American Go E-Journal » Europe

Hungary: The European Baduk Competition finished November 17 in Budapest with Pal Balogh 6d in first, Csaba Mero 6d in second, and Ondrej Silt 6d in third. Italy: Also on November 17,  2k bested Andrea Mori 3k at the Gladiatore 2013 in Rome. Mika Straka 6k placed third. Poland: Bartlomiej Zuchowski 2k took the title at the Pierwszy Turniej Go Ozarowa Mazowieckiego on November 17. In second and third place were Kamil Konieczny 5k and Piotr Kucharski 11k.
– Annalia Linnan,  based on reports from EuroGoTV, which include complete result tables and all the latest European go news; photo courtesy of EuroGoTV

Russia: Ilja Shikshin 7d defeated rival Alexander Dinerchtein 7d in the Japan Ambassador Cup in Moscow on October 27 while Dimitrij Surin 6d placed third. Spain: The XIV Spanish Open finished on November 3 with Yue Li 5d (left) in first, Shizuo Kato 6d in second, and Ignacio Cernuda 3d in third. Sweden: Also on November 3, Antti Tormanen 6d bested Yaqi Fu 6d and Klas Almrot 4d came in third at the Gothenburg Open.
– Annalia Linnan,  based on reports from EuroGoTV, which include complete result tables and all the latest European go news; photo courtesy of EuroGoTV

Hwang In-seong (left) will be special guest this year at the London Open, the UK’s  largest go tournament, which runs from December 28-31, ending with a New Year’s Eve meal and drinks (Upcoming European Tournament: London Open Go Congress, EJ 10/30).

Hwang, a Korean national, was a yeongusaeng – the equivalent of a Japanese insei – although he never made pro status. He is now resident in Europe, where he is the second highest-ranked player on the European Go Database (after Fan Hui), graded at 8d* with a GoR of 2802.

Click here for Hwang’s interview with Eurogotv in May this year, where he discusses, amongst other things, his decision to quit yeongusaeng, his move to Europe and his teaching activities, including his own Yunguseng internet go academy.

Report by Tony Collman, British correspondent for the EJ. Photos: (left) Hwang teaching, courtesy of Belgian Go Federation website; (right) Hwang gives a presentation on approaching life-and-death issues at an invitational event in October at the home of Oxford City Go Club Secretary Harry Fearnley; photo by Ruth Davis.

*Although graded at 8d in Europe, Hwang styles himself as 7d since, as Harry Fearnley explains, in his native Korea no amateur is allowed a higher grade.

Portugal: Pedro Carmona 2k bested Cristovao Neto 1d at the 2013 Porto Open on October 27 while Jose Teles-Menezes 7k came in third. Turkey: Also on October 27, the 6th Bursa Go Tournament finished in Bursa with Ozgur Degirmenci 2d in first, Emre Bektore 1d in second, and Engin Serkan Solmazoglu 1d in third. Finland: Suvi Rovio 2d (left) won the Finnish Women’s Championship in Helsinki on October 20. Luciana Voutilainen 1k came in second and Helena Niinisalo 1k placed third.
– Annalia Linnan, based on reports from EuroGoTV, which include complete result tables and all the latest European go news; photo courtesy of EuroGoTV

A spectacular, all-out battle for the British Championship is expected this month between “The Two Andrews.” Andrew Simons 4d (left) will challenge Andrew Kay 4d (right)  for the title in the best-of-three British Championship final,  set for November 15 and 23. The games, with three hours main time per player, will be played at 10a UTC on 11/15 and 11a  on 11/23 in Milton Keynes at the home of Tim Hunt, who will referee. They will be broadcast online in the British Room on the KGS server with live commentary throughout from Alexandre Dinerchtein 3p (11/15) and Guo Juan 5p (11/23). The champ and his challenger are the best of friends and also the greatest of rivals, having both risen to dan level during the same period at Cambridge University Go Club, which will lend a special edge to the competition. In this summer’s European Open, Simons finished 38th while Kay came 58th so a strong challenge is expected as well as a determined defense of the title. Click here for an interview with Kay at this year’s World Amateur Go Championship (WAGC) where he gives his thoughts on the challenge.
Report by Tony Collman, British correspondent for the EJ. Photos: Kay (right) at the 2013 WAGC, courtesy of Ranka Online; Simons (left) by Tony Collman.

The 40th Annual London Open Go Congress will take place December 28-December 31 at the International Student House in London. The top three places will receive cash prizes and additional prizes will be offered to the winners of the Lightning and Pair Go tournaments. For players who register before December 15, the entry fee is 47 GBP. Students receive a 5 GBP discount and juniors (under 18) can play for 27 GBP. Players must register before December 15 to receive these prices as the fees will increase for players who register on or after December 15. Additionally, all players can receive discounted rates should they choose the International Students House for their accommodations. Players who stay at ISH will also receive a continental breakfast voucher and free wifi. To register or for more information including the full schedule, rules, and current registered players, visit the official London Open Go Congress website.
— Annalia Linnan; for complete listings, check out the European Tournament Calendar; photo courtesy of London Open Go Congress

Slovenia: The 2013 Slovenian Championship finished October 20 in Fiesa with Gregor Butala 5d in first, Leon Matoh 5d in second, and Timotej Suc 3d in third. Norway: Also on October 20, Micael Svensson 1d bested Jakob Bing 3d at the 2013 Norwegian Championship in Oslo while Paal Sannes 3d placed third. Hungary: Dominik Boviz 4d (left) won the Visegrad Countries International Go Tournament in Budapest on October 20. Renato Tolgyesi 1d took second and Gyorgy Gsizmadia 4d came in third.
– Annalia Linnan, based on reports from EuroGoTV, which include complete result tables and all the latest European go news

The 16th Annual Go To Innovation tournament will take place November 22-24 in Berlin, Germany. Founded in 2004, Dr. Martin Sattelkau teamed up with software developer Alexander Eckert to create a new annual tournament to attract more go players in Germany and throughout Europe. The grand prize for the winner is 1000 EU but cash prizes are available up to 20th place, along with go books for places 21-30 and as 3 consolation prizes. A separate jackpot of 450 EU is available for players with 8 wins. Registration is 35 EU for general players and 10 EU for youths (under 16). To register or for more information, please visit the official Go To Innovation website.

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