Kim Eun-ji becomes first female player to reach 500 wins in her teens; second overall after Lee Chang-ho

Kim Eun-ji, a 9-dan Go player, has made history by becoming the first female player to achieve 500 professional career wins before the age of 20. She secured this remarkable milestone on Sunday during the 11th round of the 2026 NH Nonghyup Bank Women's Baduk League in Seoul, defeating Park Tae-hee 4-dan.

Born on May 27, 2007, Kim reached the 500-win mark at the age of 19 years and 2 months, with a professional record of 500 wins and 230 losses, achieving a win rate of 68.49%. This achievement breaks the previous record for the youngest female player to reach 500 wins, held by Choi Jeong 9-dan, who was 23 years and 4 months old at the time.

Across both male and female players, the youngest to achieve 500 wins remains Lee Chang-ho 9-dan, who reached the milestone at 18 years and 1 month. Shin Jin-seo 9-dan ranks third, achieving 500 wins at 20 years and 10 months. Kim Eun-ji's speed in reaching this goal is notable; she accomplished it in 6 years and 7 months, surpassing Lee Chang-ho's time of 7 years and 1 month.

In the first half of 2026, Kim Eun-ji has recorded 37 wins in 55 games, leading in both total wins and most games played among all professional players, male and female. Her consistent performance highlights her exceptional talent and dedication to the game of Go.