The Shanghai Ing Chang-ki Wei-ch’i (Go) Educational Foundation, will be holding the semifinals of 12th Annual Chinese Professional Chang Qi Cup Invitational Tournament in Cambridge, MA, next fall, along with two new side tournaments intended for the North American go community, the EJ has learned.
The Chang Qi Cup, jointly hosted by the Ing Foundation and the China Go Association, now one of the most prestigious of the domestic Chinese go tournaments, was started in 2004 in memory of Taiwanese businessman and go benefactor Ing Chang-ki. Past winners have included greats such as Gu Li 9p, Kong Jie 9p and Chen Yaoye 9p. According to AGA President Andy Okun and Michael Fodera of the American Collegiate Go Association (ACGA), the Ing Foundation and Mr. Ing’s son, Ying Ming-haw, have decided to take advantage of the 2015 semis to provide a promotional event for American players and to strengthen ties between the North American and Chinese go communities.
The semifinal matches will take place Sept. 26-28 at Harvard University Student Center. Alongside the main event, on Sept. 26-27 the Foundation will be sponsoring a tournament for college students to be run by ACGA and a tournament for amateurs to be run by the AGA, both with major prizes, Okun and Fodera said. There will also be simultaneous games with visiting professionals, commentary on the semis, and side trips to meet go players in Washington DC and New York on Sept. 29 and 30. “This event will have something for everyone, tournaments for those who crave the competition but also teaching events, an opportunity to watch the best players in action and a chance to get together with old friends and make new ones,” Okun said. Watch the EJ for further details as they’re available.
