CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- According to Chongqing Weiqi Association, the Chongqing Go (weiqi) player Li Xuanhao surpassed China’s top player Ke Jie (scored 2709.2) with a score of 2714.25 and ranked first in the Chinese Go rating list, bring a termination to Ke’s 51-week "dominance". Li Xuanhao is the second Chongqing Go player that has jumped to the top of the list following the world champion Gu Li who has eight world titles under his belt.

Ke Jie was overtaken, with his 51-week dominance ending

It’s introduced that Ke Jie has ranked first in the Chinese Go rating list for 51 months since November 2018.

During the first round of Chinese Go League A (regular season) on February 7, 2023, Ke Jie was unexpectedly defeated by Gu Lingyi (seven-dan) and overtaken by Li Xuanhao by five points for the first time. Though he regained his first place with consecutive victories in the playoffs of the Chinese Go League A, he was overtaken by Li Xuanhao again in the middle of February.

The late bloomer aim for his first world championship

Li Xuanhao’s efforts and tremendous drive over the past year have been proven by his victory over Ke Jie. The last Chongqing Go player that ranked first in the Chinese Go rating list was Gu Li who has eight world titles under his belt.

Li Xuanhao is a late bloomer compared with Gu Li. The 20-year-old Gu Li led the Chongqing team to top the list in the competitions of Chinese Go League A and became nationally famous in 2003. In comparison, Li Xuanhao made a big leap forward in 2022. After winning the championships in the 9th Quzhou Lanke Cup and the 3rd Champion of Champions, he jumped to the second in the Chinese Go rating list from fourteenth and then surpassed Ke Jie to get first place.

“The differences between them rely on the ages they live in,” said the head of the Chongqing Weiqi Association. Gu Li received more conventional training in his time, while Li Xuanhao was trained with AI today. Li said, “all of us are learning AI formulae in playing Chinese Go today, which really inspires us to open a new way of playing Chinese Go.

Li added, the most important event in the near future for him is the final of the Chunlan Cup this July. He aims for his first world championship. (Translated by Yuki, Fathom Language Limited)