[Stones and Stories] The Winner’s Attitude Awakened by Cho Chikun’s Fighting Spirit

The 1986 "Wheelchair Match," a Symbol of Fighting Spirit
Respecting the Opponent After the Game: The Path of a True Winner

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "I play as if my life depends on it." Cho Chikun 9-dan is a Go player best described by the term ‘fighting spirit.’

Is it because of his extraordinary desire to win? Such worldly measures cannot explain the life of the competitor Cho Chikun. In a world overflowing with ‘cowards,’ Cho Chikun was a man who went against the tide.

The ‘wheelchair match’ etched in the history of world Go symbolizes Cho Chikun’s life. On January 29, 1986, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. The 2nd game of the Kisei Tournament, Japan’s top-ranked Go competition hosted by the Yomiuri Shimbun.

Cho Chikun appeared at the venue relying on a wheelchair. The appearance of a man who had faced a life-or-death crisis was news in itself. Cho Chikun had suffered a traffic accident more than three months before the match. Both legs were fractured, and his left arm was also broken and in a cast.

9-dan Cho Chikun. [Photo by Korea Baduk Association]

The doctor recommended absolute rest. But Cho Chikun ignored the warnings and sat in front of the Go board. Enduring pain that permeated his entire body to play the match was an enormous challenge.

The Kisei Tournament is played as a best-of-seven series, with the winner decided by four wins. Each player is allotted 8 hours of thinking time, totaling 16 hours for both players. Considering the byo-yomi (countdown) time, a single Go game can last over 20 hours of fierce battle. This is why it is said that one game is played over two days.

Go involves calculating countless possibilities for each stone placement. Cho Chikun is known as a deep thinker. He once spent as long as three hours pondering a single move. During that time, endless calculations take place in his mind.

He also envisions the expected developments after placing a stone. Depending on the opponent’s response, the possibilities multiply infinitely. The process of drawing, erasing, and redrawing these scenarios in his mind repeats. This consumes tremendous physical stamina and causes mental anguish.

It would have been understandable to forfeit due to his physical condition. Yet Cho Chikun focused on the fundamentals of Go. "I have my right hand," he said. Despite the harsh conditions, he chose a straightforward approach. His spirit of challenge deeply resonated with his fellow players.

Why did Cho Chikun give his all in the match? It was out of respect for Japan’s most prestigious Go tournament. And respect for his opponent, Kobayashi Koichi 9-dan. The fighting spirit Cho Chikun showed in the 2nd game of that year’s Kisei Tournament left an unforgettable impression.

Cho Chikun wrote a dramatic comeback victory by 3.5 points in the 2nd game. However, he could not overcome his physical limits in the remaining games. Ultimately, Kobayashi took the Kisei title that year. But in history, the three syllables ‘Cho Chikun’ were etched even more deeply.

Even the winner, Kobayashi, had to show respect to the loser, Cho Chikun. Perhaps inwardly he shouted that Cho was the true winner. In Go, there are times when the loser is valued more highly than the winner.

That day, Cho Chikun’s figure left us with a question about the mechanisms of this world. A reflection on a winner-takes-all society... To be intoxicated by the result of being the winner and to boast is to admit being a coward.

Then what kind of mindset is needed? It is to maintain an attitude of respect toward the opponent with whom you have shared a match. Shouldn’t the attitude of the winner be like this to achieve true victory?

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.