Note for the history books: It can fairly be said that six-year-old go prodigy Liao Xingwen began his professional career at MSO4 for he won two 100 pound prizes back to back on his first day in competition.

In the Lightning Tournament, against all-comers on 20 August 2000, he came joint third behind new European champion Lee Hyuk 7-dan and Lee's old university pal in Korea, Kim Seong-June 6-dan, now living in Cambridge.

Liao Xingwen of China receives the bronze medal in the Lightning Go Tournament from Tony Corfe. BGA President Alsion Bexfield looks on. (Picture courtesy of Kirsty Healey/BGA)

Lee won 500 pounds, Kim 300 and both Xingwen and Tim Hunt 100. Simon Bexfield 1-dan won the handicap section (100 pounds), and Herne Shawn won 20 pounds. Xingwen gave Lee a fright in their game, given here courtesy of Matthew Macfadyen 6-dan. Matthew, current British champion, remarked that he would not feel comfortable giving three, or perhaps even two, stones to Xingwen, and said that the critical move in this game was 117. Had it been at 122 there could have been a different outcome.

Tying with Xingwen in third place was British 2-dan Tim Hunt, but Tim lost their individual encounter, having to struggle so much to keep in contention on the board - which he reckons he did successfully - that he ended up losing on time. Later that day Xingwen played in the Youth Tournament. First victim was Jimmy Mao from Bristol (runner-up), and then came eventual third placer Tom Blockley, who looked shellshocked after losing by some 50 points. He said it was a "depressing" experience, though after a little reflection decided it could be seen as a depressing privilege! Adam Eckersely-Waites won the under-14 prize, William Brooks the U12 and Paul Blockley the U11.

Youth Gold medalist Liao Xingwen

Xingwen's eventual victory earned him 100 pounds and a gold medal - the youngest ever gold at MSO. Getting the medal to him was not entirely straightforward as he first had to be retrieved from scooting through the legs of the crowd waiting to applaud him. The prize cheque, half popped into his pocket, was forgotten in an instant and almost fell out as he resumed his high jinks. Fortunately wiser heads caught up with him. He still has a few things to learn as a pro!

For the wider world audience, you may be able to catch up with Xingwen yourself if you can see Trans World tv progammes - they have interviewed Xingwen and Liu Yajie and are following his progress.

The go tournaments at MSO4 are run by the British Go Association (www.britgo.org).

Xingwen is here for the entire Olympiad. He will play in the Lightning tournament, the youth tournament, and the main tournament. He and Yajie will also team up for the Pair Go. He is also likely to give a simultaneous display (not for the first time - he has already played six boards). Why not come and see him for yourself.

• Click here for more information on Liao Xingwen.