Chinese Go Association Protests Unfair Judging in LG Cup Tournament

Yu Bin revealed that he had told Ke Jie that "there was nothing that could be done" about the penalty, not because he agreed with the decision, but because he wanted to calm Ke Jie down and prevent him from becoming too emotional. Yu Bin emphasized that the Chinese team had always maintained that the penalty was unfair and had asked for a rematch, but their requests had been rejected.

The controversy surrounding Ke Jie's withdrawal from the LG Cup tournament began when he was penalized by Korean judges for not placing two white stones on the lid of the stone box immediately after capturing them. According to Chinese team leader and national team coach Yu Bin, the incident occurred during the third game of the tournament, and Ke Jie was unaware of the infraction at the time. The Korean judges decided to penalize Ke Jie, which led to a significant disruption in the game.

Yu Bin explained that he tried to calm Ke Jie down, saying "that's just the way it is, there's nothing we can do," but his intention was to convey that the Korean judges had already made their decision and it was unlikely to be overturned. However, Ke Jie was outraged by the sudden interruption and the perceived unfairness of the penalty, and he strongly protested the decision.

The Chinese team and Ke Jie himself believed that the penalty was unjust and that it affected the outcome of the game. They argued that the interruption caused by the judges' decision to penalize Ke Jie had a significant impact on the game's progress and that Ke Jie was unable to continue playing under such circumstances. As a result, Ke Jie decided to withdraw from the tournament, and the Chinese Go Association issued a statement expressing their disagreement with the judges' decision and their refusal to accept the result of the third game.

The Chinese Go Association has since issued a statement declaring that it does not accept the result of the third game, citing the unfair and disruptive nature of the penalty. The association's stance has been met with both support and criticism on social media, with some users praising the association's defense of Ke Jie's rights and others accusing it of being overly sensitive and nationalistic.

The controversy has also drawn attention from other countries, including Japan, with some Japanese Go players and fans expressing sympathy for Ke Jie and criticizing the Korean judges' decision. However, others have pointed out that the Chinese Go Association's reaction to the controversy has been overly dramatic and that the association should focus on supporting its players rather than engaging in public disputes with other countries.

According to Yu Bin, the head of the Chinese Go Association, the controversy surrounding the LG Cup tournament took a dramatic turn when Korean judges penalized Chinese player Ke Jie for not placing two white stones on the chessboard cover immediately after capturing them. Yu Bin recalled that on the afternoon of the 23rd, a Korean tournament official informed him that Ke Jie had committed a foul. After reviewing the footage with the judges, Yu Bin argued that the penalty was unreasonable and threatened to suspend the game to file an appeal, requesting the Korean side to provide written evidence for the penalty. However, the Korean judges decided to impose the penalty on the spot.

Yu Bin stated that he told Ke Jie "that's it, nothing can be done" to calm him down, knowing that the Korean judges had already made up their minds. He also assured Ke Jie that he would help him appeal the decision. Ke Jie, feeling that the penalty had disrupted the crucial moment of the game and affected the outcome, was furious and loudly protested. Yu Bin attempted to calm him down, indicating that the Chinese team would support his appeal.

The Chinese Go Association later released a statement expressing their disagreement with the Korean judges' decision, citing that the timing of the penalty was inappropriate, interfering with the normal conduct of the game, and that the player was overly disturbed by the judges, making it impossible for him to continue playing. Despite their efforts to negotiate a rematch, the Chinese team ultimately decided not to accept the result of the third game.

The controversy surrounding the judgment of the Korean referee has sparked intense debate and far-reaching consequences. The Chinese Go Association's assertion that the Korean referee's ruling was unjust has been met with both support and opposition from various parties.

On one hand, many Chinese fans and players have rallied behind the Chinese Go Association, expressing outrage and disappointment at the perceived injustice. They argue that the referee's decision to interrupt the game and penalize Ke Jie was not only unfair but also disrupted the natural flow of the competition. The Chinese Go Association's decision to refuse the result of the third game has been seen as a bold statement of their commitment to fairness and justice in the sport.

On the other hand, some experts and observers have questioned the Chinese Go Association's handling of the situation. They argue that the association's decision to reject the result of the third game may be seen as an overreaction, and that the referee's ruling, although potentially flawed, was made in accordance with the rules of the game. Others have pointed out that the Chinese Go Association's stance may be motivated by a desire to protect their player's interests, rather than a genuine concern for fairness and justice.

The controversy has also raised questions about the consistency and transparency of refereeing in professional Go competitions. The fact that the Korean referee's decision was not clearly explained or justified has led to widespread criticism and skepticism. The incident has highlighted the need for clearer guidelines and protocols for referees, as well as more effective communication between referees, players, and tournament organizers.

The impact of the controversy extends beyond the immediate outcome of the competition. The Chinese Go Association's refusal to accept the result of the third game has created tension and uncertainty, potentially affecting the morale and motivation of players and teams. The incident may also have long-term consequences for the sport as a whole, potentially damaging the reputation and credibility of professional Go competitions.

Ultimately, the controversy surrounding the Korean referee's judgment serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges of adjudicating high-stakes competitions. As the sport of Go continues to grow and evolve, it is essential that tournament organizers, referees, and players work together to establish clear guidelines, promote transparency, and ensure fairness and justice in all aspects of the game.