The tall Middle-aged Man led the way directly to the explanation area.
The first four moves of Shindo Hikaru and Xiao Liang Teacher's game were recreated on the Go board.
A young man was eloquently discussing the white.
“Before there was no komi, Komoku and 3-3 Point were very common.”
“Since the komi rule was adopted, Star Point has gradually become popular.”
“Star Point occupies a high position, and the opening speed is faster than Komoku, but I believe that in the future, people will find Komoku more suitable.”
Ao Ying briefly mentioned the future AI Go concept, which favored territory.
“Why do so many professional Go players play at the Star Point?”
Immediately, a Go fan raised a question.
In the late 1990s, moves that emphasized influence, such as Cosmic Style and Chinese Style, were more talked about.
Ao Ying explained, “The third line on the side of the board belongs to the territory line, and the fourth line belongs to the influence line.”
“Star Point is at the intersection of two fourth lines, making it easy to build influence, like a stock with promising future prospects.”
“Komoku, on the other hand, is at the intersection of the third and fourth lines, related to both territory and influence, yet not thoroughly involved.”
“Komoku is more efficient at gaining territory than Star Point, like holding more cash, with the possibility of depreciation.”
“Many professional Go players pursue God's Hand, with varied influence and more opportunities for enlightenment.”
On the periphery of the crowd.
“Teacher, that young man is Ao Ying.”
Ogata leaned in and whispered his introduction.
“Oh? Is he also pursuing God's Hand?”
“A very vivid analogy, but saying Komoku is more suitable is too absolute.”
As time passed.
More and more stones appeared on the board, entering the complex middle game stage.
“Toya Meijin!”
Someone shouted.
Several people turned their heads to look.
“What Meijin?”
“Ah! Toya Meijin has arrived.”
“You… you also came to watch Ao Ying Teacher's explanation?”
“Ao Ying Teacher?” Toya Koyo said in a deep voice, “Xiao Liang has shown me their game.”
“If it’s true, he certainly deserves the title of Teacher. Learning has no precedence; the capable come first.”
“But I find it hard to believe that someone of this age possesses such exaggerated Go strength.”
Hearing the skepticism, several Middle-aged Man said, “We saw it with our own eyes.”
Toya Koyo said expressionlessly, “I know Xiao Liang wouldn’t lie to me, which makes it even harder for me to believe.”
“Ao Ying, you’re only fourteen or fifteen, aren't you?”
Ao Ying nodded, “Fourteen.”
He knew Toya Koyo was skeptical; defeating a professional-level beginner at fourteen had never happened, even in the brilliant future of Go.
“You play a game with him.”
Toya Koyo pointed to the suspicious Wrapped-Head Man beside him.
“Alright.” Ao Ying leisurely placed a stone, “First, let me finish the explanation; that’s what I promised.”
Although he didn't know who the Wrapped-Head Man in the trench coat was, anyone Toya Meijin pointed out must be at least professional level.
The new knowledge hadn't been fully integrated yet, and he was worried about finding opponents to practice with. Professionals weren't common, and playing against them cost money.
Explain first, then play Go?
Toya Koyo nodded and observed, while Ogata pushed up his glasses, a glint in his eyes.
Time passed by minute by minute.
“Xiao Liang Teacher conceded!”
“That Shindo Hikaru is too strong; there wasn't a single mistake in the entire game.”
“There were mistakes! Ao Ying Teacher pointed one out at the beginning: Shusaku's sharp move was too slow.”
“Come watch Ao Ying Teacher's game, Toya Meijin has personally chosen his opponent.”
“It's about to start.”
The Go friends who were watching consciously stood half a meter away, and Toya Koyo came to the best viewing spot between the two players.
In another corner, the noise gradually rose.
“Wuwu…”
“Toya, you’re actually very strong, really!”
“Wuwu…”
Seeing Toya Akira crying, Shindo Hikaru was stunned and looked around.
“Toya, there’s a duel over there, with many people.”
Duel?
Toya Akira subconsciously glanced over, his gaze fixed, “Father?”
He couldn't help but stand up and dazedly walked towards Ao Ying's table.
“Hey, wait for me.”
Shindo Hikaru haphazardly packed up the Go board and jogged to catch up.
One after another, the two came closer.
“Father, I… lost again.”
Seeing his son's eyes red, Toya Koyo reached out and gently patted Toya Akira's head, “You have a heart that loves Go more than anyone else. Think about why you play Go?”
“Yes.”
After a few breaths.
Toya Akira looked up, his eyes sparkling.
“I won’t give up just like that.”
“I want to re-hone my Go skills.”
“I can defeat all opponents!”
“Very good.” Toya Koyo's eyes showed approval. After paying his respects, he turned to look at Shindo Hikaru, “You are very strong. What is your name?”
“Shindo Hikaru.”
Shindo Hikaru swallowed, feeling the pressure wash over him.
“Shindo Hikaru…” Toya Koyo said expressionlessly, “You have a profound aura about you. I will remember you.”
Shindo Hikaru rubbed the back of his head and gave an awkward smile.
“Sai, can Toya's dad see you?”
Sai gazed for a few seconds, then floated in front of Toya Koyo, wandering aimlessly.
“Shindo Hikaru, look, he can’t see.”
Shindo Hikaru twitched his lips and turned his gaze to the Go board.
After the guessing game, Ao Ying played black stone, and Ogata played white.
“Please teach me.”
“Please teach me.”
After the courtesies, Ao Ying sat quietly in front of the Go board, his expression focused.
The onlookers held their breath, their breathing becoming softer.
One minute, two minutes…
“What’s going on?”
“The air seems very oppressive. Ao Ying Teacher might be intimidated by his opponent.”
The pot-bellied Middle-aged Man watching was confused, muttering to himself.
“Sai, what’s there to think about for the first move?”
“He is gathering momentum; he is serious.”
Sai didn't say anything before, but after he did, Shindo Hikaru felt a sharp edge slowly rising.
A full fifteen minutes.
Ao Ying rubbed his chin, “Let’s try that move.”
That move?
The onlookers breathed a sigh of relief; Ao Ying Teacher was up to something again.
Could someone who plays the second move on the center of the board be a serious person?
Clack!
The black stone stone was placed.
Row three, column seventeen, 3-3 Point.
Ogata quickly placed his stone, white at the top left Star Point.
Clack clack—
black stone at the Right Lower Corner Star Point, white at the bottom left Star Point.
3-3 Point vs. Two-star.
For the fifth move, Ao Ying held the black stone stone and slowly moved it above the center of the Go board.
Row ten, column ten, center of the board.
“3-3 Point with a center of the board opening?”
A Go friend exclaimed, and several others echoed.
“This is… a new opening innovation era, created by Master Wu of China.”
“At that time, Master Wu, with his new opening, defeated all super-class Go players in the ten-game match, causing all top players to be demoted, and he was hailed as the Kisei.”
“I wonder how much of his style Ao Ying Teacher can display?”
Ogata pushed up his glasses, deep in thought.
Shindo Hikaru looked around, “Sai, is the 3-3 Point with a center of the board opening very powerful?”
Sai shook his head, “I don’t know either; there was no such move in the Heian period.”
“Sai, in Go, there are things you don’t know after all.”
Just as the man and the ghost were communicating, Ogata placed a stone.
Row four, column sixteen, shoulder hit.
Sai held his folding fan in front of his mouth, “He’s attacking. Young man from China, how will you respond?”
“The opponent has a very strong presence; his Go strength is probably far above Xiao Liang's. Can you still make consecutive tenuki moves like in the last game?”
Ao Ying, without hesitation, made another move.
Tenuki!
Row seventeen, column three, 3-3 Point.