Chapter 510 Past Life, Present Life, Future
The next day.
When Yu Shao arrived at the competition venue, there was only one lonely chess table left in the center. The huge competition venue seemed to exist only for this one chess table, which could be described as the ultimate in extravagance.
Unlike previous competitions, the venue was deserted today. Apart from a few cameramen, competition staff, referees, and recorders, there was no one else there.
Before the World Championship finals, spectators were allowed to watch the matches. However, during the finals, perhaps to emphasize the feeling of a showdown at the top, no one was allowed to watch anymore.
Therefore, the entire competition venue appeared quiet and deserted, even desolate.
"This day has come again..."
Yu Shao was slightly dazed upon seeing this scene.
In his past life, he had come here countless times... Now, he has returned here again, but not only in a different identity. Even his chess style is completely different from his past life; he is now a completely transformed person.
Perhaps, even the few opponents who knew him best in his past life would not recognize him at all now.
Regardless, he came back here again.
In an instant, it was as if countless games of chess from the past and present life flashed through his mind... He remembered every move he had made vividly.
Perhaps, now is truly the time to put an end to this life.
Yu Shao felt that he was now better than he was in his previous life, but he had no idea how much better he was.
"call……"
Yu Shao finally let out a slow breath, and under the watchful eyes of the referee and the recorder, he walked across the competition venue, step by step to the center of the venue, then stopped in front of the chess table, pulled out a chair and sat down.
The seat opposite was empty.
Su Yiming has not arrived yet.
Just after Yu Shao sat down, footsteps sounded again at the entrance of the competition venue, and everyone immediately looked towards the entrance.
Yu Shao also turned his head and saw a tall, slender young man of about eighteen years old, dressed in a smart suit, who had also arrived at the competition venue and appeared at the entrance of the venue.
Su Yiming also arrived.
Su Yiming also looked up at Yu Shao, and their eyes met for a moment in mid-air. Then Su Yiming looked away, took a step, and walked towards the chess table in the center.
step.
Two steps.
Three steps.
...
The distance between the two was getting closer and closer.
Su Yiming's gaze grew increasingly resolute.
It wasn't until he finally reached the chessboard opposite Yu Shao that Su Yiming stopped, pulled out a chair, sat down opposite Yu Shao, and then looked up to meet Yu Shao's gaze.
At this moment, his eyes were so firm that they could be described as resolute, even carrying a sense of determination born of years of hardship and a single, unwavering pursuit.
Yu Shao inexplicably understood the emotions in Su Yiming's eyes. Or rather, the emotions in Su Yiming's eyes were not hidden at all; they were so intense and vigorous, even somewhat sharp!
He wanted to win.
I've never wanted to win so intensely before.
He has incredibly survived from the second round of the loser's bracket double-elimination tournament until now, defeating Honinbo Shingo, Yasuhiro, and even avenging his previous defeat against Araki!
All of this was for this moment!
So that I can sit across from myself!
At this moment, facing a game of chess that would inevitably be watched by the whole world, he wanted to win.
Even Yu Shao himself was infected by this amazing fighting spirit and couldn't help but fall silent.
To be honest...
Whether in his past life or this life, Yu Shao had never seen a chess player as talented as Su Yiming. Even though countless people had used the word "genius" to describe him in both his past and present lives!
He knew that his post-AI era playing style would definitely cause a sensation and bring about changes in the chess world, and he also knew that in this world where chess styles are prevalent, this change might happen faster than he imagined.
However, there is no Go AI in this world. Even if Go is popular and there are many players, the understanding of the concept of AI Go will not be fast. Without Go AI, the speed of understanding depends entirely on individual aptitude!
While some top players like Arakino have a relatively deep understanding of the game, there are also top players like Hans and Kimura Go who do not yet have a deep enough understanding. As a result, they were eliminated in the single-elimination tournament!
Overall, the current Go world is still a long way from the post-AI era Go world of the past!
Not a short section, but a long one!
Su Yiming, however, was completely different. His initial playing style was quite classical, and his pace of Go was very slow, even inferior to the world's top players.
However, Su Yiming, with his astonishing insight, was the first to realize the variations in thickness, order, and terrain in Go.
Especially after watching Su Yiming's game against Araki yesterday, Yu Shao could almost conclude that Su Yiming had almost infinitely approached, or was already equivalent to, a Go player from the post-AI era of his previous life!
He has come a long way with firm steps, and the threat to him is growing. It has only been two years since he went from the high school Go league to the world championship finals!
He had actually considered who would win if he and Su Yiming were to clash in the post-AI era. He had also wondered if Su Yiming might one day surpass him...
To say that he had absolute confidence in himself and felt that no one could surpass him would be a lie. In fact, Su Yiming's speed of improvement in chess completely exceeded his expectations, and it was no longer just a matter of feeling threatened.
It has turned into fear!
Although he hoped that strong opponents would emerge to hone his skills, to be honest, he didn't know when it started, but deep down he was somewhat unwilling for the name "Su Yiming" to exist in the world.
He had experienced this emotion in his previous life as well.
In his previous life, he had similar feelings when he saw one talented younger chess player after another rise to prominence.
However, his mindset seems to have changed somewhat now...
In short, all of this will unfold within the context of today's game of chess—
The true skill was revealed at once!
The two sat quietly, surrounded by complete silence, waiting for the moment when the competition would officially begin.
Seeing Yu Shao and Su Yiming take their places, everyone at the long table, from the notarizer to the judges, couldn't help but take a deep breath, their nervousness mixed with anticipation, and at this moment, even a touch of reverence.
There are five minutes left until the match starts at nine o'clock.
Those five minutes felt like an eternity.
As time passed, a tense and oppressive atmosphere seemed to gradually permeate the air.
Looking back at this World Championship, it seems to have truly been a battle that defined a new era. Some renowned top players were eliminated in the single-elimination tournament, while players like Higashiyama Kaoru emerged as a dark horse.
The double-elimination tournament was brutal and intense, but the two defeated the then-dominant Honinbo Shinga and Yasuhiro Seki respectively, and eliminated the highly anticipated Araki, both advancing to the finals!
All of this is coming to an end.
This game of chess is now in the endgame!
finally.
Five minutes passed, and Zhao Zhengyang checked his watch and said, "Time's up!"
Zhao Zhengyang didn't know why, but even though he had experienced countless chess games in his life and had even won a world championship, and had seen many ups and downs, he was still feeling a bit nervous at this moment.
"This is the final match. Both sides have three hours to think, with a one-minute countdown. The black komi is seven and a half points!"
Zhao Zhengyang took a deep breath and said again in a deep voice, "Now, we can start guessing who goes first!"
Upon hearing this, Yu Shao reached into the chess box first and, amidst the clicking sound of the pieces, grabbed a handful of white stones.
Looking at the empty chessboard in front of him, Su Yiming slowly reached his hand into the chess box. The cool, round chess pieces felt just like they did more than 180 years ago.
Past memories, like fleeting shadows, surfaced in his mind.
Fu Hunnan, whose chess style is grand and magnificent, is known as the "Chess Emperor".
Zhou Yangyun is a top-notch player in attack and defense, with accurate judgments on life and death situations. He is known as the "Chess Tiger of South China" in the region.
Abbot Du'e, who became a monk and spent his time in the ancient temple with only Go as his companion, was revered as the "Holy Monk of Go" because of his slow, profound, and Zen-like style of playing Go, which had no obvious weaknesses.
Fang Xin also has unique and innovative layouts, first-rate mid-game fighting skills, and unparalleled endgame prowess...
He once faced countless formidable enemies, just like he does now, and ultimately defeated them all one by one. It was an extremely exciting and interesting journey, and everything is still vivid in my mind.
However, all of that happened more than 180 years ago.
Su Yiming finally took out two black pieces from the chess box and slowly placed them in the center of the chessboard.
Seeing this, Yu Shao also released his grip, and the white pieces in his palm fell onto the chessboard with a clattering sound.
Su Yiming watched this scene quietly.
"In any case, I am finally...sitting across from you again."
“Unlike before, this time, I can’t find any obvious weaknesses in you. I can only find an almost flawless opening, middle game... and even endgame. It’s despair-inducingly strong.”
"However, unlike before, this time, I no longer have any obvious weaknesses. The weaknesses in the opening have been made up, and even my calculations in the middle game have improved significantly. My sense of life and death and the thickness of the pieces have also become extremely sensitive!"
Just then, Yu Shao finally finished counting the white pieces on the chessboard, slowly raised his head, looked at Su Yiming, and said, "Eight pieces, an even number. You play black."
Su Yiming nodded slightly, silently reached out, and put the two black pieces on the chessboard back into the chess box.
“In the past, Go was about finding each other’s weaknesses and then attacking them. Whoever could find the opponent’s weakness first would have the advantage.”
Ta-da.
Su Yiming heard the sound of the chess piece falling into the chess box and colliding with other chess pieces.
"However, this game is different..."
On the other side, Yu Shao also put the white pieces back into the chess box and bowed to Su Yiming.
Please give me your guidance.
Su Yiming bowed in return, saying, "Please give me your guidance."
Seeing this, the referee and notary licked their dry lips and stared intently at the chessboard.
In the review room, the professional Go players, glued to their television sets, unconsciously clenched their fists, staring intently at the screen, reluctant to blink.
In Go clubs around the world, tens of thousands of Go fans looked up at the television screens broadcasting the matches, all holding their breath involuntarily!
A chess game.
here we go!
At this moment, the world is completely silent!
Su Yiming gazed at the chessboard before him. At this moment, the chessboard was completely clean, without a single piece. But in the foreseeable future, a deadly battle that would attract the world's attention would surely erupt on this nineteen-column, nineteen-row chessboard.
"This game of chess is not about who can find the other's weakness to win, nor is it about who has the stronger strength, because even if it is a strength, unless it is the opponent's obvious weakness, then the effect is not enough to make a crushing victory."
"In other words, this game is not about who can seize that fleeting opportunity at the crucial moment!"
"Then--"
Su Yiming finally reached into the chess box again, just like 180 years ago when he was Shen Yi, but now he is no longer Shen Yi!
"Let's fight to the death!"
The chess pieces are clipped out.
The black motif, held between the slender index and middle fingers, gleamed as if it were glowing. The ring and little fingers were slightly separated before it slowly fell!
clatter!
World Championship Finals, First Pick—
Sixteen columns, three rows, small eyes!
Only after the pieces were completely settled on the board did Su Yiming slowly withdraw his hand and press the timer.
"So handsome..."
The notarizer stared at the chessboard, somewhat bewildered.
It was just a simple act of placing a piece, but she seemed to feel a deep sense of weight in it, as if the weight and love accumulated over four thousand years of history were held between her fingertips and then struck the chessboard.
So much so that when placing a piece, it seems to carry an inherent aura, extremely solemn, and imposing without anger.
The moment a chess piece lands on the board, it emits a deafening, resounding echo that has resonated for millennia and deeply moved people!
On the other side, seeing Su Yiming make a move, Yu Shao also reached into the chess box, just like in his previous life. Back then, he was still Yu Shao, but the Yu Shao of today is no longer that Yu Shao!
Yu Shao slowly picked up the white piece.
The next moment, the hand fell as if from ten thousand feet!
clatter!
Sixteen columns, four rows, stars!
This was a completely different feeling from Su Yiming's move. Although the hand gestures were similar, the powerful sense of control that seemed to see through everything and that no one could escape made her heart skip a beat.
She took a deep breath, moved the mouse, and recorded the two moves on the computer: small eye and star!
"A game of chess where victory can only be achieved by seizing fleeting opportunities in a vague board state..."
Su Yiming picked up another black piece, his clear black and white eyes reflecting the chessboard with only two pieces remaining.
"I never imagined there would be such a game of chess."
"To find the strongest move, one must calculate all life and death, and see the most distant future!"
"Really—"
"An overwhelming joy...!"
With his wrist suspended in the air, the chess piece fell like a star!
clatter!
Four columns and three rows, small eyes!
"Click!"
The moment the sound of chess pieces colliding rang out, Yu Shao also placed his chess piece.
Four columns and sixteen rows, a star!
This game of chess—
To Xiaomu, yes, the two stars!
(End of this chapter)
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