Lin Chih-han

2.1. Early Go Training and Development

Lin Chih-han hails from Taipei, Taiwan, and began his Go training under the tutelage of Lin Sheng-hsien, a respected figure in the Taiwanese Go community. This early mentorship played a crucial role in shaping his fundamental skills and strategic understanding of the game.

2.2. Notable Amateur Achievements

As an amateur player, Lin Chih-han quickly distinguished himself in competitive settings. In 1992, he emerged victorious in the junior division of the World Youth Go Championship, an early indication of his prodigious talent. Five years later, in 1997, he secured a commendable fourth-place finish in the World Amateur Go Championship, showcasing his ability to compete at a high level against international amateur players. These accomplishments cemented his reputation as a promising young talent and paved the way for his professional aspirations.

3.1. Professional Debut and Dan Promotion Record

Lin Chih-han made his professional debut in 2001, entering the professional ranks as a 1-dan player. Over the subsequent years, he systematically advanced through the professional dan ranks, a testament to his persistent dedication and improving skill. In 2009, he achieved the distinguished rank of 9-dan, a promotion earned through the prescribed regulation of achieving 120 wins after attaining the 8-dan rank. This milestone was particularly significant as he became only the second Taiwanese professional to reach 9-dan, following Chou Chun-hsun, and notably, the first 9-dan professional affiliated with the Taiwan Go Association. His promotion record is as follows:

3.2. Annual Win-Loss Records

Lin Chih-han maintained a strong competitive record throughout his professional career, particularly during his peak years. His annual win-loss records reflect his consistent performance in official matches:

3.3. Key Domestic Performances

Domestically, Lin Chih-han was a dominant force, consistently competing for and winning major titles within Taiwan. A standout year for his domestic performance was 2008, when he achieved the remarkable feat of securing four major titles: the CMC Cup, the Tianyuan title, the Guoshou title, and the Qisheng title. This "4-crown" achievement underscored his position as a leading player in Taiwan. His consistent championship wins, such as the Guoshou title from 2008 to 2011 and multiple victories in the Tianyuan and Haifong Cup, demonstrate his enduring excellence and significant impact on the Taiwanese Go scene.

3.4. International Tournament Participation

Lin Chih-han actively participated in numerous international and continental Go tournaments, representing Chinese Taipei and showcasing his skills on a broader global stage.

• In 2002, he competed as part of the Chinese Taipei team in the CSK Cup Asia Go Tournament, where he played against formidable opponents such as Wang Lei and Lee Chang-ho.
• He made significant runs in the Zhonghuan Cup World Go Championship, reaching the best 8 in both 2004 and 2007. In 2004, he defeated Song Tae-kon in the first round before falling to Yamashita Keigo in the second. In 2007, he again won his first-round match against Choi Cheol-han before being eliminated by Park Jeong-sang.
• In 2008, Lin Chih-han served as the captain for the Taiwan Go Association team in the China Weiqi League's B division.
• He also showcased his versatility in multi-sport events, notably at the 2012 SportsAccord World Mind Games, where he secured a third-place finish in the Men's Individual Go competition and a fourth-place finish in the Mixed Pair event, partnering with Joanne Missingham.
• In 2013, he contributed to the Chinese Taipei team's effort in the Zhujiang Cup World Team Go Championship, where the team finished seventh overall.
• He also competed in the Japan-Taiwan Jingying tournament, reaching the final and finishing as a runner-up in 2011.

4.1. Domestic Titles and Runner-up Finishes

Lin Chih-han has won numerous major Taiwanese Go tournaments and achieved several runner-up finishes:

4.2. International and Continental Achievements

Lin Chih-han's international career included reaching significant stages in major tournaments:

• Zhonghuan Cup World Go Championship: Best 8 (2004, 2007)
• Japan-Taiwan Jingying: Runner-up (2011)
• SportsAccord World Mind Games: Men's Individual 3rd place (2012), Mixed Pair 4th place (2012)
• Zhujiang Cup World Team Go Championship: Chinese Taipei team 7th place (2013)

4.3. Other Notable Records

Beyond his titles and international performances, Lin Chih-han also participated in the China Weiqi League, contributing to the competitive landscape of Go in the region. His record in the league includes:

• 2008 (B Division): 3 wins, 3 losses
• 2008 (C Division): 4 wins, 3 losses
• 2008 (C Division): 5 wins, 2 losses
• 2009 (C Division): 4 wins, 3 losses
• 2010 (C Division): 5 wins, 2 losses

A particularly notable achievement was his "4-crown" in 2008, when he simultaneously held the CMC Cup, Tianyuan, Guoshou, and Qisheng titles.

5.1. Contribution to Taiwanese Go

As one of the pioneering figures in Taiwanese professional Go, Lin Chih-han's ascent to the 9-dan rank was a monumental achievement. He was only the second Taiwanese professional to reach this highest rank, following Chou Chun-hsun, and held the distinction of being the first 9-dan to emerge directly from the Taiwan Go Association. This feat served as a powerful inspiration for aspiring young Go players in Taiwan, demonstrating the possibility of reaching the pinnacle of the sport from within the domestic system. His consistent victories in major domestic tournaments, including his multi-title achievements, raised the profile of Taiwanese Go and fostered a competitive environment. His participation in international events also helped to showcase Taiwanese talent on the global stage, further enhancing the reputation and visibility of Go in the nation. Through his exemplary career, Lin Chih-han solidified his place as a key figure in the history and evolution of Go in Taiwan.