Lee Chang-ho, a 51-year-old Go master, has become the first player in professional Go history to achieve 2,000 career wins. Reflecting on his long journey in the game, he expressed, "I am happy to do what I love."
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korea Baduk Association held a ceremony on November 3 at its headquarters in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, to celebrate Lee's milestone. The event was attended by Yang Jae-ho, Secretary General of the Korea Baduk Association, Cho Han-seung, President of the Professional Go Players Association, and Hong Min-pyo, the national team coach, among other figures from the Go community.
Lee reached the 2,000-win mark on October 26 during the 11th round of the 2026 Sophalcosanol Legendary League, defeating Choi Myung-hoon in 207 moves. This achievement comes 40 years and 2 months after he turned professional at the age of 11 in August 1986. His overall record stands at 2,000 wins, 1 draw, and 830 losses, with a winning percentage of 70.67%. He also holds the record for the most major world tournament victories, with 17 titles.
When asked about the significance of his 2,000 wins during the ceremony, Lee said, "While I have lived a somewhat monotonous life focusing solely on Go, I am happy to do what I love. Achieving 2,000 wins feels like an award I am giving to myself, and I am very honored."
Looking ahead, he cautiously mentioned his goal of reaching 2,500 wins, acknowledging that 3,000 wins may be unrealistic but expressing a desire to strive for 2,500.
In response to a question from fellow player Choi Cheol-han about whether he is happier now or during his prime, Lee provided an unexpected answer. He said, "I didn't enjoy myself much when I was performing well because I felt a lot of pressure. Now, I feel more at ease and satisfied compared to then."
Lee recalled his most memorable match as the final of the Yingchang Cup against Chang Hao. Conversely, he mentioned painful memories of significant losses to Yoo Chang-hyuk and Lee Sedol, particularly noting that he often lost matches he desperately wanted to win against Yoo.
Regarding the motivation behind his sustained professional career, Lee emphasized the importance of 'repetition.' He stated, "Consistently practicing is a great thing, but it is more challenging than it seems. I think I have repeated things countless times, sometimes failing dozens or hundreds of times. If you keep doing something, even if it feels tedious, it eventually becomes a habit and your weapon."
Reflecting on the arrival of artificial intelligence (AI) in Go, Lee noted, "When AI first emerged, it was such a shock that it took me a long time to accept it. For about 2 to 3 years, I really couldn't accept it." He explained that his unfamiliarity with technology also delayed his study using AI.
As for how long he plans to continue his professional career, Lee said, "I don't know if it will be 5 years, 10 years, or 15 years, but I don't think about it too much. I just hope to enjoy it as long as I can."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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