American Go E-Journal » Youth

The American Go Honor Society’s 13th annual School Team Tournament (STT) concluded on KGS last month.  Over 150 avid go players duked it out in 54 teams from 40 schools in the US, Canada, and Mexico.  Teams were sorted by their average rank, in four divisions, and played four rounds. Co-sponsored by the AGA and the AGF, the STT has become the largest national youth tournaments in the US.  Leading the pack in the Varsity Division was Highland Park High School (NJ), who were undefeated.  The school has participated in several past tournaments. “We finally achieved good results this year,” said team captain Yang Xu 5d, “we’ve played in the tournament a few times in the past but lacked a consistent team.” Xu, who is also a part of the AGHS’s Future Leaders Immersion Program (FLIP), describes his school’s victory largely as a culmination of hard work and dedication, adding “this year, we were able to play with an overall higher average rank and I think that helped us a lot….hope to be able to participate in this again next year!”  Following up in 2nd and 3rd place  were Neo Fineart Learning Center and Joaquin Miller Middle School, both from CA. In the Junior Division, Tzu Chi Chinese School (CA) took 1st place with Richard Montgomery High School (MD) and Manlius Pebble Hill School (NY) following in 2nd and 3rd. Albert Einstein High School (MD) took 1st place in the Intermediate division, with Richard Montgomery High School (MD) taking second once again and Cary Chinese School (NC) taking third. In the novice division another team from Cary Chinese School, one of the major go playing schools in the country, took first place. Molalla High School (OR) came in 2nd and Manlius Pebble Hill School (NY) was a close 3rd. Prizes ranging from plaques to equipment were given out, with schools that had good participation also receiving rewards. AGHS Co-Vice President, Justin Teng says “a big thanks to everyone who participated, and to the volunteers, including Hugh Zhang, Monsoon Shrestha, and the AGHS officers who helped make this tournament a huge success. We hope everyone had fun and is looking forward to growing their clubs for next year’s tournament!” The next AGHS event will be a casual gathering on KGS on April 22nd at 4pm ET for pair-go. Keep up with the AGHS on their website. –Eric Chen, AGHS Co-Vice President, with Paul Barchilon.

The Hope School, in Portland OR, bested Irvington Elementary School and Sunstone Montessori in a three team, two game match on April 1st.  Hope won 6 games, Montesorri 5, and Irvington 1 – saved from a sweep by its top player, McCaleb Nessler-Cass 15k.  “One game was jigo on the board, so white won with a half point komi,” reports organizer Peter Freedman.  “I didn’t think one stone was very important,”  said a disappointed Ben Snead 20k, the player who lost.  “There’s a good lesson for a new player,” adds Freedman.  The Hope team was led by Louie Liu 1d, and included Edward Yu 16k, and Ethan Zhuang, all of whom won both games.  Vincent Zhuang 6d played teaching games with the odd man out. Winner’s Report: 1st place: Hope School; 2nd place: Sunstone Montessori; 3rd place: Irvington Elementary. -Paul Barchilon, E-J Youth Editor.

The AGA East Go Camp has been  confirmed for the summer of 2012. The camp will take place the week before the U.S. Go Congress from July 28 to August 4 and will be held at the same location – the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, North Carolina. Camp directors Nano Rivera and Amanda Miller welcome all campers from the ages of 8 to 18 to join them for a week of go-playing and fun. More information regarding the camp will be available on the AGA website, and registration will open within the next two weeks, so be sure to check back soon. – Story and photo by Amanda Miller, Camp Director.  Photo: the 2011 Go Camp.