NHK Cup

Founded in 1953, the NHK Cup is Japan's premier televised rapid Go tournament and one of the longest-running competitions in the game's history. Broadcast nationally by NHK (Japan's public broadcaster), the tournament features 50 top professionals competing in a single-elimination format with brisk time controls of 30 seconds per move plus ten one-minute overtime periods. A player who wins the NHK Cup ten times earns the prestigious title of "Lifetime NHK Cup Champion." The tournament has served as a gateway for Western fans discovering professional Go, since its televised format offers accessible, fast-paced games that showcase the brilliance of Japan's top players.