2003-10-01Round 5

After four rounds, there are four players with 4 points: Japan, Korea, Poland and Romania. Not unexpectedly it is east against west. What is unexpected is that China plays against Chinese Taipei, certainly eliminating one of both Chinese players from the semi-final. That means the probability that a European player will enter the top four has increased considerably. China won easily, as did Japan and Korea.

With 6 rounds before a two round knock-out, the pecularities of the system really influence people's chances. Of course it is a great publicity for European Go, but there should have been seven rounds before the semi-final. We think the organisers also realise this and might change the system next year.

Round 6

Because of the particularities of the system (and the early loss in round 3), China is most likely already out of the semi-final even if he wins, and there is a good chance that two Europeans will enter the semi-final. After round 5 the situation is as follows.

place	country	won	sos	opponent
1	Korea	5	17	Japan
	Japan	5	17	Korea
3	Ukrain	4	17	USA
	Netherlands	4	17	Poland
5	Luxembourg	4	16	China
6	Romania	4	15	Russia
	Poland	4	15	Netherlands
8	China	4	14	Luxembourg
9	USA	4	13	Ukrain
	Russia	4	13	Romania
11	Canada	4	11	Vietnam

The results after round 6

The following four will play in the semi-finals.

place	country	won	sos
1	Korea	6
2	Japan	5	26
3	Netherlands	5	25
4	Ukrain	5	25

China, Canada and Russia are 5-7 respectively, place 8 goes to Taiwan.