Introduction: Taiwanese Go prodigy Hsu Hao-hung (許皓鋐) etched his name into the history books on Monday, achieving a landmark feat by completing the first-ever calendar-year sweep of Taiwan’s professional Go circuit. Hsu’s victory in the prestigious Go Grandmaster Tournament marked the culmination of his incredible season, making him the first player to win every domestic professional Go title in a single year.
Historic Victory in Go Grandmaster Tournament
Hsu Hao-hung, playing with white stones, triumphed over 8-dan professional Chen Chi-jui (陳祈睿) after a riveting 152 moves in the fifth game of the best-of-seven Go Grandmaster Tournament. Chen, unable to continue, conceded, securing Hsu’s place in history.
| Tournament Title | Wins in 2024 | Streak Length | Total Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Go Grandmaster Tournament | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Taiwan USE Judan | 1 | 7 | 7 |
| National Champion Tournament | 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Taiwan Tengen | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| CMC Grandmaster Tournament | 1 | 2 | 2 |
With this victory, Hsu secured his third consecutive Go Grandmaster Tournament title and his fourth win in the competition in just five years.
Unprecedented Achievements Across Taiwan’s Professional Go Tournaments
Throughout 2024, Hsu extended his dominance across the Taiwanese Go circuit, adding numerous titles to his name:
- Taiwan USE Judan: Hsu extended his streak to an impressive seven consecutive titles.
- National Champion Tournament: The champion now has six wins under his belt.
- Taiwan Tengen: Hsu claimed his third consecutive title.
- CMC Grandmaster Tournament: A title he has now won twice.
Although the Taiwan UMC Tournament, a major competition where Hsu had previously claimed victories in 2022 and 2023, was not held this year, his success in other tournaments made up for its absence, securing him the historic sweep.
According to the HaiFong Go Association, Hsu’s unprecedented sweep of Taiwan’s professional Go titles in 2024 marks the first time a player has achieved such a feat since the year 2000.
International Success: A Global Go Contender
Beyond his dominance in Taiwan, Hsu’s impressive performance on the international stage was also notable. In July 2024, he reached the semifinals of the ING World Professional Weiqi (Go) Championship, marking the best finish ever by a Taiwanese player in the prestigious tournament. This achievement highlighted his growing stature in global Go circles and his potential to take on the world’s best.
FAQs
Q1: What titles did Hsu Hao-hung win in 2024?
A1: Hsu Hao-hung won several major titles, including the Go Grandmaster Tournament, Taiwan USE Judan, National Champion Tournament, Taiwan Tengen, and CMC Grandmaster Tournament.
Q2: How many consecutive titles did Hsu win in the Go Grandmaster Tournament?
A2: Hsu won the Go Grandmaster Tournament for the third consecutive year in 2024.
Q3: Has Hsu Hao-hung ever achieved a calendar-year sweep of Taiwan’s professional Go titles before?
A3: No, Hsu Hao-hung is the first player to win all domestic professional Go titles in a single year since 2000.
Q4: How did Hsu perform in international Go tournaments?
A4: Hsu reached the semifinals of the ING World Professional Weiqi Championship in 2024, marking his best performance at the event.
Q5: What is Hsu Hao-hung’s next goal after his 2024 success?
A5: While Hsu’s focus remains on continuing his dominance in Taiwan, his success on the international stage suggests he will continue striving for titles in global Go tournaments.
Taiwan’s Go Legacy Strengthened
Hsu Hao-hung’s extraordinary achievements in 2024 not only solidify his place as Taiwan’s top professional Go player but also further enhance Taiwan’s standing in the global Go community. As the young prodigy continues to break records and claim victories, the future of Taiwanese Go looks exceptionally bright.
