It was rather strange really, but Hikaru would have thought that now that he was a professional Go player that sitting here in the auditorium seats watching a professional match would not have seemed so… dull. Akari insisted on him coming with her to this hayago tournament, so he just didn't want to let her down.
Many of Japan's top players were actually not even in Japan at the moment, that's why event games these days were only between not-so-prominent 7- or 8-Dans. Kurata, Ogata, Nogi, and Morishita had all left on Friday for Korea. They were, after all, the only Japanese pros still representing Japan in the Samsung Cup. Yashiro, for a reason not known, was allowed to tag along to Soul. Anything would be more fascinating than this.
The new King of Japanes Go, Hikaru smirked. Ogata was currently playing in the Kisei League, challenging for the Meijin title, and next week the Honinbo League began. Adding in events like the Samsung Cup and it became hard to fathom how strong Ogata had to be to maintain his current level of play. Had Zama Oza not knocked him out of the Tengen Tournament last month it would have been even worse.
And then, Hikaru's thought wandered to Akira. By defeating Ookubo 9 – Dan in the Final Preliminary match, Akira had guaranteed himself something else, the rank of 7 – Dan next year. Even if he lost all seven of his Honinbo League matches, the League ran through April, and with the new rules taking effect April 1st, he'd be guaranteed the promotion. Akira Toya 7 – Dan then! Hikaru chuckled slightly. Yes, 7 – Dan at least sounded like a rank that befits someone of Akira's skill, his genius. Whether or not it fit Hikaru as well was unknown, but Hikaru did know that on that day Akira's rank would finally reflect his skill.
In some ways, Hikaru even wondered if the instant promotion system had been set up just for Akira, a coronation for the young Go prodigy. Sure it allowed for ranks to better reflect a player's skill and would remove the number of 9 – Dan ranked players in the long run, but it just seemed that so many people in the Go world found it hard to think of someone as young and talented as Akira as a 3, now 4 – Dan. After all, Hikaru had never thought of Akira that way. In many ways rank meant nothing to him, even if he used it himself to judge the skill of those he'd play, at least on a scale of high Dan and low Dan. Taking a deep breath, Hikaru couldn't help but smile. 7-Dan, it sure has a nice sound to it.
"Hey Hikaru, are you paying attention?"
His mind springing back to attention at the whisper in his ear, Hikaru turned toward Akari and giving her a quick smile nodded. "Yeah, I'm paying attention."
Smiling back at him happily, Akari then whispered back, "Good, then can you explain to me why that last move was bad? The commentator isn't very easy to understand at times."
His eyes widening as he glanced over to the diagram board, Hikaru began to panic as he examined the position, trying to figure out where the last few stones had been placed. Damn, if only it wasn't a hayago tournament.
