Photo by Chih-Yuan (Jerry) Huang
Yinli (Audrey) Wang and I repeated as US Pair Go champion on July 17, 2025. Our first win was at the 2008 US Go Congress in Portland, OR. We've practiced in about 30 pair go games since May. Many thanks for our friends:
- Coach Cao Hengting 5P
- Coach Kim Yoonyoung 8P
- Jin Weibin 7P
- Zhenying Gu
- Liang Yu
- Siyu Gan
- Leo Tan
- Sihan Tan
- Della Tang
Though the semi-final game was not hard, the final match was exciting with multiple Ko fights and trades. My partner Yinli showcased several brilliant moves to secure us the USPGC trophy and the rep. spot in the future World Amateur Pair Go Championship.
The opening is peaceful and we (Black) are familiar with the first 40 moves. After I play 1 for reduction, Yinli brilliantly invades the right moyo -- threading the needle! Somehow move 1 helps as a ladder breaker.
After some exchanges Black obtains solid shape and takes a small lead.
White has seemingly solid territory on the right, but Yinli takes a long deliberation and throws the "dagger" at 2. With a small sacrifice we further reduce White territory.
After 1, 3, our huge dragon is still not weak. Yet ironically my move 4, aiming for "risk control", turns out as AI's "blue move" (best choice).
Despite Black's big lead, our opponents Emily and Harrison wisely creates two big Ko's to apply maximum pressure. While we're both on 15-second-per-move "blitz", luckily we have just one more big Ko-threat to secure the lead. Nevertheless my heart rate probably remained 150 for as long as twenty minutes, seeing the victory nears but still huge Ko to fight (which is always complicated).
In the past 3 years I realized my Pair Go under time pressure was not steady, so recently I played ~50 blitz as preparation. I guess it paid off.
We thank the AGA E-Journal Team to cover the US Pair Go Championship with live Youtube streaming. In-Seong Hwang 8D and AGA VP Chris Garlock provided excellent commentaries.
Many thanks to Tournament Director Brian Kirby.
Finals Game Record (SGF on OGS)
Moves over 220 are not displayed.
After the final Yinli told Cao 5P and me, "Much appreciation to Coach Cao's teaching, and Edward's pushing!" Her passion and dedication on Go are very impressive. During the Congress week, I often attended events and hang out, but in contrast she focused on reviewing with AI and reading books. I am merely lucky to partner with her -- 17 years ago after I lost to her in the US Open, I "shamelessly" asked,
"Do you have a pair go partner yet?"
Photo by Todd Heidenreich
A sweet moment at the Award Ceremony in Georgetown Texas.
Photo by Troy Zhao.
2008 USPGC finalists. Portland OR.
Photo by E-Journal.