Chapter 465 Su Yiming, yes, Araki
Time quickly came to the next day.
At eight o'clock in the morning, Yu Shao arrived at the competition venue early, waiting for the draw ceremony.
Not long after, other chess players also entered the competition venue one after another. At around 8:20, all the participating chess players had arrived.
The difference from yesterday is that half of the players today, although with serious expressions, were clearly in a relaxed state.
The other half of the chess players had heavy expressions on their faces, and one could even clearly see a hint of nervousness in their eyes. Even Zhu Huaian was no exception.
They were all players who fell into the loser group yesterday, which means that they only have one last chance. If they lose this game today, they will have to stop here.
"Everyone is here."
Seeing that all the players had arrived, Zhao Zhengyang walked onto the stage. After looking around, he said straight to the point without further ado, "In that case, let's start the draw now."
Upon hearing this, the contestants in the winning group narrowed their eyes slightly and began to line up and walk onto the stage to draw lots.
The lottery boxes for the winner group and the loser group are not the same. The players in the loser group also came to another lottery box with their own thoughts and started drawing the loser group's lot.
Seeing that the contestants in the winner's and loser's groups had started drawing lots, the crowd below the stage couldn't help but start a heated discussion.
"There are only 32 people left in the winner's bracket, and I don't know what today's draw will be like."
"With only thirty-two people left, the possibility of civil war is indeed very high, but we still hope that civil war will be avoided as much as possible."
"Zhu Huaian fell into the loser's bracket. Zhang Dongchen Gosheng also lost to Ander yesterday. There are not many Chinese players left in the winner's bracket."
"I don't know who Mr. Yasuhiro will meet this time, and... Mr. Arakino..."
Everyone around was whispering to each other, guessing the results of the draw for today's game. Especially when they saw Arakino come on stage to draw lots, especially those who watched the game between Arakino and Toyama Fumio yesterday, their eyes were extremely complicated.
Until now, the game of chess yesterday seems to be still in front of their eyes. Even when they think about it now, they still feel deeply shocked.
After a while, all the chess players had finished drawing lots. As usual, Zhao Zhengyang picked up a pen and paper and began to inquire about the results of the draw.
"Table number seven, An Hongshi, yes, Jing Zhongqin."
Soon, Zhao Zhengyang wrote down the names of the two players who drew number seven, and then asked again, "Which two players drew number eight?"
Yu Shao glanced at the paper in his hand again, then quickly raised his hand and replied, "I'm number eight."
"I'm number eight too."
Soon, a thin man with round-rimmed glasses, long blond hair, a hooked nose, and a raised his hand.
Yu Shao immediately looked at the man and quickly recognized his identity.
Ed, who holds both the titles of chess king and master, is also the most famous European chess player besides Hans. Yesterday, he defeated Russia's last remaining chess player Su Tong and successfully entered the top 32 of the winner's group.
Ed happened to look at Yu Shao, and their eyes met briefly in the air.
Seeing that his opponent was Yu Shao, Ed obviously felt the pressure, and his expression was as if he was facing a great enemy, but in the end he nodded slightly to Yu Shao. Yu Shao was a little surprised, but soon nodded in return.
"Table number eight, Yu Shao, yes, Ed."
Zhao Zhengyang picked up a pen and wrote down the names of Yu Shao and Ed, then asked, "Where's number nine?"
"It's me."
Soon, Araki's voice was heard among the crowd.
Seeing that number nine was Araki, everyone was slightly startled. Then many people immediately looked towards the crowd and began to look for the player who had also drawn number nine.
"I'm number nine too."
Soon, a young voice sounded from the crowd.
Then, the next moment, Su Yiming slowly raised his hand and spoke.
When they saw that the other chess player who drew number nine was Su Yiming, many people were stunned at first, then their expressions changed slightly, and they immediately looked at Su Yiming.
Number Nine——
Su Yiming, yes, Araki No!
"Su Yiming's opponent is Araki Ye?"
Yu Shao couldn't help but look at Su Yiming, and he couldn't help but ponder, carefully recalling the chess game between Araki and him that he had seen before.
In that game, Araki really showed his strong chess skills. Both his calculation and judgment were outstanding. Especially his understanding of external situation and actual situation, which surprised him.
"However, judging from that game, it's not surprising that Araki defeated Zheng Qin and even made it all the way to the top 64. But compared to Su Yiming and An Hongshi, he should still be slightly inferior."
"He is most likely no match for Su Yiming."
Thinking of this, Yu Shao quickly withdrew his gaze.
Finally, not long after, after the numbers of all the players in the loser group and the lower bracket were confirmed, Zhao Zhengyang spoke again: "It is now 8:40. Participants, please get ready. The game will start on time at 9 o'clock."
Seeing that the draw results were all out, the amateur chess players in the audience couldn't help but start a heated discussion.
"Su Yiming actually faced off against Mr. Arakino!"
"This is really going to be interesting. I don't know who will win or lose."
"They faced each other in the second round. For a moment, I didn't know whether to be happy or sad."
Overhearing the whispers of the people around him, a young man looked puzzled and asked, "Why are you all so excited? We're not facing off against Teacher An Hongshi and National Master Yu Shao, why are you acting like it's a duel?"
"Didn't you watch yesterday's game?"
Everyone was stunned when they heard this. A man in his thirties with a stubbled face couldn't help but ask, "Is it the game between Mr. Arakino and Toyama Xun?"
"No, I was watching Mr. An Hongshi's game yesterday. It was so beautiful."
The young man shook his head and answered truthfully, "After the match, it was already very late. I got up early in the morning to watch the match, then fell asleep as soon as I got home. I didn't watch any other matches."
Hearing this, the man was silent for a moment, then took a deep breath and said, "Then just take a look at today's game."
"I dare say I will give you a surprise, no—"
The man was halfway through his words when he couldn't help but think of the game between Arakino and Toyama Xun yesterday. Before seeing that game, he had never even thought that Arakino had the possibility of winning the championship, so he finally changed his words and said, "I was shocked."
Hearing the man's words, the young man couldn't help but look puzzled, but the man didn't seem to have any intention of explaining. He shook his head, turned around and left.
"What Riddler?"
The young man rolled his eyes, but finally decided to watch the game between Su Yiming and Arakino later. Besides, he had wanted to watch Su Yiming's game today.
After about ten minutes, the contestants returned to the competition venue one after another.
Yu Shao quickly rushed back to the competition venue from the toilet, then walked straight to table number 8 where he was, waiting for the competition to begin.
Finally, after a while, Zhao Zhengyang looked at his watch, coughed lightly, and said, "Time's up, contestants, you can start guessing now!"
Hearing this, Ed's expression opposite Yu Shao suddenly became extremely serious. He quickly reached into the chess box, grabbed a handful of white pieces, and clenched them tightly in his palm.
Yu Shao immediately took out a black piece from the chess box and placed it on the chessboard.
Ed loosened his grip, and the white piece immediately fell onto the board.
"Five, an odd number."
Ed finished counting quickly and said in English, "I'm White."
"I'm Black."
Yu Shao nodded, picked up the black piece on the chessboard and put it back into the chess box, then lowered his head towards Ed and said, "Please give me some advice."
"Please advise me."
Ed immediately returned the gesture.
Yu Shao raised his head and looked at the empty chessboard in front of him. After thinking for a while, he finally picked up the chess piece and made the first move.
clatter!
Seventeen columns and seventeen rows, three three!
The chess game begins!
On the other side, a group of amateur chess players and previously eliminated contestants, seeing the game begin, looked at each other and immediately walked quickly towards the ninth table without hesitation.
Soon, the ninth table was surrounded by people from all sides, making it impossible to get in or out.
Of course, Yu Shao was completely unaware of all this. He was completely immersed in his own game of chess, constantly taking chess pieces out of the box and dropping them down.
clatter!
clatter!
clatter!
For a moment, the sounds of chess pieces dropping began to echo in the competition venue one after another.
…
…
Not long after, table eight.
"I see. No wonder they didn't dig in the previous move but used a tiger to stop and fill the pieces. So they're going to use a 'pinch' move here for a quick attack?"
Yu Shao looked at the chess board in front of him and suddenly became thoughtful.
"It's a bold idea to find a new way. If I continue to fight with White here, I may not be able to get any benefits. If I continue to attack with all my might, it would be a bit too aggressive."
"As expected, they are two of the most famous chess players in Europe. Their reputation is truly well-deserved. They are not easy opponents to deal with. They are extremely formidable."
Yu Shao actually felt it was incredible to think that a European chess player could actually play this kind of chess. After all, even in his previous life, not many people could have played the moves that White had just made.
Yu Shao thought about it, and finally picked up the chess piece and put it down gently.
clatter!
Seven columns and five elements, cut off!
Seeing Yu Shao's "cutting" move, Ed's eyes became more serious. He pushed his glasses on the bridge of his nose and thought for a long time before picking up the chess piece again and dropping it quickly.
clatter!
Seven columns and twelve rows, jump!
"Excellent judgement! He saw through my intention to attack Bai Guqi, which was a pretense, and was actually a deception, so he went straight to the right to cut off my escape route, ignoring the weakness on the left. His overall view of the situation is excellent."
Yu Shao's eyes lit up slightly. Even though he was an opponent, he couldn't help but secretly cheer for this move. At the same time, he subconsciously focused more and kept calculating the subsequent changes in his mind.
Soon, Yu Shao picked up the chess piece and dropped it again.
And Ed followed closely behind and placed his white pieces, fighting for every inch of ground and refusing to give in.
clatter!
clatter!
clatter!
Gradually, Yu Shao's expression became more and more serious.
He originally tried to dissolve the white chess power by making shallow cuts on the left, but the white chess was very sensitive and immediately began to surround the empty space and place pieces in the upper left corner. If he continued to make shallow cuts, he might end up losing more than he gained and be isolated.
Then he wanted to sacrifice a piece to make a transition, break up the situation, and then encircle and suppress the weaker white pieces one by one, but the white pieces also realized it and actually took the initiative to force a transition when he was not fully prepared.
"And their counterattack was quite powerful. They penetrated my black formation without showing any weakness. This tough attitude actually put me in a difficult position."
Yu Shao couldn't help but glance at Ed across from him, calculating the subsequent situation in his mind, and thought to himself: "There hasn't been much progress so far, and even... White wants to bite me back."
"It's indeed a very good play."
Finally, after thinking for a while, Yu Shao reached into the chess box again, picked up the chess piece, and put it down gently.
clatter!
Eight columns and eight rows, turn!
Ed didn't know when, but his eyes had become a little cold. He pushed his glasses on the bridge of his nose and made moves quickly!
clatter!
Five columns and six rows, Xiaofei!
Yu Shao quickly followed suit.
Ed seemed to be full of momentum, and each move he made was fast, and each move was extremely powerful, even aggressive.
White chess uses the first move that has been hard-won to continuously gain the upper hand and refuses to give Black chess any chance to breathe!
clatter!
Another white chess piece falls!
Ten columns and fourteen rows, break through!
After doing this, Ed couldn't help but clench his fists and let out a long breath as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders!
From now on, offense and defense are reversed!
"really."
Yu Shao looked quietly at the chessboard in front of him, having already calculated the subsequent changes.
"Even if we dig here, the white pieces will cut us off. If we press, the white pieces will grow out and survive comfortably. Even if we charge with our shoulders, the white pieces have the ruthless tactic of sacrificing their own pieces to risk their lives. If a fight really breaks out, I'm afraid I'll be in for a tough fight."
"Even if we ignore it and choose to escape the first move and fight for the initiative, it seems like a good option, but White... perhaps it shouldn't be stabbed at Black's breakpoint?"
Yu Shao reached into the chess box and his fingertips touched the cold chess pieces.
"But if I don't dig, don't press, don't shoulder charge, and don't even take off the lead, but instead -"
Yu Shao picked up the chess piece.
"What if we bump into each other?"
The next second, the chess piece fell on the board!
clatter!
Thirteen columns and seven rows, bang!
One move and everything changes!
"bump?"
Seeing this move, Ed was stunned on the spot. After a moment, his expression changed suddenly. He had considered the black pieces digging, pressing, shoulder charging, and even escaping the advantage, but he had never considered the possibility of the black pieces touching here!
Because this move is completely out of the main battlefield, and even at first glance, it is completely incomprehensible. Moreover, in chess theory, "碰" is an extreme means and should be used with caution in most cases.
Only when this touch is actually made, and you think along the lines of this move, will you discover that this touch actually echoes the strength of the entire board, and the black piece that might have become an isolated piece suddenly becomes stronger.
And his originally aggressive white piece suddenly became extremely heavy!
(End of this chapter)
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