Go players Cho Hun-hyun, Lee Chang-ho and Lee Se-dol are familiar names even to Koreans who are not well-versed with the game. The three have dominated international Go competitions since the 1980s, one after another, starting from the eldest Cho.

Lee Se-dol, 33, the newest generation of the three, is still making a name for himself as one of the highest earners in the world.

Lee, born to a father who was a five dan player, began to learn Go when he was five. He dropped out of middle school to concentrate on the game and became a professional Go player at the age of 12. 

From 2005, he began to take Lee Chang-ho’s spot. The former champion dominated the world’s Go field in the 1990s.

From 2010 to 2012, the younger Lee ranked top in domestic tournaments for 27 straight months. In January 2014, he claimed the world’s top spot, by winning 6-2 against the then Chinese top Go player Gu Li. He has been known to defeat players by turning games around at the last minute and he currently ranks second with 18 international titles, behind Lee Chang-ho who has won 21 titles.

Lee also stands out among Go players for his lifestyle and personality. Unlike many of his peers who tend to exercise self-restraint to focus on matches, he is known to enjoy smoking and drinking.

Lee also sometimes draws flak for bold public remarks such as “I am the best” or “There is no Go player I respect.” Before a match with Chinese Go player Chang Hao, he once said to reporters, “Does it make sense that I lose?”

Back in 2013, he even hinted that he would retire in three years and fly to the U.S. to promote Go.

“I want to make Go popular in the nation as people there enjoy chess,” he said at the time.

Nearly three years have passed since he made this bold claim, however, Lee shows no signs of slowing down and still actively participates in matches around the world.

By Shin Ji-hye (shinjh@heraldcorp.com)