American Go E-Journal » Events/Tournaments

Pro System Launch “Monumental Moment” for U.S. Go, says Cho Hunhyun 9P

Sunday April 29, 2012

For a guy whose nickname is “The God of War” and who has amassed over 1,000 career wins, Cho Hunhyun 9P in person in actually pretty mild-mannered. In Los Angeles this weekend to help launch the American Go Association’s (AGA) nascent professional certification system at the Cotsen Open AGA-Tygem Pro Prelim, Cho took a few minutes out of a jam-packed schedule Saturday at the Korean Cultural Center to sit down for an interview with the American Go E-Journal. “This is a monumental moment for the AGA,” Cho said, “and I wanted to be here, on behalf of the Korean Baduk Association, to show our support.” Saying that he’s “very impressed” by the American effort and enthusiasm for go, Cho said that simply by launching the American pro system “You have taken the most important step.” But, like the game of go itself, Cho encouraged American players to settle in for a long road ahead. “China dominated this game for 5,000 years,Japan dominated it for 500 years and Korea has been on top for just 30 years, so for American players to compete on a world level, it’s going to take a long time, 10, 20, maybe even 50 years.” Developing a professional system is absolutely key to building the strength of American players, Cho said, because it creates the necessary financial incentives and infrastructure and ultimately will make it possible to have a career as an American professional go player. But because it’s impossible to predict the rise of homegrown go prodigies or geniuses, Cho said America must “just follow the path, be patient and put in the effort and someone will come forth.” This was Cho’s own path to the top, he said, saying that “choosing the path of a go professional was like destiny,” adding that he feels that “this journey has not ended” for him and he thinks he still has more to contribute to the game. “The beauty of go is that people become modest when they play.” As proof, Cho revealed that he’s recently taken up golf, where “I am now the amateur” and can just have fun playing.
– report/photos by Chris Garlock; translation for Cho Hunhyun by James Kim

Categories: Cotsen Open,U.S. Pro Tournament,U.S./North America

Cotsen Open Day 1

Saturday April 28, 2012

Only three top players are undefeated after the first three rounds of the 2012 Cotsen Open: Curtis Tang, Calvin Sun and Chun-hong Chen. The final two rounds of the Cotsen will be held on Sunday, April 29 in Los Angeles, CA. Day One featured morning simuls with visiting Korean professionals, three rounds of tournament play, a lecture by Janice Kim 3P and broadcast of top boards on KGS, with pro commentary by Myung-wan Kim, Yilun Yang and Yoo Chang-hyuk. All the game records — including the pro commentaries — will be posted on the website soon.
photos and collage by Chris Garlock

Categories: Cotsen Open

Two Kims Add to Cotsen Pro Line-Up

Friday April 27, 2012

Two more professionals have been confirmed for this weekend’s Cotsen Open in Los Angeles, CA: Janice Kim 3P (at far right) and Kim Hyo-jung 2P (below at right). The American-born Janice Kim has long been a popular teacher at U.S. events, including the annual Go Congress, while Kim Hyo-jung is a well-known commentator and MC at Korean go events. That will make an impressive total of seven pros at the Cotsen, including Cho Hun-hyun 9P, Yang Jae-ho 9P, Yoo Chang-hyuk 9P, Myung-wan Kim 9P and Yilun Yang 7P, all of whom are expected to play in simuls with Cotsen attendees as well as give lectures and game commentaries. Registration opens at 8a Saturday (walk-ins are welcome), Saturday, 4/28 at the Korean Cultural Center (5505 Wilshire Blvd.Los Angeles,CA); Round 1 is scheduled for 10a PST, Round 2 for 1P and Round 3 for 4:15P. Live EJ game broadcast of top-board games on KGS begins with Round 1 and live commentaries should begin around 11a PST. Watch the AGA website and keep an eye on KGS for updates throughout the weekend.

Categories: Cotsen Open,U.S./North America

Cotsen Drawing Record Crowd in L.A.

Wednesday April 25, 2012

With several days to go, nearly 200 have already registered for this weekend’s Cotsen Open in Los Angeles, one of the year’s biggest and most popular go tournaments in the United States. With thousands of dollars in prizes, the April 28-29 tournament is bringing out players of all strengths, and competition will be especially tough on the top boards as players like Joey Hung 8D, Juyong Koh 8D, Danny Daehyuk Ko 8D, Curtis Tang 8D (at right; click here for the April 24 LA Times story on how this “Child prodigy took a pass on Go”) and Calvin Sun 7D battle it out. The E-Journal will be broadcasting top games on KGS, hopefully with commentary from one of the visiting Korea Baduk Association pros, Cho Hun-hyun 9P, Yang Jae-ho 9P, and Yoo Chang-hyuk 9P. The Cotsen also features big cash prizes for the clubs whose players win the most games, so a number of area clubs are sending teams to compete.
photo by Gary Friedman/LA Times

Categories: Cotsen Open

Cotsen Open Set for this Weekend in L.A.

Monday April 23, 2012

The Cotsen Open in Los Angeles this weekend just added another draw: special fans signed by all three attending professionals, Cho Hun-Hyun 9P, Yoo Chang-hyuk 9P and KBA Secretary General Yang Jae-ho 9P, who will be commenting, teaching and observing the opening phase of US pro certification process. That’s in addition to the free food, shoulder massages, six Korea Baduk Association (KBA) rank certificates, sunny weather and field of hundreds of players at the Cotsen this Saturday and Sunday, April 28-29. The Cotsen, one of the biggest tournaments on the American go calendar, is being hosted by the Korean Cultural Center in Los Angeles, and this year includes the AGA-Tygem Pro Prelim, which will select two candidates for the AGA’s first-ever professional certification tournament at the U.S. Go Congress in North Carolina this summer. Click here to register now!

Categories: Cotsen Open

U.S. Go Congress Registration Booming; 4/25 Deadline for Free Mealplan Drawing

Monday April 23, 2012

Registrations for the 2012 U.S. Go Congress in Black Mountain, North Carolina, are coming in at a record setting pace, reports Congress Liason Chris Kirschner, with nearly 200 signed up thus far. “This is not surprising,” Kirschner says, “given that the Black Mountain site has many unique aspects, including stunning natural beauty, proximity to Asheville’s craft breweries and vibrant arts scene, relatively modest costs, and numerous recreational opportunities as well as traditional summer camp activities.” In addition, the Congress is hosting the International Go Symposium, an academic conference investigating the educational, cultural, scientific, and literary aspects of the game of go. Given the high demand, Congress Co-Directors Paul Celmer and Peter Armenia warn that “to ensure that you will receive your first choice of accommodation, you must register and pay your Congress balance. Your rooms are not reserved until we receive payment.” They also reminded E-Journal readers that midnight on Wednesday, April 25 is the deadline for the drawing for a free 2012 Congress meal plan, a $225 value, and with just 12 entries so far, “The odds are in your favor!” Click here for details on how to enter the drawing.

Categories: U.S. Go Congress

Jiang to Teach Go Camp

Monday April 23, 2012

Mingjiu Jiang 7P will be returning to teach at this year’s AGA Go Camp, reports camp director Amanda Miller. Jiang is an experienced professional player who has represented the United States in a number of international go tournaments. He has extensive teaching experience, and counts many of the strongest youth in the country among his students. Camp pricing and details can be found on the 2012 Camp Website here. For the convenience of the campers and their families, payments for the camp can be made online, although some forms must still be mailed directly to the organizers. The camp will take place the week before the Go Congress from July 28 to August 4 and will be held at the same location, the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, North Carolina. AGF needs based scholarships are again available for players who can’t afford the full cost, and youth who played in the USYGC are eligible for a $400 scholarship to camp. More details on AGF scholarships can be found here. Story and photo by Paul Barchilon, E-J Youth Editor. Photo: Jiang, at right, plays a simul in the Youth Room at the 2011 Go Congress.

Categories: U.S. Go Congress,U.S./North America,Youth

Cho Hun-Hyun 9P ‘s Message to American Go Players

Thursday April 19, 2012

With just over a week to go before he attends the April 28-29 Cotsen Open in Los Angeles, Cho Hun-Hyun 9P — considered one of the greatest players of all time – has sent the American go community his congratulations “on starting your professional system and hosting the Cotsen Open,“ adding that “I hope the American go community develops further through this tournament and that many will enjoy go as a mind sport.” Adds Yoo Chang-hyuk 9P, who will also be at the Cotsen, “I can’t wait to see the first American professionals. Even though they may not as strong as Korean professionals at first, Americans can catch up pretty fast by having many opportunities to compete in tournaments.” He also says that he looks forward to “having even more baduk cultural exchanges with Korea.” Finally, KBA Secretary General Yang Jae-ho 9P, who will accompany Cho and Yoo, says that “Having talented kids is critical to developing the baduk community. That’s why we adopted pro qualification for talented kids. Likewise, America can be one of the strongest baduk countries in the world if kids are enthusiastic about baduk. I’d like to give those kids a chance to play with the top professionals from Korea and hopefully they will have a good experience. If those kids become a professional, I look forward to them coming to Korea to participate in tournaments, honor America, and establish baduk friendship between America and Korea. Best wishes for the success of the tournament!” Remember: you must register by April 23rd to be eligible for the free lunch and full registration refund. photo courtesy Go’s Everywhere

Categories: Cotsen Open,U.S./North America

Hikaru Author to Attend Congress

Monday April 16, 2012

Hotta Yumi, author of the best selling manga series Hikaru no Go is confirmed for the US Go Congress. Hotta will meet fans, sign autographs, and answer questions at the Go Symposium on Sunday, and will be a celebrity judge for the official Hikaru no Go Trivia contest in the Youth Room on Monday. When Hotta was learning to play go, she got frustrated at never being able to beat the professionals who taught her. “So I thought, wouldn’t it be great if I had a strong supernatural ally, maybe then I could beat a pro someday,” she told the E-Journal in an earlier interview. The result was the best-selling manga and anime series Hikaru no Go, which is credited with renewing or sparking interest in go worldwide in recent years. “I had no idea how popular it was outside Japan until I went to the European Go Congress two years ago and met so many people who told me they learned about go through Hikaru No Go,” Hotta said, laughing. -Paul Barchilon with Chris Garlock, photo by John Pinkerton.

Categories: U.S. Go Congress,U.S./North America,Youth

Congress Scholarships for Youth Available

Monday April 16, 2012

The American Go Foundation (AGF) is offering $200 youth discounts to this year’s US Go Congress. Interested youth must write an essay on why they want to go; the application deadline is May 30th. Twenty-Five scholarships are available, and up to 15 awardees will be selected by June 1. Five scholarships are available to residents of Canada or Mexico. Applications received after May 30th will be placed in a lottery with the remaining scholarships awarded at random from qualifying essays. The scholarships are available for youth who are under 18. For more information, and to apply, click here. – Paul Barchilon, E-J Youth Editor. Photo: Youth playing Four Color Go at the 2011 Congress, photo by Paul Barchilon.

Categories: U.S. Go Congress,U.S./North America,Youth

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