American Go E-Journal » Go News

Registration runs from 9-10:30a at the 39th annual Maryland Open Saturday morning, with the first round scheduled for 11a. “Pre-registered or not, all are welcome!” says organizer Keith Arnold. The tournament in Catonsville, MD (just outside Baltimore), is also an AGA-Tygem Pro Prelim event for the AGA-Tygem Pro Final in North Carolina, which will be from July 28th to August 4th. The only other prelim is the AGA-Tygem Pro Online Prelim, also open to all, but sign up by Sunday, May 27. Top contenders this year include Yuan Zhou (who recently competed in the World Amateur Go Championships in China), Eric Lui, and Lin Lu; sources tell the EJ that Andy Liu and Michael Chen will be competing as well, so look for some exciting games on the top boards. The 2-day, 5-round tournament offers prizes at all levels, and top boards will be broadcast live on KGS by the E-Journal, starting around 11a (EST) Saturday.

With pre-registrations already running ahead of last year’s – 47 as of Wednesday night – “the field is shaping up quite nicely” at the Maryland Open and AGA-Tygem Pro Prelim this weekend, reports organizer Keith Arnold. In addition the expected turnout of top amateurs, the low- and mid-dan ranks are well-represented, as are kyu players of all levels. The 39th annual Open will be held again in the Catonsville Senior Center in Catonsville, MD and this year includes the first AGA-Tygem Pro Prelim, in which the top finishing player with qualifying citizenship earns the right to compete for pro certification this summer in North Carolina. The 2-day, 5-round tournament offers prizes at all levels, and top boards will be broadcast live on KGS by the E-Journal. Click here to register, see who’s coming, and for more information.

All participants in the AGA TygemGo Online Pro Qualifier will receive a pin commemorating this first-ever Pro Qualifier competition. “The design is pretty neat,” said President Allan Abramson. “Thanks to the Pro Committee for the idea, and the design.” Register here “and be sure to practice on Tygem for the June Qualifier!” adds Abramson. The pro qualifier is the American Go Association’s pioneering effort to establish AGA pros in the international scene, supported by the Korea Baduk Association and Tygem. “Our joint view is a long one, creating the pros and opportunities for international competition and training, which will ultimately improve all US players,” says AGA President Allan Abramson. “The goal is people who will be able to win internationally, in major tournaments. This may take years to achieve, but 2012 is the beginning.”