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

Registration Open for 2022 Young Lions Tournament

Monday October 24, 2022

“The AGHS is delighted to announce that this year’s annual Young Lions Tournament will take place on consecutive Sundays of November 13 and November 20,” says AGHS Vice President Patrick Zhao, “All 18-and-under (or currently in high school) North American players are welcome to participate!”

Schedule:
First round: 12pm EST (9am PST) on November 13
Second round: 2pm EST (11am PST) on November 13
Third round: 12pm EST (9am PST) on November 20
Fourth round: 2pm EST (11am PST) on November 20

The deadline to register is Saturday, November 5, 11:59 pm EST.
All rules and regulations can be found here.
If you have any questions, please contact the AGHS team at aghsregister@gmail.com.
If you would like to be added to the AGHS mailing list, please fill out this form.

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

Tianhao Li Sweeps Pumpkin Classic

Sunday October 23, 2022

The long-running Pumpkin Classic returned to the National Go Center on October 22 after a pandemic hiatus. Tianhao Li (7D) 4-0 (far right in picture), in his first AGA tournament, topped a tough high-dan field followed by Eric Lui (2P) 3-1. All three- and four-game winners took home a pumpkin for Halloween.

Other 3 and 4 game winners:
Chao Wang (3D) 4-0; Richard Duan (2D) 3-1; Hyungwook Lee (4K) 3-0; Gurujeet Khalsa (6K) 4-0; Gary Smith (9K) 3-1; Andrew Liu (10K) 3-1; Laurie Ensworth (14K) 3-1.

A special shout-out to recent beginners Calvin Li (20K) and Harrison Davis (10K) who showed great fighting spirit in their first tourney. Also to 11 year old Andrew Liu (10K) who played face-to=face for the first time after studying online and shown here receiving his pumpkin from AGA President Gurujeet Khalsa.

– Gurujeet Khalsa

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

Chicago Rapid Championship on track for record attendance

Thursday October 20, 2022

The 2022 Chicago Rapid Championship being held in Evanston, Illinois on Nov 12 is setting records for early registrations. “We have 43 players registered and we’re still three and a half weeks out!” said organizer Albert Yen 8d. “We’re on track to beat our last record of 84 players. And strong players take note; this is your chance to play against Alex Qi, our newest American pro!”

“This tournament will have something for everyone,” said club president Mark Rubenstein. “An open section for 5 dan and above, a self-pair section for 4 dan and below, and a free youth section with lessons by Simon Guo for beginners. Not to mention instant reviews by Shawn Ray (Clossius) and Tim Song 1p, winner of the 2018 US Open Masters, live streaming on Twitch, a variety of prizes, and lunch and dinner at the venue.”

Register by 11/1 for early-bird pricing and raffle to win a free lesson with Alex Qi 1p. For complete information on the tournament format and registration details, visit chicagobaduk.com.

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

50 Years aGO – October 1972

Wednesday October 19, 2022

By Keith L. Arnold, hka, with Patrick Bannister

October 4-5 was the sixth and final game of the Meijin title match. Rin Kaihō retained the title, defeating veteran Fujisawa Shūkō. This was his 6th Meijin title overall. (Game record: Meijin Game 6.) Go Review had an interesting take on the generation wars at the time, opining that because Rin and Ishida Yoshio used all of their time, and Shūkō and Sakata Eio did not, the young men were somehow inferior in “the techniques of go.” Somehow, Go Review seemed to blame time controls for the players who used their time defeating the players who did not.

On October 9 Nihon Ki’in held a celebration of Japan-China rapprochement. Few details are available, but the picture we present is filled with go players, including Shūkō, Sakata and Ōtake Hideo.

Speaking of the the generational divide, October 19 saw an old school matchup in the semifinal of the Ōza title, with Takagawa Kaku defeating the legendary Go Seigen. (Game record: Ōza semifinal.)

We now take a glance at the future looking at the statistics for the go year as of October 20. Leading all pros with an 89.5% winning percentage was Cho Chikun 5d, closely followed by Kobayashi Kōichi 6d at 85.7%.

Takao Matsuda once again became New York Champion on October 22.

Finally we complete Stuart Dowsey’s survey of American go with the pro tour’s “West Coast Swing” in early October. The large go scene in Los Angeles, was noted as being completely dominated by Japanese players, with 5 different clubs, led by the Rafu-Ki’in. Purportedly, the only non-Japanese member of these clubs was a young man named Richard Dolen (pictured). The scene in San Francisco was less insular, under the leadership of Bill Yamato, Wayne Dote and Mark Okada. Visits were also made at the two clubs in Seattle, the Seattle Ki’in and the Last Exit Go Club.

Photos courtesy of Go Review, game records from SmartGoOne

Categories: 50 years aGO,Go Photos,Japan,Main Page,U.S./North America

AGF College Scholarship Open

Tuesday October 18, 2022

Applications are now being accepted for the American Go Foundation(AGF) college scholarship. The program recognizes high school students who have served as important youth organizers and promoters for the go community. To apply, download and complete the application form here. Applicants should describe their accomplishments and volunteer work in a short essay. Letters of recommendation may also be included. Applicants whose enthusiasm and ambition have helped spread go in under-served areas will be given special consideration. Strong players who spend much of their time voluntarily teaching will also be considered, although the award focuses on promoters and organizers who have made substantial contributions during their go career. Applications are due Nov. 16th this year. -Paul Barchilon, E-J Youth Editor.

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

Kevin Yang 1P Wins Lanke Cup Prelim

Sunday October 16, 2022

Kevin Yang 1P has won the preliminary qualifying round of the first Quzhou Lanke Cup World Weiqi Open Tournament, an international professional event organized by the Chinese Weiqi Association. Yang will represent North America in the tournament, which kicks off December 24, 2022.

The Quzhou Lanke Cup offers a prize of 1,800,000 RMB (about $250,000 USD) to the winner. In total, 32 players are invited: 14 from China, 8 from South Korea, 5 from Japan, 2 from Chinese Taipei, 1 from Europe, 1 from North America, and 1 additional player will be nominated by the organizing team as a wild card once all 31 competitors are finalized.

Among professional players based in North America, four entered the preliminary qualifying round. The format was double elimination (see below for results), and the event was held on OGS with video recording requirements. In addition, for the final match, proctors were also present with each player. The North American Go Federation appreciates the generous gift of Edward Zhang, which supported the presence of proctors.

– reported by Hajin Lee

Categories: China,Main Page,U.S. Pro Tournament,U.S./North America

Pumpkin Classic and Pair Go Paella at NGC this Friday

Sunday October 16, 2022

The 2022 Pumpkin Classic Tournament is back this year after a pandemic hiatus, reports the National Go Center’s Gurujeet Khalsa. “Winners in every division take home a beautiful pumpkin ready to carve for Halloween,” says Khalsa. Scheduled for Saturday, October 22, this is a 4-round AGA rated tournament.

Prep for winning a pumpkin the night before at Pair Go/Paella Night on Friday, October 21; sixteen players participated before the Back to School event last month and enjoyed Chris Garlock’s famous paella and other treats. “Come for one or come for both,” says Khalsa, “we look forward to seeing you there.”

Pre-registration early helps tremendously in planning for the events and getting the first tournament round started on time.

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

Ryan Li 3P to duel with Kevin Yang on Friday in Lanke Cup N.A. Prelim Final

Wednesday October 12, 2022

Ryan Li 3P (2-1) and Kevin Yang 1P (2-0) will duel in the N.A. prelim final for the Quzhou Lanke Cup World Go Championship this Friday, October 14 at 8pm EDT (5pm PT) via online-go.com (OGS). The prelim utilizes a double-elimination format and the finalists have previously competed with Eric Lui 2P (1-2) and Alex Qi 1P (0-2).

Round 1 (9/16 & 17)
Li (OGS ID: CrazyWind) def. Qi (OGS ID: alexqi2008) Game Record

Yang (Keviny2007) def. Lui (FedExpress) Game Record

Round 2 (9/23 & 25)
Yang def. Li Game Record
Lui def. Qi Game Record

Round 3 (10/2)
Li def. Lui Game Record

The North American Go Federation (NAGF) has assigned proctors in New York and California to ensure fair play on OGS (see also AGA’s FairPlay policy). Hajin Lee 1P is the Executive Director.

Known as the birthplace of go culture, Quzhou City is 230 miles southwest of Shanghai. As early as the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317 – 420), there was a story about Wang Zhi, a woodcutter, playing go with an immortal in Lanke Mountain. This is the earliest written record of the origin of go in China. In addition, Quzhou has beautiful natural scenery including mountains, karst caves and bamboo sea, and the descendants of Confucius once lived here to spread Confucian culture.

The prize pool for the Lanke Cup is $583,000 and the 1st-5th round players earn $4300, $7100, $14,300, $28,600, $86,000 and $257,000 (champion).

Report by Capital Go Club; photo credit: eweiqi.com and Chinese Weiqi Association
NOTE (10/13): The match time has been updated to 8p ET (5p PT).

Upcoming Event: Nov. 27, 2022 ‘Hybrid’ Open tournament and VA State Championship Final

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

Upcoming Events: Evanston Go Club Fundraiser and Tournament Update; CO Bodhi Tree Tournament; Yang Portland workshop

Tuesday October 11, 2022

Spots Still Open for Simul with Albert Yen on Oct 15
On October 5th, the Evanston Go Club hosted a fundraiser simul event with Albert Yen 8 dan, winner of the 2022 Midwest Open and Chicago Open. Local players contributed $25 to play a 3-person simul with Albert, who reviewed each game. The proceeds will go toward the tournament fund of the 2022 Chicago Rapid Championship, which will take place on November 12th. Details of the tournament can be found here https://chicagobaduk.com/ “The passion of the local go community is energizing,” said Yen. “Moon Ki, an old friend whom I haven’t seen for three years, drove an hour to participate in the simul and catch up. There was also Derek, who was just a beginner before the pandemic. Not only is he as strong as Mark now, he’s also a foot taller!” “The Chicago Rapid will be bigger than anything we’ve organized before in Illinois,” said Mark Rubenstein, president of the Evanston Go Club. “We are introducing new elements such as inviting professional players and collaborating with prominent Go teachers. We really appreciate all the contributors and spectators who came out to support the club.”

The Evanston Go Club will organize the final fundraiser on October 15th online on OGS. Players who are interested in playing Albert can secure their slot by contacting him at albertyen33@gmail.com. A donation of $30 to the Evanston Go Club is requested. All proceeds go towards special prizes, equipment, and professional commentary/review for tournaments hosted by the club.

Colorado Bodhi Tree Tournament 10/22
The Denver Go Tournament Group’s Bodhi Tree Go Tournament is set for October 22, from 9a to 4p in Lakewood, CO. There is a player limit of 32 people. Register with littletongoclub@gmail.com
There will be 4 rounds, 30 minutes main time with a Byo-yomi of five 30 second periods. $20 entry fee; proceeds will go to the Danger Monkey Go Club and the Buddhist Association of Denver (and prizes).

Yang Portland workshop 11/6
Yilun Yang 7p will be hosting a workshop at the Portland Go club on November 6 at 1p. Players of all ranks are welcome. If there is anyone unable to pay the fee, DM erumaren93@gmail.com. Please share anything you might want Yilun Yang to cover in his workshop by emailing erumaren93@gmail.com.

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

Meng Wang, David Fang, Jamie Tang, and Jaden Pan get 1^st places at Vicksburg Go Tournament

Tuesday October 11, 2022

By Claudio Mendoza and David Richter for the Kalamazoo Go Club

The Vicksburg Go Tournament took place at the Community Center in Vicksburg, Michigan, on Saturday October 1st, 2022. This event was organized by the Kalamazoo Go Club and the Vicksburg Cultural and Arts Center as part of the “Destination Japan” program to celebrate Japanese culture. The contribution by Daniel ML (West Michigan Go Club) of boards, stones, clocks, name lists, and recommendations was instrumental in getting our act together and is gratefully acknowledged.

Thirty players from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio registered in three categories under a self-pairing format: dan (9), single digit kyu (8), and double digit kyu (12) with seven rookies in the latter. Prizes were sponsored by the Kalamazoo Go Club, GoMagic, Al Sensei, and Yellow Mountain Imports. Results were as follows. Dan level: Meng Wang (1st); Stephanie Tan (2nd); Justin Johnson (3rd). Single digit kyu: David Fang and Jamie Tang (tied for 1st); Winston Yan (3rd). Double digit kyu: Jaden Pan (1st); Noah Braasch (2nd); Sam Blyveis (3rd). Beginners: Carolyn Esther and Renée Szostek.

For the Kalamazoo Go Club the organization of this tournament was a worthy experience inasmuch as its involvement in local collaborations, inter-club relations, fund raising, and gender equality. The positive outcome of the event is encouraging us to repeat it next year with a more enticing prize structure.

Winners of the Vicksburg Go Tournament (l-r): Renée Szostek; Jaden Pan; Noah Braasch; Sam Blyveis; Winston Yan; Meng Wang; David Fang; Jamie Tang; Carolyn Esther; Stephanie Tan; David Richter (TD and co-organizer); Claudio Mendoza (co-organizer). Photo: Natalya Critchley.

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

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