Original address: https://digital.asahi.com/articles/ASQ1S764NQ1LUCVL01C.html
Akira Hara: "Master War Man" Otake Hideo Kyudan Retired "Picture in The Head, To Poor"
Excerpt from: Asahi Shimbun
Author: Daisuke Koji
Translation and finishing: Make excuses for being quiet
In December 2021, the "celebrity warrior man" who competed for the world in the Celebrity Battle of Go, the Hero Kudan of Otake, announced his retirement. The frontal attack that is not in a hurry is called "Big Bamboo Aesthetics" by chess fans, and the art of Go- chess is vividly displayed. At the press conference announcing his retirement, Otake said: "The picture of change that comes to mind has become barren."
The retirement press conference was held on December 15, 2021 at the Japan Chess Academy in The Tokyo city of Tsuneya, and the press conference was held from beginning to end.
In December 1951, at the age of 9, Otake left his hometown in Kitakyushu City and came to a dojo hosted by Kitani Shikudan in Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
"I've been in the field for 70 years now, and next year I'll be 80 years old. I was scared to be 80 years old, and I wanted to end my Go career before then, and then I came to this day."
"To be honest, the picture that came to mind is too barren, so I might as well leave as soon as possible."
The Hero of Otake and his ally born in the same year, Lin Haifeng Jiuduan, are regarded as the next generation of leaders of the year, calling it the "bamboo forest". The first to make the results was Lin Haifeng. In 1965, the 23-year-old Lin Haifeng defeated Sakata Eiko Kudan to earn the celebrity title. Ten years later, in 1975, Otake defeated fellow disciple Yoshio Ishida Kudan, and became a celebrity at the age of 33.
"I've always felt that Lin Haifeng is a very great person, and even so, I am still idle. But I've never been depressed about Go. At least that's what I think."
In 1977 and 1978, the celebrity battle became a "bamboo forest" showdown for two consecutive years, but the era of the two heroes did not last long. In 1980, Zhao Zhixun Jiudan took the title of celebrity from the hands of the hero of The Great Bamboo and also gave up the throne of the world' people.
But Hero Otake did not sink into it. Since then, he has challenged Zhao Zhixun three times, and Kobayashi Hikari Ichijiudan, who has since won the title of celebrity. A total of 6 times became a challenger in celebrity battles.
In 1984, he suffered four consecutive defeats after three consecutive victories against Zhao Zhixun. In the 7th set of Koichi Kobayashi in 1992, in the situation of victory, the official made a mistake and was reversed and missed the opportunity. In 1993, the 51-year-old Hero Otake once again challenged celebrities and became the last trip of his career.
"It may not sound so good, but I never felt much regret after losing chess." As long as you can enter the peak showdown, there will inevitably be something wrong. There is always a time of the year when I want to immerse myself in the world of chess. The match between me and Cho Ji-hoon and Kobayashi Koichi was really enjoyable, and the whole process was really enjoyable. The stronger the opponent, if I can still defeat them, I will naturally be happy. I'm glad I have such an opponent around me."
In his career, he appeared in a total of 12 celebrity battles, including 4 celebrity titles. Kobayashi Koichi, a good opponent, said, "I thought this chess game was definitely going to be won, but unconsciously this chess piece would not work." This is where the big bamboo stream magically comes in. It looks very soft, but the speed is not slow at all, and gradually I feel this incredible power." Hero Otake and Kobayashi Koichi have left many famous chess pieces together.
From the 1970s to the 1990s, the period of the peak duel of Heroes Otake was the golden age of Japanese Go. In the 1980s, the population of Go in Japan exceeded 10 million, but the population of Go is now less than 2 million.
"I hope that everyone can learn more about the unique charm of Go, and I hope that everyone will remember this game." Hopefully, I can do something for the Go world in the future."
"After retiring from the army, I want to be the role of Mito Huangmen, take Sukesaburo and Gezhijin, and then bring Xiaoyin man to run the whole country, and it would be best to communicate with chess fans." It would be nice to be able to share with you what a great game Go is. ”