SPECIAL U.S. GO CONGRESS EDITION: June 26, 2008

The annual U.S. Go Congress is North America's biggest and best go event of the year. Eight days of go, this year at Portland State University (l) in Portland, Oregon from August 2-10, feature The US Open, North America's biggest tournament, the continuous and ever-popular Self-Paired Handicap Tournament, professional instruction, special events, private lessons, the North American Ing Cup, the Redmond Cup, great shopping for go stuff and much, much more! Whether you're looking to improve fast, catch up with old (and new) go friends, or enjoy a unique family vacation, the Go Congress has a lot to offer just about everybody. NOTE: Monday, June 30th is the LAST DAY to register at a significant discount, so don't delay!

CONGRESS FEATURES BEST FIELD FOR ALL: Hundreds of go players - 353 at presstime -- from across the country and around the world - from beginners to professionals - are signing up for the 24rd annual U.S. Go Congress. Players of all strengths will find the best field of the year: click here to see who's coming. Check out the Congress website for more information and to register on line. For the full preliminary CONGRESS SCHEDULE, click here.

PROFESSIONALLY SPEAKING: The legendary Takemiya Masaki 9P (at left with his favorite go publication) heads up this year's line-up of professional go players attending the Congress. One of the most unique features of the Congress, the pros offer lectures, simultaneous games and private lessons. Confirmed to attend this year are Feng Yun 9P, Nakano Yasuhiro 9P, MingJiu Jiang 7P, Yilun Yang 7P, Wang Yuhui 7P, Cho Hye-yeon 7P, Maeda Ryo 6P, Guo Juan 5P, Kim ByeongJun 2P, Jennie Shen 2P, James Kerwin 1P, Xuefen Lin 1P, and Du Yufeng 3P. Click here for more details on the pros.

TOURNEYS FOR EVERYONE: The Go Congress offers a variety of tournaments throughout the week. For the serious tournament player there is the U.S. Open each morning, the North American Ing Cup championship and the Redmond Cup youth championship. Among the most popular is the continuous self-paired tournament where you can play rated or casual games from morning until well past midnight. Plus: 9x9, 13x13, Pair Go, and Lightning tournaments as well as the third annual Midnight Madness tournament, which starts promptly at midnight each night, the East-West Tournament and Women's Tournament. Let the games begin!

YOUTH ROOM PROGRAM: Paul Barchilon, 2006 AGF Teacher of the Year - and EJ Youth Editor - runs an exciting Youth Room Program filled with fun events every day - pizza parties, giant go & more -- professional instruction and analysis and a whole lot more.

WALL-TO-WALL COVERAGE: Follow all the Congress action online as the American Go E-Journal once again provides full coverage of the U.S. Go Congress, with real-time updates on the website, live broadcasts of top-board games on KGS and daily Congress Editions of the E-Journal. If you’re interested in joining the EJ Team, we have a few slots left, especially for game recorders. Email us at journal@usgo.org

FAMILIES WELCOME/DAY OFF ACTIVITIES: In addition to the many kids' go activities, there's plenty for families to do in the Portland area, including planned trips on Wednesday to give you a taste of Portland and its environs. One all-day trip goes up the Columbia Gorge and then makes a right turn to Mt. Hood, another goes to the coast and a third planned event is a tour of Portland, including both the Chinese and Japanese gardens. The Portland area also has a fine collection of vineyards not far from the city, and by car you can tour some of these and add to your cellar.

EVENTS FOR NON-PLAYERS: Non-players can meet each morning with a local to find out what to do in the area that meets their interests, from shopping to day trips to the mountains or the coast, hiking, biking, river boat trips, etc. People with similar interests can group themselves into outings. left: Micah Feldman 5d tries out ikebana (flower arranging) at the 2007 Go Congress

ACCOMMODATIONS: Plenty of on-site housing available; choose from dorms or hotel-style rooms, as well as offsite hotel rooms, but register soon, as it's first-come first-served!

GETTING THERE: Portland is easily accessible by car, plane and rail, click here for directions & details.

Photo credits: Chris Garlock, John Pinkerton

Published by the American Go Association

Text material published in the AMERICAN GO E JOURNAL may be reproduced by any recipient: please credit the AGEJ as the source. PLEASE NOTE that commented game record files MAY NOT BE published, re-distributed, or made available on the web without the explicit written permission of the Editor of the E-Journal. Please direct inquiries to journal@usgo.org

Articles appearing in the E-Journal represent the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the American Go Association.

To make name or address corrections, click here. Story suggestions, event announcements, Letters to the Editor and other material are welcome, subject to editing for clarity and space, and should be directed to:
Editor: Chris Garlock journal@usgo.org