Chapter 444: One General's Success Countless Bones
"I will be the head referee for this Phoenix Cup World Championship. The World Championship is a long time, and no matter what the final result is, I will be with all the contestants through it all."
Although Zhao Zhengyang was already in his seventies, his voice was vigorous and powerful. He paused, then continued, "I am also very much looking forward to witnessing the amazing performances of all the chess players on the chessboard."
The entire hall suddenly became quieter, and everyone seemed to feel a heavy and solemn atmosphere.
Although the World Championship first adopts the most brutal single-elimination tournament, which continues until the last 64 people, and then switches to a double-elimination tournament, the final winner will be decided between the winner's group champion and the loser's group champion.
However, due to the large number of participants, even if the initial competition system is a single-elimination tournament where losing one game means being eliminated directly, it will still take a long time to eliminate all but 64 participants.
In addition to the double-elimination tournament and the final championship, this game will indeed be longer from start to finish compared to other games, and will be a severe test of the energy and physical strength of all players.
"On the World Championship stage, so many stories have happened, and so many famous games have been born."
Zhao Zhengyang took a deep breath and said slowly, "For example, the first Korean and South Korean players innovatively tried the two-star layout in the world championship, which sparked discussions about pairs and momentum. From then on, the small eye layout was no longer the only mainstream."
"The Three Stars have caused people to think and reflect on the external situation and the choice of the actual situation, and the Misei-ryu has caused people to discuss the solidity of the chess shape and the expansion of the shape..."
"These games that were born in the World Championships, and these chess records that were played in the World Championships, still shine brightly in the history of Go today."
“Although some things may not be correct from today’s perspective, they still shone with the light of eternal exploration, which still shocks people today.”
"It can even be said that it has always been the major world championships that have continuously driven the advancement of Go."
Although Zhao Zhengyang only talked about the past history of the World Championship, his words immediately aroused everyone's emotions.
Because everything Zhao Zhengyang said was true.
From the impact of the two-star layout on the small eye layout, to the transformation of various new playing methods and new patterns, to the emergence and popularity of layouts such as the three-star layout and the unborn flow...
Beneath just a few words, the blood and tears of countless chess players over the past two hundred years are hidden. Countless people have been buried in world championships, and some have achieved success at the cost of countless lives. The rich history of chess in modern times is like a scroll, spread out before everyone's eyes.
In this scroll, heroes ride horses, draw bows and arrows, competing for supremacy in the Central Plains, which is very moving.
And now, it is they, all the chess players standing in the hall, who decide how this picture will be painted next.
They may also have the opportunity to become the protagonist of the story, or even if they are not the protagonist, but only a supporting role, that is enough to be proud of.
After all, most people are destined not to even be qualified to play supporting roles.
"You are already among the strongest chess players today for standing in this hall. As a senior, I know very well what kind of efforts you have made to stand here, and what kind of pain you have been fighting against all this time!"
Zhao Zhengyang looked around the hall and said in a deep voice, "And now, after going through countless hardships, you have finally reached this point!"
Having said that, Zhao Zhengyang changed the subject and spoke again: "But, I want to say that not everything... can be as satisfactory as one wishes."
After hearing what Zhao Zhengyang said, the atmosphere in the entire hall suddenly became a little dull.
In fact, most people know very well that this is indeed the highest and grandest stage in the chess world, but because of its grandness, it is also more cruel. Even if they have tried their best to get here, they are more likely to be ruthlessly overwhelmed.
This is what is meant by "A general's success is forever forgotten."
"I came this far back then, and seeing you is like seeing myself back then."
Zhao Zhengyang took a deep breath before continuing, "Because I've been through this, I won't say anything sweet about hard work paying off, nor do I want you to have too high expectations of achieving good results in the World Championship!"
Upon hearing this, the reporters in the hall were suddenly in an uproar, looking at each other in surprise, and many of the participating chess players were also stunned.
Yu Shao also looked at Zhao Zhengyang with some surprise, feeling that Zhao Zhengyang was somewhat unconventional.
Regardless of past or present life, the opening ceremony of the World Championship basically involves the chief referee or the event organizer coming on stage to say some words of encouragement to the players.
But Zhao Zhengyang did the opposite and directly and indiscriminately attacked the confidence of the participating chess players. This was simply unheard of. Yu Shao had never seen such a thing in his two lifetimes. He didn't look like a 70-year-old man at all.
"Is this what the chief judge should say?"
One reporter twitched his lips and complained to his partner, "Everyone else says hard work pays off, but when it comes to Mr. Zhao Zhengyang, it turns out that even hard work doesn't guarantee rewards."
"That's what I'm saying..."
As the cameraman who was my partner, it was a bit unbelievable.
However, in the hall, there were also some chess players such as Zhuang Weisheng, Zhu Huaian, Araki Ye and others who were indifferent to Zhao Zhengyang's words and had calm expressions.
Without exception, almost all of these chess players have participated in several world championships.
"Anyone who can calmly offer words of encouragement and regurgitate those familiar clichés must have never participated in a World Championship. However, I'm different. Not only have I participated, I've also achieved some insignificant results."
Zhao Zhengyang seemed completely unfazed by the commotion in the audience as he spoke in a resounding voice, "Precisely because of this, I know very well how cruel and ruthless the World Championship truly is!"
Zhao Zhengyang's voice was not loud, but it was resounding and echoed throughout the hall.
The hall fell silent again, and everyone stared silently at the old man on the stage, as if they could see the strange and turbulent situation at the World Championship thirty or forty years ago through the wrinkles on his face.
"One of the lifelong goals of every chess player must be to win the world championship."
Zhao Zhengyang faced the audience and slowly said, "To achieve this goal, all the players have endured countless hardships and difficulties, and finally reached the stage of the World Championship."
"However, the final result may be ruthless. There are so many people here now, but on the first day of the competition, half of you will be eliminated directly!"
"Perhaps many people will feel that all their efforts have been in vain and were all for nothing."
Zhao Zhengyang continued, "I'm not trying to discourage the contestants, nor am I trying to put too much pressure on you. I'm just stating the truth. It's the cold, hard truth that even if you try your best, you won't get what you want."
"What I want to say is—"
"Regardless of the final outcome, when I look back on the game, as long as I have no regrets and feel I have a clear conscience, and that I played in my own style and at my own level, that's enough!"
The whole audience was silent.
Zhao Zhengyang slowly scanned the entire room before continuing, "Only in this way, even if you lose in the end, when you look back at your chess game, you'll realize that all these years of hard work weren't in vain!"
The whole audience remained silent.
After about two or three seconds, the whole audience suddenly burst into thunderous applause, flash lights kept flashing in the hall, and the sound of shutter clicks was mixed in!
After a moment, when the applause died down, Zhao Zhengyang continued with a smile, "On the first day of the competition, half of the people will be eliminated. But since everyone has come from far away, you probably don't think you'll just stay for one day and go through the motions, right?"
"Of course not!"
Someone in the audience immediately responded with a smile.
"I also can't bear to let everyone come all the way here and leave in disappointment after just one day, but that's the competition system. If you're eliminated, you're eliminated."
Zhao Zhengyang smiled and said, "However, I hope that even the eliminated players, if they don't have important matters to attend to, can stay and witness this Phoenix Cup World Championship with me until the end."
"Even though I was eliminated, I can still entrust my goal of winning the championship to the person I want to entrust it to. Let him shoulder your dream and watch him walk towards the finish line for you step by step."
"I hope this summer will bring unforgettable memories to everyone. Even many years later, when we talk about the World Championship, we will still remember this summer and this World Championship!"
"I have a feeling that this summer will bring us countless surprises and touching moments!"
After Zhao Zhengyang finished speaking, there was applause from the audience again.
The tense atmosphere in the hall faded a little unnoticed, but everyone's eyes became more determined, a determination that was unwavering despite knowing that there were many thorns and bumps ahead.
"I have finished speaking. Now let's begin the drawing ceremony."
Zhao Zhengyang smiled and said, "With so many people here, it might take a while to draw lots. I hope everyone draws the opponent they want."
Everyone in the audience couldn't help but laugh when they heard this.
Soon, more than a dozen staff members came with a dozen lottery boxes and walked quickly to the front of the participating teams from various countries, and then placed the lottery boxes on the table.
Because there are so many participants in the first round, it is naturally impossible for one player after another to go on stage to draw lots like in ordinary competitions. Otherwise, even the drawing of lots will have to be done in the evening.
Therefore, the method of setting up more than a dozen lottery boxes for drawing lots together, and then the staff recorded the players' lottery numbers, and finally compared the lottery numbers. But even so, it is estimated that it will take a while.
Seeing that the drawing of lots was about to begin, the expressions of everyone in the audience became serious, even Zhuang Weisheng.
Before the elimination to 64 people, it is a single-elimination system. Losing a single game is not allowed. If you lose, you will be eliminated directly. Therefore, if you want to advance, you must rely not only on your chess skills, but also on your luck.
Even if they are as strong as Zhuang Weisheng and An Hongshi, if they are unlucky and draw each other in the first round, then one of them will be eliminated in the first round.
Yes, although the names of An Hongshi and Zhuang Weisheng seem to have nothing to do with the first round, it is indeed possible, and this kind of thing has happened more than once in previous World Championships.
This is what is called a sign of enemies.
"I won't draw Teacher An Hongshi in the first round, right?" Zheng Qin said to Yu Shao in a low voice, feeling a little nervous.
"How can it be so unlucky, there are so many people here." Yu Shao laughed and said comforting words.
"Someone has to carry it on his back. Why can't it be me?" Zheng Qin was a little dissatisfied.
"Well……"
This question stumped Yu Shao, and he didn't know how to answer for a moment.
Not long after, Zhu Huaian, who was standing in front of Zheng Qin, stepped forward and drew the lot, and then it was Zheng Qin's turn to draw the lot.
Zheng Qin took a deep breath and walked forward slowly. Under the watchful eyes of the staff, he reached into the signature box, grabbed the signature paper from the box, and then held it tightly, as if he dared not let go.
"Open it and see, what number is it?"
The staff member was a little amused and asked.
Hearing this, Zheng Qin finally carefully loosened his hand that was holding the signature paper. Yu Shao also came over curiously, stretching his neck to look at the number on the signature paper in Zheng Qin's hand.
No. 207.
This means that the person who draws the number 207 will be Zheng Qin's opponent in the first round. However, none of the Chinese team's players drew the number 207 in previous draws.
Zhuang Weisheng is No. 78 and Zhu Huaian is No. 231, so Zheng Qin at least won't face Zhuang Weisheng, Zhu Huaian and others.
"Zheng Qin, 207."
Zheng Qin breathed a sigh of relief and replied.
The staff member nodded, picked up a pen, found Zheng Qin's name on the list, wrote 207 after it, and said, "Okay, next."
The person standing behind Zheng Qin was Yu Shao. Upon hearing this, Yu Shao immediately stepped forward and put his hand into the signature box.
Seeing that Yu Shao was about to draw lots, everyone immediately looked towards him, even Zhuang Weisheng was no exception.
Soon, Yu Shao took out a piece of paper from the sign box, and then slowly opened it bit by bit, and saw that the first number was 2.
Seeing this scene, Zheng Qin's expression changed slightly and he became nervous all of a sudden. Zhu Huaian also stared closely at the signature paper in Yu Shao's hand, watching Yu Shao open it bit by bit.
Next number.
7.
Seeing this number, Zheng Qin immediately breathed a sigh of relief, patted his chest, and felt relieved. Zhu Huaian was no longer interested in Yu Shao's signature number and withdrew his gaze.
Then comes the last number.
Still 7.
"Yu Shao, number 277."
Yu Shao raised his head and said to the staff.
Among the Chinese chess players who drew lots just now, none of them is number 277, which also means that like Zheng Qin, Yu Shao will not face them as his opponent in the first round.
But this is normal. There are too many players participating in the competition. There may be civil wars in the first round, but generally speaking, there will not be too many of them.
Yu Shao didn't know if it was an illusion. After getting this answer, the staff seemed a little disappointed.
The staff member quickly picked up a pen, found Yu Shao's name, wrote down Yu Shao's signature number, and called out, "Okay, next one."
"Here I come."
Hearing this, Su Yiming, who was standing behind Yu Shao, immediately responded and walked forward.
(End of this chapter)
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