The Way of the Blind Girl Chess Saint

"Wang Xi, could you please read their game record to me? I'd like to see their match."

Ji Yingting spoke in a very low voice so as not to disturb Liu Tongtong and Xin Yufei's game of chess.

"Okay, I'll read it to you quietly, and you can arrange it yourself," Wang Xi nodded in agreement, since Liu Tongtong was currently deep in thought.

pat, pat, pat.

Ji Yingting gently placed the chess pieces on the chessboard until she saw Xin Yufei's move of splitting two pieces into two smaller ones.

"Interesting," Ji Yingting chuckled softly.

"Sakuraba-kun, what do you think White will do next? Will she block it?"

"I'm probably going to get infected."

Ji Yingting said that players without a rank generally don't get involved with cheaters too early, and Go teachers at reputable academies are all very ethical in their play.

However, in this situation, if Liu Tongtong falls for the 18.5-point deception, then Black will break the balance and turn from an even game into a much better one.

Hearing the sound of a piece being placed, Wang Xi immediately rushed over to take a look.

"White has indeed blocked it," Wang Xi said with some regret as he walked back. It seems that Liu Tongtong's disadvantage has become a foregone conclusion.

"Black moves"

After Liu Tongtong pondered for ten minutes, the game between the two resumed. Xin Yufei was in a great mood; the tricks taught by Teacher Qi were really useful, and Liu Tongtong had already fallen for it.

"She must have made a mistake, or maybe her amateur 5-kyu level is too weak." When Liu Tongtong blocked with her white piece, not only she, but many members of the Go club thought so too. Xin Yufei's move was problematic.

Black's move is a huge loss, huh? She actually cut off the outside pieces, do the pieces inside not want to live? Seeing Xin Yufei courting death again, Liu Tongtong didn't hesitate to follow suit.

All of Black's stones are dead, especially since it's a corner where White is playing. Black shouldn't continue this game, right? Just that corner alone is worth so many points. Everyone was secretly calculating.

We won!

Liu Tongtong captured the black stones in the corner with a sigh of relief, thinking triumphantly.

"Hmm? But something feels off."

A look of surprise flashed across Liu Tongtong's face, and a few seconds later, her pupils widened suddenly.

Black, when did Black's outer defenses become this thick?!?? Just now when I was under pressure? How is that possible?!

Not only Liu Tongtong, but everyone present noticed something strange. Black's outer perimeter was abnormally thick, on a completely different level from the thickness of White's first corner encirclement, creating a stunning visual effect.

The black pieces were as thick as a fortress of bronze and iron, and the dozen or so pieces outside the black pieces were completely connected. The entire chessboard seemed to darken because of this huge black dragon...

"As expected of a bluffer, Black has suddenly gained a near-winning advantage."

Wang Xi sighed to Ji Yingting, "What is lying?"

Deceptive moves are tricky tactics in chess. If the opponent responds successfully, you will suffer a great loss; if the opponent responds unsuccessfully, you will gain a great profit. They are both high-risk and high-reward. Xin Yufei's 18.5-point trick is one of the most famous and highly profitable deceptive moves.

Eighteen and a half points is a common deceptive move in Go. How did this name come about?

This means that White only has 18.5 points in this corner, which seems like a lot, but the outside is surrounded by Black stones like an impenetrable wall, so White can only retreat and get these 18.5 points.

"White is going to have a tough time from now on. Black's position is too strong," Wang Xi shook his head.

“Yes… White’s opening encirclement pattern is completely ineffective against Black’s 18.5 points. Under this layout, Black’s advantage is definitely over 40 points,” Ji Yingting said in a low voice, sensing the layout on the Starry Sky Chessboard.

As the two continued playing chess, Liu Tongtong's expression grew increasingly grim.

"I don't think I went the wrong way just now, right? But how did that place end up like this? Could it be... that I'm going to lose? Did I not get a spot in the competition as originally planned?"

Even though Xin Yufei's skill level is slightly lower than his own, it seems insignificant in the face of Black's huge advantage in the pieces.

As long as Xin Yufei doesn't make any mistakes in her subsequent moves, she will be able to win this game sooner or later.

If Black had simply succeeded in using a deceptive move that yielded 18 points, such an exaggerated effect would not have occurred. However, White played a corner that was a standard encirclement pattern aimed at gaining thickness! This white wall was completely suppressed by the Black dragon.

“1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6………………” Xin Yufei nodded repeatedly, softly uttering numbers as she counted off the results.

Because of the rule that Black receives a 7.5-point handicap plus the 18.5-point handicap in this corner, White is temporarily ahead in terms of points. However, this advantage is negligible in the face of Black's solid position.

[Town] Xin Yufei placed a chess piece...

Choosing to suppress the white pieces in the encirclement pattern? Ji Yingting started placing the pieces after hearing Wang Xinian's position, it seems she had specifically learned this move.

With Black's strength, there is no need to fear White's weak attacks. This strength will easily allow Black to gain dozens or even hundreds of points.

"I'm going to lose? I'm clearly stronger than her, how could I possibly lose?" A few drops of sweat slid down Liu Tongtong's cheeks. Her breathing had become somewhat rapid, her chest heaving as she racked her brains over the current situation.

"No, I might not necessarily lose. She's not as strong as me. I still have a chance..."

“White has broken through…” Liu Tongtong covered her forehead and pondered for a long time. In the end, she decided to make her own encirclement and opening move live first, rather than directly invading Black’s territory.

"Splash, tap, tap, tap"

Ji Yingting pushed the chess pieces off the board and began picking them up one by one, then put them into the chess box.

Wang Xi asked in surprise, "Sakuraba-kun, aren't you going to continue setting up the display?"

"Hmm," Ji Yingting nodded seriously. White's invasion still offered a sliver of hope, but a complete encirclement was absolutely impossible.

Liu Tongtong's white pieces made such a terrible move; her style of play was far too weak, making the game pointless to continue watching.

Twenty minutes later... the game ended, and under Liu Tongtong's trembling gaze, Xin Yufei began to count.

"White lost by 18 points, 158 points! Yay!! I won!! Haha!! Haha!"

When she finished counting the last chess piece, Xin Yufei jumped up happily and shouted loudly.

Liu Tongtong silently lowered her head. Losing 18 points seemed to confirm... the result of her half-deceiving the opponent...

Chapter 11: Goddess

In the sweltering summer heat, the spacious room was blasted with cool air from the air conditioner. Two men sat facing each other on one side of the chessboard, while many people watched the game.

"...glug"

A relatively young boy, who looked to be only about 15 years old, nervously swallowed, sweat trickling down his cheeks, but he kept his eyes closed the whole time.

The young man opposite him kept his head down in silence, not uttering a word, his hands clenched tightly.

The boy was very familiar with his opponent, Senior Wang, who was a student at the same Go academy as him. This year marked his seventh time participating in the professional assessment.

The outcome of this game will determine who will become a professional Go player, as the last person in this assessment is in charge. Everyone around is watching this important game closely.

Senior Wang has participated in the professional assessment for the 7th time... while this is only my first time.

Although the boy couldn't see, he could sense his senior's resentment and pain, as well as... a faint plea, from the game of chess.

If he...slightly...carelessly...makes a small mistake...and lets Senior Wang capture the last big endgame...then...could he become a professional Go player?

The boy was thinking with his head down.

Speaking of which, what was the result of that game? I can't quite remember... Did I win or lose?

"........."

Wang Xi coughed a few times, Liu Tongtong lowered her head and remained silent, and the surrounding chess club members were also somewhat silent. Xin Yufei won, which was an outcome that no one had expected beforehand.

"Forehead……"

Seeing Liu Tongtong's dejected expression, Xin Yufei realized she hadn't been happy at the right time. She immediately pretended to be a good girl and sat down again, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Liu."

"Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock, woof woof woof woof"

Liu Tongtong's eyes reddened. At first, she was gently wiping away her tears, but soon she burst into tears, with countless tears dripping onto the chessboard.

"Waaah, waaah," she cried sadly, wiping away her tears.

I lost, I lost, I lost...

Although I started learning Go last year... I really want to participate in a junior high school league. I love Go and don't want to give up this opportunity. Why should she go?

Sobbing uncontrollably, Liu Tongtong lay sprawled on the table, her hair disheveled.

"Tongtong, are you alright?"

"Senior, don't cry."

Many people around were frightened when they saw Liu Tongtong crying, and many of the female members who were usually close to Liu Tongtong came forward to comfort her.

"She only won you over by lying, what's there to be happy about?" One person glanced at Xin Yufei with disdain. Several members had already used their smartphones to find out who the liar was after Xin Yufei left 18.

"........."

Xin Yufei lowered her head. Although this was a scenario she had anticipated, she wondered if she was being too foolish.

I clearly still have two years of junior high school left, there's no need to rush. Maybe I should just give this opportunity to Liu Tongtong? She's graduating this year…

"Forehead……"

and many more! !

Suddenly, Xin Yufei closed her mouth, which she had just opened.

But... I'm still a little unwilling to give up a spot that I've already secured. Xin Yufei hesitated, clenching her fists slightly.

Ji Yingting seemed oblivious to the noise around her. She simply sat quietly in the distance, playing with her fingers, her head bowed as if deep in thought.

"Alright, alright, whatever the case, a loss is a loss, and a win is a win. This decision was made with both sides' consent. Liu Tongtong, I'm sorry!!"

Wang Xi stepped in to maintain the situation, and the agreement that had already been made could not be changed.

"Waaaaah... Waaaaah, waaaaah wa ...

Wang Xi held considerable authority within the Go club. When she spoke, the room fell silent, leaving only Liu Tongtong's hoarse sobs in the quiet room.

Wang Xi paused for a moment and then said seriously.

"You can go home now... The four students who participated in the league, remember to come here after school this Friday. You will be participating in a three-day chess training camp over the weekend. Your opponents will be Beaver Middle School, Shion Middle School, and Shiraga Middle School in Aragetsu City."

Just to clarify, Beaver Middle School represented Ara-Moon City in the previous junior high school league and was among the top 8 in Crescent Moon Province. However, we are a school from Wing-Moon City, so we don't need to worry about them for now.

"Hey! That Beaver Middle School! I heard there are amateur 5-dan players there! [Amateur 5-dan: Generally speaking, this can be considered the highest amateur rank]" Lin Hao exclaimed in surprise.

"I really want to go to a training camp too! If only I were strong enough! Sigh, I guess I'll just have to try harder next year, hopefully I can reach a higher rank."

Several members lamented, "Indeed, strength represents everything, no matter the field."

"Alright, everyone disperse, everyone. Liu Tongtong, you stay."