Lee Sedol - Gu Li rivalry

    Keywords: Culture & History

Introduction

Yi Se-tol of S. Korea and Gu Li of China formed the 21st century's first international rivalry, contesting the status of world's strongest.[1] As of September 2013, the two players have officially played each other in 36-games with a record of 18-17-1 in Yi's favor. The no result was the outcome of a rare quadruple ko position.

According to An Younggil 8d, Gu Li displays his superior opening skills and timing of initiating fights, while Yi Se-tol displays his tenacity and superior endgame technique. Both excel in complex fighting, but with Yi having a slight edge.

On the other hand, the endgame has presented itself as a weakness for Gu Li, being the cause of at least a few of his losses against Yi Se-tol. In fact, all but one of the eight games which did not end with resignation were won by Yi, including four half-point finishes. Most recently was the 2012 Samsung Cup, wherein Gu twice had the advantage coming into the late middlegame, but due to endgame mistakes wasn't able to carry either to a victory.

Psychologically, although the players have an almost split record against each other, it seems that Gu Li is more serious about the rivalry, with he being rumored to have Yi Se-tol's games lying on his bedside table for reading.

Games

Their encounters can be organized into four categories: the China Weiqi League, International Individual Titles, International Team Titles, and Other. Victor marked in bold.

Game # Year Event White Black Result Notes
1 2004-06-17 2004 China Weiqi League, Division A, Round 9 Yi Se-tol Gu Li B+2.75
2 2004-11-16 9th Samsung Cup, Semi-final, Game 1 Yi Se-tol Gu Li W+R
3 2004-11-18 9th Samsung Cup, Semi-final, Game 2 Gu Li Yi Se-tol W+R
4 2004-11-19 9th Samsung Cup, Semi-final, Game 3 Gu Li Yi Se-tol B+R
5 2005-05-03 4th CSK Cup, Round 3 Yi Se-tol Gu Li W+2.5
6 2005-08-06 2005 China Weiqi League, Division A, Round 9 Yi Se-tol Gu Li W+0.25
7 2005-10-19 10th LG Cup, Semi-final Yi Se-tol Gu Li B+R
8 2005-12-10 2005 China Weiqi League, Division A, Round 20 Gu Li Yi Se-tol W+R
9 2006-05-03 5th CSK Cup, Round 3 Yi Se-tol Gu Li B+R
10 2006-06-10 2006 China Weiqi League, Division A, Round 10 Gu Li Yi Se-tol W+R
11 2006-11-11 2006 China Weiqi League, Division A, Round 16 Yi Se-tol Gu Li W+R
12 2007-10-13 2007 China Weiqi League, Division A, Round 13 Gu Li Yi Se-tol B+R
13 2008-06-07 21st Fujitsu Cup, Quarter-final Yi Se-tol Gu Li B+R
14 2008-06-21 2008 China Weiqi League, Division A, Round 11 Yi Se-tol Gu Li W+R
15 2009-02-19 10th Nongshim Cup, Game 13 Yi Se-tol Gu Li W+3.5
16 2009-02-23 13th LG Cup Final, Game 1 Yi Se-tol Gu Li B+R
17 2009-02-25 13th LG Cup Final, Game 2 Gu Li Yi Se-tol W+R
18 2009-06-27 2009 China Weiqi League, Division A, Round 8 Yi Se-tol Gu Li W+R
19 2009-08-29 Ancient Phoenix City World Summit (Fenghuang Special) Yi Se-tol Gu Li W+2.25
20 2010-04-14 23rd Fujitsu Cup, Round 3 Yi Se-tol Gu Li W+R
21 2010-06-07 15th LG Cup, Round 1 Yi Se-tol Gu Li B+R
22 2010-10-14 15th Samsung Cup, Quarter-final Gu Li Yi Se-tol W+R
23 2011-04-23 3rd B.C. Card Cup Final, Game 1 Gu Li Yi Se-tol W+R
24 2011-04-24 3rd B.C. Card Cup Final, Game 2 Yi Se-tol Gu Li W+R
25 2011-04-26 3rd B.C. Card Cup Final, Game 3 Gu Li Yi Se-tol B+R
26 2011-04-27 3rd B.C. Card Cup Final, Game 4 Yi Se-tol Gu Li B+R
27 2011-04-28 3rd B.C. Card Cup Final, Game 5 Gu Li Yi Se-tol B+R
28 2011-05-17 1st Bosai Cup, Round 2 Yi Se-tol Gu Li B+R
29 2012-09-05 17th Samsung Cup, Round 2 Yi Se-tol Gu Li NR Quadruple ko
30 2012-09-05 17th Samsung Cup, Round 2 Yi Se-tol Gu Li B+R Their re-match on the same day
31 2012-09-16 1st Guilin Cup? Final Gu Li Yi Se-tol W+R
32 2012-12-11 17th Samsung Cup Final, Game 1 Yi Se-tol Gu Li W+0.5
33 2012-12-12 17th Samsung Cup Final, Game 2 Gu Li Yi Se-tol W+R
34 2012-12-13 17th Samsung Cup Final, Game 3 Gu Li Yi Se-tol B+0.5
35 2013-03-20 2013 Tianxin Pharmaceutical Cup Yi Se-tol Gu Li W+R Exhibition match
36 2013-10-20 2013 China Weiqi League, Division A, Round 17 Gi Li Yi Se-tol B+R
37 2014-01-26 2014 Jubango first match Gu Li Yi Se-tol B+R

Jubango

In 2014 a 10 game match is organized between the two players. The prize money is 5-million yuan for the winner and 200,000 yuan for the loser. The event is sponsored by MLily

Schedule:

  1. 26 January, Beijing (winner Lee Sedol B+R in 251 moves)
  2. 23 February, Shanghai
  3. 30 March, Chengdu, Sichuan province
  4. 27 April, Korean
  5. 25 May Xianggelila, Yunnan province
  6. 27 July, Liuan ,Anhui province
  7. 31 August, Lasa, Tibet
  8. 28 September, Chongqing
  9. 26 Octobre, Hongkong
  10. 30 November, Wuhu ,Anhu province

Game Commentaries

Notes

[1] Other international rivalries for the status of world's strongest have preceded this one, such as Yi Ch'ang-ho & Ma Xiaochun in the mid 1990s.


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