Piao Wenyao wins 15th LG Cup

Piao Wenyao (5 dan, left) and Kong Jie (9 dan)

On 23 February 2011, the finals of the 15th LG Cup concluded with Piao Wenyao 5p taking out the championship against fellow countryman and defending champion, Kong Jie 9p. Piao won the first match, of this best of three final, two days ago on 21 February 2011. Now having won the second match, he has taken the title without having to proceed to the third and final match.

A close final match

The final match was very close until byo-yomi, where Kong made an uncharacteristic misread in a life and death situation. Many fans believe that Kong did not play his best, however as this match was do or die for Kong, the pressure was mounting against him. Alas, this proved too much today and Piao has emerged victorious.

Semi finalists of the 15th LG cup (from left) Meng Tailing (5 dan), Kong Jie (9 dan), Wang Yao (6 dan) and Piao Wenyao (5 dan)

Piao Wenyao’s breakthrough

This is Piao’s first international title, which has come after playing second fiddle to other players for many years. In 2009 he reached the quarter finals in the BC Card Cup and Fujitsu Cup and the semi final in the LG Cup. He was also third runner up in the Fujitsu cup in 2010. By winning an international title today, Piao has earned a promotion from professional 5 dan, straight to 9 dan. At just shy of 23, he has beaten Gu Li’s record as the youngest Chinese player to win a major international title. It seems that his hard work is finally paying off and he is certainly a player to watch out for in the future.

The first game

The second game