An interview with Kim Youngsam ('Korondo' 9d on KGS)
We
are happy to present our readers with an interview (made possible by the help
of Diana Koszegi) with one of the strongest players on KGS, Kim Youngsam (aka
'Korondo').
Q. Can you tell us a bit about your experience
as a yonguseng [insei] in Korea?
A. All yonguseng players are very strong; therefore I was lucky to have the chance to enjoy many
difficult games. However, the competition is really tough so, to be honest, I
didn't really like to be yonguseng.
It's too hard... :-)
Q. Did you beat any famous player (who may now
be a pro) when you were a yonguseng?
Who were the strongest players that you beat?
A. There is a new pro, his name is Lee Dong-hun.
He is the youngest pro now, only 13 years-old; he was my student.
Q. Have you given up trying to become a
professional? What are your goals now?
A. No, I still want to become pro, but there are
so many amateur players stronger than me that it might be impossible.
Actually,
I would like to go to another country and live there, so I also want to improve
my English.
Q. You are presently working at BIBA (Blackie's
International Baduk Academy), which seems like a good choice for players who
want to improve and study Go in Korea; please tell us more about that academy.
A. It is a new International Baduk Academy,
directed by Kim Seung-jun 9p and Diana Koszegi 1p ['zsi' on KGS].
All
foreigners who want to improve their skill in Baduk are welcome. They have the
opportunity to play with strong Korean kids as well. For more information about
this academy, please check BIBA's blog: http://biba2011.blogspot.com/.
Q. You are currently one of the strongest active
players on KGS. In your opinion, who was your toughest opponent there so far?
A. 'Smartrobot' [Jack Jin 2p].
Q. Could you tell us who you think is the strongest
player on KGS?
A. 'BIBA2011' and 'WoonSai' [Park Young-un,
former 1st class yonguseng] :-)
Q. Do you play on other online Go Servers? (If
so, under what username?)
A. Yes, I play on Tygem, but my ID is secret.
:-)
Q. Many of our readers want to know how you got
so strong at Go. Can you give us some advice on how to improve?
A. Come to BIBA ^^
But
seriously... Korean kids usually study 10 hours per a day in Baduk Academy.
I
did the same for 10 years.
Otherwise
I think the most important thing is to improve your reading, so my
recommendation is to practice Life and Death as much as possible.
Q. We were informed that you are going to take
part in this year's European Go Congress, in Bordeaux. How are you preparing
yourself for the Congress?
A. I'm practicing my English :-) so I hope that
I will be able to speak with other Baduk friends there and enjoy our time
together.
Q.
Do you think that you have good chances of winning the European Go Congress this
year?
A. I will try my best to win, that's my goal,
but I also hope that I can make many friends.
And
now, some trivia questions:
Q. How long have you been playing Go?
A. I was 9 years-old when I started, which is a
bit late for Koreans. :-(
Q. Do you have a favorite professional player?
A. Choi Cheol-han 9p.
Q. Do you have any hobbies besides Go?
A. I really love to play soccer. Unfortunately,
I got injured so I can't play as much as I used to play before. Nowadays I
enjoy watching soccer, but of course I would prefer to play it myself. :-)
Q. How are your English studies going?
A. Well... I'm trying hard, and I can also
practice English with Dia and her foreign students in BIBA. I hope that I can
improve a lot till the European Go Congress.
2011-06-16
Back