It looks as though Japan is de-aging all of a sudden with a band of juveniles fast rising, shoving off grow-ups in major arenas of activities. Not so long ago I recall introducing you to teen prodigies in Shogi and Othello; now I have another for you get acquainted with: a ten-year-old girl Go prodigy ready to challenge shortly the current grandmaster Yuta Iyama in what promises to be a sensational game of Go ever.

The Go sensation is a cute little girl from Osaka, Midori, daughter of a professional Go player Shinya Nakamura. Midori is barely 10 years old and nominated by the Nihon Kiin (Japan Go Association) as the first candidate to join the list of Young Go Talents.

Midori learned how to play Go at the age of three and went to South Korea with her parents at seven. South Korea is another home of Go where the game has advanced to international level. Midori joined Han Jong Jin’s prestigious Go school and is said to have advanced far enough to outclass Korea’s reputed young player Che Jong, says Han.

Midori had no sooner returned home last month with her parents than a game was arranged with the current grand-champion Cho U – not a handicapped game but a full straight game! Midori drew with Cho.

Cho remarked:

“It was a kind of shock to me. I had heard about her gift but that game betrayed something beyond my anticipation.

“I remember how it was when I played Grandmaster Iyama in his elementary days. I must confess Midori is farther up there!”

I play some Go and claim to know the game somewhat better than Chess or Shogi. In terms of complexities Go ranks above either of them. It is simply amazing for a girl barely ten to have come to such a level where she can face the top-notch players like Iyama and Cho.

If Han were correct in assuming Midori would reign the game of Go in not so distant a future, Japan would regain the long-lost title of the Kingdom of Go.

—Sponsered Link—