American Go E-Journal

Undefeated players get ready for second day of competition in the California State Championship

Monday December 2, 2019

Evan Lin (*left*) versus Steven Hu in a crucial 3rd-round game won by Lin

After the first day of the 2019 California State Go Championship, Yifan Wu 6d and Evan Lin 7d lead the pack of 14 players in the open division with 3-0 records. Close behind with 2-1 records are Sato Kosuke 5d, Bo Luan 6d, Yixian Zhou 6d, Ming Lin 6d and Xiaocheng (Steven) Hu 6d. With three 7 dans and six 6 dans, the Open division is the strongest ever in San Diego. The five round tournament will conclude with two games on Sunday when the titles of 2019 California State Champion, along with the Under-16 Boy and Girl State Champion, is awarded.

Thirty-five players are contesting the various sections of the handicapped division. Undefeated at 3-0 after the first day are Tyler Moor, James Acres, Pasco Kwok, and George Spellman. This year is the second year that the San Diego Go Club has hosted this Thanksgiving weekend event.

-report and photo by Ted Terpstra

Categories: Events/Tournaments,Main Page,Other,U.S./North America

Lee Sedol retirement reported worldwide

Wednesday November 27, 2019

*Lee Sedol plays the first move in the first game of the AlphaGo series*

Korean Go champion Lee Sedol has officially retired. “The 36-year-old, who scored 18 victories in international competitions and 32 victories in domestic events, submitted his letter of retirement to the Korea Baduk Association (KBA), which oversees Go professionals in South Korea, on Nov. 19, terminating his legendary 24-year career,” reports the Yonhap News Agency. In an interview with the Korean news agency earlier this week, Lee attributed his desire to retire to the rise of AI and the invincibility of programs such as AlphaGo, stating that “with the debut of AI in Go… even if I become the number one, there is an entity that cannot be defeated.” Lee’s retirement and his AI-based reasons were reported internationally by the media with American media such as Vice, the Guardian, Business Insider, and others reporting the story.

Categories: Computer Go/AI,Go News,Korea,Main Page,World

Yutopian to close, offering discounts and seeking potential successor

Wednesday November 27, 2019

Yutopian Enterprises is planning to close their doors and are offering all customers an extra 30% discount with the purchase of three or more books until January 2020. Owners and operators Sidney and Katherine Yuan have been fixtures in the vendor room at the US Go Congress for many years, and have consistently supported the American Go community. “Yutopian has donated to the AGF since 2000, and even more importantly they have donated go boards, stones, and bowls which have been auctioned off for many thousands of dollars to support the AGF and US Go,” says AGF President Terry Benson. “We wish them well and thank them for helping grow the game. We will miss them.”

The Yuans are looking for someone willing to continue the business and take over their inventory. Ability to create a new website and about 100-200 square feet of storage space would be required. If you are interested, please call 1-800-988-6463 or send an email to info@yutopian.com.

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

Stephanie Yin 1P appointed AGA VP for Development

Tuesday November 26, 2019

Stephanie Yin 1P has been appointed to the new position of Vice President for Development at the American Go Association. Yin, a professional go player and teacher, will focus on fundraising, seeking sponsorships and potential collaborations with other national and local Go organizations, and more broadly on promoting and popularizing Go in the US. She’ll also be seeking to develop exchange programs for Go students and Go studies abroad. “We’re thrilled to have Stephanie aboard and look forward to some exciting developments in the months ahead,” said AGA president Andy Okun. For details on any of these efforts, contact Yin at stephanie.yin@usgo.org.

-photo provided by Stephanie Yin

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

Players at South Bay Go Tournament take full advantage of beautiful autumn setting

Friday November 22, 2019

The Mountainview Go Club held its 4th tournament in the South Bay at the Palo Alto downtown library on Saturday November 9th. “Congratulations go to Hajin Lee 4P who won the overall tournament,” says Michael Kokosenski. “We would also like to recognize three other players who won all of their matches, Tyler Moore 4k, Dave Whipp 6k, and David Elliston 9k.”

Players from all over the Bay Area attended and played 3 rounds of AGA rated games in the calm setting of the library, and afterwards enjoyed game reviews out underneath the brilliant fall foliage.

-report and photos by Michael Kokosenski
This post has been updated; Hajin Lee is 4P

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

New York Go Association monthly tournaments going strong

Thursday November 21, 2019

This month 26 go players enjoyed another great weekend of competition in the second NYGA Monthly Tournament held by on November 9 in Little Neck, NY. After 4 rounds of close fighting, Kenny Joel 4d clinched first place by direct win over Dazhi Xu 5 dan after three wins each. Alexander Qi 4d took third place. Tommy Xie 1k and Alastair McLaughlin 17k won divisions 2 and 3 respectively with perfect 4-0 records.

The next NYGA monthly tournament will be held December 14. For more information and the schedule of monthly tournaments visit the NYGA Monthly Tournaments page.

-report and photo by Felipo Jian

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

Yoonyoung Kim 8P workshop hosted by Colorado a success

Thursday November 21, 2019

Colorado held its first pro workshop in long time when Yoonyoung Kim, 8p of Korea visited Denver November 2nd and 3rd. Players from both Colorado and Utah, 26 in total, participated. The highlight of the two-day event was when Ms. Kim played everyone in a team simul on the second day. Players gathered into six teams of three to four members each who could combine their Go knowledge on each move. Still, each team fell one-by-one against Ms. Kim, who is ranked in the top ten female players in Korea. “I could see everyone was really enjoying the simul by the wide smiles on their faces,” says organizer Eric Wainwright, “even as they went down in defeat. I hope we can repeat this event in the near future.”

Yoonyoung Kim now resides in Montreal and teaches Go online and at local clubs. You can find out more on her website at yybaduk.mozello.com. Find more pictures of the event at Google photos.

-report and photos provided by Eric Wainwright

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

Everyone was a winner at the Syracuse Go Club annual tournament

Thursday November 21, 2019

Twenty-two players turned out to play in the Syracuse Go Club’s annual Fall Self-Pair Tournament on November 2nd, including ten past and present students of tournament organizer Richard Moseson. Every player went home a winner after selecting a new go book to take home at the end of the day.

-report and photo by Richard Moseson

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

Michael Stevenson sweeps 6th Lake Erie Go Tournament

Thursday November 21, 2019

Soren Jaffe directed a field of 19 players in the 6th Lake Erie Go Tournament, held at Lake Erie College in Ohio, on November 2nd. The participates competed for handmade mini goban prizes. Michael Stevenson 2d won the Dan division with the only undefeated record, beating the two favorites of the event, Feifan Jia 6d and Soren Jaffe 5d.

Results:
Dan Division: 1st Michael Stevenson 2d, 2nd Feifan Jia 6d, 3rd Richard Keay 2k.
Kyu Division: 1st David Rohlfing 10k, 2nd Manny Jauregui 12k, 3rd Steve Zilber 13k

Tournament Director Soren Jaffe (left) with Dan Division winner Michael Stevenson
The playing room

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

Second Annual California State Championship to offer youth titles and fun for all attendees over Thanksgiving weekend

Thursday November 21, 2019

2018 San Diego Champ, Michael Wang vs. 2018 California Champ, Calvin Sun

The best amateur go player in the state of California in 2019 will be crowned over Thanksgiving weekend. The San Diego Go Club will host the 2nd Annual California State Go Championship at the San Diego Chess Club in Balboa Park on Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1. Although only California amateur go players, including students, are eligible to win the top prize and title of Champion in the Open Division, everyone is welcome to play in the tournament. The top boy and girl under 16 years of age will also be crowned California U16 Champions.

The organizers will run a separate 13×13 youth tournament for youngsters without an AGA rating. For non-players, Balboa Park contains nine museums, the world famous San Diego Zoo, and a free organ concert at 2 p.m. on Sunday all within walking distance from the San Diego Chess Club. Registration, information, and directions are available at https://www.goclubs.org.

-report and photo by Ted Terpstra

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