Ukrainian refugee and go prodigy Larion Syrotkin is only 8 years old, but this week he will compete in the third and deciding game of the Irish Championship final, which will broadcast on the Online-Go Server website. Currently ranked 1 Dan in the European Go Federation, Syrotkin’s quick rise through the ranks astounds those who follow his progress. “It is stunning how someone can go from 9k EGF to playing in the Irish Championship final in one year,” remarks OGS user John_C, who says he is a mentor to Syrotkin. “He is… so strong that maybe I am only half teaching him now.” Syrotkin and his family live under temporary protection in Ireland due to the war in Ukraine. “Of course, it has been hard, and sometimes it still is, but we try to focus on the good things that have come into our lives—people we’ve met along the way and new interests we’ve discovered,” said Daryna Syrotkin, Larion’s mother, speaking on her family’s swift departure from their home in Kharkiv. When Larion relocated to Ireland, he and his two brothers watched cartoons in English to help learn the language. Hikaru no Go, a nearly 25-year-old anime, sparked the boy's interest in the board game, and for his seventh birthday he asked for a board and stones. “It didn’t take long for Larion’s heart to be completely stolen by the game,” said his mother. Daryna is glad for Larion’s passion. “It helps him to be more disciplined, more attentive, and able to argue with adults respectfully,” she explains. “He regularly plays and chats with people from different countries, follows some of his friends and rivals, and already looks forward to the next tournaments.” The series is tied at one game apiece. Syrotkin’s opponent, Lu Xinqun fell short of the championship over the last two years, finishing as runner-up in 2023 and 2024. In the first game, black (Syrotkin) benefitted from a huge point swing after white played a timid move, 160, toward the top-center of the board. Despite a strong endgame, white lost by 4.5 points. Xinqun (black) struck back in game two, winning by just 1.5 points. Post game commentary indicated white lost the game at move 148. White’s ko threat allowed black to play a fixing move that ultimately helped black's endangered group live. The final game is expected to take place on Thursday.
