U.S./North America « American Go E-Journal

Seattle Go Center to require instructors to wear lab coats

Monday April 1, 2019

The Seattle Go Center is pivoting to teaching the science of playing Go, instead of the art of Go playing, according to Program Manager Mike Malveaux. “Our latest class, held on Wednesdays, is on programming computers in Python with Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning techniques, loosely following Deep Learning and the Game of Go by Max Pumperla and Kevin Ferguson.” Operations Manager Brian Allen notes that some of the Go Center instructors have impressive scientific credentials. For example, Yue Zhang has a Phd in Paleontology, in addition to being a 7 dan Go player. To emphasize their connection to science, all teachers will be required to wear lab coats with Seattle Go Center logo patches. “In the age of AlphaGo and Leela, our members expect this,” he reports. Visiting instructors will be allowed to wear ethnic costumes, such as two-piece business suits, if they want. – report by Brian Allen. photos: (left) Mike Malveaux by Brian Allen; (right) Yue Zhang by Mike Malveaux.

Categories: Computer Go/AI,Go News,Main Page,U.S./North America

San Diego Go Club: Cherry Blossom Festival & 8th annual championship

Sunday March 31, 2019

The weekend of March 22-24 was a busy time for the members of the San Diego Go Club. On Friday and Saturday, they manned several tables at the annual Cherry Blossom Festival at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park. Thousands streamed into the garden and many found their way next to the koi pond and under the blooming purple wisteria flowers where SDGC members were teaching and demonstrating go. Several new members were added to the club’s roster.

On Sunday, the go club hosted at the San Diego Chess Club the eighth annual San Diego Go Championship. There was a record turnout of 65 competing, with players coming from Vermont, Arizona, and all over Southern California.

Ten players, including two past champions, entered the Open Section to compete for 2019 title of Best Player in San Diego. When the top-rated 9.9-dan player lost in the first round, the title was up for grabs. After four hotly contested rounds, the Open Section ended up with a 4-way tie (3-1 records) for First Place: Hongkui Zheng 6d (2019 Champ), Xinyu Liu 6s, Yi Wang 6d (2018 Champ), Mark Lee 6d (2016 Champ). While all four players shared the combined 1st-3rd place cash prizes totaling $600, Hongkui Zheng was declared the champion based on the GoClubs.org tie-breaking system and awarded the trophy.

Thirty-five more competed in the Handicap Sections and an additional twenty youth played in a 5-round 13×13 competition run by Chinese professional Hai Li and the California Go Association.

Handicap Section Winners:

Dan/High Kyu: 1st: Christophe Humbert 2d; 2nd: Kevin Yang 1k; 3rd: Peter Schumer 2k.

Single-Digit Kyu: 1st: Arunas Rudvalis 6k; 2nd: Warren Andrews 6k; 3rd: Elias Klingbeil 4k.

Double-Digit Kyu: 1st: Lucia Moscola 15k; 2nd: Pasco Kwok 12k; 3rd: Andy Zhou 12k.

20+ Kyu: 1st: George Spellman 23k; 2nd: Enzo Moscola 26k; 3rd: David Saponara 24k.

13×13 Youth Competition: 1st: Addison Lee 20k (Girls’ Champion); 2nd: Angelino Zhao 18k; 3rd: Evan Tan 27k (Boys’ Champion).

The San Diego Go Club is now looking forward to hosting the second annual California Go Championship in the fall. Hopefully, Calvin Sun US 1P will return to defend his championship.

– Ted Terpstra, President, San Diego Go Club

Photos (l-r from top left): JFG Cherry Blossom Festival; SDGC President Ted Terpstra awarding the first place trophy to Hongkui Zheng; San Diego Chess Club with go players; Hai Li (Left) & 13×13 winners: Angelino Zhao, Addison Lee, and Evan Tan. photos by Henry You and Soo Yoon

Categories: Main Page,U.S./North America

Tony Tang tops Salt City Tournament

Sunday March 31, 2019

The Syracuse Go Club hosted its 12th annual Salt City Tournament on March 23; thirty-seven players participated, one shy of the tournament record.

Local high school senior Tony Tang 7d (top right) was the only four-game winner in the tournament’s A division and claimed the $100 1st place prize, while Cornell University students Jiuheng He 5d and Shao-Ting Ho 4d took home the prize money for 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.

Thirteen-year-old Liya Luk 2k (bottom right), of Syracuse, swept all four of her games and won the B division. Syracuse high-school student Sheng Yuan Lin 5k and Buffalo resident Patrick Wesp 7k both had 3-1 records and finished in 2nd and 3rd place in that division. Jimmy Li 22k (bottom left) was the C division’s only 4-0 winner, while Casey Beach 13k and Benjamin Braun 21k each won three games and finished in 2nd and 3rd place in the division.

Allen Noe served as tournament director, and organizer Richard Moseson’s wife Chris once again made the tournament’s traditional Problem Cake (top right), correctly solved by a majority of the players (black to play). Free refreshments for all were provided by Syracuse players, and at the end of the day, every player was able to select a new go book as a prize. Pictures from the tournament can be seen here.

Categories: Main Page,U.S./North America

Registration for 2019 AGHS School Team Tournament Closing Soon

Monday March 25, 2019

“Registration for the American Go Honor Society’s School Teams Tournament closes this Sunday, March 31st,” says Promotion Head Melissa Cao, “Held on April 7 and 14 this year, the School Team Tournament is a four-round tournament open to teams of three to four players from educational institutions in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.”

Click here for more information

Click here for registration

Categories: Main Page,U.S./North America,Youth

Kuksu and X’ian International youth go tournaments

Monday March 25, 2019

“We have been invited to send teams to two youth tournaments in Asia,” reports AGA President Andy Okun. “With all expenses paid for kids once they arrive, this is an an incredible go-related cultural experience for the price of round trip air fare.” The Kuksu Mountain tournament will be held August 2-7, in scenic Jeollanamdo Province, South Korea. Youth teams will be attending from all over the world, and participants will compete in multiple tournaments, with prizes in various rank brackets. Go related side events and local tourism are part of the program as well. Organized by the Korean Baduk Association, the popular event will be held for the sixth time this summer. Any AGA youth 18 and under are eligible to attend, and a team leader is also sought. Accompanying adults are welcome as well, but are asked to pay a $270 fee to help cover costs (as is the team leader). If you are interested in the event, or would like more information, fill out the application form here.

The X’ian Education Bureau is organizing an international tournament as well, for youth aged 13-18. A four person team will be selected for this event. The date is not set yet, but it is expected to be in mid-late August. X’ian was the former capital of China and is rich in history and culture, and the famed terracotta army is nearby as well. The event will include three days of competition and two of sightseeing and cultural exchange. 12-14 teams are expected to participate. As with the Kuksu participants must pay their own airfare. There is a $200 charge per person as well, and then all other expenses are covered. The application form is here. -Paul Barchilon, EJ Youth Editor. Photos: Top: 2018 Kuksu tournament; Bottom: A few members of the life-size Terracotta Army, of which there are 8,000. Photo by Paul Barchilon.

Categories: China,Korea,Main Page,U.S./North America,World,Youth

Registration opens for 2019 U.S. Go Congress

Saturday March 23, 2019

The 35th annual U.S. Go Congress will be held July 13–20 in Madison, Wisconsin. The playing site, Memorial Union on the UW–Madison campus, is on the shore of Lake Mendota within walking distance of many restaurants and attractions. Click here for detailed information about the Congress.

The “Register Here” tab on the Congress website will enable you to register and sign up for lunch and dinner plans, the banquet, and the day-off activity. After registering, you will receive an e-mail with a receipt and a link to sign-up for University housing.

“One of the day-off activities will be an afternoon MLB game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Atlanta Braves,” says Congress Director Dave Weimer. “Sign up by March 31 to guarantee a ticket!”

Categories: Main Page,U.S. Go Congress,U.S./North America

Transatlantic Pro Team match updates; AGA Watch Party pizza offer

Thursday March 21, 2019

The Transatlantic Professional Go Team Championship’s players for both the AGA and EGF teams have been announced. Ilya Shikshin 3P is the highest-ranked player on the EGF team, while the AGA team has Ryan Li 1P, who has become a star by defeating a top Chinese pro — Chen Yaoye 9P — in the 3rd MLiliy Cup.

As it did during the AlphaGo – Lee Sedol match, the AGA is offering reimbursement for food and non-alcoholic drinks for organized watch parties for the first round of the Transatlantic Match, which will be live-broadcast on April 7 at 2 PM EDT. A chapter must be current on dues and the expenses must be reasonable for the expected turnout. Send a few pictures of the party and a paragraph description along with a copy of receipt to journal@usgo.org. “We are also encouraging social media sharing of your stories,” says AGA president Andy Okun. Use #transatlanticgo and/or #teamAGA (or #teamEGF) for your stories.

Categories: Europe,Main Page,U.S./North America

Pair Go/Paella Night this Friday at National Go Center

Wednesday March 20, 2019

The National Go Center’s first Pair Go/Paella Friday social last month “was a big hit so we are having it again this month,” reports the NGC’s Gurujeet Khalsa. The fun, social evening features mixed Pair Go “and a special meal prepared by world-famous chef — and E-Journal editor — Chris Garlock.” This month there will be both vegan and meat paella options; click here to register. “Come with a partner or come yourself and you will be matched with partners as available.”

Note that the starting time is a bit earlier — 6:30 — to finish before the last Metro. When registering indicate whether you will be having paella ($5 – collected at the door) or just playing Pair Go. If you already have a partner be sure to register them as well.

Address any questions about Pair Go or the event to Haskell Small: haskell@haskellsmall.com or call 202-352-5529.

Categories: Main Page,Pair Go,U.S./North America

Janice Kim to have brain tumor removed

Friday March 15, 2019

Janice Kim was scheduled to undergo surgery Friday to remove “a tennis-ball sized brain tumor in my frontal lobe,” she reported recently on Facebook. “Will probably be off Facebook for a long time, but I should be okay,” she said. The popular go professional and teacher is a co-author, with Jeong Soo-hyun 9 dan, of the Learn To Play Go Series and she’s been a columnist for the U.S. Shonen Jump and the American Go E-Journal. She also ventured into the poker world, placing 4th in the World Poker Tour Ladies Championship in 2008.

Categories: Main Page,U.S./North America

Gabby Su wins Wu Qingyuan Cup Qualifier

Thursday March 14, 2019

In the third round of the 2nd Wu Qingyuan Cup Qualifier, Gabby Su (playing black) beat Yinli Wang by 9.5 points to join Feng Yun, Stephanie Yin and Cathy Li at the 2nd Wu Qingyuan Cup, which will be played April 26-30 in Fuzhou, China.
– Jeff Shaevel, Tournament Director

Categories: Main Page,U.S./North America

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