In the spring of 1998, there was only one big event in the entire world chess world, that is the upcoming "Double Li duel".

From the day Li Xiaoqiang and Li Shifo met in the final, this is destined to be the most important and most eye-catching thing in the world chess world at the moment. Countless chess fans are talking about this upcoming game, and the media has filled a lot of analysis and prediction articles about this game. Many professional chess players are also holding their breath, and they are ready to enjoy the peak showdown that represents the highest level of professional go today.

In fact, since 1998, the three Go strong players in China, Japan and South Korea have seen some new changes at home:

In China, after a full year of slump in the world in 1995, Ma Xiaofei, the king of the world chess world, entered the year with obvious signs of recovery. Starting with the defending of the "Celebrity", he performed well in the first domestic title battle of the "Tianyuan Battle" this year. Just as everyone was talking about Chang Rensheng and others starting to "snatch the shift and seize power", Ma Xiaofei launched a strong counterattack. He defeated Luo Shenzhu, Zhou Dayang, Chang Rensheng and others all the way, and quietly obtained the "Tianyuan Battle" challenge right. Although a mere challenge right is nothing to Ma Xiaofei, it also made everyone see that his condition has improved significantly.

In Japan, "the crown prince ascends the throne" is the most talked about in their country. Ida Kiki, who has been the "old prince" for more than 10 years, seems to have finally achieved his goal this year, and he won the title of "celebrity" in Japan. In the tug-of-war between the Mesozoic and the "Six Super League", the Mesozoic began to gain the upper hand, and Ida Kiki seized a very important beachhead.

In South Korea, in many chess qualifiers, many people are talking about the story of "Bird Island Boy". A young chess player named Li Shitou is in a crazy winning streak, and he is setting off a rush in the low-level stadium in South Korea.

But no matter what new changes it is or what story happens, it is not as good as the upcoming "Double Li duel".

"In the entire 20th century, the Go world has produced many wonderful chess games, and countless exciting duels, but there are not many chess games that are qualified to be called "The Battle of the Century". However, the upcoming "Double Li Duels" should be qualified to be called the Battle of the Century from any perspective, right? The importance of this game is beyond words, and the result of this game is destined to have a far-reaching impact. This game is likely to be the last battle of the entire Go world in the 20th century..."

That’s right, “The Last Battle of the Twentieth Century”! This is what everyone positions this game.

And this highly anticipated showdown is coming soon.

One day in early March 1998, reporter Zhang Da came to the China Chess Academy and pushed open the door of Li Xiaoqiang's dormitory:

"Xiaoqiang, are you ready?"

Li Xiaoqiang responded with a smile: "I can't wait."

Although the final of the "Tongyang Securities Cup" can be said to be of extraordinary influence, great significance and high specifications. However, this time I went to South Korea to participate in the first two games, the Chinese Chess Academy still did not mobilize the crowd. The Chinese delegation is still composed of Coach Luo, Li Xiaoqiang and Zhang Da reporters "traditional trio".

If there is the only difference, it may be that the attention of this final was too high. There were several more Chinese journalists who accompanied South Korea to interview with each other this time than before.

They are all involved in the Go circle, and Li Xiaoqiang is familiar with most senior reporters in the circle. The most famous of them may be reporter Zhang Xiaoyong and Zhang from the "Go World" magazine.

The same surname is Zhang and has the same level of amateur six levels. Like reporter Zhang Da, Zhang Xiaoyong is a very outstanding reporter in the domestic Go world. In his previous life, Li Xiaoqiang read countless chess reviews and watching stories written by Zhang Xiaoyong. However, at this time, Zhang Xiaoyong was just starting out and he was still a little immature. He was far from the style of the chief reporter of the "Go World" magazine in later generations.

After arriving in South Korea, everyone was working hard for what they should do. Several Chinese reporters were chatting around Li Xiaoqiang. Zhang Xiaoyong first said: "Li Jiuduan, what preparations have you made for this final during the Spring Festival?"

“…”

Facing Zhang Xiaoyong's serious and concise questioning not only Li Xiaoqiang was a little uncomfortable, but even Zhang Da reporter was a little unable to stand it. He glanced at Zhang Xiaoyong and changed his way of speaking:

"Xiaoqiang, just tell everyone what you are doing during the Spring Festival."

Well, Li Xiaoqiang is still very accustomed to reporter Zhang Da’s questioning method. He raised his head and smiled and said to the reporters:

"I haven't done anything else during this period, I'm just thinking about one question."

"Oh? What are you thinking about?"

"I'm just thinking... Do you still remember what Li Shifo said at the end of the semi-finals? He said he can beat me now, so I have been thinking about why he thinks so? Why do he thinks he can beat me now?"

Li Xiaoqiang's answer made Zhang Xiaoyong and others speechless. Please do you think this is the "War of the Century" that everyone thinks is good. In less than two months of preparation time is very precious. If you don't play your opponent's chess score well or prepare your game strategy during this period, are you thinking about such a messy question?

Among them, reporter Zhang Da knows Li Xiaoqiang more. He does not think that Li Xiaoqiang is out of tune, because he knows that Li Xiaoqiang has never been an irrelevant person.

“Is this question important?”

"Yes, this question is very important. I even think it is probably a very important factor, or even the most critical factor, that determines the outcome of this fifth game."

"Oh?" Zhang Da reporter thought, and he did not ask why, but asked:

"Then have you figured it out during this period?"

Li Xiaoqiang smiled bitterly: "Although I feel a little bit vaguely, I actually didn't understand it completely."

"Oh?" Zhang Da reporter said "Oh" again, and his face changed slightly:

"You don't think the most important question is clear...what should I do now?"

"What else can I do? In short, let's take a step by step. Now I can only rely on hope tomorrow, and I hope that in tomorrow's first set, I can see clearly so the problem. I have a feeling that the sooner I figured out this issue, the greater my hope of winning this time. If...if...if I haven't figured it out, then..."

When Li Xiaoqiang said this, he didn't continue talking. Seeing that it was getting late, he said goodbye to the reporters and went back to his room to rest.

The conversation between Li Xiaoqiang and reporter Zhang Da made others confused. After Li Xiaoqiang left, Zhang Xiaoyong asked reporter Zhang Da: "You, what were you talking about just now?"

A reporter from Zhang Da glanced at his "junior": "Did you not hear it just now? We are talking about the key factors that determine the outcome of this game."

"This...Li Jiuduan...Xiaoqiang, this is how he always talks?"

Reporter Zhang Da continued to act like a senior: "Where is Xiaoqiang now... much better than before."

"What...what means?"

"You can't hear this?" Zhang Da reporter made a contempt statement: "I mean, if this was Xiaoqiang in the past, he sometimes spoke more sensible than he is now."

"This..." Zhang Xiaoyong finally asked the most critical question: "Did you understand what he meant just now?"

"Of course..." Faced with the anticipated eyes of Zhang Xiaoyong and others, Zhang Da reporter made a brilliant turn: "Of course I didn't understand."

However, after saying this, reporter Zhang didn't feel blushing at all, but instead his eyes were bright and bright:

"It doesn't matter if you don't understand, we can watch it. I'll tell you a brief moment. Years of experience tell me that Xiaoqiang never talks nonsense in this regard, so we must carefully and carefully watch tomorrow's first game. I even have a premonition that something unusual will happen in tomorrow's game..."

Is reporter Zhang’s premonition correct?

One day in early March 1998, the first game of the 9th "Dongyang Securities Cup" World Professional Go Championship five-game final was officially launched. Li Xiaoqiang vs. Li Shifo.

This game was played by Li Xiaoqiang. In the morning game, both sides made steady progress and the situation was normal. At this time, neither Li Xiaoqiang nor Zhang Da reporters watching the game noticed that something was wrong.

When the competition was 2 pm, only 3 hours after the start of the competition, Li Xiaoqiang felt a little strange, but it was still relatively vague.

And reporter Zhang Da and others naturally couldn't see anything.

At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, a question in Li Xiaoqiang's heart came to an end: Li Xiaoqiang had a clear answer to why Li Shifo dared to say that he could win him. However, Li Xiaoqiang now has no time to think about this question carefully, and he must concentrate all his thoughts on the current chess game.

At this time, reporter Zhang and others still didn't see anything. However, in addition to them, some people had already vaguely noticed something strange. For example, Cao Yanzi, who was responsible for explaining this game of chess today.

At 4 pm, reporter Zhang Da was still unclear, but Zhang Xiaoyong and others looked at him with admiration: because the "unusual things" that reporter Zhang Da seemed to have really happened.

Dragon Slaying Game! Today's first set game may actually be a Dragon Slaying Game!

More importantly, today is not Li Xiaoqiang's dragon to slaughter someone else's dragon. On today's chessboard, a big dragon of Li Xiaoqiang is being hunted by Li Shifo. This is really unusual!

It was about 4 pm, and Cao Yanzi started to give a speech on the market in South Korea. Perhaps after seeing the previous process, Lao Cao's opening remarks today are very interesting:

"...I don't think I need to introduce these two chess players today. China's Li Xiaoqiang can be considered the number one player in the world chess world. Although he is unwilling to admit it, his status is not blown up, but actually played, so there is nothing to say. As for our Li Shifo, his performance last year was not ideal. He said that he is currently the second in the world, and I'm afraid Chang He would not agree. But the most interesting thing about this competition is that in the current world chess world, only Li Shifo can pose the biggest threat to Li Xiaoqiang. This is why this final is called the Battle of the Century..."

"...Many people say that if Li Shifo wants to defeat Li Xiaoqiang, he must put the chess game on the track he is good at. He must drag Li Xiaoqiang into the duel of the official, thinking that only this is the best way. But to tell everyone, I don't agree with this in my heart. Let's not talk about Li Xiaoqiang's official skills. With his ability, it is impossible for you to fight with him in every game of chess. And to be honest, if Li Shifo wants to truly surpass Li Xiaoqiang, he can't just make a fuss about the official forever..."

"...If only the official is strong, Li Shifo will never be the world's number one!..."

"...What makes me very pleased today is that Shi Fo seemed to realize this himself, and all his strengths he showed, a strength that everyone ignored..."

"…that's his power!"

As Lao Cao talked endlessly, the first game of the 9th "Dongyang Securities Cup" World Professional Go Championship five-game final is continuing step by step. (To be continued.)
Chapter completed!