May « 2018 « American Go E-Journal

Much better results for NA players at Go Seigen Cup

Sunday May 6, 2018

North American players fared much better at this year’s Wu Qingyuan (Go Seigen) Cup, reports Thomas Hsiang.

In the first round, Feng Yun defeated Natalia Kovaleva, Stephanie Ying defeated Irvina Karlberg, Sarah Yu defeated Laura Nvram and Gaby Su lost to Rita Pocsai. Manja Marz and Guo Juan advanced to the second round without playing.

In the second round, Stephanie lost to Yu Zhiying from China, the world’s number 1 woman right now. Feng Yun lost to Yun (Korea), Sarah Yu lost to Ueno (Japan, current Female Kisei in Japan), Rita Pocsai lost to Zhang Xuan (China), Guo Juan lost to Oh (Korea) and Manja Marz lost to Lu (China).

All Western players were eliminated after the second round.

Categories: China,Europe,Main Page,U.S./North America

Rape apology sought from baduk champion

Sunday May 6, 2018

A Hungarian baduk player competing in Korea is demanding an apology from a star Korean player for allegedly raping her at his home, reports Korea JoongAng Daily.

In an interview in Seoul on Tuesday, Diana Koszegi (right) told the JoongAng Ilbo that she has not received a response from Kim Seong-ryong, a top-level baduk player, after she claimed on an online forum on April 17 that he forced himself on her on the night of June 5, 2009. The accusation made headlines after its posting and was followed by a joint statement by fifty women baduk players in support of Koszegi on April 19. It follows another sexual misconduct scandal in which a baduk player installed a spy camera in a women’s bathroom at the Korea Baduk Association. Kim has denied the rape allegation through an associate, claiming his relations with Koszegi were consensual.

The Korean Baduk Players Association, which is the collective entity representing pros and is separate from KBA, voted 85.8% on May 8 to expel Kim. On May 14, the KBA temporarily suspended Kim until the ethics commission of KBA finishes looking into it and finalizes the case, expected by the end of the month.

Read more here.

5/17: This post has been updated; it was the KBPA, not the KBA, which expelled Kim.

Categories: Korea,Main Page

AGA seeks public comment on revisions to Articles of Incorporation and By-laws

Sunday May 6, 2018

Committees delegated by the AGA Board have proposed changes to the AGA Articles of Incorporation and By–laws. The board has accepted these changes for release to the chapters and membership for review and comment prior to implementation. The changes reflect suggestions given by chapter leaders during a recent chapter comment period and now the AGA solicits comments from the membership at large.

The revisions are significant, though the basic structure of governance is not changed. We solicit and welcome your comments and suggestions at planning@usgo.org.

Original Articles of Incorporation and By-laws
By-laws revision draft with changes indicated by highlights and comments
By-laws revision draft with changes incorporated

Categories: Main Page

TD Workshop to Debut at U.S. Go Congress

Thursday May 3, 2018

Have you thought about running a go tournament in your area but weren’t sure where to start? Or have you run tournaments and would like to hear from other experienced TD’s about how they publicize and manage these events? A new workshop at the U.S. Go Congress this July is meant for you.

“We have four afternoon sessions scheduled this year that will cover everything from how to organize your first tournament to computer programs to help manage pairings and AGA results reporting,” says workshop Director Mark Rubenstein. “It’s very rewarding to run a successful tournament, and this workshop is designed to help all TD’s get better at doing so.”

Topics to be covered include basics, like how to run your first tournament: handicaps, AGA membership requirements, handling ranks, pairings, and reporting. Also covered: publicity and pre-registration; regulations, code of conduct, registration management, conflict management; pairing systems – Swiss, McMahon, round robin, knockout, self-paired, etc., and the reason for choosing one pairing system over another; computer pairing and reporting programs. There will also be Q&A with experienced TDs.

Rubenstein reports that “We already have the schedule in the Congress mobile app, and will put descriptions for each session there so you can choose to come to the whole workshop, or just the topics of most interest to you.” Congress registration is open now covering this workshop and all the tournaments, pro lectures, and events in Williamsburg VA this July 21-28. Send TD Workshop suggestions to mark@evanstongoclub.org.

photo: at the recent Carolina Spring Tournament; photo by Bob Bacon

Categories: Main Page,U.S. Go Congress,U.S./North America

Nominations being accepted for 2018 AGA Board Election

Thursday May 3, 2018

It’s election time again. This year four American Go Association (AGA) Board of Director seats are in play for the Eastern, Western, Central and at Large positions. The current terms of office expire this September. If you know of someone who you believe would offer guidance and service to the AGA, consider making a nomination. Nominations, including self-nominations, may be made by full members for the At-Large or for the regional seat in which the member resides and must be received by June 15, 2018. Nominations and questions must be emailed to elections@usgo.org. Click here for complete election information and qualifications.

Categories: Main Page,U.S./North America

School Team Tourney Deadline Extended

Wednesday May 2, 2018

The School Teams Tourney (SST) has been rescheduled for May 19th and 26th, and the registration deadline is now May 12th. Modeled on Hikaru no Go, the STT is North America’s premier K-12 team go tournament, and will be held on KGS. Over $1,000 in prizes, including cash and trophies will be given out. Participants this year will be eligible to receive a free AGHS T-shirt as well. All public or private institutions in the US, Canada and Mexico, from kindergarten to high school, are allowed to form teams of three to compete. There will be 2 rounds on each day. To register, click here. Rules and more information can be found here. –Paul Barchilon, E-J Youth Editor.

Categories: Main Page,U.S./North America,Youth

Ing World Youth Qualifier May 6

Tuesday May 1, 2018

The 35th World Youth Goe Champion will be held in Germany, at Stahleck Castle in Bacharach, from July 18 to 23. Food and lodging will be covered by the organizers, and Ing’s Goe Foundation will provide $1500 for the air ticket. The qualifying tournament is this Sunday, May 6th, and players must register by Thursday, May 3rd. Games will be played on KGS, with Ing rules, 1hour 3/30 each. Skype video will be required for all games. The top four players in each group will then play a single elimination tournament. The winner will represent the US at the Ing World Youth Cup in Germany.

Eligibility: US Citizens, Resident of the US for at least 6 months for the past 12 months; Senior Group (Age 12—15) Junior Group (Age under 12). Players cannot be part of the the US team in the same group more than twice within 3 years.

Registration: By email or phone mingjiu7p@hotmail.com (650-796-1602) by May 3, 2018

Categories: Main Page,U.S./North America,World,Youth

The Empty Board: Philosophical Reflections on Go #4

Tuesday May 1, 2018

by William Cobb

Decisions about good and bad moves have a big role in go. It’s often not that easy to determine, but a move either promotes or hinders the achievement of the player’s ultimate goal, which is of course to win. Whether playing the game is good or bad is a different issue. To decide that you have to appeal to some goal independent of the game. This is a way in which go is not so much like life. Not because life situations are more complicated, but because the ultimate goal or purpose of life is much more difficult to determine. So deciding what is good and bad in life is much more difficult. As a result there is a lot of muddling through and a lot of just following along. That’s why in most cases we just don’t think about this very much. But if you want to be able to feel more confident about making decisions about good and bad in life, you will have to make an effort to determine what the goal of life is. Nevertheless, playing go can be very relaxing and comforting. It’s nice not to have to worry about what we are really up to.

photo by Phil Straus; photo art by Chris Garlock

Categories: Main Page,The Empty Board

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