Lee Sedol Retires

@Mulsiphix1’s search for post-match interviews also led me to watching the below video about game 4 again today

GoGameGuru (defunct now, but web-archive link below) had a nice article about that game as well:

An Younggil (from GoGameGuru) also posted an hour long video analyzing game 4 as well:

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Ok, so the above was the optimistic view of move 78 from game 4 (of the AlphaGo vs Lee Sedol match)

However, it turns out that move 78 does not actually work. See game 4 commentary on this page:

Also, in one of the live streams covering the game, Kim Myungwan 9p and Hajin Lee 3p seem to have anticipated the possibility of the wedge and found the refutation:

Here is the specific refutation:

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I’ve been saying that to people for a while, but couldn’t remember where I had sourced that info, thanks for posting it. It kinda bugs me when it’s spoken of as the “hand of god” when it really just confused the bot into submission.

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clapping :cry:… Thank you SOOOO much yebellz! You are the best :scream::heart:

 

I don’t know… it is a lot like the famous “ear reddening move” or “blood vomiting game” (sources). These are technically trivial (at least in the sense of not being supernatural or unbelievable) games that became famous because of the story attached to them.

In this way, Lee Sedol entered the annals of history because he defeated a robot overlord. Who are we to say if how he did it was trivial? Who in their right mind thought Lee had any chance of beating AlphaGo in that 4th game?

For his achievement, regardless of why it happened, I choose to subscribe to the wonderful story and the cool term associated with his achievement. At the time, in that moment and space, that move blew the mind of just about everybody who saw it. Now that IS worthy of praise and awe :hugs:

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Lee Sedol - Hikaru No Go

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I think the “hand of god” and “divine move” labels arose from the widespread and immediate reaction that genuinely believed that the move was effective. Gu Li 9p (providing the Chinese commentary) may been the most influential source for that phrase, since he is reported to have made such an exclamation upon seeing that move. Of course, the popular media is going to firmly latch onto such language, regardless of later analysis/refutations.

It certainly surprised a lot of people and the vast majority did not know about the refutation until later careful analysis. If we want to think of it as a trick play, then it must be the one of most famous trick plays of all time. Regardless, I think it is still fair to say that it was brilliant and arguably one of the most famous and carefully scrutinized moves of Lee Sedol’s career and of recent history.

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They say Lee Sedol is going to play against AI HanDol next month.

Also they say that Lee Sedol’s retirement is related to his fighting with Korean go organizers, I couldn’t get the specifics.

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Interesting, where did that information come from?

About a decade ago (while at his prime, and ranked number 1), he took a hiatus due to a dispute with the Korean baduk association (see Lee Sedol at Sensei's Library)

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Last paragraph here:

http://www.donga.com/jp/article/all/20191121/1907408/1/李世乭、囲碁AI「ハンドル」と最後の対局

Or this one if you’re into Korean:

Of course, probably “related” is too strong of a word. But it’s an aspect.

How about a cool photo then:
image

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Thank you for the links. I don’t read either Japanese or Korean, but I tried Google translate.

The reason behind Lee Kudan ’s retirement is the disagreement with South Korea. In May 2016, he withdrew from the professional acupuncture association with his elder brother Lee Sang-hoon, 9th, because the professional acupuncture association deducted a portion of the game revenue and unreasonably took the reserve.

Turns out he has a dispute with the acupuncture association as well!

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What a funny translation.

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Firstly… that was the perfect topical Meme to use given the conversation, and indeed I laughed like a little girl when I saw that… quite embarrassing as a 27-year-old man.

Secondly @Everyone… This inst the first time I have heard about disputes between Sedol and the Korean Baduk association or whatever its called. I remember reading a while back that he had considered resigning a while ago.

I don’t think that he seeks to leave the world of Go, if indeed this is the cause for this coming to the forefront of the Go world.

Which is great news for us, but indeed the future is uncertain for Sedol, and other Korean pro players who may agree with Sedol’s stance on the matter.

Either way, I would be keen to find out more. If only I could read Korean, id is all up in their news on this.

If however, Sedol does stop playing GO, which I really hope isn’t the case, as his game and play style is just art at this point. And indeed he is a global inspiration for new and seasoned amateur players alike.

There is however one thing more that I did remember… and that was after his defeat by Alpha go… He wanted to explore different ways of playing GO in a more relaxed and different way than how he had previously played go. I don’t remember where I read or heard this, but I remember it… which could mean that its fiction… but either which way, I think we can all agree that if this is the path the Lee wishes to walk, that we must all be supportive of this wonderful wonderful example of a truly extraordinary human, and go, player.

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Actually, I feel it is moments like that which capture the point of living in it’s entirety. When all rigidity and concern melt away, and for but a moment we experience utter bliss, getting lost in something that resonates with our inner child… The world would truly be a happier place if we all were able to spend more time giggling like little girls. Cherish this moment my friend. Be unashamed and try to appreciate it for the unicorn that it is :pleading_face::heart:

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Go Pro Yeonwoo just uploaded a video about Lee Sedol’s go career and retirement. In the video she goes into the details regarding the dispute.

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For anyone in a hurry, the information about the dispute begins at 6:14min (link). This is a great video but she is talking about an old dispute. It doesn’t seem clear why he retired now, or if why he is retiring is similar to why he took a break previously. Regardless, thank you for sharing RubyMineshaft. This was full of information I did not know. Much appreciated :wink::hugs:

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Yeah, but we’ve been talking about the 2016 dispute this whole time

Edit: The Japanese article linked above indicates (at least from what I can gather from the Chinese characters in it) that his retirement is directly related to the May 2016 dispute

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These disputes and problems can last forever. I don’t know how much it contributed to retirement. But I imagine it doesn’t help your play to be in bad relationship with your go association.

In the linked articles I’d emphasize:
今年7月、韓国棋院は理事会を招集して、「棋士会所属の棋士だけが韓国棋院主催・主管・協力・後援棋戦に出場できる」という内容が盛り込まれた定款を議決し、李9段は公式大会に参加する機会を失った。
Korean version:
올 7월 한국기원은 이사회를 소집해 ‘기사회 소속 기사만이 한국기원 주최·주관·협력·후원 기전에 출전할 수 있다’는 내용이 담긴 정관을 의결하면서 이 9단은 공식 대회에 참가할 기회를 잃었다.

Lee Sedol, probably:
image

You know some Chinese?!

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I’m fluent in mandarin :slight_smile: I lived in China for a long while as an English teacher, and my spouse is Chinese.

So basically it’s just ongoing drama from that whole thing.

Lee: I’m leaving the association so you cant take my money
Association: Well, if you leave the association you can’t participate in our tournaments
Lee: K BYE

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Is (leaving from this association) == (leaving from pro) ?

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He could move to Japan and come back as a japanese pro. :wink:

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