Samsung Cup

The Samsung Cup is an annual international title. Starting with the 10th Samsung Cup, time limits are reduced to two hours each of regular time with 5 periods of 1 minute byoyomi. The winner’s prize was ₩200,000,000 (about $200,000 USD) until 2011 and now is ₩300,000,000 (about $300,000 USD).

Its full English name is the Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance World Masters Baduk, and so Wikipedia calls it the Samsung Fire Cup.

The main event currently consists of two tournaments. In the first, 32 players are divided into four person blocks. Each block sends two players to the second tournament, chosen via a single-elimination knockout and a losers’ knockout^[6]. The second tournament is single elimination, with best of three matches in the semifinals and final.

Through the 13th Samsung in 2008–2009, the main event was a 32-player knockout tournament, leading up to a final match which has varied between a best of three match and a best of five match. (See also Samsung Cup, Go to Everyone.)

[1] The dates given are for the main knockout tournament, including the final match. Preliminary events are held earlier.

[2] See Samsung 2002 Game 1 for questions and comments about the spectacular first game of the 7th Samsung Cup final.

[3] Park won the first game of the 2003 final by 4.5 points with white.

Cho won the second and the third game by resignation with white.

Let's discuss the final game at Samsung 2003 Game 3.

[4] See also Samsung 2004 Dispute.

[5] Discussed at Samsung 2012 Game 1, Samsung 2012 Game 2 and Samsung 2012 Game 3

[6] Could also be explained as a small double elimination tournament where the two finalists go through into the main round.