American Go E-Journal » 2010 » March

Recruiting has begun for a new tournament, the Wisonet Go Cup. A “slow go” event – 2.5 hours basic time per player plus overtime – the Wisonet is requiring a minimum rating of 1-dan and will select a field of up to 32 players from those registering. Five rounds are planned, the first scheduled for May 8th in Edison, New Jersey. Rounds 2-4 can be sponsored by other go clubs and the final round will return to Edison. Up to $3,000 in cash prizes will be awarded (less if the field is smaller). Players invited to participate in the tournament will pay $50 per round for the first three rounds; no fee will be charged for the last two rounds. Wisonet specializes in games and puzzles, says company president and tournament organizer Ronghao Chen. “Our purpose is to dramatically improve the quality of games in tournaments.” Chen expects the tournament to last at least four months. “This type of time arrangement will allow players to have time to prepare games,” he says. “Go fans will have time to discuss games and the tournament. Also, it will attract the general public to learn go and be aware of the tournament. Live game analysis will be arranged at many playing days.” Dan level players interested in a seat in this tournament must sign up by April 15th by e-mailing his/her name, current AGA rating, phone number and e-mail address to chenronghao@yahoo.com. Invitations to all selected players will be sent out on April 25th. For more info call Chen at 609-799-1624 or 908-872-6202.

Strong players in the U.S., Canada and Mexico are invited to register for the Strong Player’s Online Tournament (SPOT1). a new online tournament with $1,500 in cash prizes organized by the American Go Association. “This tournament will also be an experiment in requiring a web camera and a Skype account, so players will see and hear each other during the games,” says Tournament Director Edward Zhang. Players with AGA ratings of 5.0 and up, or Canadian/Mexican equivalents, are eligible. No requirement for a U.S. Green card or citizenship, but players must have maintained AGA, CGA or MGA membership continuously for the past 12 months; U.S. player must have lived in the U.S. for at least 6 of the past 12 months.. The 26 top-rated AGA players who register automatically qualify, and six places are reserved for Canadian (4) and Mexican (2) players. The tournament will be on weekends, and it is scheduled for four weekends. All players must sign up online for the tournament by midnight EST April 15. First prize is $1000, 2nd prize $400, 3rd prize $100. For further details email Zhang at zhiyuan_zhanggo@yahoo.com

After two weeks of intense competition, California teams have trounced the competition, leading many of the standings. In the Open Division, Redwood Shores GC and Orange County GC are holding onto the top spots for the Golden State, but defending champion Stuyvesant HS (NY) is still in the hunt for their third open title by remaining undefeated through two rounds. Richard Montgomery HS (MD), Bellaire HS (TX), Morningstar Chinese (CA), Mason Huaxia Chinese (OH), and Saratoga HS (CA) also lead their divisions with solid 2-0 performances.  In the States Cup standings, New Jersey is looking for their first-ever podium finish, clinging on to the third spot behind California and New York. North Carolina and Texas round out the top five. Saratoga HS (CA) hopes to claim their second sweepstakes title, given to the school team with the highest total score. However, they only hold a two-point lead over last year’s Rookies Cup Champions, Hunter College HS (NY). Fair Oaks ES is currently in third as they attempt to become the first-ever junior team to finish in the top three. Morningstar Chinese’s debut performance has rocketed them to the top of the Rookies Cup as they look virtually untouchable for this award, while Cary Chinese (NC) will seek their second consecutive Junior Cup, as they seek to break the national record they set last year. Third round coverage begins this weekend, and the push to earn medals begins now. Click here www.aghs.cc for complete results.
– Christopher Vu, AGHS Correspondent 

Meadowdale High School’s “Team Lightning” from Lynnwood, Washington won the 8th annual Iwamoto School Team Tournament at the Seattle Go Center, winning all of their games but one to best two other teams. First board: Cesar Serra, 2nd: Hayden Sherrill, 3rd: Andrea McCool.
– report and photo by Brian Allen