Life In 19x19

Huang Yunsong 4-dan just beat Chen Yaoye to win the 17th Chinese Agon Cup. He will move on to play the bilateral competition against the Japanese Agon cup winner Iyama Yuta. That game is schedule on December 25th.

Huang, relatively unknown to western fans, is a 18-year-old Chinese young star. Agon Cup is actually his 3rd major title. He also won the 2nd Globis Cup in 2015 and the Ricoh Xinxiu Cup in 2014. He has been on a steady upward trend. He is currently the 10th strongest Chinese and 16th worldwide, according to 'goratings' data.

The coming game will be a real test to Iyama Yuta who maintains a perfect records recently but only by playing much weaker opponents in his domestic events. Iyama should be relieved not having to play against Chen Yaoye - Chen has a 6-1 lead in their past meetings.

Should be a fun game to watch

After winning the Agon cup in Japan, Iyama mentioned he was hoping to face Chen again.

Well, Iyama is 3rd in ELO (goratings.org), who isn't much weaker than him right now?

Also, yes, Chen Yaoye leads 6-1, but they played these games in 2015, 2013, 2009, 2008(+), 2007, 2005 and 2002; Iyama seems at his strongest right now.
Granted, it seems he focused on winning all JP titles instead of receiving international acclaim.
W/L vs top ~100 ELO (= 3300+, goratings database)
2015: 27-9 (75%), avg opp ELO: 3361 (3-3 vs non-JP players of any strength)
2014: 17-15 (53%), avg opp ELO: 3371 (5-2 ")
2013: 26-15 (63%), avg opp ELO: 3356 (5-3 ")

Huang Yunsong:
2015: 24-15 (62%), avg opp ELO: 3395
2014: 10-15 (40%), avg opp ELO: 3368
2013: 15-16 (48%), avg opp ELO: 3402

Don't forget to watch this game tomorrow.

Some of us have relatives who think that some silly holiday is more important than watching go games. So can someone please post an SGF?

From the future, an sgf for Joaz:

Iyama won, first win for Japan since 2002.