Japanese men making a sort of comeback

Higher level discussions, analysis of professional games, etc., go here.
Post Reply
John Fairbairn
Oza
Posts: 3724
Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2010 3:09 am
Has thanked: 20 times
Been thanked: 4672 times

Japanese men making a sort of comeback

Post by John Fairbairn »

Although it's been a ripple rather than a wave, the earth is at last moving internationally for Japan. The women have led the way, but the men have recently seen some encouraging overseas results. The most significant, if also the most overlooked, is that the Japan-China Friendship Team of Shibano, Hirose, Sakai and Fukuoka that has been competing in the C Division of the Chinese League came first out of 33 teams with a 7-0 record, and so have now been promoted to Division B.
kvasir
Lives in sente
Posts: 1040
Joined: Sat Jul 28, 2012 12:29 am
Rank: panda 5 dan
GD Posts: 0
IGS: kvasir
Has thanked: 25 times
Been thanked: 187 times

Re: Japanese men making a sort of comeback

Post by kvasir »

I'm not sure where to follow the B and C leagues but I recall that the Japan-China friendship team (or what it is called) also won league C in 2015 or 2016.

League C is held over a few day period but league B is (or was in the past?) organized with match days that are spread out over many months and at different locations. Maybe that is the reason why team appeared to have stronger players when it is in league C than in league B. Anyway, I have only seen the brackets for league B a few times in the past and even bingoweiqi didn't load them when I tried to check yesterday.

There are some Japanese players that are regulars in league A, also Korean and Taiwanese. There appear to be a number of Taiwan teams in league B and C.

Team tournaments are pretty fun. It is a good way to allow up and coming players to find more games. It is something not everyone might have the energy or desire for. It is a bit surprising to me that Japan doesn't appear to have one.

Btw chess team tournaments in Europe are supposedly the main way chess players have to try to earn part of their living playing chess. Maybe some chess players know how that works.
pajaro
Lives in gote
Posts: 558
Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2021 6:13 am
GD Posts: 0
KGS: pajaro
IGS: pajaro
Has thanked: 28 times
Been thanked: 142 times

Re: Japanese men making a sort of comeback

Post by pajaro »

I think that this had to happen sooner or later.

Although each country has different competitions, number of players... IA is dominating the scene. A good player can improve no matter where they train. So countries are less important. Of course, "less" doesn't mean "not". But the gap is getting closer.
Post Reply