[Stones and Stories] The Half-Point Matches of Life

Editor's NoteSudam (手談) means understanding each other without words and refers to the game of Baduk (Go) or playing Baduk. This is a serialized column that reflects on the meaning of life based on the people and stories surrounding Baduk.

If you were to name a representative Baduk player strong in half-point victories, Lee Chang-ho 9-dan would be indispensable. In 1995, Lee Chang-ho recorded 73 wins and 15 losses with a winning rate of 0.830. At that time, half-point wins reached 10. To understand how remarkable this record is, just compare it with other players' results.

Lee Sedol 9-dan, famous for defeating the AI AlphaGo, recorded 75 wins and 17 losses in 2010 with a winning rate of 0.815. At that time, he had not won a single game by half a point. Not all top-level Baduk players are strong in half-point matches. Half-point matches are nerve-wracking until the very end of the game. Lee Chang-ho was particularly strong in such matches. This is a result only possible with strong mental strength and concentration.

In Baduk, victory is determined by counting the territories of black and white. In the case of hosu (互先), black’s territory is reduced by 6.5 points to offset the advantage of playing first. For example, if black gains 60 points and white gains 54 points, who wins? Black’s score becomes 53.5 after subtracting 6.5 points. The result is a half-point victory for white. The winning side experiences an indescribable thrill, while the losing side suffers tremendous frustration in a half-point match.

Is the situation where a small difference changes the outcome something experienced only in Baduk? Everyone experiences half-point matches in life. From birth to growth and to the end of life, life is a series of competitions. Among countless competitions, there are also half-point matches.

Sometimes, we pass by not realizing that the result was decided by a half-point difference. Not recognizing the details of the result can be beneficial for mental health. Imagine the pain if you realize you slipped away so narrowly. But there are times when you cannot help but know the result was due to a half-point match.

A typical example is when checking the acceptance line of the university you applied to or comparing your score with the passing score in a major qualification exam. How frustrating would it be if you had passed by just one more correct answer? The scene of all the effort and time you have invested flashing before your eyes. Regret inevitably floods in, thinking that if you had tried a little harder or made fewer mistakes, the result would have been different.

Now that you know you could have missed out so narrowly, will you avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future? Human psychology makes that difficult. "This is enough," "I’ve done what I could"... countless justifications whisper in your ear. Since you have tried enough, let fate decide the result, they whisper.

Im Si-wan. Photo by tvN, screenshot from 'Misaeng' broadcast

How many can remain indifferent to such temptations?

The human nature to seek comfort for body and mind exploits gaps in mental strength. The safety net of mindset that prevented carelessness gradually cracks, and a harsh future awaits us.

In that sense, the line from the drama Misaeng by Im Si-wan (playing Jang Geu-rae) is worth reflecting on as a life lesson.

"It was really unfortunate and regrettable to lose by half a point in Baduk, making me wonder what all those moves were for. Even if you win a small life-and-death fight or a capturing race, if you end up losing in the end, what’s the point? But if you win even by half a point, you see a different world. I am grateful for the stones that lived to resist the opponent’s territory, and every single move that gradually entered the reduction is precious. The sincere best effort in every moment makes a half-point victory possible."