Yi Wang 6d upset the 7-dan defending champion in the first round and then went undefeated to win the 2018 San Diego Go
Championship on February 25 at UCSD. He was the only undefeated player in the Open Section. He prevailed over a strong field that included two 7-dans and three other 6-dans. Wang is a local San Diego player who attends Torrey Pines High School. More than 40 players competed in the seventh annual event for the $400 first prize as well as numerous other cash awards totaling $1,250. Players from 6-years-old to 70+ participated with lots of new young players competing for the first time. The president of the San Diego Chess Club, David Saponara, played in his first go tournament and went 2-1.
There was a five-way tie for second in the Open Section (all at 2-1): Chegjie Huang (2017 Champion), Xiaocheng (Steven) Hu, 
Yixian Zhou, Jun Kim, and Yifan Zhang.
In the dan/kyu section, Konrad Scheffler (3-0, 1.9d) beat Dan Alvira (2-1, 3.1d) and Christophe Humbert (2-1, 2.6d).
In the mid-kyu section, ChaoShane Chang (3-0, 8.8k) went undefeated to beat out four players that tied for second (2-1): Shawn Blue, 3.3k; Arunas Rudvalis, 6.1k; Yike Deng, 5.9k; and Warren Andrews, 6.7k.
In the high-kyu section, Xiang Cai (3-0, 14.7k) beat out Lucia Moscola (2-1, 18k).
In the beginners’ section, Tony Yang (3-0, 25k) edged a group of four who ended up with 2-1 records: Andy Zhou, 31k; Anna Zhou, 33k; Kevin Yang, 23k; and David Saponara 30k.
Justin Lee won the 9×9 championship arranged for youth after their 19×19 tournament games.
photos: (top right) 2018 Champion Yi Wang (6d – Torrey Pines High school) playing 2017 Champion Chengjie Huang (7.2d – UCSD) as UCSD Go Club president Weihan Huai watches; (left): Many girls played in the tournament; (bottom left): 6-year-old Eric Yang played a confident game.
– report/photos by Ted Terpstra
