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The 2025 Samsung Cup Preliminary took place at the Korea Baduk Association (KBA) headquarters in Seoul, also known as the Kiwon. In a now annual tradition, players from across the world gathered to compete for their place in the Top 32 Finals, scheduled for November 2025.
Seeded Players
Seventeen players received direct invitations — from being finalists from last year, winners of national selections, and one wildcard entry.
Korea: Shin Jinseo, Park Junghwan, Kang Donghoon, Shin Minjun, Byun Sang-il, Ahn Seongjun
China: Ding Hao, Dang Yifei, Lian Xiao, Jin Yucheng, Wang Xinghao, Yang Kaiwen, Li Qincheng
Japan: Two seeded players are still to be confirmed
Taiwan: Xu Haohong
Wildcard: Lee Ji-hyun
The remaining 15 places will be filled through knockout preliminaries, with one additional wildcard granted by the organizers.
World Group
The World Group featured 14 players, all fighting for a single coveted spot in the Finals.
Europe was represented by Rob van Zeist 7d, Rémi Campagnie 6d, Ho Yeung Woo 6d, Amir Fragman 6d (all 4 official EGF seeded players), Leo Vandendyck 2d, and Ngoc-Trang Cao 2d.
In a remarkable result, Quynh Anh Ha of Vietnam triumphed over Rob van Zeist in the final, becoming the first female player ever to win the World Group since its introduction in 2013.
As a result, this year’s Samsung Cup Finals will proceed without a European representative.
Main and Senior Groups
China demonstrated its dominance, capturing 10 of the 12 available Main Group seeds, while Korea secured the remaining two, leaving Japan and Taiwan with only their national selected seeds to take part.
In the Senior Group, the legends of the Go world returned to the board — Takemiya Masaki, Cho Chikun, Cho Hunhyun, Seo Bongsoo, Chang Hao, Rui Naiwei, and others.
The final match between Lee Changho and Mok Jinseok ended with Mok’s victory by resignation after 258 moves.
Women’s Section
The women’s preliminaries concluded after an intense week of knockout matches.
Oh Yujin (Korea) was defeated by Tang Jiawen (China) who secured the sole women’s seat in the Finals.
My impressions from the qualifiers
I was happy to return once again to the tournament venue, the KBA headquarters.
Upon arrival, I found myself surrounded by many of the world’s top Go players — past, present, and future — from Korea, China, Japan, and Taiwan.
The World Group shared space with the Senior, Women’s, and U20 divisions, creating an inspiring atmosphere. Imagine playing your qualifying game while legends like Lee Changho, Rui Naiwei, Oh Yujin, and the Ueno sisters (Asami and Risa) are competing just a few meters away.
My first match was against Leo Vandendyck, a 17-year-old 2 dan from France. The game was peaceful at first, but complications arose in the middle game. I managed to turn them to my advantage and forced White into risky territory fights, eventually living with all my groups.
In the second round, I faced Wichrich (Max) Karauehawanit, 7 dan from Thailand. It was a fierce and complex battle. Although I had chances to take the lead in the middle game, Max found a brilliant sequence that stabilized his groups and secured a solid lead. He won by 9.5 points.
2025 Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance World Baduk Masters — Round of 32 Participants
Korea (10 players):
Shin Jinseo, Park Junghwan, Kang Donghoon, Shin Minjun, Byun Sang-il, Ahn Seongjun (national seeds), Kim Jiseok, Park Sangjin, Mok Jinseok (preliminary qualifiers), Lee Jihyun (wild card)
China (18 players):
Ding Hao, Tang Yifei, Lian Xiao, Jin Yucheng (finalists seeds), Wang Xinghao, Yang Kaiwen, Li Qincheng (national seeds), Feng Liyao, Liao Yuanhe, Tan Xiao, Xie Ke, Yang Dingxin, Shi Yue, Liu Yuhang, Huang Mingyu, Ye Changxin, Fujian Heng, Tang Jiawen (preliminary qualifiers)
Japan (2 players):
Undecided (national seeds)
Taiwan (1 player):
Xu Haohong (national seed)
Vietnam (1 player):
Ha Quynh Anh (World Group qualifier)
