Maxwell Chen swept the Peter Freedman Memorial Oregon Go Championship last weekend to take the title of Oregon State Go Champion. Chen was undefeated in the Open Division after five rounds Saturday and Sunday, November 12-13 in the Yanai Classroom at Portland’s Japanese Garden. The event drew 32 players, with 8 competing in the Open Division, and the rest competing in two additional divisions for cash prizes, Go gear, books and gift certificates from tournament sponsors Baduk.clubs and SmartGo.
“Competition was tough, but the venue and the games were amazing,” said Chen. The tournament took place at peak foliage season and players took full advantage of garden’s serene and inspiring walks between rounds of intense play.
The Portland Go Club hosted the state championship this year, and dedicated the tournament to Peter Freedman, one of the club’s founders, and a legendary spreader of the game of go to old and young alike, touching the lives of many players. Freedman passed away early this year. “Peter taught me Go at my high school chess club nearly 20 years ago,” says Stewart Towle, “and during the tournament’s award ceremony we celebrated his life and contributions to the go community with warm remembrances.”
Tournament Director Patrick Easley ran a tight ship, coordinating pairings, setting up clocks and troubleshooting issues as they arose. From 11 am to 3 pm both days Karl Keefer and Stew Towle hosted a community outreach area in the main lobby of the Garden’s indoor space. “We taught people the basics of how to play Go, played 9×9 games, and gave presentations on Go history and famous games, such as the oldest recorded game, the infamous ‘Ear-Reddening Game’ and Lee Sedol’s fourth game versus AlphaGo,” said Towle.
“I had never played in a Go tournament before,” said Division 2 participant June Rana. “I had also never been to the Japanese Garden (and) I have to say both made a great impression on me. I will certainly be attending again in the future.“
2022 Peter Freedman Memorial Oregon Go Championship Results
Open Division
1st Place and Oregon Champion: Maxwell Chen
2nd Place: Steve Stringfellow
3rd Place: Jason Wang
Division 1 (2d-6k)
1st Place: Maya S
2nd Place: Jim Levenick
3rd Place: Gordon Marsh
4th Place: Glenn Peters
5th Place: Robert O’Malley
Division 2 (7k-20k))
1st Place: David Engle
2nd Place: Catrina Smith
3rd Place: Aaron Sabolch
– Report/photos by Stewart Towle
