original title：趙治勲 私の履歴書（15）史上初の大三冠
Original article: The Nikkei
Author: Cho Chikun, Honorary Meijin
At that time, the challenger for the Kisei title was determined through two unique methods: the All-Ranks Championship and the Top Players Decision Match. In 1982, as the holder of the Meijin and Honinbo titles, I participated in the Top Players Decision Match. In the best-of-three Challenger Decision Match, I faced Masao Kato and won two consecutive games, becoming the challenger for the Kisei title in the seven-game match held at the beginning of the year.
The titleholder at the time was the 57-year-old Fujisawa Hideyuki-sensei. Known as "Hideyuki-sensei," he had successfully defended the Kisei title for six consecutive years since the title's inception. He had also won several inaugural titles, such as the Yomiuri Shimbun-sponsored old Meijin title and the Tengen title, earning him the nickname "Hideyuki, the First to Taste the Crab."
Later, at the age of 67, he set a record for the oldest player to defend the Oza title. Although Sakata Eio-sensei's 64 titles far exceeded his 23 titles, Hideyuki-sensei was known for his profound and elegant style, earning the moniker "Artistic Hideyuki," which contrasted with "Shobu-shi Sakata" (Sakata, the Competitor).
Hideyuki-sensei made numerous visits to China, passionately mentoring young Go players, and also established the "Hideyuki School" in Japan to nurture young talents, gaining a reputation for his dedication to his juniors. When I was younger, I often went to Hideyuki-sensei's office in Yoyogi, Tokyo, to study. It was a gathering place for Go players, and I was deeply impressed by the way he would quietly clean the Go boards after everyone had left. I felt his immense love for Go.
I frequently visited his home as well. Every time I left, he would say, "It's getting late, let me walk you to the station," and then accompany me there. Once at the station, I would worry about his safety and walk him back home. This would happen several times in a row. Hideyuki-sensei had an incredibly kind heart, and this kindness weighed heavily on me.
Therefore, I was very much looking forward to playing against him on the big stage. Hideyuki-sensei also expressed that it felt "like reuniting with a long-awaited lover" and publicly stated, "I don't think I'll lose."
However, I was nearly 30 years younger than him and, as the Meijin and Honinbo, I couldn't afford to lose. Although Hideyuki-sensei had continuously defeated challengers like Rin Kaiho-sensei and Otake Hideo-sensei in previous years and even qualified for the Honorary Kisei title, many Go fans believed it was time for a generational shift.
Yet, as the series began, I lost three consecutive games. Though I wasn't complacent, Hideyuki-sensei displayed the essence of "Artistic Hideyuki," quickly pushing me to the edge of defeat.
"It's too shameful if the Meijin and Honinbo can't win a single game." In the fourth game held in Otaru, Hokkaido, I fought with all my might. Both sides made very few mistakes, and it was a deeply engaging game, but in the endgame, I narrowly secured a victory. The tide turned from there. Sgf: https://online-go.com/demo/1324044
Starting from the fifth game, we engaged in fierce back-and-forth battles, but Lady Luck smiled on me. Particularly in the final seventh game, although I was at a disadvantage throughout, I eventually won by half a point with the white stones. Miraculously, I achieved four consecutive victories from the brink of defeat.
Among the seven major titles, the Kisei, Meijin, and Honinbo titles are the three major titles decided by two-day, seven-game matches. I became the first person in history to hold all three of these titles simultaneously, achieving what is known as the Grand Slam.
After the final game, Hideyuki-sensei congratulated me, saying, "Congratulations. It was a very satisfying match." He also advised me to "study hard," for which I was very grateful.
Hideyuki-sensei had abstained from alcohol for five months for the Kisei match, but after the match, he resumed drinking heavily. Twenty days later, he vomited blood and was eventually hospitalized, where it was discovered that he had stomach cancer. He truly gave everything he had in that seven-game match.
Comments