American Go E-Journal

Nearly 100 people of all ages came out to the Oakland Asian Cultural Center on May 14 for the second annual Go Expo Day. The event, organized by Bay Area Go Players Association, is really two go events under one roof. “Go Expo Day is a monthly ratings tournament coupled with our biggest go outreach event of the year,” explains organizer Roger Schrag. Nineteen players arrived in the morning for the all-day AGA-rated tournament. “Players ranged in rank from 30 kyu to 5 dan, and in age from under ten to over 70,” reports tournament director Steven Burrall. Patrick Wang 12k won the most games with a 4-1 record, and six people played in their first tournament ever. Excitement and energy levels rose sharply in the afternoon when the free go lessons began. About 75 eager students of all ages came to learn how to play go and to pick up a free starter go set and copy of The Way to Go. Volunteers talked about go’s rich cultural history and taught the enthusiastic crowd how to play our favorite board game–going over the rules, teaching basic strategy, and playing games one-on-one and in simuls. A good time was had by all, and perhaps our go community just got a little bit larger. Click here to see more photos. The next monthly ratings tournament in Northern California is scheduled for June 11 in San Francisco.