[Stones and Stories] Baduk Empress Choi Jeong Changes History

A Historic First in World Major Baduk Finals
The Unprecedented Men vs. Women Showdown: Choi Jeong Faces Off Against Shin Jin-seo

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] The first-ever men versus women showdown in the history of the world major Baduk (Go) tournament finals. The 'absolute number one' Shin Jin-seo 9-dan. Facing him was the 'Baduk Empress' Choi Jeong 9-dan. The finals of the '2022 Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Cup World Baduk Masters' held on the 8th. The placement of black and white stones, and the changing patterns on the board through these moves, were history in themselves.

Could this be the kind of emotion felt by those who lived in the same era as The Beatles, known as the greatest band? We had the honor of witnessing a scene never before seen in Baduk history in our lifetime. The Korea Baduk Association at 210 Majang-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, where the tournament was held, became a historic site to be remembered in the world history of Baduk.

Until now, the finals of world major Baduk tournaments had been a men's affair. Even China's Lu Naiwei 9-dan, known as the Iron Lady, never reached the finals. The scene of Lu Naiwei reaching the semifinals in the 2nd Ing Cup 30 years ago in 1992 remains a legendary moment in women's Baduk history to this day.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lu Naiwei is regarded as the strongest female player in Baduk history. The male players who faced her had to be extremely alert. It was difficult to guarantee victory even when playing with full concentration without any negligence. She was a legend who intimidated many male players. If Choi Jeong overcame a wall that even Lu Naiwei could not, just how high must that wall have been?

Unlike the charismatic Lu Naiwei, Choi Jeong, who has a gentle and sweet demeanor, surpassed that wall. This was a major event that established her not only as the world number one female player by ranking but also as the actual strongest player in the world. Choi Jeong's path to the finals sparked numerous topics.

In the semifinals, Byeon Sang-il 9-dan, facing a bleak situation, tore at his hair, slapped his own cheek, and even shed tears. Why was his self-reproach so intense? He became the first male player to fail to reach the finals of a world major Baduk tournament after losing to a female player. Byeon Sang-il became the unfortunate protagonist of this dishonor.

The final was anticlimactic. It ended with Shin Jin-seo's one-sided dominance. Shin Jin-seo won the Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Cup for the first time. However, the spotlight was focused on Choi Jeong. Anyone who knows the history of Baduk understands why. They know how great an achievement Choi Jeong accomplished...

Choi Jeong was a promising tree. She was born in October 1996 in Boryeong, Chungnam. She began her relationship with Baduk at the age of seven, influenced by her father who loved Baduk. Choi Jeong quickly surpassed her father. She became a professional player at the age of 13.

Choi Jeong's mentor was Yoo Chang-hyuk 9-dan, who led the Korean Baduk renaissance. Choi Jeong's playing style also resembles Yoo Chang-hyuk's. Settling in Seoul, Choi Jeong graduated from the prestigious Baduk school Chung-Ang Middle School. The 'New Mountain' Lee Chang-ho 9-dan is also an alumnus of Chung-Ang Middle School. However, balancing classes and competitions was not easy.

This is why Choi Jeong had no choice but to drop out of high school. The life of a Baduk player is lonely and painful. A Baduk player must endure countless defeats; it is a harsh profession. It is a path no one can avoid. The unbearable pain that follows the memory of defeat. Such a time of endurance has made Choi Jeong who she is today.

In 2018, Choi Jeong set records as the youngest female 9-dan (21 years and 3 months) and the shortest period to reach 9-dan (7 years and 8 months after turning pro). This time, she became the first female to reach the finals of a world major tournament. She is a figure who has shown the greatness of Korean women to the world. She is only 26 years old. Choi Jeong's drama is far from over.

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