American Go E-Journal » Go News

Dates for the annual Cotsen Go Tournament – which features over $5,000 in prizes – have just been announced. The tournament, sponsored by Lloyd Eric Cotsen (r) with the American Go Association, will be held September 18-19 at the Los Angeles Center Studios. The tournament also features a the popular go club competition, free buffet lunch both days, game commentary by Yilun Yang 7P, and – unique among tournaments anywhere else in the world – free shoulder massages by professional masseuses. Plus, all entry fees are fully refunded Sunday afternoon, for those who pre-register. Email GoTournament@thelec.com for more info. photo by Chris Garlock

Jianping Wang 3D (r, with son) took first place in the July 11th Skip Ascheim Memorial Tournament at the Massachusetts Go Association in Somerville, MA. In second was Graham Higgins 6k, also with 4-0 and Pete Martin 4k and Brian Lee 1k tied for third, both with 3-1. There were 26 players, including TD Eva Casey and Mary Powers, who played one game apiece to fill in for late arrivals or early departures, so that no one would have to take a bye. photo courtesy Eva Casey

Thirty five players came out for the Bay Area Go monthly ratings tournament in Palo Alto, CA on July 10. Lucas Baker 3d topped the Dan division with three wins, while Larry Qu 5k and Eric Sumner 17k led the Kyu division with three wins apiece. “Players ranged from seven years old to 72, and from 7d to 30k,” reports Tournament Organizer Roger Schrag, “making for quite a diverse playing field.” The next Bay Area Go monthly ratings tournament is scheduled for August 14 again in Palo Alto. photo by Rene Griffith

Phil Waldron 6d (r) won the 2010 GO for All Game Summit Open tournament, which drew a diverse field of players triple the size of last year’s event. The event – held amid a gaming convention — was held in Ottawa, Canada on June 13. Waldron withstood fierce challenges from “Summer” Xià 5d of China – who took second place — along with Howard Chang 4d (3^rd place), Grigory Poselentsev, a 2-dan from Russia, and Benson Lai 2-dan. Slate & Shell Publishing sponsored the event and provided prizes. “After studying the texts, the competition is sure to be even more fierce next year!” reports Tyler Reynolds of GO for All and Vice-President of the Canadian Go Association  (Grants & Youth).