American Go E-Journal » 2015 » October

Andy Liu 1p Wins Exchange Match, Plays in Sankei Cup Game Sunday Night

Saturday October 31, 2015

Andy Liu 1p and Gansheng Shi 1p played in an exchange match with Kansai Kiin pros on Friday in Osaka, with Liu (top right) winning his match against 2015.10.31_Sankei Cup-collageSinntani Yousuki 1p (top left) and Shi (bottom left) losing to Yinaba Karinn 1p (bottom right).

Liu, who won two initial rounds of the 12th Sankei Cup pro preliminary, will play a final preliminary round on Monday at 2:30 p.m. Japanese time, or 12:30 a.m. Monday Eastern time (9:30 p.m. Sunday night Pacific time).

According to the Kansai Kiin, Ha Yoniru 6p and Arakaki Shiyun 9p will play each other Monday morning and the winner of that match will play Monday afternoon against Liu. The matches will be broadcast on Pandanet; the E-Journal will provide information about the Sankei Cup main tournament when available. See below for game records.
photos courtesy of Kansai Kiin.

Gansheng Shi (b) vs Mine Yasuhiro (w)
Imai Kazuhiro (b) vs Andy Liu (w)
Andy Liu (b) vs Shintani Yousuke (w)
Inaba Karin (b) vs Gansheng Shi (w)
Takashima Yougo (b) vs Andy Liu (w)

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Categories: Japan
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Samsung Cup Semifinals to be Broadcast Monday with Live English Commentary on AGA Channels

Saturday October 31, 2015

The upcoming Samsung Cup semifinal match between Ke Jie and Lee Sedol has the go world buzzing. Ke Jie (right), regarded as the strongest player in2015.11.01_Ke Jie-Lee Sedol-samsung-semi China today and currently rated #2 in the world, will face Lee Sedol (left), #3 worldwide, Monday in their best-of-three match. The two players have never before met in tournament play, and the Samsung Cup is one of the most prestigious international titles, with a grand prize of over $250,000 USD.

Myungwan Kim 9p will provide live commentary for English-speaking players via the AGA’s official YouTube channel and official Twitch channel. Kim says hundreds of thousands will watch the event in Korea alone, and a large audience is expected in China as well. “These could be the best games of the year,” he says.

The games are scheduled for Monday, Nov. 2, Tuesday, Nov. 3, and Wednesday, Nov. 4 (if necessary). Video commentary will begin at 7:30PM PST (10:30p EST) each day.
– Andrew Jackson

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Sankai Cup Games Set for Thursday Night, Friday Morning

Thursday October 29, 2015

The exchange match between Kansai Kiin young professionals and American and European reps takes place in Osaka, Japan, during the day Friday, late Thursday or the middle of the night Friday US time. Andy Liu’s (below, right) game will be at 10a Japanese time (9p Thursday East Coast US time), against Sinntani Yousuki 1p. Gansheng Shi (below, center and left) will play at 2p (1a Friday East Coast US time), against Yinaba Karinn 1p. The games should be broadcast on Pandanet.
– photos courtesy of Kansai Kiin
2015.10.29_andy-gansheng-and-ali-300x225 2015.10.29_andy-L-1-jpb-e1446144203896-225x300 2015.10.29_gansheng-1-e1446144192988-225x300

 

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17th Ibero-American Championship in Cuba Draws 37 Players from 8 Countries

Wednesday October 28, 2015

Just over three dozen players players from eight countries competed in the 17th Ibero-American Championship tournament held at the Cuban Go Academy in Havana from2015.10.28_Ibero-Am-group 2015.10.28_Ibero-Am-winnersOctober 9 to 11. Hisao Uyama 7d (Brazil) won first place; Fernando Aguilar 7d (Argentina) finished second and Santiago Alvarez 5d (Cuba) was third. “It was a nice occasion to foster international friendship through go,” Aguilar told the E-Journal.

The field included 19 Cubans and 18 players from other nations. John Harriman 2d (US) finished 10th with a 4-2 record. Other US players competing were Bob Gilman and Tania Tadakia.  High officials from the Cuban Ministry of Sport attended the event, and it was covered on Cuban television. photo: (l-r) Fernando Aguilar, Hisao Uyama & Santiago Alvarez.
– report/photos by Bob Gilman

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Categories: Latin America
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New AGA Members Dominate Philadelphia Fall Open

Wednesday October 28, 2015

“Considering we were novice organizers and pulled it together in under two months, the Philadelphia Fall Open went smoothly,” reports 2015.10.28_Philly-CollageBenjamin Sauerhaft Coplon, Penn Go Society Treasurer and Chief Tournament Organizer. Twelve players participated in the October 25 tournament, ranging from from 6 dan to 17 kyu.

“The winners all happened to be new AGA members,” Coplon adds. They shared $100 in prizes: First place, Summer (Yuting) Yue, Second place, Amber Jain, Third place, John Deming. Full results available here.

“Thank you to all the players for making this event a success, and having patience with our minor difficulties,” says Coplon. “Thank you to Evan Zou for remaining calm under pressure as TD. Thank you to Matt Bengtson, our club president, for providing his expertise and keeping the Penn Go Society running. And finally, thank you to Redcap’s Corner, Gaming Emporium which hosted us for free.” With renewed momentum from the tournament, “The Penn Go Society is looking forward to planning our next tournament within the next few months and expanding the presence of go in the Greater Philadelphia Area,” Coplon said.
photos: (top): The final game of the tournament between Antong Chen and Summer (Yuting) Yue attracts a crowd; (bottom right): The winners; 1st Place Summer (Yuting) Yue (center), 2nd Amber Jain (right) 3rd John Deming (left); (bottom left): John Deming and Henry Hathaway begin the game. photos by Isaiah Coplon

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Categories: U.S./North America
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Why We Play: Edward Zhang 6d

Wednesday October 28, 2015

Age: 362015.10.28_Edward Zhang-self
Years playing go: 26
Lives in: McLean, VA
Home club: Capital Go Club

Life is unpredictable: could be great, could go south. Playing go for nearly three decades has taught me strategies that have benefited me tremendously in my current career in financial planning. Reading out the variations helps me understand which is a manageable trade and which is an unfavorable battle. It’s also important to keep a couple byo-yomi periods for the uncertainties at the end. That said, it’s still impossible to predict a go game or life, but we can always plan to avoid the unnecessary pains, taking only the calculable risks.

Why do you play? Tell us in 100 words or less your favorite thing about the game of go, include your name, age, how long you’ve played go, where you live and your home go club, and email to journal@usgo.org. Be sure to include a current photo!

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Categories: Why We Play
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Andy Liu 1P Scores Two Wins in Japan Pro Tournament Prelim

Tuesday October 27, 2015

American professional Andy Liu 1p has won his way into the final round of the Kansai Kiin’s 12th Sankei Cup pro preliminary in Osaka, Japan.2015.10.28_Andy-Liu Liu defeated Imayi Kazuhiro 6p by resignation in his first game and won against Takashima Yougo 1p by a half-point in the second round. He plays Ha Yonnyiru 6p on Monday, Nov. 2 at 2:30 p.m. Japanese time.

Fellow AGA pro Gansheng Shi lost in the first round to Mine Yasuhiro 3p, and the two EGF pros, Mateusz Surma 1p and Ali Jabarin 1p lost their matches as well. Shi and Liu will also play in an exchange match with young Kansai pros on Friday, Oct. 30, Liu at 10 a.m. Japanese time against Sinntani Yousuki 1p and Shi at 2 p.m. against Yinaba Karinn 1p. All matches will be broadcast on Pandanet. The EJ will update with photos and game records as soon as they are available.
– Andy Okun; 2014 photo of Liu by Phil Straus

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AGF College Scholarship – Deadline Nov. 14th

Monday October 26, 2015

AGF-logo-smallApplications are now being accepted for the American Go Foundation(AGF) college scholarshipThe program  recognizes high school students who have served as important youth organizers and promoters for the go community . To apply, download and complete the application form here.  Applicants should describe their accomplishments and volunteer work in a short essay. Letters of recommendation may also be included. Applicants whose enthusiasm and ambition have helped spread go in under-served areas will be given special consideration. Strong players who spend much of their time voluntarily teaching will also be considered, although the award focuses on promoters and organizers who have made substantial contributions during their go career. Applications are due Nov. 14th this year. -Paul Barchilon, E-J Youth Editor.  

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Nihon Ki-in Pros Join Seattle’s 20th Anniversary Party

Monday October 26, 2015

Anniversary Party CompositeThe recent 20th anniversary celebration at the Seattle Go Center attracted over 100 people, including two professionals from Japan, Hiroshi Yamashiro 9P, vice president of the Nihon Ki-in, and Yuma 6P, who is also known as Kuma-sensei in Seattle.  The October 3 evening reception and concert featured a short speech from Consul General Masahiro Omura from the Seattle Japanese Consulate, who noted that Kaoru Iwamoto’s purchase of the Go Center building for use by the U.S. go community was a good symbol of the continuing reconciliation between Japan and the United States since WWII.  Go Center Board President Lee Anne Bowie reported that the late Iwamoto-sensei’s vision to extend go internationally and promote mutual understanding and friendship through the game of go has been upheld at the Seattle Go Center.  Harry van der Krogt, Manager at the European Go Cultural Center, another Iwamoto-funded center, extended his congratulations to the Seattle Go Center, and hoped for increased international cooperation to promote go in the future.  Andy Okun, president of the AGA, noted that the Seattle Go Center has a strong base of volunteers.

While Mr. Yamashiro had to return to Japan the day after the party, Kuma-sensei gave lectures and played simultaneous games for the next four days at the Seattle Go Center.  This was his second visit to Seattle.  Sunday’s lecture consisted of reviews of games from the Saturday tournament (Seattle Go Center 2oth Anniversary Tournament Draws Big Crowd  10/20 EJ).  His Monday lecture was for the “Double Digit Kyu Class,” which is usually taught by Nick Sibicky.  Kuma-sensei explored the double low approach to the 4-4 stone, and did a very good job of keeping his explanations simple enough for kyu players.  On Tuesday, he played simultaneous games with eight players while others watched, and then gave short lessons as each game finished. As usual on Tuesdays, there were more than 30 players visiting the center. On Wednesday, Kuma taught the “Single Digit Kyu Class”, with Andrew Jackson hosting.  Kuma-sensei also had time to see more of Seattle, and to enjoy Northwest seafood.  Photos: (top) Hiroshi Yamashiro 9P giving greetings from the Nihon Ki-in, (left) Fumi Tagata soprano, (right) Kuma-sensei playing simultaneous games.   More photos here.
– Report/photos by Brian Allen

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Space Limited for Gotham Go Tournaments; Register Now

Monday October 26, 2015

Space is limited at the upcoming Gotham Go Tournament, so register soon. The November 14-15th event is really two tournaments, a one-day, 4-2015.10.26_Gotham2013-DSC_6943round AGA-rated tournament on Saturday, November 14, followed by a Pair Go tournament  on Sunday, November 15. Both events will be held at the Hostelling International New York, at 891 Amsterdam Ave (btw 103rd & 104th), which can only handle 84 players. “Breakfast, snacks, coffee and goodies both days!” promises organizer Peter Armenia, “And a Gotham Go surprise for all who participate!”
photo: January 2013 Gotham Tournament; photo by John Pinkerton

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Categories: U.S./North America
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