Tanguy Le Calvé 6d from France will play against Lukáš Podpera 7d from Czechia to decide who will be the next EGF Pro.

After some big fights in the semi-finals, Tanguy Le Calvé 6d of France will play against Lukáš Podpera 7d of Czechia to decide who will become the next EGF Pro.

Both players arrived about 30 minutes before the start of their final game, they were looking nervous and stressed, but focused all the same. Each had their own little rituals before the start of the game.

The pressure was building up as the game progressed, both players have there own special way to handle their nerves. Ticking with the fingers on the bowl of stones as if counting, or sticking out the tongue, coughing and now and again hectic movements when playing or taking a stone from the bowl.

In the first half of the game Lukáš was leading, but then slowly the game become closer and the lead went back and forth for a while whilst the tension became even more intense. Slowly Tanguy took over the lead and in the endgame it became clear that he will win the game. The end result was a 3.5 point victory for Tanguy who thus became the seventh EGF professional.

Here you can find all games and results of the pro qualification.

After the game I had a chance to ask Tanguy a few questions:

Question:
How does it feel to become pro?

Answer:
It feels so good, it was a dream since im 12 years old

Question:
How will life as a goplayer change for you now that you have become a professional?

Answer:
Now my main goal is to continue teaching as much as possible, but also I made a promise to myself that I will study go again to catch up with the level of actual european professionals.