LG Cup World Baduk Championship (Korean

Korean language

Korean is the official language of the country Korea, in both South and North. It is also one of the two official languages in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in People's Republic of China. There are about 78 million Korean speakers worldwide. In the 15th century, a national writing...

: LG배 세계기왕전, Hanja

Hanja

Hanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...

: LG杯 世界棋王戰) is a Go competition.

Outline

The LG Cup is sponsored by the LG Group

LG Group

LG Corp. is the second-largest South Korean conglomerate company following Samsung, and it is headquartered in the LG Twin Towers in Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. LG produces electronics, chemicals, and telecommunications products and operates subsidiaries like LG Electronics, LG Display,...

 of Korea. The LG Cup was created after the Kiwang title from Korea was abolished. There are 16 players who compete in a preliminary, and another 16 players are invited. The latest edition had 256 competitors in the preliminary, the biggest in history. The players are invited from the following WeiQi/Go/Baduk associations.

• 2 from the holder and runner-up of the previous year.
• 5 from   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...
  
  
• 4 from   Japan
  Japan
  Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
  
  
• 5 from   China
  China
  Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
  
  
• 1 from   Chinese Taipei
  Chinese Taipei
  Chinese Taipei is the designated name used by the Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan, to participate in some international organizations and almost all sporting events, such as the Olympics, Paralympics, Asian Games and Asian Para Games...
  
  

The final is a best-of-three match. The komi

Komidashi

in the game of Go are points added to the score of the player with the white stones as compensation for playing second. Black's first move advantage is generally considered to equal somewhere between 5 and 7 points by the end of the game. Standard komi is 6.5 points under the Japanese and Korean...

 is currently 6.5 points. The winner's purse is 250,000,000 Won ($200,000).

Winners & runners-up

Years	Winner	Score	Runner-up
1997	Lee Chang-ho Lee Chang-ho Lee Chang-ho is a South Korean professional Go player of 9-dan rank. He is regarded by many as one of the strongest modern Go players. He was a student of Cho Hunhyun 9-dan. He is the only player to have won all eight international competitions at least once.-Biography:He turned professional in...	3–0	Yoo Changhyuk Yoo Changhyuk Yoo Changhyuk is a professional Go player in South Korea.- Biography :Yoo Changhyuk was one of Korea's best Go players. Growing up without a teacher, Yoo became a professional in 1984 and was promoted to 9 dan in 1996...
1998	O Rissei O Rissei Ō Rissei is a professional Go player in Japan.- Biography :Rissei was born in Taiwan and moved to Japan when he was 13 years old; he would become professional the following year. His instructor is Kano Yoshinori.- Titles and runners-up :Ranks #10-t in total amount of titles in Japan.-External...	3–2	Yoo Changhyuk Yoo Changhyuk Yoo Changhyuk is a professional Go player in South Korea.- Biography :Yoo Changhyuk was one of Korea's best Go players. Growing up without a teacher, Yoo became a professional in 1984 and was promoted to 9 dan in 1996...
1999	Lee Chang-ho Lee Chang-ho Lee Chang-ho is a South Korean professional Go player of 9-dan rank. He is regarded by many as one of the strongest modern Go players. He was a student of Cho Hunhyun 9-dan. He is the only player to have won all eight international competitions at least once.-Biography:He turned professional in...	3–0	Ma Xiaochun Ma Xiaochun Ma Xiaochun is a Chinese professional Go player.- Biography :Ma was born in Zhejiang, China. He began playing Go at the age of nine and was awarded 7 dan rank in 1982. In 1983, Ma was promoted to 9 dan. He visited Japan in 1982 and later won the World Amateur Go Championship in 1983...
2000	Yu Bin Yu Bin Yu Bin is a Chinese professional Go player.- Biography :Yu Bin is one of China's best Go players. He became 9 dan in 1991 at the age of 24.- Titles & Runner Up's :...	3–1	Yoo Changhyuk Yoo Changhyuk Yoo Changhyuk is a professional Go player in South Korea.- Biography :Yoo Changhyuk was one of Korea's best Go players. Growing up without a teacher, Yoo became a professional in 1984 and was promoted to 9 dan in 1996...
2001 5th LG Cup The 5th LG Cup featured : 11 players from South Korea - Cho Hunhyun, Kim Seong-ryong, Lee Chang-ho, Lee Sang-Hoon, Lee Sedol, Rui Naiwei, Seo Bongsoo, Woon Soo-ho, Yang Koon, Yoo Changhyuk, Yoon Sunghyun 5 players from China - Chang Hao, Ma Xiaochun, Shao Weigang, Yu Bin, Zhou Heyang 5 players from...	Lee Chang-ho Lee Chang-ho Lee Chang-ho is a South Korean professional Go player of 9-dan rank. He is regarded by many as one of the strongest modern Go players. He was a student of Cho Hunhyun 9-dan. He is the only player to have won all eight international competitions at least once.-Biography:He turned professional in...	3–2	Lee Sedol Lee Sedol Lee Sedol is a South Korean professional Go player of 9-dan rank.-Biography:Many regard Lee Sedol as one of the strongest players of all time. Lee was born in Korea in 1983 and studied at the Hanguk Kiwon. He ranks third in career titles with 37, behind Cho Hunhyun and Lee Chang-ho...
2002 6th LG Cup The 6th LG Cup featured:*10 players from South Korea - Cho Hunhyun, Choi Myung-Hoon, Mok Jin-seok, Lee Chang-ho, Lee Sedol, Park Jungsang, Rui Naiwei, Seo Bongsoo, Yang Jae-ho, Yoo Changhyuk...	Yoo Changhyuk Yoo Changhyuk Yoo Changhyuk is a professional Go player in South Korea.- Biography :Yoo Changhyuk was one of Korea's best Go players. Growing up without a teacher, Yoo became a professional in 1984 and was promoted to 9 dan in 1996...	3–2	Cho Hunhyun Cho Hunhyun Cho Hunhyun is a Korean 9-dan professional Go player. Considered one of the greatest players of all-time, Cho reached professional level in Korea in 1962. Since then, Cho has amassed 150 professional titles, more than any player in the world. He once held all nine Korea titles simultaneously in 1980...
2003 7th LG Cup The 7th LG Cup featured:*12 players from South Korea - An Dal-Hoon, Cho Hanseung, Cho Hunhyun, Kim Sungjun, Lee Chang-ho, Lee Sang-Hoon, Lee Sedol, Park Young-Hoon, Won Seung-jin, Yoo Changhyuk, Yun Junsang, Zhujiu Jiang...	Lee Sedol Lee Sedol Lee Sedol is a South Korean professional Go player of 9-dan rank.-Biography:Many regard Lee Sedol as one of the strongest players of all time. Lee was born in Korea in 1983 and studied at the Hanguk Kiwon. He ranks third in career titles with 37, behind Cho Hunhyun and Lee Chang-ho...	3–1	Lee Chang-ho Lee Chang-ho Lee Chang-ho is a South Korean professional Go player of 9-dan rank. He is regarded by many as one of the strongest modern Go players. He was a student of Cho Hunhyun 9-dan. He is the only player to have won all eight international competitions at least once.-Biography:He turned professional in...
2004 8th LG Cup The 8th LG Cup featured:*12 players from South Korea - An Choyoung, An Young-gil, Cho Hanseung, Cho Hunhyun, Hong Jang-sik, Kim Joo-ho, Lee Chang-ho, Lee Sedol, Mok Jin-seok, Won Seung-jin, Yoo Changhyuk...	Lee Chang-ho Lee Chang-ho Lee Chang-ho is a South Korean professional Go player of 9-dan rank. He is regarded by many as one of the strongest modern Go players. He was a student of Cho Hunhyun 9-dan. He is the only player to have won all eight international competitions at least once.-Biography:He turned professional in...	3–1	Mok Jin-seok Mok Jin-seok - Biography :Mok turned pro in 1994 when he was 14. He reached 9 dan in 2005 after getting second place in the LG Cup against Lee Chang-ho.-Promotion record:-Career record:*2006: 44 wins, 21 losses*2007: 93 wins, 29 losses...
2005 9th LG Cup The 9th LG Cup featured:*12 players from South Korea - Cho Hanseung, Cho Hunhyun, Choi Cheol-han, Choi Won Yong, Kim Mansoo, Lee Chang-ho, Lee Sedol, Mok Jin-seok, Park Seunghyun, Song Tae Kon, Won Seong-jin, Yoo Changhyuk...	Cho U Cho U Cho U Kisei, Oza is a professional Go player. He currently ranks 6th in the most titles won by a Japanese professional; his NEC Cup win in 2011 put him past his teacher Rin Kaiho and Norimoto Yoda. Cho is the only player in history to have held five of the top seven major titles...	3–1	Yu Bin Yu Bin Yu Bin is a Chinese professional Go player.- Biography :Yu Bin is one of China's best Go players. He became 9 dan in 1991 at the age of 24.- Titles & Runner Up's :...
2006 10th LG Cup The 10th LG Cup featured : 13 players from China - Chang Hao, Chen Yaoye, Gu Li, Kong Jie, Liu Shizhen, Liu Xing, Luo Xihe, Piao Wenyao, Qiu Jun, Wang Xi, Wang Yuhui, Yu Bin, Zhou Heyang 10 players from South Korea - Choi Cheol-han, Choi Myung-Hoon, Kim Kiyoung, Kim Seong-ryong, Lee Chang-ho, Lee...	Gu Li Gu Li Gu Li is a Chinese professional Go player.- Biography :Gu Li is currently the #1 ranked Chinese player by the Zhongguo Qiyuan. He became a pro in 1994 when he was only 12. In 2006, he won the 10th LG Cup and became the youngest Chinese player to ever win a major international title; as a result,...	3–2	Chen Yaoye Chen Yaoye Chen Yaoye is a professional Chinese Go player.- Biography :...
2007 11th LG Cup The 11th LG Cup professional Go tournament was won by Zhou Junxun. It featured:*13 players from South Korea - Cho Hanseung, Cho Hunhyun, Choi Cheol-han, Choi Myung-Hoon, Hong Minpyo, Jin Siyoung, Kim Dong Hee, Ko Geuntae, Lee Chang-ho, Lee Sedol, Park Seunghyun, Park Young-Hoon, Yun Junsang*11...	Zhou Junxun Zhou Junxun Zhou Junxun is a Go player.-Biography:Zhou was born in Taipei, Taiwan. Unlike other Taiwanese Go players, he stayed and became a professional in Taiwan. Zhou became a professional in 1993. He would later advance to 7 dan in 1997, then finally 9 dan in 1998...	2–1	Hu Yaoyu Hu Yaoyu Hu Yaoyu is a Chinese professional Go player.- Biography :Hu became a pro at the age most Chinese players do which is 11. He quickly achieved 5 dan in 5 years, and became 8 dan in 2005. He has beaten some of the best players in the world, and he did it in order...
2008	Lee Sedol Lee Sedol Lee Sedol is a South Korean professional Go player of 9-dan rank.-Biography:Many regard Lee Sedol as one of the strongest players of all time. Lee was born in Korea in 1983 and studied at the Hanguk Kiwon. He ranks third in career titles with 37, behind Cho Hunhyun and Lee Chang-ho...	2–1	Han Sang-Hoon Han Sang-hoon Han Sang-hoon is a male badminton player from South Korea.-Career:Han played the 2007 BWF World Championships in mixed doubles with Hwang Yu-mi. They were defeated in quarterfinals by Nova Widianto and Lilyana Natsir of Indonesia, 19-21, 15-21....
2009	Gu Li Gu Li Gu Li is a Chinese professional Go player.- Biography :Gu Li is currently the #1 ranked Chinese player by the Zhongguo Qiyuan. He became a pro in 1994 when he was only 12. In 2006, he won the 10th LG Cup and became the youngest Chinese player to ever win a major international title; as a result,...	2–0	Lee Sedol Lee Sedol Lee Sedol is a South Korean professional Go player of 9-dan rank.-Biography:Many regard Lee Sedol as one of the strongest players of all time. Lee was born in Korea in 1983 and studied at the Hanguk Kiwon. He ranks third in career titles with 37, behind Cho Hunhyun and Lee Chang-ho...
2010	Kong Jie Kong Jie Kong Jie is a Chinese professional Go player.- Biography :Kong Jie turned professional in 1994 at the age of 12. He was promoted to 7-dan after 8-years in 2001. In 2004 he was sent into the Teda Cup as China's representative against Lee Chang-ho and Yoda Norimoto...	2–0	Lee Chang-ho Lee Chang-ho Lee Chang-ho is a South Korean professional Go player of 9-dan rank. He is regarded by many as one of the strongest modern Go players. He was a student of Cho Hunhyun 9-dan. He is the only player to have won all eight international competitions at least once.-Biography:He turned professional in...
2011 15th LG Cup The 15th LG Cup began on 7 June 2010 and concluded on 23 February 2011. Piao Wenyao won the title, defeating compatriot Kong Jie in the final. 32 players from four different countries competed in the final knockout tournament:...	Piao Wenyao Piao Wenyao Piao Wenyao is a Chinese professional Go player of Korean descent currently residing in Harbin, Heilongjiang.- Biography :...	2–0	Kong Jie Kong Jie Kong Jie is a Chinese professional Go player.- Biography :Kong Jie turned professional in 1994 at the age of 12. He was promoted to 7-dan after 8-years in 2001. In 2004 he was sent into the Teda Cup as China's representative against Lee Chang-ho and Yoda Norimoto...