American Go E-Journal » Events/Tournaments

Eric Cotsen, Happy Warrior

Saturday October 25, 2014

You can tell how some go players feel about their game by the expression on their face, nervous if they’re losing or cheerful if they’re winning. But not Eric Cotsen. He always looks happy and excited to be playing, no matter what the situation is on the board.2014.10.25_Cotsen-Yang-DSC_0040

“It’s just the way I am, I guess,” Cotsen told the E-Journal in an interview Saturday morning at the Los Angeles Korean Cultural Center as players registered for the Cotsen Open, which he’s been sponsoring for “about 25 years now.” Cotsen’s proud of the tournament’s “different vibe,” pointing out the free lunches and team of masseuses for players, the refundable entry fee for players who attend both days, and the club team prizes. “I wanted it to be something out of the ordinary,” he says.

The 2-kyu started playing in the mid-80’s and while he admits that “sure, I’d love to have a higher rating,” that would mean more intensive studying at the expense of his family, work and other interests. After some three decades, the ancient game continues to fascinate and entertain Cotsen (center in photo), a longtime student of Yilun Yang 7P (at left). “I do feel like I’ve gotten stronger,” Cotsen said thoughtfully. “I can see things I couldn’t see before, though often they’re just shapes and sequences and I have to figure out how they go together.”

Cotsen also says the game has helped him in his business dealings, “though of course my strengths and weaknesses tend to manifest themselves in similar ways.” But his go rank seems to concern Cotsen as little as appearances, whose preferred attire is a comfortable t-shirt, shorts and Crocs. “I learn something new every single time I play,” said Cotsen. “That’s something that never gets old.”
– report/photo by Chris Garlock; check us out on Facebook and @theaga on Twitter for more photos.

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China and Korea Even After Samsung Cup Quarter Finals

Wednesday October 22, 2014

The 2014 Samsung Cup semifinals took place in Daejeon, Korea on October 14. Because the “elite eight” consisted of four Chinese players and four Korean players, the sponsor arranged the draw so there would be four “China vs Korea” matches. Though Korea might have had the advantage with its top four players in the semifinals, the Chinese players had high rankings as well, with Shi Yue and Zhou Ruiyang as number one and number two.

The results: two Chinese players and two Korean players will proceed, with Park Junghwan 9p against defending champion Tang Weixing 9p and Shi Yue 9p facing Kim Jiseok 9p. Daejeon will host the semifinals from November 5 through November 7. For more information about the the quarter finals including game records, photos, and Shi Yue’s defeat of recent jabango champion Lee Sedol 9p, please visit Go Game Guru.
—Annalia Linnan, based on a longer article by Go Game Guru

2014 Samsung Cup Semifinalists: Tang Weixing, Park Junghwan, Shi Yue, Kim Jiseok

2014 Samsung Cup Semifinalists: Tang Weixing, Park Junghwan, Shi Yue, Kim Jiseok

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2014 US Open Ratings Released

Tuesday October 21, 2014

The 2014 US Open has now been rated. Click here for the AGA ratings page where you can search by name or AGA membership number. You can also see the final wall list here.

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Cotsen Open Pre-Registration Closes Thursday at Midnight

Tuesday October 21, 2014

Pre-registration for the Cotsen Open will be closing at midnight on Thursday night.  After that, players will have to register at the door on Saturday morning. The 2-day tournament will be held on October 25-26 at the Korean Cultural Center in Los2014.10.17_Cotsen-2013 Angeles. “We will also be printing hats with the Cyclops Killer logo on them,” reports organizer Samantha Davis. “They will be for sale at the tournament.” Organizers are still looking for more volunteers for setup on Friday from 11am-5pm.  “All volunteers will get a free hat and a pizza lunch,” says Davis. Email her at cotsenopen@gmail.comSponsored by Eric Cotsen, the tournament is one of the biggest on the annual U.S. go calendar and features thousands of dollars in prizes, an Open Division, live KGS commentary on top board games, free masseuses for players, and free food truck lunches to all those who pre-register for both days of the tournament. There will also be a demonstration game between Yilun Yang 7P and Yigang Hua 8P. As usual, everyone who pre-registers and plays in all five of their matches will have their full entry fee refunded; click here to register. Follow the Cotsen on Twitter and Facebook for the latest tournament news.

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Lantz Keynote Speech Posted Online

Friday October 17, 2014

New York University Game Center Director Frank Lantz’ keynote speech at this year’s US Go Congress (Game Theorist Frank Lantz on why go 2014.10.17_FrankLantz-videoshould be “A little less Tang Dynasty and a little more NASCAR” 8/13 EJ) is now available online. Click here for a video of the talk, here for a Powerpoint version and here for a PDF. Lantz says he’s interested in “continu(ing) to be involved in helping grow and promote go worldwide.”

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Upcoming European Tournaments: Bratislava Solstice, London Open

Monday October 13, 2014

Go Club Tango and the Slovak go association will host the 2014 Winter Solstice Bratislava on December 27 and 28 at Hotel Viktor. The 13 EU fee must be paid-on site but organizer Julius Masarovic requests that all players register online before December 10. Players who wish to stay at Hotel Viktor for the duration of the tournament will enjoy a discount. Cash and material prizes will be available for top players. To register or for more information, please visit the Klub Taogo website.

The British Go Association and Central London Go Club will host the 41st London Open Go Congress 2014 from December 28 to December 31 at the International Students House. Cash prizes will be available for the top 4 players, the top 2 players “below the bar,” and the top player who started the tournament with a GoR of 10 kyu or below. In addition to the main tournament, there will be lectures, pair go, and lightning games as well as a rengo tournament and New Year’s Eve meal for those who wish to stay for celebrations. Students and junior players (under age 18) will receive discounts. Players who wish to play only for one or two days will also receive lower rates but all players must register before December 15. To register or for more information, please visit the official London Open website.

—Annalia Linnan; for complete listings, check out the European Tournament Calendar

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EuroGoTV Update: Ukraine, Russia, France

Sunday October 12, 2014

Viktor Lin 6d Ukraine: The Ukrainian Championship finished on October 5 in Kyiv with Valerii Krushelnytskyi 3d in first, Dmytro Yatsenko 5d in second, and Vasyl Skochko 4d in third. Russia: Also on October 5, Georgij Pimenov 16k bested Dmitrij Arkhipov 11k at the Korean Council Cup in Sankt-Peterburg while Dmitrij Shpigel 15k placed third. France: Viktor Lin 6d (left) took the European Student Go Championship in Toulouse on September 28. Behind him were Mihai Valentin Serban 5d in second and Johannes Obenaus 5d in third.

– Annalia Linnan, based on reports from EuroGoTV, which include complete result tables and all the latest European go news; photo courtesy of EuroGoTV

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Upcoming European Tournament: 17th “Go To Innovation” Tournament

Saturday October 11, 2014

Go-Verband Berlin and fm-one Management Services GmbH will host the 17th annual “Go To Innovation” Tournament in Berlin from November 14 through November 16 at the “Manfred von Ardenne – Gewerbezentrum.” Cash prizes will be available for the top 10 players, the best female player, and for players with 8 wins; book prizes will be available for players 11-20 and as consolation. Players who register before November 11 will receive a 10 EU discount. A steep discount is also available for youth players under age 16. To register or for more information, please visit the official 17th “Go To Innovation” website
—Annalia Linnan; for complete listings, check out the 
European Tournament Calendar

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EuroGoTV Update: Spain, United Kingdom, Austria

Monday October 6, 2014

Jitka Bartova 1dSpain: Juan Sampedro 3k bested Antonio-Eloy Martin 6k at the VI Open Cadiz on September 27 while Juan-Domingo Martin 10k placed third. United Kingdom: Jitka Bartova 1d (left) took The Swindon on September 28. Behind her were Richard Hunter 2d in second and Toby Manning 2d in third. Austria: Also on September 28, The Seewinkel Go tournament finished in Apetlon with Ondrej Kruml 5d in first, Dominik Boviz 4d in second, and Michael Forstenlehner 1k in third.
– Annalia Linnan, based on reports from EuroGoTV, which include complete result tables and all the latest European go news; photo courtesy of EuroGoTV

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19x19x19 Tournament at Seattle Go Center This Sunday

Thursday October 2, 2014

The Seattle Go Center is celebrating its 19th anniversary  with a tournament this Sunday, Oct. 5.  Titled “19×19x19“, the AGA event will have an open section and several handicapped sections.  Registration is from 10:00- 10:30 at the Go Center, and the total purse for prizes will be $500.  Last year they had 24 players, with six players who were 5 dan or stronger.  Anniv TournMore information is available at the Go Center website.    Photo: Dong Ma 6d plays Edward Kim 7d at the 17th Anniversary Tournament in 2012, with Dennis Wheeler recording the game.  Photo/Report by Brian Allen.

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