Chapter 236: First professional championship
August 27, 5:15 pm.
Dajing City, Minglong Tianyuan, "Wanglong Pavilion".
The final of the new preliminary stage of the 2023 "Original 19 Cup", the match between Cheng Yuyang and Rui Zhao, is being held here.
Yes.
Although a total of 34 people participated in the new preliminary stage competition, the entire schedule only lasted four days from the 24th to the 27th.
On August 24th and 25th, there will be two quick chess games each day, and the top 32 to top four will be determined accordingly.
On the 26th and 27th, the semi-finals and finals will be held. A "two hours, one minute" slow chess game will be played every day to determine the final champion and runner-up.
Actually, to be honest, such a tight schedule is very detrimental to the performance of the players.
Normally speaking, playing two days in a row is the limit for a professional chess player to ensure a relatively stable performance. Any more will inevitably affect the state.
But there is no way, the budget is limited.
You know, Go enthusiasts all like to watch the top players play. Who wants to pay attention to some small fish and shrimps who have just determined their positions?
Therefore, not many people are willing to pay attention to the new preliminary stage competition, and it is inevitable that funds will be tight.
This is all because the boss of the sponsor [former Nineteen Educational Technology Co., Ltd.] is a famous old national player and has his own sense of responsibility for cultivating new Go players. Otherwise, I am afraid this competition will not be held at all. stand up!
So, the new early stage players have no complaints about the tight schedule - most people can't play in the last two days anyway.
As for the possible decline in the quality of the games in the final semi-finals and finals... not many people actually care.
The new preliminary stage, if anyone is willing to take a look at the battle report, it’s great! Who cares about watching the game?
Previous competitions were basically this popular - even the one in which the genius Lei Qi participated.
However...there is something different this year.
…
…
“Oh, Vice Chairman Lu! I really didn’t expect that our little new preliminary tournament and finals could actually be played at the place where the chess holy war is held! We even arranged for advanced chess players to come and talk about it Chess!"
In a reception room outside "Wanglong Pavilion", Zhao Yahui, the former person in charge of the 19th Company for this new preliminary competition, said to Lu Wenjie happily while watching the live broadcast of the final:< br>
“To be honest, although we have sponsored the new preliminary stage in recent years mainly out of Mr. Cao’s feelings and sense of responsibility. But after all, we are a commercial company. If we can increase the influence of the event and make our brand more With a lot of exposure, everyone will be happy!
“Mr. Cao was very happy when he heard that the Chess Association was helping so much! Thank you so much! ”
The reason why Zhao Yahui thanked Lu Wenjie was because this time the final of the new preliminary round, which was supposed to be held at the Huaxia Chess Academy, was upgraded to the "Wanglong Pavilion" of Minglong Tianyuan, which had hosted the first game of the Chess Holy War.
The Chess Association even invited seven-dan chess player Liang Sizhen from the Beijing team and senior hostess Xu Qinglan to give lectures on chess. All related expenses were paid by the Chess Association.
"Ah! Mr. Cao is so concerned about the development of Go, so naturally our Chess Association will reciprocate the favor!
"My meager efforts are nothing to mention! ”
The business smile on Lu Wenjie’s face is also extremely standard - he just lied to a certain extent.
Normally speaking, how could the chess association, which was so poor after the chess holy war, still have enough money to actively help upgrade the software and hardware for the new preliminary tournament!
But... the situation is different this time.
Because this time the party in the new preliminary stage finals is Rui Zhao.
Previously, under the joint promotion of the three chairman and vice-chairmen of the Go Association, Shang, Lu, and Kong, in addition to various preferential treatment, the promotion of [Go Xiaozhao] also allocated 100,000 yuan from the propaganda outlet "Special Expenses for Promotion Strategies" - This is the money used for the upgrade of the new preliminary stage.
In fact, anyone who has done relevant publicity knows that under normal circumstances, a publicity fee of 100,000 yuan is simply not enough for a long-term promotion plan!
Why is there almost no official publicity about Go events on weekdays? It’s because in the new media era, publicity and promotion is too expensive!
To the extent that all the few funds of the Chess Association are thrown into it, it will not make any big splash. It is better to save the money on bonuses and organizing competitions, or by improving the level of competitions. , to achieve side detour.
However, in this new first-stage final, Lu Wenjie was quite surprised to find: Maybe the 100,000 yuan could be spent on Rui Zhao for a long, long time! And it can also have an excellent publicity effect!
The reason is also very simple: this Go Hanhan has an attractive enough appearance, and at the same time he also has enough attractive gimmicks!
What is "the strongest new first-stage game in history", "probably about to become the first female champion of the new first-stage game", "the first woman to create a famous game in history", "a beauty that scares the first person in Chinese Go" "Girl", "The number one woman in the future who will impress even the current queen of Go"...
When these various eye-catching sayings are combined with the girl's outstanding appearance, it is naturally highly topical!
After Rui Zhao entered the semi-finals of this competition, a large number of media applied to cover the finals, and even media from Japan and South Korea asked to come!
You know, publicity costs are indeed expensive - but the main reason is to attract traffic.
But now that traffic is taking the initiative to block the door, there is no pressure anymore!
Lu Wenjie decisively contacted the previous Minglong Tianyuan. After a series of media reports and attention on Rui Zhao, the other party readily agreed to give another low price.
As for inviting Liang Sizhen and Xu Qinglan as a chess association, it really doesn't cost much money.
However, after this operation was completed, the money was not spent very much. Instead, the specifications and exposure of the new preliminary stage competition were greatly improved. The sponsor of the competition, the original 19th Company, came to express his gratitude. Got it!
"Hey! Vice Chairman Lu, you are too polite!"
Zhao Yahui said politely: "In short, the Chess Association is so supportive of the new preliminary tournament we sponsor and host, then we will definitely show Show your sincerity!
"I will discuss with Mr. Cao again when I get back. Should we increase the size of the prize money in the new preliminary stage next year and strive to expand the influence of the event..."
"This, this, this...this is No need!
“I also understand that it is not easy for private companies to come up with funds! Moreover, our Chess Association may not be able to help every year. ”
Lu Wenjie quickly stopped him and took a vaccination at the same time.
You know, there will be no Rui Zhao in the new preliminary stage next year!
The swishy chess association naturally cannot spend money on useless things.
While Lu Wenjie and Zhao Yahui were chatting politely, in the live broadcast on the side, Xu Qinglan, who was explaining, suddenly raised her voice and interrupted their conversation:
"Ah! Just now News came from the other side of the field:
“At the 206th move, Cheng Yuyang held black in the middle game and admitted defeat.
“Let us congratulate Rui Zhao on the first stage! She won her first professional championship and was also the first female champion since the establishment of the new first stage competition!
"This little girl is not only very, very beautiful, but also very, very good!
"You must know that compared with the 'Rookie King' competition where female chess players have an age advantage, the new preliminary competition will not only provide bonuses but Except for a certain inclination, the requirements and conditions for the rest of the competition are exactly the same. It is not easy to win the first division championship among many men in the same session! "
"Uh, Teacher Xu, I think you still can't treat her as a new junior...
"She is the top eight in the Wuyue Cup, and she almost eliminated the Ice Queen!" Actually, I think it’s a bit bullying for her to come to compete in the new preliminary stage..."
"Uh...Xiao Liang, there are some things we can say so honestly without being in front of the live broadcast.
"We still want to focus on the first women's champion in the new preliminary stage."
…
…
"Congratulations, Rui Zhao! Your career The first championship!”
At the same time, inside the stadium.
Cheng Yuyang, who had just surrendered, smiled helplessly and at the same time sent his blessing to the girl opposite.
To be honest, for him, who has only just determined his tier at the age of 18, this new preliminary stage race should be the closest he gets to the championship.
Let alone the championship in future competitions, the number of times he has entered various competitions in this competition is probably only a handful.
However... he was convinced after losing to Rui Zhao.
Just like losing to Lei Qi when I was a kid.
"Ah, thank you!"
The girl thanked her carefully:
"I'm sorry, Cheng Yuyang... I heard from Teacher Yu that you have always wanted to be like Lei Qi and get the new first-level rank. The winner of the competition..."
"Hey! What are you talking about!"
Cheng Yuyang smiled, stretched out and looked at the surrounding scenery:
"Besides, it's thanks to you that I can play in the place where he played chess not long ago... It's indeed very beautiful!"
But when he said this, Cheng Yuyang's expression froze, and he remained the same. He said with a little worry:
“I just don’t know if Lei Qi has recovered or not...”
…
…
"Vice Chairman Lu, can I ask you something?"
Not long after the finals of the new preliminary stage, Lu Wenjie was slightly surprised to see Liang Sizhen who came to him in a hurry.
Because he had just seen that Liang Sizhen had shied away from the two media interviews with him and rushed to his side (mainly to ask about his views on Rui Zhao's level and future development).
You know, a fringe player like him doesn’t have many opportunities to appear in front of the media!
You didn’t come to me asking for money just after you explained it, did you?
Not in such a hurry!
"Uh, Xiaoliang, there is a process to explain the fees. It usually takes a week to half a month to arrive..."
"Huh? No! That's not what I'm asking!"
Hearing this, Liang Sizhen waved his hands quickly, but glanced around with his peripheral vision and lowered his voice.
"I just want to ask you about your morning..."
"Morning?" Lu Wenjie was stunned for a moment: "What are you talking about?"
"Just...Chairman Shang is doing self-examination at the executive committee..."
" Huh?" Lu Wenjie's mood immediately became serious: "Who told you?
Liang Sizhen was startled by Lu Wenjie's sudden change of tone:
"It's not anyone, just... Since the afternoon, several professional chess player groups have been spreading the word, and many people are discussing it privately! ”
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(End of this chapter)