From a period of at least 15 years, Dutch Go players have numbered among the European best. Things could only get better with the arrival of a charismatic coach and professional 5 dan, Guo Juan, from China. While small in stature, she is an electrifying teacher: "feisty" hardly goes far enough in conveying an irrepressible personality.

The Dutch, in common with the French and in contrast to the introspective elitism of the British, run the early stages of their national championship inclusively, with regional heats. The final however is testing enough for anyone: in 2000 the average grade of the 16 players involved was exactly 5 dan (and Dutch grades aren't noted for their soft, forgiving nature) - Frank Janssen, a 6 dan with an excellent record in the World Amateur, found the going tough.

Guo Juan, who now plays as amateur 7 dan, was once more the favourite: she had dropped only one game in the event since first taking part in 1996. However she ran into trouble in Round 2 (of eight), playing Stijn van Dongen, an improving 28-year-old 4 dan from Amsterdam known for the severity of his play, and a pupil of hers.

Guo had Black. An early fight broke out in White's sphere of influence on the right-hand side. Black 1 here is an normal play, and cutting with White 2 and 4 usually too aggressive. However in this case White is backed up by the two triangle stones, and it was natural for him to look for a way to make them tell. Simply taking territory on the right would be a recipe for falling behind.

(1-42) White made determined plays with 12, 16 and 18 to gain liberties, at whatever cost in the corner, and applied the standard double hane procedure with 24 to restrict Black. The capturing race that emerged is not quite transparent, because of the two kos left in it. However they operate in White's favour - in no way can Black win them both. Therefore at 42 the right side has fallen into White's hands.

(1-72) Black has to try for compensation on the top side. However the exchange of 3 for 4, rather than an invasion at 4, lets White consolidate. The rest of the game sees White keep Black down to thirty points in the top left, and otherwise stay out of serious difficulty, for an easy win. Black 71 is at 66; since Black had no real prospect of capturing White in the lower centre, this was a way to hasten the end. Black resigned at 72.

After this loss Guo buckled down, and went on to win the championship with a 7/8 record.

Rounds 1 to 4 (15/16 January), with two game records. Rounds 5 to 9 (29/30 January), with four game records, table of results and photo links. (These pages, in Dutch, also cover the Dutch women's championship.)

© Charles Matthews 2000