American Go E-Journal

Alexandre Dinerchtein’s Insei League is reaching out to youth with discounts and free memberships.  The league is run on KGS, and is structured  the same way Korean kids train to become professionals.  “We call for young players who are ready to devote themselves to the game and to compete later with Asian professionals,” writes Dinerchtein 3P. “We have changed our pricing policy to encourage participation in the League for any promising children.  The first three prizewinners of the European and the US Youth Go Championships, under 12 and 18, get free places in the Insei League. Go Champions under 12 and 18 of any country get 3 months in the League instead of 1 for $95. Young players who took second through fifth place during the last youth go championship of their country can play for 2 months instead of 1 for $95. Young go players under 18 and stronger than 10 kyu get a 15% discount.”  As another incentive, Dinerchtein has set up a prize jackpot, which increases by $250 each month.  Insei League members can win the jackpot if they place in the top three at the World Youth Go Championship, in either age group,  or top three at the World Amateur Go Championship, or  at the Korean Prime Minister Cup. “Every year the League will store about $3000 and we hope that this jackpot helps to develop a more serious approach to go studies,” adds Dinerchtein. For more information, visit the Insei League website. – Paul Barchilon, E-J Youth Editor.