American Go E-Journal » Cotsen Open

Before a single stone had been played at this weekend’s Cotsen Open in Los Angeles, two announcements drew sustained and resounding applause from the 140 gathered players. First was tournament sponsor Eric Cotsen’s confirmation that “funding has been secured for the next four Cotsen Opens,” guaranteeing the return of the popular annual event through 2017. The second was Asian Go Federation (AGF) President Dae-won Suh’s announcement that plans are in the works for a Korean Baduk Cup in spring 2014, to be held, like the Cotsen, at the Korean Cultural Center. “I wish you all the best of luck,” said a beaming Suh. “Now let’s play baduk!” And with that, a day of fierce competition commenced over three hotly-contested rounds, broken only by a lunch break for free tacos from the food truck conveniently parked in the KCC parking lot, enabling players to enjoy a tasty lunch beneath clear Southern California skies before returning to the boards inside. Hundreds who could not attend the tournament followed the action live on KGS where the E-Journal team broadcast top boards, with pro commentaries on selected games. Leading the field are Beomgeun Cho, Andy Liu, Won Sik Lee and Eric Lui, all with 3-0 records (Click here for the tournament crosstab and see below for game records). The tournament continues Sunday with a pro-pro game on KGS starting at 8a PST between Yilun Yang 7p and Wang Qun 8p, followed by the final two rounds of the Cotsen. photo collage: top right: Haijin Lee 3p reviews a player’s game; bottom right: spectators gather around one of the top boards; bottom left: two masseuses — one of the Cotsen’s unique features — work their way through the field; top left: longtime go author Richard Bozulich (at left, talking to AGA President Andy Okun) dropped by for a brief visit Saturday morning while in town from Japan on a business trip. photo at left: Cotsen staff play a casual game.

Report, photos & collage by Chris Garlock

Game Records
Round 1
2013.10.26_CotsenRd1Bd1_Beomgeun Cho-Yixian Zhou
2013.10.26_CotsenRd1Bd2_Andy Liu-Wayne Cheng-Haijin Lee Commentary
2013.10.26_CotsenRd1Bd3_Won Sik Lee-Izuki Matsuba

Round 2
2013.10.26_CotsenRd2Bd1_Beomgeun Cho-Ari Saito-Yilun Yang Commentary
2013.10.26_CotsenRd2Bd2_Andy Liu-Gus Price
2013.10.26_CotsenRd2Bd3_Won Sik Lee-Rui Wang

Round 3
2013.10.26_CotsenRd3Bd1_BeomgeunCho-CalvinSun-MyungwanKimCommentary
2013.10.26_CotsenRd3Bd2_Andy Liu-Juyong Ko
2013.10.26_CotsenRd3Bd3_Yunxuan Li-Won Sik Lee 

Online registration for the 2013 Cotsen Go Open and 2nd AGA Pro Prelim is now closed. To register on-site in Los Angeles, come early this Saturday, October 26th; registration opens at 8a at the Korean Cultural Center (5505 Wilshire Blvd). “If you are not registered by 9:30, you will not be allowed to play in the first game,” organizers warn. The Cotsen features a number of unique attractions, including paying the AGA “one time rating fee” for all players who do not currently have an AGA membership, prizes for those who can solve certain go problems, one candidate will be selected for the AGA’s next professional certification tournament to be held later this year. Plus, Myung-wan Kim 9P, one of the organizers of the US pro system, will also be on hand to teach and play simultaneous games and local Southern California favorite and renowned US teacher Yi-Lun Yang 7P will also teach and provide game commentary. There will also be a pro game over the internet between Yi-Lun Yang 7P and another pro. Lee Hajin 3p and Kim Minhee 3p will also be there to do game reviews and simuls along with a late addition to the delegation, Kim Younghwan 9p.  Kim (left) became pro in 1987. His nickname is “Younghwan Wizard” because of his ability to give more handicap stones to amateur players than any other pro, and still win. He is currently working as a baduk instructor and a commentator for Baduk TV. The tournament also features free lunch at a food truck (but only for those who pre-register) and two masseuses who will make the rounds “to ease the tensions that arise in your shoulders when you discover that your big group really doesn’t have two eyes.” There are also go club prizes of $1,500, to be awarded to top three clubs that have the most points overall in the tournament. Top-board games will be broadcast live on KGS by the E-Journal. photo: Cotsen with son Lord at the 2012 Cotsen Open; top right photo by Chris Garlock

This Saturday’s Gotham Tournament in New York City is “basically full up,” reports organizer Peter Armenia. The space holds 82 and there are already 83 registered. There may be some no-shows or last-minute cancellations though, so if you’re interested in playing, go ahead and register here and if you’re registered but not able to attend, email Armenia at parmenia@earthlink.net.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the continent, there’s still time and space to sign up for the popular Cotsen Open in Los  Angeles, CA (free lunches, massages, pro commentaries, etc), October 26-27. Click here to register.

Click here for the complete upcoming go tournament/event calendar.

The winning go club at the upcoming Cotsen Open takes home a $1,000 prize. Points are awarded based on how well each club’s members do in the popular event, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, October 26-27 at the Korean Cultural Center in Los Angeles, CA. “So make sure your club is well-represented!” says registrar Samantha Davis. Click here for details and to register. The 5-round tournament also features game commentaries by Myung-wan Kim 9P and Yilun Yang 7P, free lunch both days and free shoulder massages while you play. photo: Myungwan Kim commenting a game at the 2012 Cotsen; photo by Chris Garlock

Free lunch, shoulder massages and pro game commentaries…registration is now open for the Cotsen Open, one of the most unique and popular go events on the annual North American go calendar. The tournament is set for Saturday and Sunday, October 26-27 at the Korean Cultural Center in Los Angeles, CA. Myung-wan 9P, one of the organizers of the US pro system, will also be on hand to teach and play simultaneous games, while local Southern California favorite and renowned US teacher Yi-Lun Yang 7P will also teach and provide game commentary. Registration and lunch are free but only for those who pre-register (and who play both days), “so sign up now!” say organizers. photo: 2012 Cotsen Open players line up for their free lunch at the Korean lunch truck; photo by Chris Garlock

The 2012 Cotsen Open/AGA-Tygem Pro Qualifier was held April 28-29 in Los Angeles, CA. One of the major tournaments on the American Go Association’s annual calendar, the event is sponsored by Eric Cotsen and this year major organizational support was provided by Myung-wan Kim 9P and Andy Okun; Chris Sira was the Tournament Director. Cho Hunhyun 9P topped an impressive list of professional go players in attendance, and top boards were broadcast by the American Go E-Journal (see “In Appreciation” below for complete credits). 

Reports:
Calvin Sun Wins ’12 Cotsen
2012 Cotsen Open Crosstab  (includes top-board game records; see below for commentaries)
Pro System Launch “Monumental Moment” for U.S. Go, says Cho Hunhyun 9P
Cotsen Open Day 1
In Appreciation: The 2012 Cotsen Open Team
Two Kims Add to Cotsen Pro Line-Up
Cotsen Drawing Record Crowd in L.A.
Cotsen Open Set for this Weekend in L.A.
Cho Hun-Hyun 9P ‘s Message to American Go Players
Cotsen Open Registration Nearing Triple Digits
KBA to Award Certificates to Dan Players at Cotsen
Cotsen Open to Feature Legendary Cho Hun-hyun 9P & Other Top Pros

Game Commentaries (downloadable sgf files)
Exhibition: Cho Hun-hyun 9P vs. Yilun Yang 7P Commentary by Yoo Chang-hyuk 9P
Round 1 Board 1 Commentary by Kim Myung-wan 9P
Round 1 Board 2 Commentary by Kim Myung-wan 9P
Round 2 Board 1 Commentary by Yilun Yang 7P
Round 4 Board 1 Commentary by Yilun Yang 7P
Round 5 Board 1 Commentary by Kim Myung-wan 9P and Janice Kim 3P
photos by Chris Garlock