Wan Chai, Hong Kong -- Jeff Fung, often referred to as "The Bobby Fischer of Magic," made his triumphant return to Tournament Magic with a stunning victory in the finals of Grand Prix-Hong Kong.

Fung went into seclusion immediately after his breakthrough 3rd place finish at Pro Tour Chicago, his first Pro Tour ever. Although qualified for the next 3 Pro Tours, he neglected to attend any of them, despite being amongst the favorites for Pro Tour LA, the first limited Tour after Chicago. In an interview with the Duelist Sideboard, Fung cited a dissatisfaction with the fame and attention high-level Magic often generates. He was rumored to have been living in a suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, although this fact was never confirmed.

Fung's playing style is both elegant and highly technical, as his opponents can attest. Jon Finkel, one of the few who were able to defeat Fung at Pro Tour Chicago that year, praised Fung for his tight play. "Lots of players at that tournament did well and made mistakes, but not Fung. Our match was extremely hard-fought and well-played, and I won more through luck of the draw than anything else. I certainly didn't win because I tapped all my lands and threw a Fanning the Flames at him, and he scooped even though i was a land short, or anything like that."

Fung's play style could be described as more artistry than gaming, and it seemed that it was lost forever, until his surprise return to the tournament ranks this past weekend. Cruising to a 6-0 record after day 1, Fung kept up the pressure and demolished the Top 8 en route to the Grand Prix win. This victory earned him $2,400, 6 Pro Tour Points, and an invite to Grand Prix San Diego. He is likely to be the prohibitive favorite in that event, followed by such also-rans who ruled the game in his stead such as Kai Budde, Kamiel Kornellisen, and Bryan Hubble. It remains to be seen whether he will live up to the hype, but one thing has been assured: The greatest player in M:TG history is back, this time for good.

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Wan Chai, Hong Kong -- Jeff Fung, often referred to as "The Bobby Fischer of Magic," made his triumphant return to Tournament Magic with a stunning victory in the finals of Grand Prix-Hong Kong.

Fung went into seclusion immediately after his breakthrough 3rd place finish at Pro Tour Chicago, his first Pro Tour ever. Although qualified for the next 3 Pro Tours, he neglected to attend any of them, despite being amongst the favorites for Pro Tour LA, the first limited Tour after Chicago. In an interview with the Duelist Sideboard, Fung cited a dissatisfaction with the fame and attention high-level Magic often generates. He was rumored to have been living in a suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, although this fact was never confirmed.

Fung's playing style is both elegant and highly technical, as his opponents can attest. Jon Finkel, one of the few who were able to defeat Fung at Pro Tour Chicago that year, praised Fung for his tight play. "Lots of players at that tournament did well and made mistakes, but not Fung. Our match was extremely hard-fought and well-played, and I won more through luck of the draw than anything else. I certainly didn't win because I tapped all my lands and threw a Fanning the Flames at him, and he scooped even though i was a land short, or anything like that."

Fung's play style could be described as more artistry than gaming, and it seemed that it was lost forever, until his surprise return to the tournament ranks this past weekend. Cruising to a 6-0 record after day 1, Fung kept up the pressure and demolished the Top 8 en route to the Grand Prix win. This victory earned him $2,400, 6 Pro Tour Points, and an invite to Grand Prix San Diego. He is likely to be the prohibitive favorite in that event, followed by such also-rans who ruled the game in his stead such as Kai Budde, Kamiel Kornellisen, and Bryan Hubble. It remains to be seen whether he will live up to the hype, but one thing has been assured: The greatest player in M:TG history is back, this time for good.

Discuss this article in the Magic: the Gathering Forums!