Clack. Clack. Clack...

Yu Shao and Li You began exchanging moves swiftly. Black and white stones began to spread across the bottom right corner of the board, using the low extension joseki as a foundation.

“They’re moving so fast!”

“Li You 8-dan must’ve played out this match in his mind countless times already—that’s why he can place his stones so quickly.”

In the Handtalk Room, as everyone stared at the board, a sense of familiarity began to settle in. Someone couldn’t help but think, “This opening... feels oddly familiar.”

Standing behind the referee’s table, Zhuang Weisheng had already recalled where he had seen this before.

“This position is exactly the same as the one from Yu Shao’s game against Zheng Qin during the National Title preliminaries.”

He stared at the board, sharp-eyed.

“That game featured a move so outrageous it stunned the Go world—a fifth-line shoulder hit.”

“Although Yu Shao eventually won and that move received praise, to this day, no other player has dared to replicate that shoulder hit in an official match.”

“But of course, this game won’t follow that one exactly.”

“There are no identical games in the history of Go. So... who will make the first change?”

Soon, Yu Shao picked up a stone and dropped it decisively—

Clack!

Column 13, Row 16—Tiger’s Mouth!

It was the same move Yu Shao had used in his game against Zheng Qin. Back then, Zheng, playing white, responded with a one-space jump.

In that match, nearly every player would have responded to that jump. Instead, Yu Shao had simply tenuki’d to the top to build framework—an impossibly light and bold move that shocked everyone.

“Here it comes!”

Seeing that move, Li You’s pupils contracted, and he instinctively reached into the stone bowl. The stones rattled loudly as his fingers combed through them.

He had played so quickly up until now precisely because he had rehearsed this match in his mind a thousand times.

Ever since losing to Yu Shao, he had studied all of Yu Shao’s games inside and out—including that game against Zheng Qin.

He chose this opening because of that research!

Finally, he pulled out a stone.

With a glint in his eyes and a clenched jaw, Li You placed it firmly—

Clack!

Column 16, Row 15—Diagonal!

“White’s changed it up!”

Gasps filled the Handtalk Room.

“Zheng Qin jumped at this point in that earlier game.”

The male recorder couldn’t help but hold his breath, eyes glued to the board.

This diagonal move created far more pressure on Black’s three stones than a jump would, leading to significantly sharper complications.

If Black ignored it and tenuki’d to the top again, White would launch a fierce attack from below.

“A diagonal, huh?”

Yu Shao studied the board silently. After a pause, he picked up another stone—

Clack!

Column 9, Row 17—Extension!

“Faced with White’s change, Black changes as well. Instead of going to the top side, he shores up the bottom.”

No one was surprised.

Go was full of variables. One changed move meant a totally different development from that point forward. White clearly came prepared, and Black’s response was straightforward and solid.

Everyone in the room grew more focused. The tension on the board was palpable—it was obvious this game would be a life-or-death struggle.

Li You steadied himself. When he chose that diagonal, he had already considered Black’s extension.

Yu Shao's move was the strongest answer.

Seeing Yu Shao respond precisely, Li You’s expression didn’t change. He calmly picked up a stone and responded.

Clack!

Column 5, Row 4—Small Knight!

Yu Shao remained still for a moment, then followed with his own move—

Clack!

Column 8, Row 4—Two-Space High Pincer!

The two began trading moves again, this time in the top left corner. Both played rapidly, without hesitation.

Ten moves quickly passed before it was Li You’s turn again.

He took a glance at the board, reached into the bowl, and played—

Clack!

Column 17, Row 9—Extension!

But this time, Yu Shao didn’t immediately respond. He lowered his eyes to the board, deep in thought.

Click.

After nearly a full minute, he finally made his move—

Clack!

Column 5, Row 16—Attach!

The sound of the stone was soft—but to those watching, it felt like a thunderclap.

Everyone in the Handtalk Room—including the referee and recorder—was stunned. Even Zhuang Weisheng’s expression shifted slightly.

“Attach?”

The female recorder felt her mouth go dry.

“It’s another completely outrageous move!”

“How could he attach here?”

“This is textbook overplay—completely unreasonable. If the opponent handles it correctly, Black will pay a heavy price.”

Historically, human players rarely made this kind of move. Though it resembled certain tactical feints in 2-5 invasions, deeper research had classified it as a trick.

And yet... seeing Yu Shao play it now, she suddenly realized—

She wasn’t sure anymore.

Was it really a trick? Was this move truly invalid?

In the past, she could’ve answered confidently—but now, her scalp tingled just thinking about it.

Could this be... the correct move?

If this local sequence worked, it would open the door to a whole new realm of Go possibilities.

----------------------------------------

Not just the Handtalk Room. Online, the discussion exploded.

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“An attach?! My god, I can’t believe it!”

In the U.S., a group of blond youths sat together watching.

“That kind of attach has existed before, but it’s always been considered a trap.”

“I never imagined Yu Shao would actually play it!”

“Is Yu Shao... about to start his performance again?”

The youth’s heart was racing. They were still in the opening, and Yu Shao had already shattered his understanding of Go.

“Is this just a bluff? Or is it another blow from the God of Go himself?!”

----------------------------------------

In Seoul, a group of young pro players stared at their screens, equally stunned.

“He attached... there?!”

One bespectacled young man gasped, the game board’s reflection glinting off his glasses. “It’s definitely a pressuring move...”

“But... it’s so risky! It doesn’t look bad per se, but I wouldn’t call it a good move either!”

The others didn’t respond. Though their thoughts echoed his sentiment, none of them dared voice an opinion aloud.

Because that was the problem.

On paper, this wasn’t a bad move—but it certainly wasn’t orthodox.

If handled properly, Black wouldn’t gain anything. Worse, he might even fall behind.

And yet... Yu Shao still played it.

----------------------------------------

Back in the Handtalk Room—

When Li You saw Yu Shao finally make his move, he leaned forward involuntarily, almost rising from his seat.

“Column 5, Row 16... Attach!”

He stared at the board in disbelief, visibly shaken.

Before the match began, he had already mapped out countless possible lines and variations. Up to the previous move, everything had been within his calculations.

But this attach?

He never saw it coming.

Of course, he knew no two games were the same. It was impossible to account for every variation.

Still, he never expected this to happen so soon—or in such an unbelievable way.

“Phew...”

After a long breath, Li You calmed himself and sat back down.

Time ticked by.

Despite the local situation being relatively simple, five minutes passed without a move.

And yet—no one in the room seemed surprised.

One referee even tried sneaking a glance at Yu Shao, hoping to read something from his face.

But Yu Shao simply stared at the board, unreadable as ever.

Then—

Clack!

All eyes turned to Li You.

His gaze had turned sharp. He picked up a stone and dropped it hard—

Clack!

Column 5, Row 15—Hane!

Everyone in the room froze—then their eyes widened.

That hane was far more aggressive than anyone anticipated.

It was the strongest possible move for White in that position—one that offered no retreat. It meant White would now have to fight to the death.

“After a long think, Li You doesn’t back down. He refuses to be rattled and counters head-on!”

Yu Shao looked at the board, expression turning more serious.

That hane truly was a strong move. The moment it landed, the entire board felt like it ignited—an all-out clash was inevitable. If either side misread the sequence, it could mean instant defeat.

Without delay, Yu Shao made his move:

Clack!

Column 4, Row 11—Shoulder hit!

The same rare move that Zheng Qin had once chosen. Traditional Go theory warned against such slow entries, but Yu Shao’s play defied convention.

Li You was unfazed. He responded instantly—

Clack!

Column 6, Row 16—Hit!

Yu Shao followed up:

Clack!

Column 4, Row 11—Block!

And the moment Black blocked, Li You was already reaching for another stone.

Clack!

Column 4, Row 10—Attach!

Clack, clack, clack!

The fierce clash on the board’s left flank had everyone riveted. No one could look away.

Both sides lacked reinforcements—forced to fight with limited resources.

Soon, White settled the group for territory, while Black secured influence and strengthened shape.

Then it was Li You’s move again—

Clack!

Column 6, Row 7—Hane!

This move immediately set off waves of discussion, especially online.

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“What’s he doing?”

“White already lived in that group. That fight should be over—so why stay and keep fighting?”

“White should tenuki and play elsewhere! Why keep tangling with Black when the risk is higher here?”

“He’s fanning the flames for no reason!”

From a basic perspective, White had no reason to stay. The territory was secure—moving on should’ve been the obvious choice.

This move... was strange.

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“Strange?”

Zhuang Weisheng stared at the board, frowning.

“No... not really.”

He understood what White was trying to do.

“Strategically, yes—White should tenuki. But tactically?”

“This move expands White’s territory and creates cutting points in Black’s shape.”

“In the short term, it looks desperate—but long term? Not necessarily.”

“White’s trying to rake in points now, then steer the game into chaos—invading deep into Black’s framework and fighting for life.”

Zhuang glanced at Li You—then at Yu Shao.

“Li You... has burned his bridges.”

Yu Shao studied the board carefully, then responded:

Clack.

Column 7, Row 7—Hane!

Li You answered right away—

Clack!

Column 6, Row 6—Extend!

Black and White took turns again, their stones falling like stars in a night sky named "Go Board," glowing with brilliance.

The sounds of stones landing and timers clicking overlapped rhythmically.

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In Japan, a group of young professionals sat glued to the screen.

“White’s playing so aggressively!”

A youth around twenty years old whispered, eyes wide:

“Yu Shao is famous for his attacking play—and yet Li You’s staking everything on a life-and-death battle!”

“Life-and-death fights are the least understood part of Go—full of ambiguity and uncertainty.”

Another player nodded:

“But Yu Shao’s adapting on the fly—he’s already preparing for the possibility of that all-or-nothing fight.”

“It’s terrifying... Li You 8-dan is placing all his hope on survival tactics.”