Go (board game)

Cho Namchul

Cho Namchul (Korean: 조남철, November 30, 1923 – July 2, 2006), a 9th dan South Korean professional Go player, is known as the father of modern Go in South Korea.

In 1946, Cho Namchul founded the Hansung Kiwon, marking the official appearance of professional Go in South Korea. In 1950, under Cho's organization, South Korea held its first modern Go ranking competition, with Cho being ranked as 3rd dan and others as 1st dan. In 1955, Cho convinced South Korean President Syngman Rhee to organize a team of professional Go players to compete internationally in Taiwan, achieving victory. This victory boosted the morale of the South Korean people and made Cho and modern Go famous. Soon, professional Go competitions were established in South Korea, and the Hansung Kiwon was rebuilt and renamed the Korea Baduk Association in 1968. Cho dominated the South Korean Go scene until the emergence of his junior, Kim In, who had studied in Japan. In 1983, Cho was awarded 9th dan and in 1994, he participated in the national championship, becoming the oldest player to do so. His nephew Cho Chikun, with his support, went to study in Japan and later became the top player in the Japanese Go scene.

Cho Hunhyun

Cho Hunhyun (Korean: 조훈현, born March 10, 1953) is a famous South Korean Go player, a 9th dan professional at the Korea Baduk Association, nine-time world champion, and a pioneer of the first generation of modern Go in South Korea, revered as the "Emperor of Go."

Cho Hunhyun is the mentor of Go world champion record holder Lee Changho, forming the renowned "Cho-Lee master-disciple" duo. Along with Lee Changho, Yu Changhyeok, and Seo Bongsu, they are known as the "Four Heavenly Kings of South Korea," dominating the world Go scene from the 1990s to the mid-2000s. Born in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, Cho became the youngest professional Go player in the history of the Korea Baduk Association at the age of 9 years and 7 months in 1962. After studying Go in Japan under Segoe Kensaku, he re-entered the professional scene in Japan and was recognized as a 5th dan by the Nihon Ki-in in 1972. After serving in the military, he decided to stay and develop his career in South Korea, eventually becoming the dominant figure in South Korean Go, winning more than 130 domestic titles. In 1989, Cho won the first Ing Cup, defeating Chinese Go sage Nie Weiping 9th dan, igniting a Go craze in South Korea and becoming a national hero.

Lee Changho

Lee Changho (Korean: 이창호, born July 29, 1975), a Go player from Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, South Korea, is the second-generation leader of Korean Go, considered one of the greatest Go players in modern history, second only to Go Seigen.

Lee became a professional Go player at the age of 11 in 1986, second only to Cho Hunhyun's record of becoming a professional at 9. In 1992, at less than 16 years and 6 months old, he won a world championship, holding the record for the youngest world champion to this day. In 1996, the Korea Baduk Association exceptionally promoted him and Yu Changhyeok from 7th dan directly to 9th dan. He has won all major Korean domestic titles and achieved a Grand Slam in world Go competitions. His active period on the international scene was from 1992 to 2012, with the years 1996 to 2006 being recognized as the "Lee Changho Era." He has won 17 world championships and 21 international titles, maintaining the highest record in the world to date. Lee Changho is not only a champion in individual competitions but also a hero in team battles, achieving a 14-win streak in the Nongshim Cup, ending the competition 9 times with a total record of 29 wins and 7 losses, earning him the title of "Guardian God" among South Korean fans and "Iron Door" among Chinese and Japanese fans.

Lee Changho, along with Cho Hunhyun, Seo Bongsu, and Yu Changhyeok, are known as the "Old Four Heavenly Kings" of South Korea. Along with Lee Sedol, Park Yeonghun, Choi Cheolhan, they are referred to as the "New Four Heavenly Kings." Due to his age, name pronunciation, and domestic achievements similar to those of Chinese 9th dan Chang Hao, the two have been dubbed the "Peerless Duo," but in terms of international achievements and head-to-head records, Chang Hao falls short by a significant margin.

Lee Sedol

Lee Sedol (Korean: 이세돌, born March 2, 1983), a 9th dan Go player from South Korea, grew up in Sinan County, Jeollanam-do, on the Bird Island, hence also known as the "Bird Island Youngster." Also called the "Undefeated Youngster" due to his outstanding domestic performance early in his career. He is the third-generation leader of Korean Go, alongside Lee Changho, known as the "Two Lees," and with Lee Changho, Park Yeonghun, Choi Cheolhan, known as the "New Four Heavenly Kings," and with Gu Li, known as the "Rivaling Giants." He has won 14 world championships and 18 international titles, ranking second in history after Lee Changho. His prime was from 2002 to 2012.

Lee's early playing style was sharp, excelling in large-scale attacks and known for his mid-game "14 moves" strategy, though his opening was weaker. As he matured, he transitioned to a versatile style, capable of both attacking and defending, becoming a master of the Go world. His play is characterized by its softness and unpredictability, often producing "ghost moves" with strong combat power and precise calculation, sometimes turning seemingly dead groups of stones back to life, a style fans call "Zombie Go." He also possesses high mental strength, often making comebacks in world competitions. From 2005 to 2010, his numerous encounters with Chinese player Gu Li drew significant attention, with their records almost even, standing as contemporaneous rivals. In 2016, representing humanity, he played a five-game match against Google's AlphaGo software, ultimately losing 1-4, but his single victory marked the possibility of human triumph over computer intelligence.