Ch. 101If the White Stone Was Shen Yi, Then Who Was the Black Stone?

Key Plot Points and Events

  • He Yu recounts a high school Go league match he watched, where both sides played a new joseki.
  • He Yu plays out the game record for his friends, who are initially skeptical but become increasingly astonished as the game progresses.
  • The game ends with Black winning by resignation, and White's play is recognized as bearing Shen Yi's style.

Character Developments

  • He Yu: Shows a deep understanding of Go and the ability to recall and replay a complex game in detail. He remains calm and composed under his friends' initial skepticism and teasing.
  • The friends: Initially dismissive and teasing, they become increasingly serious and impressed as He Yu plays out the game. They recognize the exceptional skill and innovation in the game.

Significant Themes

  • The pursuit of excellence and innovation in Go.
  • The power of observation and recall in understanding and appreciating complex games.
  • The disbelief and eventual acceptance of exceptional skill and creativity.

Character Interactions

  • He Yu shares his experience with his friends, who initially tease him but eventually recognize the value of his account.
  • The friends engage in a lively discussion about the game, expressing their shock, confusion, and admiration as He Yu plays out the moves.
  • He Yu remains composed and confident in his account, even under initial skepticism.

Ch. 102I Can Play Games Like That Too!

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Zhou De shares his excitement about winning a Go game online, while Yu Shao decides to take a break from gaming.
  • Xu Ziqin asks Yu Shao to play Go with her in the activity room, where she loses but expresses her determination to improve and play like him and Su Yiming.
  • Xu Ziqin reviews the game with Yu Shao and later, at home, reflects on her day, regretting her emotional outburst and wanting to contact Yu Shao but realizing she doesn't have his WeChat.

Character Developments

  • Zhou De: Becomes more enthusiastic about Go after winning a game online.
  • Xu Ziqin: Shows vulnerability and determination to improve her Go skills after losing to Yu Shao. She also realizes she has no friends to talk to, highlighting her loneliness.
  • Yu Shao: Shows patience and understanding towards Xu Ziqin's emotional outburst, helping her review the game and encouraging her to improve.

Significant Themes

  • Pride and humility: Xu Ziqin's pride is challenged by her losses, leading her to seek improvement, while Yu Shao remains humble despite his skills.
  • Loneliness and friendship: Xu Ziqin's realization that she has no friends to talk to emphasizes her loneliness and the importance of social connections.
  • Determination and perseverance: Both Xu Ziqin and Yu Shao display determination in their pursuit of improvement in Go.

Character Interactions

  • Zhou De and Yu Shao: Zhou De shares his excitement about winning a Go game, while Yu Shao listens and decides to take a break from gaming.
  • Xu Ziqin and Yu Shao: Xu Ziqin asks Yu Shao to play Go with her, loses, and expresses her determination to improve. Yu Shao encourages her and helps her review the game.
  • Xu Ziqin and herself: Xu Ziqin reflects on her day, regretting her emotional outburst and wanting to contact Yu Shao but realizing she doesn't have his WeChat, highlighting her loneliness.

Ch. 103Teacher, Does This Child Have the Talent to Become a Professional Go Player?

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Yu Shao and his parents visit the Yidao Go Academy to assess Yu Shao's skill level with retired professional player Su Chengping.
  • Su Chengping and Yu Shao engage in a Go game, with Yu Shao playing aggressively and matching Su Chengping's skill.
  • The game ends after half an hour, with Su Chengping leaving the playing room without commenting on Yu Shao's talent.

Character Developments

  • Yu Shao demonstrates exceptional skill and confidence in his Go game against Su Chengping, showing his potential as a professional player.
  • Su Chengping initially underestimates Yu Shao but becomes increasingly impressed by his skill and aggressive playstyle.
  • Yu Dongming and Cai Xiaomei express concern for Yu Shao's confidence and worry about the potential impact of losing to a professional player.

Significant Themes

  • Talent and potential in Go: The chapter explores Yu Shao's talent and whether he has what it takes to become a professional Go player.
  • The challenge of facing a professional: Yu Shao's confidence is tested as he plays against a professional player for the first time.
  • Parenting and support: Yu Dongming and Cai Xiaomei grapple with how to support their son's ambition while also protecting his confidence.

Character Interactions

  • Yu Dongming and Cai Xiaomei discuss their concerns about Yu Shao's confidence and the potential impact of losing to a professional player.
  • Su Chengping and Yu Shao engage in a tense and skillful Go game, with Su Chengping initially underestimating Yu Shao but becoming increasingly impressed by his skill.
  • Yu Dongming asks Su Chengping about Yu Shao's talent after the game, but Su Chengping only responds with a nod and leaves without further comment.

Ch. 104The Hand Holding the Cigarette Trembled Slightly

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Yu Shao defeats Su Chengping in a Go game within half an hour.
  • Su Chengping's reaction is unusual, hinting at the significance of Yu Shao's win.
  • Yu Shao's parents are shocked and confused about Su Chengping's reaction.
  • Zheng Qin, in the Go Professional Qualification Tournament finals, plays a move inspired by Yu Shao's game, determined to move forward in his career.

Character Developments

  • Yu Shao: Proves his talent by defeating a professional Go player, boosting his confidence and potential career prospects.
  • Su Chengping: Realizes Yu Shao's exceptional talent and considers his own future as a jockey if Yu Shao can't become a Go player.
  • Zheng Qin: Inspired by Yu Shao's game, gains determination to become a professional Go player and climb to the peak of his career.

Significant Themes

  • Talent and Potential: Yu Shao's unexpected victory highlights his hidden talent, while Zheng Qin's determination emphasizes the importance of recognizing and nurturing potential.
  • Mentorship: Su Chengping's reaction to Yu Shao's win underscores the role of mentors in recognizing and guiding young talent.
  • Ambition and Drive: Both Yu Shao and Zheng Qin display strong ambition and drive to pursue their goals, despite the challenges and competition they face.

Character Interactions

  • Yu Shao and Su Chengping: Their Go game reveals Yu Shao's talent and leads to a significant conversation about their respective futures.
  • Yu Dongming and Cai Xiaomei: The couple's confusion and eventual realization about Yu Shao's win highlight their growing awareness of their son's potential.
  • Zheng Qin and his opponent: Their intense game in the finals showcases the competitive nature of the Go world and the determination of young players to become professionals.

Ch. 105Shen Yi's Only Lost Game?

Key Plot Points and Events

  • A rumor circulates online about Shen Yi losing a game after turning 23, accompanied by a game record.
  • The game record sparks intense debate and forms three distinct factions: those who refuse to believe Shen Yi could lose, those who believe he might have lost, and those who think the record is partial and Shen Yi staged a comeback.
  • Professional Go aspirants discuss the game, marveling at its brilliance and the similarities between White's play and Shen Yi's style.
  • Kong Zi, a professional Go player, becomes engrossed in the game record, acknowledging the high skill level of both players.
  • Zhuang Weisheng, another professional Go player, also examines the game record and is surprised by the Star Point corner approach.

Character Developments

  • Kong Zi: Shows respect and admiration for Shen Yi, despite their differing playing styles. He becomes absorbed in analyzing the game record.
  • Zhuang Weisheng: Displayed as humble and confident in his skills. He is intrigued by the game record and the Star Point corner approach.

Significant Themes

  • The legacy of Shen Yi and the impact of his playing style on the Go community.
  • The intrigue and mystery surrounding the game record and the identity of the players.
  • The debate and discussion among Go players, highlighting the passion and dedication to the game.

Character Interactions

  • Kong Zi interacts with his disciples, expressing his displeasure at their focus on gossip and rumors.
  • Zhuang Weisheng interacts with a young man, discussing the game record and expressing his curiosity about the players' identities.

Ch. 106Don't You Dare Actually Become a Professional Go Player!

Key Plot Points and Events

  • The academic year ends, and summer vacation begins.
  • Zheng Qin qualifies for professional Go status with a perfect record, trending on hot searches.
  • Zhuang Weisheng advances to the Tengen Title Match Challenge.
  • Yu Shao decides to improve his attacking skills and plays Go online on the international platform 'nineteen'.

Character Developments

  • Yu Shao: He remains humble about his Go skills and decides to focus on improving his attacking style during the summer vacation.
  • Zheng Qin: He qualifies as a professional Go player, causing a stir online.
  • Zhou De: He bets on Yu Shao's potential to become a professional Go player, showing his support.

Significant Themes

  • The pressure and expectations that come with success, as seen in the mixed reactions to Zheng Qin's qualification and the students' attitudes towards Yu Shao's potential.
  • The importance of continuous learning and improvement, as Yu Shao decides to focus on honing his skills.

Character Interactions

  • Yu Shao and Zhou De: They discuss Yu Shao's potential to become a professional Go player, with Zhou De showing support.
  • Yu Shao and an anonymous online opponent: They play a game of Go on the 'nineteen' platform, with Yu Shao playing aggressively and adapting to his new style.

Ch. 107What Kind of Imagination and Calculating Power Does This Move Require?

The chapter, "What Kind of Imagination and Calculation Does This Move Require?", is set in San Francisco, California, USA, and follows a young Go player named Yu Shao.

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Yu Shao plays Go online, facing opponents of varying skill levels.
  • In his first game, he encounters a skilled opponent who plays a surprising Pincer move with a major stone sacrifice, shocking Yu Shao.
  • Yu Shao decides to improve his online Go rank while adapting to a more aggressive playstyle.
  • He receives a WeChat message from Wu Zhixuan, who has been promoted to 2-dan, and they exchange playful banter.
  • Yu Shao continues playing online Go, maintaining a 100% win rate, and starts facing stronger opponents.

Character Developments

  • Yu Shao demonstrates his skill and adaptability in Go, facing challenging opponents and adjusting his playstyle.
  • Wu Zhixuan shows improvement in her Go skills, reaching the 2-dan level.

Significant Themes

  • The chapter explores the depth and complexity of the game of Go, with Yu Shao encountering innovative and surprising moves from his opponents.
  • It also touches on the concept of adaptation and growth, as Yu Shao decides to temporarily change his playstyle to improve his skills.

Character Interactions

  • Yu Shao interacts with his friends, including Zhou De, through online gaming and WeChat messages.
  • He also faces various opponents online, with the skill level gradually increasing as his rank improves.

Ch. 108Next Time We Meet, We Should Be Opponents

Key Plot Points and Events

  • A boy, presumably a Go trainee, is defeated by an opponent with a 100% win rate, feeling a significant skill gap.
  • He tries to befriend his opponent but fails as they are offline.
  • He decides to show the game record to his teacher for guidance.
  • Fang Haoxin, a young Go player, decides to return to China to participate in the professional qualification match.
  • The boy and Fang Haoxin discuss the past Go era, with Fang Haoxin's great-grandfather, Fang Xin, being a dominant player.
  • They discuss a rumor about Shen Yi losing a game, which Fang Haoxin dismisses as false.
  • Fang Haoxin shares that his great-grandfather would sit alone, gazing at an imaginary opponent after Shen Yi's death.

Character Developments

  • The unnamed boy: He is a Go trainee who feels the weight of his defeat and the skill gap. He shows curiosity and eagerness to improve.
  • Fang Haoxin: He is a young Go player with a strong sense of responsibility towards his heritage and the Go world. He decides to return to China to compete for professional qualification, feeling the pressure of carrying on the legacy of his great-grandfather.

Significant Themes

  • The legacy of the past Go era and the responsibility of the current generation to carry it on.
  • The skill gap and the desire to improve in Go.
  • The impact of Shen Yi's death on the Go world and its players.

Character Interactions

  • The unnamed boy and Fang Haoxin: They discuss their respective plans and the past Go era, with Fang Haoxin sharing personal family history. They express their desire to become rivals in the future.
  • The unnamed boy and his opponent (shdiide): Although they don't interact directly, the boy's determination to improve is sparked by his defeat at the hands of this mysterious opponent.

Ch. 109The Storms Were Stirred

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Yu Shao advances to amateur first dan and begins participating in amateur competitions to improve his rank.
  • The Star Point Corner approach joseki gains popularity and evolves in the professional Go world.
  • He Yu, a professional Go player, is impressed by Kong Zi's bold use of the Star Point Corner approach in the Meijin Tournament.

Character Developments

  • Yu Shao shifts his playing style from cautious to aggressive, focusing on chaotic mid-game battles.
  • Zhou De enrolls in a Go class and expresses his desire to dominate the City High School Go League.
  • He Yu acknowledges the complexity and potential of the Star Point Corner approach joseki.

Significant Themes

  • Adaptation and change in playing styles.
  • The evolution and complexity of Go strategies.
  • The impact of bold moves in competitive games.

Character Interactions

  • Yu Shao and Zhou De reconnect at school, with Zhou De expressing his Go ambitions.
  • He Yu discusses the Meijin Tournament with an unnamed colleague, sharing their excitement and surprise about Kong Zi's move.

Ch. 110Confidence for a Battle Against Him

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Yu Shao achieves Amateur Fifth Dan and registers for the Go Professional Qualification Tournament.
  • He overhears a young man's struggle and decision to quit due to repeated failures in qualifying.
  • Yu Shao learns about the tournament format: preliminary rounds, main tournament, and finals, with a highly competitive advancement rate.

Character Developments

  • Yu Shao remains confident and determined despite the intense competition.
  • The young man considering quitting shows resilience and acceptance of his limitations.

Significant Themes

  • The brutal competition and high stakes in becoming a professional Go player.
  • The emotional journey of aspiring players, from hope and determination to acceptance and resignation.

Character Interactions

  • Yu Shao interacts with the registration staff member, who is surprised by Yu Shao's rapid progress and warns him about the professional qualification tournament's difficulty.
  • Yu Shao overhears a conversation between two young men, one of whom is considering quitting due to repeated failures in qualifying.
  • Zheng Qin, now a professional player, visits the Go academy and learns about Yu Shao's recent achievements, expressing his eagerness to challenge Yu Shao once he qualifies.

Ch. 111You Would Be Wasting Your Talent If You Didn't Become a Professional Go Player

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Yu Shao, now fifth dan amateur, prepares for the Professional Qualification Tournament while continuing school.
  • Zhong Yufei challenges Yu Shao to a game, wanting to experience losing to him before graduation.
  • Yu Shao and Zhong Yufei play a game, with Zhong Yufei playing black and Yu Shao playing white with no handicap.
  • Zhong Yufei plays defensively, aiming to hold firm, while Yu Shao aggressively invades Zhong Yufei's territory, leading to a quick victory for Yu Shao.

Character Developments

  • Yu Shao: Shows his skill and confidence in Go, reviewing the game with Zhong Yufei afterwards.
  • Zhong Yufei: Realizes the gap between him and Yu Shao, accepts his defeat gracefully, and learns from the game.
  • Zhou De: Shows improvement in his Go skills but still loses to Zhong Yufei.
  • Xue Ming: Impressed by Yu Shao's skill, understands the game's strategy, and learns from observing their game.

Significant Themes

  • The gap in skill between professional and amateur Go players.
  • The importance of learning from defeat and accepting one's limitations.
  • The value of hard work and dedication in improving one's skills.

Character Interactions

  • Yu Shao and Zhong Yufei: Engage in a Go game, with Zhong Yufei learning from Yu Shao's skill and strategy.
  • Zhou De and Zhong Yufei: Compete in a Go game, with Zhou De losing and asking Yu Shao to teach Zhong Yufei a lesson.
  • Zhou De, Zhong Yufei, and Yu Shao: Interact in the school's activity room, discussing Go and their upcoming games.

Ch. 112A Genius's Skeleton

Key Plot Points and Events

  • The annual Go Professional Qualification Tournament begins.
  • Yu Shao, a promising Go player, arrives at the Jin Xia Grand Hotel for the Group E preliminaries.
  • The tournament has a large number of participants, and only the top ten from each group will advance to the main tournament.
  • The preliminary round is a points round-robin format, with opponents matched based on the number of wins.

Character Developments

  • Yu Shao: Shows determination and focus in his pursuit of becoming a professional Go player. He acknowledges the challenges and competition ahead.
  • Qiao Anli: A confident and skilled player who is also participating in the tournament. He shows camaraderie with his friend but is competitive and aims to become a professional.

Significant Themes

  • The intense competition and high stakes of the Go professional world.
  • The dedication and sacrifices made by players pursuing their dreams.
  • The pressure and expectations that come with participating in such a prestigious tournament.

Character Interactions

  • Yu Shao arrives at the hotel and learns about his first match, showing his resolve and focus.
  • Qiao Anli and his friend discuss their upcoming matches, displaying their friendship and competitive spirit. They acknowledge the pressure and importance of the tournament while maintaining their confidence.

Ch. 113Who Played That Game, and Against Whom?

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Qiao Anli's first-round opponent in the professional qualification tournament is Yu Shao.
  • The game begins with both players using the Two-Star Formation opening.
  • Qiao Anli initially underestimates Yu Shao due to his unusual opening move but soon realizes the gravity of the situation.
  • The game intensifies as Qiao Anli struggles to control the center and prevent White's invasion.
  • Yu Shao plays a shocking Shoulder Hit move, reminiscent of a famous game record from a year ago, causing Qiao Anli to lose his composure.
  • Qiao Anli loses the game.

Character Developments

  • Qiao Anli starts off confident but becomes increasingly flustered as the game progresses, ultimately leading to his defeat.
  • Yu Shao remains calm and composed throughout the game, playing exceptionally well.

Significant Themes

  • Underestimation: Qiao Anli underestimates Yu Shao's skills, leading to his downfall.
  • Adaptability: Yu Shao's ability to adapt and respond to Qiao Anli's moves is crucial to his victory.
  • Famous Game Records: The reference to a famous game record from a year ago adds depth and intrigue to the story.

Character Interactions

  • Qiao Anli and Yu Shao's interaction is primarily through their Go game, with Qiao Anli's friend He Zhian appearing briefly after the game.
  • Qiao Anli's loss leads to a conversation with He Zhian about a famous lost game from a year ago, hinting at Yu Shao's potential connection to that game.

Ch. 114With your chess skill, why did you lose?

Key Plot Points and Events

  • The chapter focuses on the second round of the Professional Qualification Tournament.
  • A young man loses his match and struggles to accept defeat, taking a break to smoke and compose himself.
  • Yu Shao wins his second consecutive match, advancing to the next round.
  • Another young man, a professional Go aspirant, loses his match to Qiao Anli and is puzzled about Qiao Anli's loss in the first round.

Character Developments

  • The young man who lost his match shows signs of immaturity and struggles with accepting defeat.
  • Yu Shao demonstrates his calm and composed demeanor, even after winning.
  • Qiao Anli shows humility and respect for his opponent, Yu Shao.
  • The bespectacled young man reveals his competitive nature and curiosity about Qiao Anli's loss.

Significant Themes

  • The pressure and tension of high-stakes Go competitions.
  • The mental resilience and composure required to handle defeat.
  • The skill and strategy involved in Go, as seen in Yu Shao's and Qiao Anli's games.

Character Interactions

  • The young man who lost his match interacts with the reporter and cameraman in the lobby, expressing the heavy atmosphere of the tournament.
  • Yu Shao and his opponent, Yu Shao, exchange polite words after the match.
  • Qiao Anli and the bespectacled young man have a conversation about Qiao Anli's loss in the first round, revealing Yu Shao's skill and Qiao Anli's respect for him.

Ch. 115Who Is Yu Shao?

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Su Yiming, a prodigious Go player, wins his first two matches against professional Go aspirants in the Jiangling competition.
  • Six days into the tournament, the points table is posted, revealing Yu Shao (Su Yiming's alias) and He Zhian tied for first place with five consecutive wins.
  • Yu Shao's upcoming match against He Zhian is anticipated as a clash between two undefeated players.

Character Developments

  • Su Yiming (Yu Shao) remains humble and focused, despite his impressive wins. He reflects on his past games and opponents, including a memorable match from half a year ago.
  • He Zhian, a professional Go aspirant, is serious and determined, showing no signs of complacency despite his undefeated record.

Significant Themes

  • The intense competition and pressure in the Professional Qualification Tournament.
  • The unknown and mysterious nature of Yu Shao, fueling curiosity and apprehension among other players.
  • The struggle for advancement and the desire to become a professional Go player.

Character Interactions

  • Su Yiming briefly interacts with his opponents, showing respect and humility in victory.
  • Other players discuss Yu Shao's mysterious background and skill level, expressing curiosity and concern.
  • He Zhian and Yu Shao prepare to face each other, with the tension building as the match approaches.

Ch. 116Half the Board Unenclosed, and One Enclosure Takes Half the Board!

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Yu Shao (White) plays against He Zhian (Black) in a Go match.
  • The game starts with a Mini Chinese Formation opening by Black, which White responds to with a Two-Star Formation and a contact play, surprising the referees and spectators.
  • After around fifty moves, Black is in a disadvantageous position, with White pressing heavily on multiple fronts.
  • White plays a series of miai moves, putting Black in a dire situation with no easy escape.
  • White eventually plays a Press move that expands White's territory significantly and threatens Black's top group.

Character Developments

  • He Zhian, a student of Shen Feipeng, is shown to be a serious and determined player, taking the game against Yu Shao very seriously.
  • Yu Shao demonstrates exceptional skill and strategic thinking, playing unconventional moves that surprise and challenge his opponent and the spectators.

Significant Themes

  • The theme of unconventional play and challenging established norms is evident in Yu Shao's moves, such as his contact play and Press move.
  • The importance of strategic thinking and adaptability is highlighted as Black struggles to find responses to White's miai moves.

Character Interactions

  • The interaction between Yu Shao and He Zhian is tense and competitive, with each player trying to outmaneuver the other.
  • The spectators, including Miao Xiaoxiao and other players, are shown to be impressed and shocked by Yu Shao's unconventional play, highlighting his skill and the impact he has on the game.

Ch. 117Shattered Black Stones

Key Plot Points and Events

  • He Zhian plays a game against Yu Shao, losing with only two points of territory.
  • Yu Shao's playing style is compared to Shen Yi's, raising questions about the identity of the player in the online game record.
  • Yu Shao's parents discuss his progress and Yu Dongming suggests finding a Go master for Yu Shao.

Character Developments

  • He Zhian: Realizes the magnitude of Yu Shao's skill after playing against him, leading to introspection about the online game record.
  • Yu Shao: Maintains a six-game winning streak, showing confidence in his self-taught Go skills.
  • Yu Dongming: Struggles with the idea of Yu Shao learning Go on his own, considering finding a master for him.

Significant Themes

  • The power of self-taught learning and unconventional approaches.
  • The influence of a master's guidance on a student's progress.
  • The comparison between Yu Shao's and Shen Yi's playing styles.

Character Interactions

  • He Zhian and Yu Shao: Their game highlights Yu Shao's skill and He Zhian's realization about the online game record.
  • Yu Shao and his parents: They discuss Yu Shao's progress, with Yu Dongming suggesting finding a Go master for Yu Shao, while Cai Xiaomei supports Yu Shao's self-taught approach.

Ch. 118The Long Think That Began with the Very First Move

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Yu Shao faces Miao Xiaoxiao in the seventh round, both having perfect winning records.
  • Miao Xiaoxiao takes an unusually long time to make the first move, entering 'long thinking'.
  • The game progresses with Yu Shao maintaining a significant advantage.
  • Miao Xiaoxiao eventually resigns, marking his first loss in the tournament.

Character Developments

  • Yu Shao demonstrates his exceptional Go skills and strategic thinking, defeating another strong opponent.
  • Miao Xiaoxiao shows his seriousness and determination in facing Yu Shao, but ultimately falls short.

Significant Themes

  • The intense pressure and tension in high-stakes Go matches.
  • The strategic depth and complexity of Go, requiring long thinking and careful planning.
  • The emergence of a new, unknown Go talent in Yu Shao.

Character Interactions

  • Yu Shao and Miao Xiaoxiao engage in a tense, high-level Go match, with Miao Xiaoxiao showing respect for Yu Shao's skills.
  • Spectators, including Qiao Anli and He Zhian, watch the match with growing astonishment at Yu Shao's abilities.

Ch. 119He—Will He Be This Year's Dark Horse?

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Yu Shao, an unknown player, defeats the top-seeded professionals Qiao Anli, He Zhian, and Miao Xiaoxiao in Group E's preliminaries, securing first place and a perfect sweep.
  • After qualifying, Yu Shao learns that reporters will take photos and videos of the top ten contestants from each group.
  • Staff members discuss Zheng Qin, a Two Dan professional, who, despite not qualifying for the Fangyuan Cup, has shown remarkable improvement in a short time.

Character Developments

  • Yu Shao demonstrates exceptional Go skills, especially in the mid-game, earning praise from the referee and raising questions about his background.
  • Zheng Qin, a Two Dan professional, is mentioned as an incredibly fast-improving player, causing speculation about his potential to catch up to Yu Liyang, a Five Dan professional aspirant.

Significant Themes

  • The intense competition and high stakes in the Professional Qualification Tournament.
  • The dedication and passion required to excel in Go, as seen in Zheng Qin's rapid improvement.

Character Interactions

  • Yu Shao interacts briefly with the referee, who is impressed by his skills and provides guidance.
  • Staff members discuss Zheng Qin's progress, highlighting the contrast between his amateur background and professional aspirations.
  • Yu Shao overhears the staff members' conversation about Zheng Qin, reflecting on their previous games and looking forward to a potential rematch.

Ch. 120What, Do Kings and Generals Have a Special Birthright?

Key Plot Points and Events

  • The preliminary rounds of the Professional Qualification Tournament conclude, and the main tournament is about to begin in Xin'an.
  • The City High School Go League is also starting, with last year's champion, Su Yiming, potentially participating.
  • Yu Shao arrives in Xin'an a day early and meets Jiang Xia Hua, a professional Go aspirant, in the hotel.

Character Developments

  • Yu Shao: He is determined to enter the professional world to improve his Go skills and reach the peak of his abilities.
  • Jiang Xia Hua: He is a professional Go aspirant from the Lan Ke training hall, feeling frustrated about the presence of second-generation players like Zhuang Fei and Fang Haoxin in the tournament.

Significant Themes

  • Luck vs. Skill: In the Professional Qualification Tournament, both strength (skill) and luck are crucial for qualification.
  • Second-Generation Players: The presence of Zhuang Fei and Fang Haoxin, sons of legendary Go players, raises questions about their qualifications and the fairness of the tournament.

Character Interactions

  • Yu Shao and Jiang Xia Hua: They meet in the hotel and discuss their expectations for the tournament, with Jiang Xia Hua expressing his frustration about the second-generation players.
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