▲Kim Eun-ji (Kim Eunji, left) defeated Sumire to move one step closer to a fifth straight Nanseolheon Cup title. - In the semifinals, Kim Eun-ji and Sumire win to set up a final showdown - The winner will be decided in games 2 and 3 of the final on the 8th - An amateur tournament will be held at the community sports center on the 7th and 8th Kim Eunji (김은지) 9-dan came from behind to defeat Sumire 6-dan, putting her just one win away from a fifth consecutive Nansulheon Cup title. On the 7th, in Game 1 of the best-of-three final of the 6th Nanseolheon Cup National Women's Baduk Tournament, held at Ojuk Hanok Village in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Kim Eun-ji (김은지) took the first point by defeating Sumire (스미레) as White by resignation after 212 moves. Earlier that day, in the morning semifinals, Kim Eun-ji (김은지) won by resignation as Black in 231 moves over Lee Seul-ju (이슬주), 3 dan, to reach the final for the fifth consecutive year. Sumire (스미레) defeated Choi Jeong (최정), 9 dan, by a half point as Black in 300 moves after a fierce battle, reaching the final for the first time in her third appearance. The two sat down across from each other at a final's table again just eight days after meeting in the Sh Suhyup Bank Women's Baduk Strongest Players Tournament final on October 30. In Game 1 of the finals, Sumire appeared to be heading for her first win over Kim Eun-ji (김은지) after building a sizable lead from the middle game onward. But a mistake by Sumire in the lower center (Black 149) abruptly swung the game, and Kim Eun-ji, who did not let the chance slip, turned the game around and took the win. With this win, Kim Eun-ji (김은지) extended her record against Sumire to 11 wins with no losses, once again showing why she is such a nemesis for her opponent. Game 2 of the finals will be played at the same venue at 10 a.m. on the 8th. If Kim Eun-ji (김은지) wins, she will clinch her fifth consecutive title in the tournament; if Sumire (스미레) manages to strike back, the champion will be decided in the deciding Game 3, which begins at 2 p.m. Meanwhile, an opening ceremony was held at 1 p.m. that day at the Gangneung Community Sports Center. About 450 people attended, including Gangneung Mayor Kim Jung-nam (김중남), Gangneung City Council Chairman Heo Byeong-gwan (허병관), Gangneung Sports Council President Kwon Young-man (권영만), Korea Baduk Association Secretary-General Yang Jae-ho (양재호), and Korean Women's Baduk Federation President Lee Kwang-soon (이광순), along with players in the main draw of the professional tournament and participants in the amateur tournament. Kim Jung-nam (김중남), mayor of Gangneung, said, "I am delighted that such a meaningful tournament, bringing together female baduk players from across the country, is being held in Gangneung, the hometown of Heo Nanseolheon. I hope the players will put on wonderful matches in beautiful Gangneung and create precious memories." ▲ Kim Jung-nam (김중남), Mayor of Gangneung Yang Jae-ho (양재호), secretary general of the Korea Baduk Association, then said, "Baduk is a dignified sport that cultivates wisdom and patience and teaches etiquette and the Way. The Korea Baduk Association will work together so that Gangneung can grow into a world-class baduk city." ▲ Yang Jae-ho (양재호), Secretary General of the Korea Baduk Association (/div> The amateur division, held alongside the professional tournament, drew 180 women Baduk enthusiasts from across the country and more than 200 other club players, and young Baduk hopefuls from the kindergarten division took part as well. The 6th Nanseolheon Cup National Women's Baduk Tournament is sponsored by Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, Gangneung City, the Gangneung City Council, and the Gangneung City Sports Council, and is jointly hosted and organized by the Korea Baduk Association (Hanguk Giwon) and the Korea Women's Baduk Federation. The winner's prize is 45 million won, and the runner-up receives 15 million won. The time control uses the cumulative (Fischer) system, with 20 minutes per player plus an additional 20 seconds per move. ▲ Players and officials taking part in the main stage of a professional tournament
