Stomping Grounds

For the average viewer, the ING Cup finals have always been an exciting event happening every four years, and this year's competition has certainly lived up to that expectation. However, the excitement has been accompanied by some controversy.

The ongoing finals feature two of the strongest players in the Go world: Xie Ke, a top player from China, and Ichiriki Ryo, currently the highest-rated Japanese player. Both have demonstrated exceptional skill throughout the tournament. On August 14th, 2024, Game 2 concluded with Ichiriki Ryo emerging victorious after a tense battle. Ichiriki Ryo made a decision to play for influence after a very rocky start despite it being a risky approach among today’s professional players. The sway was almost 90% in Xie Ke's favor at one point. At the end it paid off, leading Ichiriki Ryo to a well-earned victory through his perseverance.

While Game 2 was now the attention of many, fewer people are aware of the controversy that took place during Game 1. The match sparked questions about sportsmanship in professional Go at the top level. During the game, Ichiriki Ryo made his move and hit the clock to end his turn, but the clock failed to register his action, and he didn't notice. As Xie Ke prepared to place his next stone, he appeared to notice the issue, quickly withdrawing his hand and entering deep thought while the clock ran down and eventually lead to a penalty for Ichiriki Ryo. You can watch this moment unfold here.

Xie Ke appeared surprised when the penalty was imposed, leaving many to wonder whether his reaction was genuine or if he had indeed noticed the clock error and decided to capitalize on it. This situation raises a complex question: Did Xie Ke intentionally wait for ichiriki Ryo to be penalized (i.e forced to buy time), or was he simply using the rules of the tournament to his advantage? This is assuming he truly did notice Ichiriki Ryo's mistake.

For those unfamiliar with the penalty system, it's important to note that this is a part of the ING Cup rules. I noticed a lot of people who watch actually didn't know this was a thing (Including myself!). A detailed explanation of the penalty can be found at this link.

In professional Go, clock management is a critical aspect of play, and players are expected to manage it. However, the expectation of sportsmanship often comes into conflict with strict rule adherence, especially in a game like Go, where the integrity of play is highly valued.

Regardless of whether Xie Ke intentionally ignored the clock error, the incident could be perceived as unsportsmanlike by some. On the other hand, others might argue that it was Ichiriki Ryo's responsibility to ensure the clock registered his move, and that Xie Ke was merely playing within those rules.

Xie Ke's apparent surprise when ichiriki Ryo was penalized suggests that he may not have been aware. Without clear evidence of his intentions, its challenging to determine definitively whether his actions were unsporting. The controversy ultimately highlights the delicate balance between following the rules and upholding the spirit of fair play.

Despite personally being a fan of Xie Ke and watching him on fox all the time, I believe in the importance of sportsmanship, but I also have a firm respect for the rules even if my opponent wins using the rules in what might seem unsportsmanlike. It's a nuanced issue, and opinions may vary widely on what constitutes fair play in this context.

Round 3 is happening in September with Ichiriki Ryo set to lead with a score of 2-0.

I’m curious to hear your thoughts. Do you believe this was unsportsmanlike or fair game? For those cheering for Xie Ke does this effect who you want to win? please share in the comments section below!