Very recently, we established a Scholarship System with various scholarship opportunities to help our students, who want to reduce their expenses while studying at the International Baduk Academy. For more information please click on the tab reading “Scholarship” or here.

The Student list has been updated. Please check it out!

Below are the results from last week’s A and B league.  It seems that the weekly system will be established after all. There will probably be no moving every week beetween the A and B league, however the 1st from each league will get some reward such as some special teaching game.

Jonathan from the B league left the middle of last week, so he couldn’t play all his league games. We hope that he arrived home safely. Thank you for all your help Jonathan!

Lee Byeong-Chun is only coming twice a week, so he couldn’t play 2 games with everybody.

From last week our teachers are not playing in either of the leagues. Every student is playing with them based on the order of their arrival to the Academy.

Here are the results:

Dear Readers,

Welcome to the new site of the International Baduk Academy!

We hope that you like the new homepage.

The site is still under construction, so please be patient for a few weeks until we edit all the necessary information.

You can find everything at the old site at: http://koreabaduk.blogspot.com

Please feel free to give us Your opinion, and comments!

1.국제바둑 연구실의 설립 목적

바둑은 한국 중국 일본을 중심으로는 매우 활성화 되어 있고 강한 바둑 기사들이 많이 있지만 유럽과 미주 그 외 지역에서는 한 중일에 비해서 아직 바둑이 활성화 되어 있지 않습니다. 그런데 바둑실력은 한국이 세계에서 제일 강하므로 다른 나라 사람들이 한국에 바둑유학을 오고 싶어 하는 실정입니다. 이에 유럽 미국등의 젊고 재능있는 학생들을 한국에 초청하여 그들을 강한 기사로 양성하고 바둑을 세계로 보급하기 위해서 이 연구실은 만들어 졌습니다. 그들은 바둑이 더 늘고 싶어 하지만 한국과 같은 바둑 환경을 가지고 있지 않습니다. 그래서 그들은 한국의 바둑교육시스템, 강한 프로 기사들, 바둑TV ,바둑학과 같은 것이 조성되어 있는 한국에서 공부하고 싶어합니다. 이들을 초청하여 가르친다면 바둑을 세계화 시키는 것은 물론 한국에서의 생활로 한국의 문화를 습득할 수 있고 그들이 돌아간다해도 한국에 우호적인 바둑협회가 조성될 것입니다.

2.한국인 학생들에게 영어를 배우기 위한 좋은 기회

유 럽 미국등지에서 오는 외국인 학생들은 모두가 재능있고 영어를 아주 잘 하는 학생들로서 이들이 국제 바둑 연구실에서 하루 종일 공부하고 있다는 것은 한국인들이 영어를 배우기 좋은 환경이 되는 것입니다. 언어는 생활로서 공부해야 합니다. 한국인 학생들이 외국인 학생과 바둑을 배우면 그들과 바둑에 관한 이야기를 자연스럽게 영어로 할 기회를 가질 수 있고 저절로 영어를 습득하게 될 것입니다.

3.해외 진출

각국에서 온 학생들과 교류하면서 외국인을 알게되고 국제 바둑연구실에서는 해외 바둑 보급과 교류에 역점을 두고 있으므로 우리의 강한 바둑 기사들이 해외 진출의 기회를 가지게 될 것입니다. 그들은 강한 바둑 기사가 부족하고 바둑 교육에 대한 경험도 부족하여 우리나라의 바둑 기사들이 각국에 파견되어 그들을 가르친다면 이 역시 바둑의 세계화와 한국 바둑의 수출에 크게 도움이 될 것입니다.

4.바둑 세계화의 필요성

바둑이 국내기사들만으로 시합이 이루어졌을때는 시장의 규모가 너무 작아서 모두가 어려웠습니다. 1988년부터 한국 중국 일본과의 국제 시합이 이루어지면서 세계 대회가 생기게 되었습니다. 그로부터 국제 시합이 많아지고 상금 규모도 훨씬 커지게 되었습니다.
이는 바둑이 많은 나라에서 이 세계 대회에 참가할 정도로 실력과 저변이 이루어진다면 지금 보다 훨씬 큰 규모의 시장이 형성될 것이고 바둑이 가장 강한 한국으로서는 주도적인 역할을 하게 될 것입니다.

I think in Europe, very few people has a good idea of the Korean Professional and Study System. That’s of course also because Korea is very far, and because most of the people know more about the Japanese system because of Hikaru no Go.

However, if you want to become a professional, it’s essential to know important things like: how and where do yongusengs study, one year how many people can become professional, and most importantly what are the chances of a European amateur to become professional?

Usually children in Korea start to play baduk at a very early age, around 6-8 years old. If their parents want them to study baduk, they bring him to a Baduk Kyosil (바둑 교실) where they can learn the basics and study with other amateurs. Korean people say that for an average person about 10 years is necessary to become a professional or amateur 7 dan, if he studies without pause.

Of course in Europe this is much different, because very frequently European players don’t have a really strong teacher to study from, so if they improve fast it means they are probably very talented. But because Korean students start so early of course it’s still a bit hard to compare with them, as many of them are already professional at the age of 16 or 18.

If the child decides that he wants to become a professional, and wants to dedicate himself to only baduk, he will stop school and go and study in a Baduk Academy, or Baduk Tojang (바둑도장) pretty much the same style our academy is. Usually there are some yongusengs, sometimes some professionals, and he can study with them, play with them, and get stronger. Usually every day from Monday to Friday, and Saturday.

If he reaches the strength of approximately a strong European 6 dan, he (or she) can play in the Male, or Female Yonguseng league, which takes place in Hangukiwon every weekend. They usually play 4 games every weekend with other yongusengs in League system. According to 1 months result, they get up or down in the classes ( in the male yonguseng there are 10 classes, with 10 people each, and in female 4 classes). Usually these people have the most chance to become professional. Let’s see the ways:

Every year, there are 2 tournaments, one in the spring and one in the autumn. Anybody can participate on them (even if not yonguseng), and anybody can win but usually the winner is a male yonguseng (they are stronger than the female ones). The winner and the runner-up can become pro. So totally 4 male can become professional here, 2-2.

In Spring and Autumn, there is another tournament for female yongusengs. From them, only the winner can become professional, so totally 2 people every year.

Every year there is another tournament only beetween male yongusengs. On this tournament another 2 best one can become professional.

Every year according to the results in the male yonguseng league, the 1 best player can also become pro, and the best insei from the countryside league can also become a pro.

So all in total, 10 people can become professional every year. In this, honorary professional status is of course not counted. If a European comes to Korea and studies hard, it’s possible for him to become a professional even if he can’t reach the exact strength of the strongest Korean yongusengs, because honoring his or her efforts, and to admit his strength amongst European Goplayers he or she can get a honorary status. This is not regulated anyhow at the moment, and changing from time to time.

Now you got an idea what the professional system is, however if you feel like you have any questions, please feel free to write us an e-mail, or just simply leave us a comment.

Here are some frequently asked questions for those who are interested in IBA, but still hesitating about it. If Your question is not in the list, please feel free to write an e-mail or to contact us through KGS.

1.: What is IBA?
IBA is the shortening of International Baduk Academy, a school made for foreigners by professor Lee Ki-bong 7d player. At the moment it is in Seoul, close to Myeongil metro station.

2.: Who can be a student at IBA?
Any foreign baduk player, who wants to get stronger at baduk and improve his play, and willing to come to Korea to do so. If Your dream has always been to become a professional player, You have come to the right place, as if You study hard here we can make Your dream come true. However, the places are limited, at the moment we can teach 20 players at the same time.

3.: I’m an adult. Can I be a student at the IBA?
Of course. Adult players and youth players are also welcome in our baduk school.

4.: I’m a mother/father, and I’m thinking of sending my children to IBA. Is there somebody who can and will take care of them and will take responsibility for them?
Yes, professor Lee Ki-bong will take responsibility for them, and other students will also help Your child to get used to Korean life.

5.: I’m not very strong at baduk yet. Can I be a student at the IBA?
Of course. If You are willing to improve Your style, than You are warmly welcomed at the IBA.

6: I can only stay for some days/weeks/one month. Can I be a student at IBA?
Of course. You can also study here if You only want to come for a shorter period.

7: I want to stay for longer time. Is it also alright?
Yes. As this place’s intention is to help You get strong at go, if You are willing to study here You can stay as much as You want.
However, if You have a tourist visa You have to leave the country after every 90 days. At the moment this is not a problem, as the cheapest flights to China or Japan are available from 200 euro including taxes. So You can leave the country, take a sight-seeing tour for example in China with other students, and come back in some day, with the renewed Visa.
At the moment, we are working on getting student’s visa or working visa for our students, too. That is not a very easy thing to do, but if we succeed it would be much more convenient.

8.: How much does it cost to study at the IBA?
To study for 1 month at the International Baduk Academy costs a fixed price, and depends on many things (player strength, age, nationality, and most importantly the number of students currently studying there). That’s why if you are interested in our Academy please contact us directly by email so we can negotiate the exact price for you. Thank you for your consideration.

9.: What kind of accomodation is in the area?
At the moment we have a 2 room appartament rent for foreigner students. If you don’t mind living together with other people, but you are favouring the cheaper accomodation, this is the place we recommend for you. The exact price of the rent is depends on the number of people living there, so in case you are intending to live there, please contact us directly by email.

10.: How much does it usually cost for 1 meal?
If You want to eat out, a usual meal is about 2-5 euro. 2 euro is really the cheapest meal here when You want to eat out, but if You want to cook at home or buy Your meal in the supermarket, than of course it’s much cheaper.

11.: How much does a plane ticket usually cost? (2 ways)
Usually, a ticket from Europe to Korea costs about 800-900 euro, but You should check the prices at Your country’s airlines, or Korean Air and Asiana.
You should also consider that if You are willing to change flights during Your travel the plane ticket might get much cheaper.

12.: When is the IBA open?
The IBA is open “24 hours”, which means if a student wants to stay and study there, it can be opened. Usually, it’s opened from 10-11AM until 11-12PM every day.
This doesn’t mean You must come to 10AM and leave 12PM every day, You can study as You want at Your own pace.

13.: How does the teaching schedule look like?

There is no strictly fixed schedule, however students usually solve life&death problems as well as study pro games until lunch, then in the afternoon play with each other and the teachers. In this period they can of course also have their games commented. In the remanining hours after dinner they can continue self-studying or can play some blitzgame, as well as participate in group lessons.

14.:Except studying go, is there any other programs to do in the area and in Korea?
Naturally. We can organize You all kinds of sight-seeing programs in Seoul, and in the countryside as well. We can also take You to all kind of go-facilities, if You wish. In the weekends the students often hang out together and go to play billiards, table-tennis or such.