Korean players sweep Lanke Cup semifinals, clinching title on Chinese soil

South Korea has secured the Lanke Cup title before the semifinals have even been played, sweeping all four spots in the last four of the China-hosted tournament.

At the quarterfinals of the 4th Quzhou Lanke Cup World Baduk Open, held Saturday at the World Baduk Park on Lanke Mountain in Quzhou, Zhejiang Province, 9-dan players Shin Jinseo, Shin Minjun, Byun Sangil and Lee Jihyun all won their matches to advance to the semifinals.

With all four semifinal berths going to Korean players, South Korea is guaranteed the title regardless of the remaining results. It will be the country's second Lanke Cup victory, following Shin Jinseo's win at the second edition of the tournament.

The most dramatic match of the day belonged to Shin Jinseo. Facing Chinese 9-dan Jin Yuchen, Shin found himself in deep trouble during the middle-game fighting, with his opponent's counterattack pushing him to the brink of defeat. His AI-estimated win rate fell as low as 1 percent at one point, leaving him in a seemingly hopeless position.

Shin refused to yield, however, continuing to press his opponent and waiting for an opening. He ultimately capitalized on a mistake by Jin to turn the game around.

Byun Sangil dominated Chinese 9-dan Liao Yuanhe, sealing the win by resignation at move 116 to be the first of the four Koreans to clinch a semifinal spot. The victory was especially satisfying for Byun, who had lost all three of his previous head-to-head meetings with Liao.

Shin Minjun also defeated Chinese 9-dan Tang Yifei by resignation, snapping a three-game losing streak against his opponent in the process.

In the all-Korean quarterfinal, Lee Jihyun came out on top. Lee captured a large group belonging to Park Junghwan and won by resignation to join the other three in the semifinals.

A draw held after the quarterfinals set the semifinal pairings: Shin Jinseo will face Lee Jihyun, while Shin Minjun takes on Byun Sangil.

With Koreans guaranteed to meet each other in the final, the semifinals are scheduled for Monday after a rest day.

Meanwhile, the winner's prize is 1.8 million yuan ($268,000), while the runner-up receives 600,000 yuan.

The tournament is played under Chinese baduk rules with a 7.5-point komi, and each player receives two hours of main time plus five one-minute overtime periods.