Nominations have started to come in for the 2018 board seats. Incumbents Lisa Scott, central region and Gurujeet Khalsa, eastern region will be running to retain their seats. Former board member Paul Celmer is running for the at-large position. No nominations for the western position have been made. Nominations, including self-nominations, may be made by full members for the At-Large or for the regional seat in which the member resides and must be received by June 15, 2018. Nominations and questions must be emailed to elections@usgo.org. Click h
– Arnold Eudell
American Go E-Journal
AGA Board election update: deadline June 15
Friday June 1, 2018
U.S. Go Congress and European Go Congress back-to-back in 2018
Thursday May 31, 2018
With an early U.S. Go Congress this year at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, there are just two days of overlap with the European Go Congress in Pisa, Italy. “For the hard-core go enthusiast, what better way to celebrate 
than a full three weeks of high quality go across two continents!” says USGC Co-Director Diego Pierrottet. This year, the 34th USGC is sponsored by the National Go Center July 21-28 while the 62nd EGC is hosted July 27-August 12 by the Italian Go Association.
Here’s a message from Francesco Potortì, the main organizer of the 2018 EGC:
“The Italian Go Association and its community welcome you to the 62nd annual European Go Congress in the historic city of Pisa! From July 27th until August 12th over 1100 players from 45 countries will be our guests, breaking all records for EGC attendance up to this point. Here is what you can expect from our congress:
The European Go Championship is of course our main event where the very best of Europe will be compe
ting for fame and fortune. Alongside however, everyone can take part in the Open European Championship (ten rounds MacMahon over the course of ten days), as well as lots and lots of side tournaments and lectures by accomplished teachers. Aside from the professional players attending as official EGC teachers though, a large amount of high-ranking professionals will also visit as attendees. This continues the trend from last year’s EGC in Oberhof, Germany, when Zhang Tao 6p gave our strongest players a run for their money and won the Open Championship. We look forward to a congress with top quality gameplay in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Outside of playing game itself, we offer afternoon and full-day excursions (on Wednesdays) to the many neighbouring cities in the Tuscany province (e.g. Florence, Lucca, San Gimignano, Siena, Volterra). Of course if you don’t mind spending time on a longer trip, you can catch a flight to any of the nearby cultural hotspots of central Europe. Or if you just want to relax after a hard-fought game, the Mediterranean sea and Pisa’s beaches are within arm’s reach.
Click here for further details, news, results, and more.
The prize pool for winners in all the EGC tournaments combined (incl. vouchers and non-cash prizes) exceeds 35.000 EUR (~40.500 USD). This is made possible by proud sponsorship from the European Go Federation and other generous sponsors. See you in Pisa!”
Seattle Go Center selects Mike Malveaux as Program Manager
Thursday May 31, 2018
The Directors of the Seattle Go Center have selected Mike Malveaux to be the Program Manager for the center. This is a new part-time position with responsibility for classes, workshops, visiting pros, outreach and school programs. Malveaux will also be updating the website, the mailing list, and the center’s social media. Brian Allen, the current General Manager, will be continuing at the Go Center as Operations Manager, with responsibility for the building, bookkeeping, and tax reports. The formal name of the Seattle Go Center is the Nihon Ki-in Go Institute of the West.
The Hiring Committee of the Seattle Go Center interviewed three candidates for the Program Manager position, and all three were well qualified to do the job. However, when it came to teaching beginners, teaching in the schools, and organizing go events, Malveaux’s experience was particularly impressive. Malveaux ran go clubs in two schools in Tacoma around 2000 – 2006, and he was a frequent volunteer at Seattle Go Center events up to 2010. He has run or helped run about 25 tournaments, and has been a mainstay of the Tacoma Go Club, and now the South Sound Go Club. He did graphics for the 2005 Go Congress, and for several Summer Go Camps. In 2011, he started teaching snowboarding at Snoqualmie Pass to children and adults, and from 2013 – 2017, he was a paraeducator in public elementary schools, helping students with behavioral challenges.
Mike Malveaux will continue to live in Tacoma, and he plans to keep up with the South Sound Go Club. He hopes to commute to Seattle by bus, and to get some reading done on the way. He will be at the Go Center most Tuesdays, effective May 29. photo: Mike Malveaux teaching at the 2018 U District Street Fair. photo/report by Brian Allen.
New York City Go Club hold first ratings tournament
Wednesday May 30, 2018
The first New York City Go Club ratings tournament was held on May 19. The tournament boasted a full house of 32 players 
across four divisions and was sponsored by Pie By The Pound, a restaurant that has been hosting weekly go meet-ups since 2013 and was founded by well-known tournament director Matthew Hershberger.
In addition to entry into the event, registration included all you can eat pizza and drinks during the tournament. Top winner was Peixuan Wang 8d, a former go student from China, who went undefeated for the day. The other division winners were Jason Chimon 1k, Peter Armenia 3k and Jeffrey Losapio 8k. The tournament even garnered a bit of international attention, with players from Israel and Scotland who were in NYC on holiday were in attendance.
Details for Pie By The Pound’s weekly meetups, as well as other NYC Go clubs and events can be found here.
– report/photo by TD Ying Zhi Qian
$12,000 prize pool for U.S. Open Masters
Tuesday May 29, 2018
The premier event at the 2018 US Go Congress is awarding $12,000 in prizes this year, organizers report. The US Open Masters is open to all 7-dan and professional players internationally. The overall winner will receive $5,000, with $2,500 going to second place. The top-placing North American competitor wins $2,000. This exciting 9-round event will be played in historic Williamsburg VA at the 2018 Congress July 21-28.
The discount for early-bird registration ends this week on 5/31. Register now to save and be sure to download the free Congress mobile app for the latest Congress news.
2018 Cotsen dates announced
Tuesday May 29, 2018
Free massages. Free lunch. Pro analysis. Oh yeah, and one of the best fields in the AGA tournament calendar. Mark your
calendar now for this year’s Cotsen Open, which has just confirmed for October 13-14 at the Korean Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Watch this space for registration, which is expected to open soon.
Meanwhile, organizers are looking for volunteers for set up, take down and during the event. Contact Ryan Murray ryan@thelec.com if interested.
Also, the E-Journal will be covering the tournament again this year, and is looking for a few good game recorders for the team. Email journal@usgo.org if interested.
photo: Eric Cotsen (r) and friends at the 2016 Cotsen Open; photo by Chris Garlock
Eric Lui wins Maryland Open
Sunday May 27, 2018
Eric Lui 1P (right) won the 45th Maryland Open, winning all five rounds on May 26-27 to claim his fifth title at the long-running
tournament. Fifty-one players participated, Gurujeet Khalsa directed and Todd Heidenreich was Assistant TD.
Complete results:
Open Section
1st: Eric Lui 1p (5-0)
2nd: Justin Teng 6 dan
A Section
1st – Frederick Bao 4 dan
2nd – Benjamin Armitage 3 dan
B Section
1st – Lee Huynh 2 dan
C Section
1st – James Funk 1 kyu – Kyu Champion
2nd – Seth Liang 3 kyu
D Section
1st – Steve Colburn 5 kyu
2nd – James Picket 6 kyu
3rd – Joon Lee 5 kyu
E Section
1st – Julian Turim 15 kyu
2nd – John Christensen 13 kyu
F Section
1st – Alexander Yang 19 kyu (5-0)
2nd – Michael Yang 25 kyu (5-0)
Gregory Lefler Award – Feng Yun Go School
Go Ambassador Award – Yuan Zhou and the XYZ Go Club
photo at left: The last game, waiting for a break in the rain that never came to load the cars
Nick Sibicky records 300th YouTube go lecture
Sunday May 27, 2018
Nick Sibicky celebrated his 300th recorded go lecture by playing Andrew Jackson in front of 25 go fans at the Seattle Go 
Center on May 21. Pizza for the jovial crowd was provided by the AGA Chapter Rewards program. Mr. Sibicky’s first 299 lectures have already been posted at his YouTube page. 
Go fans who want to attend a free live lecture this summer should come to the Seattle Go center on a Monday evening in June, at 6:30 p.m. Sibicky will not be lecturing in July or August at the center, but he will be going to the U.S. Go Congress. “The go community is the most fantastic group of people in the world and I am so happy to be a part of it!” he said. “Thanks to all, see you in Williamsburg!”
– report and photos by Brian Allen
San Diego Go Club welcomes Dalhoon Paul Ahn 9P
Sunday May 27, 2018
Over 30 people came out on May 20 for the San Diego Go Club May Soiree to welcome 9-dan Korean professional go player 
Dalhoon Paul Ahn. Mr. Ahn played a simultaneous exhibition against eight players others and then played and analyzed games throughout the afternoon, while others played self-paired games. More than 20 people stayed after 5 p.m. to enjoy free pizza (provided by the AGA Chapter Rewards Program) and socialize.
Dalhoon Paul Ahn. Mr. Ahn played a simultaneous exhibition against eight players others and then played and analyzed games throughout the afternoon, while others played self-paired games. More than 20 people stayed after 5 p.m. to enjoy free pizza (provided by the AGA Chapter Rewards Program) and socialize.The club was honored also to have the European Women’s Champion, Vanessa Wong 7-dan, as a guest. She played in the simul and, playing an even game, beat Paul Ahn.
“The San Diego Chess Club has graciously offered to allow the go club to use its building for special events,” reports club president Ted Terpstra. “The San Diego Go Club intends to hold the first annual California Go Championship there this fall. The facility seats 150 for competition and has a separate skittles room for post-game analysis.” Details will be forthcoming.
photos: top right: Paul Ahn 9P versus Vanessa Wong 7D, with Seth Cardew, Les Lanphear, and David Saponara (president, San Diego Chess Club); photo by Henry You
bottom left: Henry You 5D Vice-president SDGC, Paul Ahn 9P, Vanessa Wong 7D; photo by Ted Terpstra
bottom left: Henry You 5D Vice-president SDGC, Paul Ahn 9P, Vanessa Wong 7D; photo by Ted Terpstra
AlphaGo vs. AlphaGo; Game 18: Complicated attack and defense
Sunday May 27, 2018
Game 18 of the AlphaGo self-played series “starts with a big fight on the right side but you won’t be sure which side is
attacking and which side is defending,” says Michael Redmond 9p in his latest AlphaGo video commentary, hosted by the AGA E-Journal’s Chris Garlock. “It’s very complicated, and about a quarter of the board for each side dies.” “Another absolutely beautiful game and awesome review,” says viewer GerSHAK. “Excellent,” adds hippophile. “The game was surprisingly easy to follow for AG vs AG, good choice!”
[link]