Jimmy Cha
Encyclopedia
Jimmy Cha also known as Ch'a Min-su, is a South Korean professional
go
and avid poker
player. He is also a black belt in martial arts and a talented classical pianist.
Jimmy was born in Seoul
, and grew up playing go and poker. He turned professional in 1974 and was the best player at Dongguk University
when he attended. Along with these accolades, he was also the South Korea
n National Amateur Champion two times in a row.
The Hanguk Kiwon awarded him four dan for spreading go around the world in 1984, after he moved to the U.S.
in 1975.
Cha has a nickname, "eternal Mr. Quarter-Finalist", because in many professional tournaments he would usually lose in the quarterfinals. In 1989, he beat Yamashiro Hiroshi and Ohira Shuzo to advance to the quarterfinals of the Fujitsu Cup
, only to lose. The next year, he made it to the quarterfinals of the Fujitsu Cup again after beating Cho Chikun
. In March 2008, he defeated Imamura Toshiya 9P in the Chunlan Cup.
Today, he splits his time between go, poker, and managing businesses.
China-Korea match in California 1985 (report) 41: 6-11, 33
Cha, Jimmy vs. Cho Chikun
Cha, Jimmy vs. Cho Hun-hyeon
Cha, Jimmy vs. Nie Weiping
Cha, Jimmy vs. Ohira Shuzo
Cha, Jimmy vs. Redmond, Michael
Cha, Jimmy vs. Yamashiro Hiroshi
(1) sources: magazine itself: Go World, covers of Go World's publisher Kiseido, Go World index
Go players
This page gives an overview of well-known players of the game of Go throughout the ages. The page has been divided into sections based on the era in which the Go players played and the country in which they played. As this was not necessarily their country of birth, a flag of that country precedes...
go
Go (board game)
Go , is an ancient board game for two players that originated in China more than 2,000 years ago...
and avid poker
Poker
Poker is a family of card games that share betting rules and usually hand rankings. Poker games differ in how the cards are dealt, how hands may be formed, whether the high or low hand wins the pot in a showdown , limits on bet sizes, and how many rounds of betting are allowed.In most modern poker...
player. He is also a black belt in martial arts and a talented classical pianist.
Jimmy was born in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, and grew up playing go and poker. He turned professional in 1974 and was the best player at Dongguk University
Dongguk University
Dongguk University is a private, coeducational university in South Korea. It operates campuses in Seoul, in Gyeongju City, North Gyeongsang province and in Los Angeles, United States...
when he attended. Along with these accolades, he was also the South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n National Amateur Champion two times in a row.
The Hanguk Kiwon awarded him four dan for spreading go around the world in 1984, after he moved to the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1975.
Cha has a nickname, "eternal Mr. Quarter-Finalist", because in many professional tournaments he would usually lose in the quarterfinals. In 1989, he beat Yamashiro Hiroshi and Ohira Shuzo to advance to the quarterfinals of the Fujitsu Cup
Fujitsu Cup
- Outline :The Fujitsu Cup is an international competition. Fujitsu and Yomiuri Shimbun host the oldest international Go competition. The players are picked as follows:* The top 3 players from the previous year's competition* 7 players from Japan...
, only to lose. The next year, he made it to the quarterfinals of the Fujitsu Cup again after beating Cho Chikun
Cho Chikun
Cho Chihun 25th Honinbo Honorary Meijin is a professional Go player. His total title tally of 71 titles is the most in the history of the Japanese Nihon Ki-in. Cho is the only player to hold the top three titles—Kisei, Meijin, and Honinbo—simultaneously which he did for 3 years in a row...
. In March 2008, he defeated Imamura Toshiya 9P in the Chunlan Cup.
Today, he splits his time between go, poker, and managing businesses.
Runner-Up titles
| Title | Years Lost |
|---|---|
| Defunct | 2 |
 North American Masters Tournament |
1995, 1998 |
External links
Articles on Jimmy Cha in the 'Go World (1)'
(nn: mm-oo, pp means: issue nn, pages mm-oo and pp)China-Korea match in California 1985 (report) 41: 6-11, 33
- “Go in Korea” 37: 20-22*
- “Jimmy Cha: Giant Killer” (Wood) 55: 11-17*
- Kukgi Title Match 1984 (report) 38: 36-39*
- U.S. professionals, wins first match (1988) between 52: 4
Cha, Jimmy vs. Cho Chikun
- Fujitsu Cup 1990 (Round 2) 60: 13-16*
Cha, Jimmy vs. Cho Hun-hyeon
- Fujitsu Cup 1989 (quarterfinal) 56: 10-13*
Cha, Jimmy vs. Nie Weiping
- Fujitsu Cup 1990 (quarterfinal) 61: 12-15*
Cha, Jimmy vs. Ohira Shuzo
- Fujitsu Cup 1989 (Round 2) 55: 15-17*
Cha, Jimmy vs. Redmond, Michael
- 1984 38: 34-35
Cha, Jimmy vs. Yamashiro Hiroshi
- Fujitsu Cup 1989 (Round 1) 55: 12-15*
(1) sources: magazine itself: Go World, covers of Go World's publisher Kiseido, Go World index