RULES SHORTEN TIME
The rules of the 34th Hayago championship, due to start on 1 April 2001, have been changed to shorten the time limits drastically. The reason is a somewhat negative one - the broadcast time on TV Tokyo has been cut from 45 to 30 minutes. Under the previous rules each player had 5 minutes, then switched to 30 seconds a move, but was allowed two periods of three minutes special thinking time. Now the time limits will be 10 seconds a move throughout, which is the same as the junior NEC Shun'ei Cup, and so represents a considerable drop in status.
The games will be screened on Sundays from 6 to 6.30 pm in two instalments per game.
HAYAGO ARCHIVES
HOW DOES THE HAYAGO CHAMPIONSHIP WORK?
The Hayago Championship is a year-long lightning tournament sponsored by TV Tokyo (Channel 12). It is strictly for the top players but there is a junior version by the same sponsor called the Shin'ei Tournament.
Top prize is 4 million yen. The losing finalist gets 800,000 yen.
24 players are selected from the major title winners and the top money winners in the Nihon Ki-in and Kansai Ki-in. After a one-round preliminary among the lower seeds, these are whittled down to 16 who play a final knockout.
The games are all televised. The final is in November.
Time limits are 5 minutes each (used to be 10 minutes) with 30 seconds a move overtime. Each player also gets two spells of 3 minutes to think about tricky moves.
Hayago means lightning go (as here) or quick go (1-2 hours each).
To see a list of past Hayago Winners click here.
