I Really Didn’t Mean to Play Go!
Chapter 332: A Move That Shattered Heaven and Earth

"By the way, why are there so many reporters here today?"

The thick-browed youth looked around the match room, eyeing the swarm of journalists curiously.

The Tiger Cubs Match was held once a year. For trainee players, it was their most important competition—so much so that recorders were even assigned to keep notation. It was meaningful, yes, but it wasn’t a professional tournament.

In past Tiger Cubs Matches, there were usually a few journalists, but never this many.

“It’s because of Yu Shao and Su Yiming. Both of them made it to the Main Tournament of the Title Match. They’re the brightest stars in the Go world right now—media magnets.”

The burly youth took a deep breath, expression slightly solemn. “Even if it’s just a rookie match, their presence alone draws in huge attention.”

At that, all five of the young players grew noticeably tenser.

They were all still young. Though they were the cream of the crop at their respective dojos, they’d never experienced anything like this.

To play in a high-profile match, in front of reporters, against top-tier pros? The pressure was enormous.

If they lost badly, they wouldn’t just embarrass themselves in the room—it’d be broadcast nationwide. Maybe even worldwide.

Their minds wandered. Their nerves frayed. One by one, they went quiet, staring at the door, waiting for their opponents to arrive.

Not long after, Yu Shao appeared in the doorway.

Click. Click. Click.

The reporters’ eyes lit up immediately.

“Yu Shao, 2-dan, is here!”

“Quick! Get more shots!”

The shutters went wild.

The five trainees all looked up instinctively, their gazes filled with awe—and a hint of fear.

"Yu Shao..."

Feng Ruotao subconsciously pursed his lips and clenched his fists, locking eyes on Yu Shao.

I’m about to play him...

“Can’t wait to see how you plan to beat Yu Shao. Good luck.”

Fan Tianhong glanced sideways at Feng Ruotao, voice full of smug sarcasm.

Feng Ruotao said nothing—he simply returned the look, eyes cold.

Just as Yu Shao entered the room, Su Yiming followed right behind. The energy in the room spiked. The reporters surged toward the doorway again, camera shutters firing like machine guns.

Feng Ruotao nudged Fan Tianhong and whispered, “Su Yiming’s here. I’m also looking forward to watching you beat him.”

Fan Tianhong’s face stiffened. He crossed his arms and snorted, “…Then just watch.”

After Su Yiming came in, a serious-looking man in a suit entered the room. The thick-browed boy’s expression changed slightly.

“Chen Shan, 9-dan…”

Soon after, a bald, broad man in his 30s entered, followed by a tall man of similar age.

“Lu Bo, 9-dan... Hong Leju, 9-dan…”

Other than Yu Shao and Su Yiming, the remaining three pros were all renowned top players—each of them had previously held titles, and were again aiming for the top.

Knowing they’d be playing that level of opponent, the five youths felt the weight of pressure settle squarely on their shoulders.

The Title Match Main Tournament was a stage for the elite. Anyone who stood on that stage… was someone the world knew by name.

Chen Shan and the other two barely glanced at the young trainees before looking away. Their attention was clearly on Yu Shao and Su Yiming.

They were the newcomers—yes—but they had already reached their level. That alone was enough to command respect.

Just a year ago, Chen Shan thought, he was basically one of these kids.

And now… he walks into this room alongside me.

His gaze lingered on Yu Shao, eyes full of conflicting emotions.

After a moment, he looked away. A quiet heaviness filled his heart.

We’re destined to meet again soon… as opponents, on the battlefield of the National Master Title.

A few minutes later, the five match recorders arrived and sat at the five Go boards. Judge Ma Zhengyu cleared his throat.

“It’s about time!”

He scanned the room and announced, “Players, please take your seats.”

“Table One: Su Yiming vs. Fan Tianhong!”

Fan Tianhong took a deep breath and stepped forward. Su Yiming also moved to Table One.

They arrived at the board almost simultaneously, pulled out their chairs, and sat facing each other.

“Table Two: Yu Shao vs. Feng Ruotao!”

Yu Shao finally moved, walking calmly to Table Two. Feng Ruotao followed.

Despite his best efforts to remain composed, Feng Ruotao’s nervousness showed the moment Yu Shao sat across from him.

“Table Three: Chen Shan vs. Mei Shaohua!”

“Table Four…”

“Table Five…”

Soon, all ten players were seated.

The five trainee players sat upright, backs straight, tension etched into their faces—but their eyes glimmered with stubborn resolve.

Once everyone was seated, Ma Zhengyu continued:

“To make today’s matches more instructive, each game will be a two-stone handicap.”

“Would all Black players please place their handicap stones on the upper-right and lower-left star points?”

Tap.

Clack.

As soon as he finished speaking, the five trainees reached into their bowls and placed their stones—one on each designated star point.

When all the stones were placed, Ma Zhengyu finally declared:

“The matches begin!”

Yu Shao and the other four bowed toward their opponents. The five trainees quickly returned the bow.

The games had officially begun.

Across from Yu Shao, Feng Ruotao stared nervously at the board, waiting for the first move.

If this were an even game, I’d have no chance.

But this is a handicap game.

He recalled every game record he had ever studied of Yu Shao’s. His eyes hardened.

He just became a top-tier player. He probably doesn’t have much experience with handicap games. I definitely have a chance.

His skill is higher than mine, so I absolutely can’t allow the game to spiral into anything too complicated. I can’t give him even a sliver of opportunity.

No mistakes. No openings!

Feng Ruotao clenched his fists tightly.

Then—I'll win this game, clean and clear, for everyone to see!

Opposite him, Yu Shao sat in contemplation, eyes on the two handicap stones already on the board.

In his past life, he had played many handicap games.

But… more often than not, he had been the one receiving the handicap.

Yes.

When playing against AI, it was customary for human players to take two or even three stones. Even the strongest AI had trouble beating a top human at a three-stone handicap.

But even with a two-stone head start, very few human players could beat AI. Yu Shao was one of the rare exceptions who could win occasionally.

So, in reality—he was extremely familiar with how to play handicap games.

In fact, in many ways, playing with a handicap was harder than playing without one.

Why?

Because from move one, there was already a major imbalance. The pressure on the handicapped side was immense, and often forced people to abandon their usual playstyle.

Take, for example, the pointed approach after a corner attachment.

In ancient times—before komi—that move was considered perfect.

But once komi was introduced, it was dismissed as too slow—until AI proved otherwise.

Komi alone had changed how humans played Go. So what about handicaps?

When facing AI with a handicap, the machine often resorted to shocking, godlike, out-of-this-world tactics just to balance the scales.

So yes—for that reason—

Facing AI with a handicap might’ve been harder than playing evenly.

So should I just play safe, wait for him to make a mistake, win, and give him a nice little confidence boost…

Or should I…

Yu Shao lifted his gaze and looked across at Feng Ruotao—who stared back, eyes full of conviction.

His mind was made up.

Clack!

He reached into the bowl, drew a stone, and slammed it down decisively.

“If you believe you can win—”

Tap!

Column 16, Row 17 — Small Point Opening!

“Then come!”

Feng Ruotao’s eyes flickered. He quickly grabbed a stone and responded.

Tap!

Column 4, Row 4 — Star Point!

The board had begun to take shape. Because of the handicap, Black already held the upper-left, upper-right, and lower-left corners. White only had the lower-right.

If White wanted to challenge Black from just one corner—it was like trying to conquer the north with a single army.

Yu Shao made his next move:

Column 6, Row 17 — Small Knight’s Approach!

He's approaching my lower-left...

I could extend along the side to push him down. That’d be aggressive.

But maybe too aggressive…

Feng Ruotao calmly assessed the board. A moment later, he made his decision and reached into his bowl.

A small knight’s defense should be the most stable.

Tap!

Column 3, Row 14 — Small Knight’s Move!

Yu Shao showed no change in expression, as if he had expected this. He immediately played:

Tap!

Column 6, Row 15 — Jump!

At that moment, Feng Ruotao had already reached into his bowl for his next move.

But when he saw where Yu Shao’s stone had landed—

He froze.

His mind went blank.

His right hand paused inside the bowl, unable to pull out a stone.

The recorder, who had just logged Feng Ruotao’s last move, glanced up—and their eyes widened.

“That move...”

“A jump?!”

Only three moves from White—and already, the third was a move that shattered heaven and earth.