The go tournament scheduled for this Sunday, September 11 in Harrisburg PA has been canceled. “The heavy rainfall has caused flooding in the city,” reports Jason Long, “and that has made our venue unavailable.”
American Go E-Journal » 2011 » September
Joanne Missingham Stands up for Gender Equality in Go
Wednesday September 7, 2011
Go player Joanne Missingham 5P, who plays professionally in Taiwan as Hei Jiajia, is protesting against discrimination in the professional go world. Missingham has been photographed (right) carrying a fan with the words ‘protest gender discrimination’ inscribed on it in Chinese calligraphy. The catalyst for this was the recent Qiandeng Cup. The Taiwanese Go Association decided not to pay female go players the match fee of 2000 Yuan, while the men still received payment for their games. All four of the women involved withdrew from the competition in protest and Joanne can be seen in the photo taking the ‘protest fan’ to games a week later.
You can join the discussion about Joanne Missingham’s protest at Go Game Guru.
– Jingning, based on her original article at Go Game Guru. Photo: Joanne Missingham 5P plays Ding Wei 9P.
Hoboken Open Canceled
Tuesday September 6, 2011
The Hoboken Open scheduled for September 18 has been canceled, reports organizer Larry Russ.
International Go Art Contest
Sunday September 4, 2011
“The 1st International Children’s Go is Art Painting Contest received submissions from the US, Mexico, Japan, the Philippines and India,” reports Alma G. Juarez, of Mexico City. “We wanted to make go culture flourish among children, and promote it through a creative exchange with the painting contest,” Juarez told the Journal, “there were three categories A, B and C from 6 to 15 years old, and kids were free to use any technique they wanted for their artworks. All the paintings we received were amazing and we could see the creativity and love that these children have for go.” The submissions are all online, and can be seen here. “The decision about the finalists was hard for the panel of judges,” said Juarez, “but we can say that the experience was great for everyone. We included a Special Mention for Takumi Shimada, a four-year-old Japanese boy. Even though his age wasn’t under any category, he submitted a painting showing his love for go and his will to learn. Also we had the finalist submission of Aaron Ye 4d, who recently represented the US at the World Youth Go Championship, he’s not just a strong go player but also a great artist! For all the children that didn’t have the opportunity to participate in the ‘Go is Art’ Painting Contest, it will be an annual event, so don’t hesitate to send your submissions next year!” -Paul Barchilon, E-J Youth Editor. Quotes translated from the Spanish by Siddhartha Avila. Photo: Jamia Mei Tolentino’s “Happiness with Go” An entry from the Philippines.
Results
Chicago Teens Learn Chinese and Go
Sunday September 4, 2011
“This summer, fifty high school students from the Chicago area attended the Startalk Learn Chinese program, and filled their summer vacation with an intensive college-level Chinese language experience,” reports Xinming Simon Guo, “sure, they were immersed in activities typical of a language program: listening, speaking, reading and writing in Chinese. What the students did not know they were in for was the use of weiqi (go) to help them understand Chinese culture and thinking. What’s the relationship between Chinese language learning and weiqi? Research from Wellcome Trust showed that Mandarin Chinese speakers use both sides of their brains to understand language, whereas English speakers use just the left hemisphere. Meanwhile in another research study, functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to compare the brain activities of people playing chess as opposed to weiqi. The result indicated that the right hemisphere of the weiqi players worked more actively than that of the chess players during the game. By being exposed to weiqi, Chinese language learners are more likely to tap both sides of the brain and learn Chinese more quickly.” Guo and other teachers were involved in the project, which was held at Depaul University. A full report on the program, and more photos, is here. -Paul Barchilon, E-J Youth Editor. Photo:
Simons Says Belfast
Saturday September 3, 2011
As August drew to a close, go players descended upon Northern Ireland to do battle. The 2011 Belfast Open once again took place at Belfast Boat Club, with a total of 23 players, and n0 boats taking part. The winner was Andrew ‘Uberdude’ Simons, taking the title with a perfect score. Second place went to 2009 winner Matthew Crosby, while James Hutchinson salvaged some local pride with 3rd place. Winning performance prizes for 4 wins out of 5 were Justyna Kleczar (who had just won the Galway Open), and Marek Gutkowski from Dublin. Click for the Results Table.
– Ian Davis
The SportAccord World Mind Games
Saturday September 3, 2011
Preparation for the First Sport Accord World Mind Games is proceeding rapidly. This event, to be held December 8-17 in Beijing, features six top international teams made up of four men and one woman each from China, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Korea, the European Union, and the U.S. Two medals items will be played: team and pair go. The U.S. team has been formed and is made up of Jie Li, Andy Liu, Mingjiu Jiang, Kevin Huang, and Yun Feng. Yun Feng and Jie Li will also represent the U.S. in the pair-go tourney. Several exciting side events to promote the main tournament will be held in the next two to three months. Details should be forthcoming soon.
— reported by Thomas Hsiang
Go to Join Int’l University Sports Federation
Saturday September 3, 2011
The International Go Federation (IGF) is in the process of applying for membership in the International University Sports Federation (FISU). The decision was made at the IGF’s annual general meeting in May of this year. Preparations are proceeding well and the IGF expects to participate in the 2015 Summer Universiade event in Gwangju, Korea.
— reported by Thomas Hsiang
International Seniors’ Tournament Invites Players
Saturday September 3, 2011
The Korean Amateur Baduk Association (KABA) is inviting international participants to the 5th Kim-In Cup International Senior Baduk Competition, to be held November 4-7 in Gang Jin City, Korea. Dan players (male – born before 12/31/1961, female – born before 12/31/1981) are welcome to form teams of four to enter. They may also enter as individuals. Cash prizes will be given. Players are responsible for their own air tickets to and from Seoul, Korea; all other expenses are borne by the sponsors. Contact Thomas Hsiang, AGA Vice President for International Affairs at igf@usgo.org if you’re interested.
Strong Field Expected in New Insei League
Saturday September 3, 2011
More than 60 go players have already registered for the next Insei League. “Our September League will be even stronger than usual,” reports Alexandre Dinerchtein. “We will have Fernando Aguilar (aguilar on KGS) and Pavol Lisy (cheater on KGS) fighting for first place in our supergroup.” Prizes in the League’s five groups total $750 (USD) with a special prize for the most active insei: Japanese green tea set with free shipping from Japan. Insei League teachers include An Younggil, Cristian Pop, Alexandr Dinerchtein, Andy Lui, Hwang Inseong and many 5-6d amateurs. There are a few spaces remaining in the League; click here for details.