforce your position. So you were planning to use a 'clamp' here for a quick attack?"

Yu Shao gazed at the chessboard before him, lost in thought.

"Taking a different approach is a bold idea. If I continue to fight Bai Zi here, I may not be able to gain the upper hand. If I continue to attack, it would be too reckless."

"As expected of one of the two most famous chess players in Europe, he truly lives up to his reputation. He is not an easy opponent to deal with, and he is exceptionally difficult to deal with."

Yu Shao found it incredible that a European player could make such a move, considering that even in his previous life, few people could have made those moves by White.

Yu Shao thought for a moment, then finally picked up a chess piece and gently placed it down.

Hey!
Seven columns and five rows, break!

Seeing Yu Shao make this "cut" move, Ed's expression became even more serious. He pushed up his glasses, thought for a while, and then quickly put down another piece.

Hey!
Seven columns and twelve rows, jump!
"A brilliant judgment. He saw through my feigned attack on the white lone stone, his real intention being to draw a ko fight. So he went straight to the right side to cut off my lifeline, ignoring the weakness on the left. His overall strategic vision is excellent."

Yu Shao's eyes brightened slightly. Even as an opponent, he couldn't help but secretly applaud this move. At the same time, he subconsciously became more focused, constantly calculating the subsequent changes in his mind.

Soon, Yu Shao picked up a chess piece and placed it down again.

Ed followed suit, placing his white piece in quick succession, fighting for every inch of ground with every move, showing no sign of yielding an inch.

Hey!
Hey!
Hey!
Gradually, Yu Shao's expression became more and more serious.

He originally tried to neutralize White's influence on the left by making shallow reductions, but White was very perceptive and immediately began to enclose territory while also placing stones in the upper left corner. If he continued to make shallow reductions, he might end up losing more than he gained and being isolated.

He then tried to sacrifice a piece to create a change of strategy, break up the game, and then encircle and kill the weak pieces of White one by one. However, White also realized this and, without his full preparation, took the initiative to force a change of strategy.

"Moreover, the counterattack here is quite powerful, penetrating my black formation without showing any weakness. This tough stance has put me in a difficult position."

Yu Shao couldn't help but glance at Ed across the table, calculating the subsequent situation in his mind, and thought to himself: "Up to this point, there hasn't been much progress, and... White even wants to bite back at me."

"It was indeed very well done."

Finally, after a long period of contemplation, Yu Shao reached into the chess box again, picked out a chess piece, and gently placed it down.

Hey!
Eight columns and eight rows, turn!

Ed's eyes had turned somewhat cold at some point. He pushed up his glasses and placed his pieces with lightning speed!
Hey!
Five columns and six rows, Little Fly!
Yu Shao quickly followed suit and placed his piece as well.

Ed seemed to have gained momentum, making each move quickly and with exceptional force, even bordering on aggressive.

White takes advantage of the hard-won initiative and keeps seizing the initiative, refusing to give Black any chance to breathe!

Hey!
Another white stone has been placed!
Ten columns and fourteen rows, break through!

After making that move, Ed couldn't help but clench his fist and let out a long sigh of relief!
From this moment on, the roles of offense and defense have reversed!
"really."

Yu Shao gazed quietly at the chessboard in front of him, having already calculated the subsequent changes.

“Even if I dig here, the white stones will cut me off. If I press, the white stones can live comfortably after they grow out. Even if I shoulder-push, the white stones have the dangerous move of sacrificing stones to fight to the death. If we really fight, I'm afraid I will be in a tough battle.”

"Even ignoring it and choosing to play defensively to seize the initiative seems like a good option, but White... might also not be a good choice, instead attacking Black's cutting point?"

Yu Shao reached into the chess box, his fingertips touching the cold chess pieces.

"But what if I don't dig, press, or shoulder-ram here, and don't even break away first, but instead—"

Yu Shao picked up a chess piece.

What if you bump into it?

The next second, the piece is placed on the board!

Hey!
Thirteen columns, seven rows, bang!
One move, and the whole game changes!

"bump?"

Upon seeing this move, Ed froze on the spot. After a moment, his expression suddenly changed. He had considered Black's moves such as digging, pressing, shouldering, and even ignoring the first move, but he had never considered the possibility of Black touching the first move here!
This move completely deviates from the main battlefield and, at first glance, seems utterly inexplicable. Moreover, in the principles of chess, a "pong" is an excessive tactic and should be used with caution in most situations.

Only when this move is actually made, and you think along the lines of this move, will you realize that this move actually resonates with the entire board's forces, turning what could have been an isolated black piece into a strong one.

His previously aggressive white pieces suddenly became incredibly heavy!
　Asking for a monthly ticket!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)