Round 2: Belgium Secures First Victory in the Pandanet Team Championship!
Round 2: Belgium Secures First Victory in the Pandanet Team Championship!
The Belgium team has notched its first win of the 2024-2025 Pandanet Team Championship, taking down Switzerland in a commanding 3-1 performance. For the first time this season, our top lineup—Lucas, Jan, Lucman, and Kevin—hit the boards together, delivering a statement victory.
Board 1: Lucas Dominates the Rematch
Lucas (Black) faced John Walsh in what promised to be a tightly contested match. Despite being the favourite, Lucas knew better than to underestimate Walsh, who had previously bested him this year. But this time, Lucas was locked in.
After a solid opening, Black emerged with a 7-point lead by the first josekis at the top. Lucas then capitalized on a key mistake when White played away after move 64, allowing Black to cut and initiate a fight. The result? Lucas isolated White’s top stones and extended his lead to 20 points. By move 111, White’s biggest territory had collapsed, forcing a resignation. A masterclass from Lucas.
Board 2: Jan’s Fight Falls Short
Jan (White) took on Fabien Lips in a rematch with revenge on his mind. Both players opened with san-san, building frameworks with a mix of territory and influence. Jan applied pressure early, isolating a Black group with move 36. By move 90, Jan had the slight lead, leading by nearly 3 points.
However, the tide turned in a critical sequence from moves 110 to 119, even though Jan captured the cutting stones Fabien now had a territorial lead. From that point on, Jan couldn’t regain momentum. Despite the loss, Jan showed promise in an intense match.
Board 3: Lucman’s Magical Maneuver
Lucman (Black) went toe-to-toe with Josef Renner in a game full of fireworks. After an aggressive two-space low pincer, the players entered a complex variation. When the dust settled, Lucman held a 10-point lead and impressive board thickness.
Then came the magic. Lucman methodically reduced White’s options on the top side. With surgical precision, he left White’s group with no way out, forcing a resignation by move 113. A clinical finish and a vital point for Belgium.
Board 4: Kevin Shuts Down the Moyo
Kevin (White) rounded out the day with a strong performance against Arnaud Pilet. Using the same joseki as Lucman in the bottom right corner, Kevin built an early 15-point lead by move 59. Arnaud attempted to mount a comeback by building a central moyo, but Kevin stayed calm and in control.
Despite Arnaud’s efforts, the lead proved insurmountable. Kevin maintained his composure and cruised to victory, sealing Belgium’s 3-1 triumph.
Final Score: 3-1 Victory Over Switzerland
With our all-star lineup firing on all cylinders, Belgium secures its first win of the season and jumps to second place overall. The team’s resilience and strategic depth were on full display, and the stage is now set for an exciting season ahead.
For those who want to dive deeper into the games, the records are available on the Pandanet website.
https://pandanet-igs.com/communities/euroteamchamps/rounds/1111?tourname...