Pyongyang, broadcast room.
"A small knight's approach!?"
A young man nearly shrieked in shock: "Yu Shao actually played this move - a knight's approach?"
Even An Hongshi, who had remained relatively calm throughout, momentarily lost his composure upon seeing Yu Shao's move on the television screen.
White's formation had become impregnable, foreshadowing an imminent counterattack as fierce as raging waves.
Now that it was Black's turn, Black absolutely had to reinforce - any failure to do so would spell disaster once White launched its assault, with collapse already looming.
But!
At this critical juncture, instead of reinforcing, Black used this final breathing space to play a small knight's approach, openly declaring war against White!
The others barely dared to breathe, their eyes glued to the television screen displaying this intricate game fraught with endless lethal possibilities.
Fourteenth line, fourteenth row - small knight's approach!London, England.
"I considered that Yu Shao might reinforce extremely solidly here, or abandon the center to capture White's dead stones and develop the side territory. I even contemplated he might sacrifice again to force a trade..."
A chestnut-haired man with blue eyes had cold sweat dripping down his forehead, his back long since soaked through.
"But I never imagined... this move would be a small knight's approach..."
"He's actually continuing the attack."
......
Southern Go Academy broadcast room was equally silent.
"Compared to other attacking moves..."
After a long pause, Zheng Qin finally spoke slowly: "The small knight's approach seems peculiar, as if concealing deeper intentions."
"Indeed."
Someone stared fixedly at the screen, face full of disbelief as he nodded with difficulty.
"This move appears bad at first glance, yet inexplicably feels profound, as if hiding follow-ups - yet one can't pinpoint what that profundity might be."
Wu Zhixuan gazed blankly at the screen, murmuring: "It's... somewhat terrifying upon closer thought."
"But this can't be possible, right?"
Le Haoqiang shook his head, took a deep breath to compose himself, and analyzed: "White's formation is completely reinforced without gaps."
"Meanwhile, White's subsequent weak attacks have created multiple cutting points, stabilizing the shape. For Black to attempt killing White now would be like an egg striking a rock - impossible even for gods!"
"I acknowledge Yu Shao is extraordinarily strong, far beyond my level. But if Black could truly overcome White here... it would be legendary."
No one in the broadcast room refuted Le Haoqiang's words.
His analysis was completely objective and unbiased - by all appearances, Black stood no chance against White.
Even with this seemingly paradoxical small knight's approach that hinted at hidden follow-ups, their assessment remained unchanged!
Or to concede slightly - even if Black's move truly concealed profound intentions, everyone still believed the overall situation couldn't possibly be overturned.
Then Xu Zi's expression suddenly changed as she watched the screen, alerting: "Su Yiming has made his move!"
Hearing this, everyone snapped back to attention, their eyes instantly focusing on the computer monitor.
Eighth line, tenth row - push!
"A push?"
Zheng Qin exhaled slowly: "Typical of Su Yiming's bold, magnificent, and... calm style."
"Here he directly uses outside influence to pressure and ensnare Black within a towering formation like high walls and deep ditches."
"Moreover, despite already having an impregnable position, Su Yiming doesn't attack directly but cautiously reinforces while maintaining distant pressure."
Zheng Qin paused before continuing: "However, Go is perilous. Its profound mysteries mean even the strongest aren't guaranteed victory."
"The stronger one becomes, the more reverent awe one feels toward Go."
"Even with overwhelming advantage, one may yield to unexpected storms - Su Yiming is no exception."
These words drew surprised looks from everyone.
Le Haoqiang frowned deeply: "So... you think Yu Shao could actually crush White?"
"No, honestly I don't believe so."
Zheng Qin shook his head, his expression deadly serious as he stared unblinking at the game on screen: "Even if he's Yu Shao, I don't think he can truly achieve it."
"The prevailing momentum favors White. At best, Black can stubbornly defend until the endgame for a final showdown."
"Black's choice is like a lone warrior facing a million-strong army - impossible by any measure."
"But—"
Zheng Qin's tone shifted abruptly as he fixed his gaze on the screen: "But because he's Yu Shao, despite my absolute conviction about this position, I still harbor hope."
"Like how as children we knew legends were false yet secretly hoped mountains truly housed immortals."
"What if... immortals really exist?"
"I want to know..."
"If in this game, Black truly possesses divine skill to reverse the momentum..."
"Is Yu Shao's move divinely profound, or mere bluffing?"
The instant Zheng Qin finished speaking, Black made another move on screen!
Eighth line, fifteenth row - hane!
The broadcast room fell utterly silent, everyone watching the game with bated breath as this world-shaking battle approached its climax.
......
Go room.
Seeing Yu Shao place Black's stone at eighth line, fifteenth row, Su Yiming's expression turned grave. After a long pause, he picked up another stone and placed it gently.
"Now, momentum is mine."
"My formation has no cutting points, no life-and-death concerns, not even potential to become clumsy shapes."
Su Yiming studied the board while awaiting Yu Shao's move, thinking:
"If he attacks my left, I'll attack his right to force exchanges."
"If he plays diagonally to reinforce, I'll immediately cut to sever Black's retreat!"
"Regardless, the momentum cannot change!"
"But..."
Despite these mental reassurances, Su Yiming's expression grew increasingly solemn, as if sensing immense pressure radiating from across the board.
"That small knight's approach... truly... impossible?"
"If possible... Yu Shao, how exactly will you achieve it?"
"Show me!"
Su Yiming's eyes gleamed intensely.
"Over 180 years ago, after reaching my peak, though I never lost a game, I never considered myself invincible."
"While not invincible, I absolutely don't consider myself weak either!"
"In this situation, against an ordinary player, momentum might shift. But your opponent today... is me."
"Not Shen Yi, but... Su Yiming who surpassed Shen Yi!"
While waiting for Yu Shao's next move, Su Yiming also analyzed from Black's perspective.
That small knight's approach was indeed bizarre - fierce yet restrained.
But even he believed overturning the current momentum was impossible.
Not just based on positional judgment, but because he himself was playing White!
"Truly impossible... though perhaps part of me hopes he can change it after all."
Su Yiming finally looked up from the impossibly complex board to face Yu Shao.
A profoundly strange emotion welled up inside him.
He actually found himself hoping his opponent Yu Shao could truly reverse the momentum.
"I want to win."
"Yet part of me hopes to witness realms I've never touched from him - moves beyond my reach, nearly divine plays."
For a truth-seeker, this was like...
Hearing the Way in morning, content to die at night.
"Yu Shao, what will you do?"
"Let me see it clearly, Yu Shao."
Finally, Yu Shao reached into the bowl again, picked up a black stone, and placed it gently.
"......
Su Yiming focused to see Yu Shao's move, unsurprised: "Central pressure?"
Soon, Su Yiming placed White again immediately.
Tenth line, fifteenth row - extension!
"Suppressing Black below, leaving Black no recourse!"
Yu Shao promptly placed another black stone.
Click!
Fifteenth line, twelfth row - atari!
"Useless!"
Su Yiming immediately placed White: "Even reducing my own liberties, eye space remains sufficient!"
Click.
Click.
Click.
Black and White stones landed alternately on the board with crisp sounds!
Time passed as more stones accumulated.
"What's happening..."
Su Yiming's pupils suddenly contracted, sweat beading on his forehead for the first time as he clenched his left fist unconsciously before placing another stone.
As the game grew increasingly complex and intense, more observers fell into stunned silence.
A few seemed to realize something, their eyes now filled with shock!
Then Yu Shao placed another black stone!
"This..."
Su Yiming stared blankly at the board.
Meanwhile, the internet exploded with frenzied activity in livestreams!
"I can't follow anymore"
"White's position is ironclad - Black shouldn't be able to make a dent!"
"But... Yu Shao's retreat here is brilliant - Black actually shows signs of counterattack!"
"Su Yiming's hane was also good, yet somehow not only failed but appears clumsy now."
The game continued.
But the deeper it went, the more questions arose.
This had completely surpassed most viewers' understanding!
Even commentators Zhu Huai'an and Zhang Dongchen in the studio stared at the game in shock, at a loss for words!
For one simple reason -
They too couldn't comprehend why the situation developed this way!
It had become utterly incomprehensible.
Suddenly, a Norwegian viewer exclaimed: "After Yu Shao's push, White's showing cracks!"
"Impossible! How can this be?"
A French viewer leapt from his chair in shock!
"Black's biting into White!"
"Counterattack!"
"Yu Shao sounds the charge!"
"Black has infiltrated!"
Tension mounted in the Go room where Su Yiming now had sweat dripping from his brow.
He placed another stone.
Thirteenth line, tenth row - poke!
The stone landed crisply!
Yu Shao instantly placed Black in response!
Thirteenth line, twelfth row!
Atari!
"Breaking through! White's collapsing!"
No one could watch calmly anymore - all minds reeled with unimaginable shock!
Across the world, viewers rose involuntarily, witnessing Yu Shao's scalp-tingling moves following that small knight's approach!
Silence!
Unprecedented silence enveloped the globe!
"How can this be..."
In New York, young professional players stared transfixed at screens, unable to remain composed!
"The position's become delicate!"
Under the world's gaze, stones continued alternating.
Soon another black stone landed!
Eighth line, seventeenth row - retreat!
"Retreat! Yu Shao gains sente - Su Yiming's White is now in gote!"
At Northern Go Academy, professionals found themselves parched, swallowing with difficulty as their eyes remained glued to the game.
Qin Lang watched in shock: "Su Yiming's sealing move was excellent, so how did Yu Shao still gain sente?"
Beside him, Peng Zeyang stood speechless, sweat streaming down his face.
"Can't understand..."
Stones kept falling.
Time ticked on.
Tokyo, Japan!
"Yu Shao has completely infiltrated! Infiltration versus framework - Yu Shao dominates and breaks through decisively!"
A short institute student stared at the screen, nearly limp with excitement: "So cool! Incredible!"
Nearby professionals gaped at the game, utterly speechless!
Shock!
Bewilderment!
Yu Shao's large knight's move triggered close combat, making the 300-point life-and-death struggle reach its climax!
Su Yiming's solid connection was calm and strong, but after Yu Shao's heavenly jump, a White group became unbearably clumsy - alive but powerless to counterattack!
Yu Shao lowered his gaze, reached into the bowl again, and placed Black!
Click!
Another stone landed!
Seventh line, fourteenth row - probe!
Su Yiming's face paled as he stared blankly at the board, sweat trickling down!
He had genuinely hoped Yu Shao might perform miracles - yet when the miracle arrived, only disbelief remained!
"The momentum—"
"Is completely reversed!"