MONTHLY RATINGS TOURNEYS A HIT IN NORCAL: (5/9/2008) The April 26 monthly AGA ratings tournament in the San Francisco Bay area was a big success (right). Thirty three players ranging from 30k to 6d participated, with six players entering at 5d or above. “It was great to see such a wide spectrum of players—several beginners and lots of very strong players as well, “ said Tournament Director Steve Burrall 5d. Added Tournament Organizer Roger Schrag 10k, “The monthly ratings tournaments are averaging over 30 players per event, and really seem to be catching on!” The April 26 tourney saw three players win all three rounds: Jason Pfaff 4k, Yin Jia Qiu 8k, and Henry Zhang 11k. Eight players won a go book of their choice from a dozen titles available—the three players who won all of their games and another five players who were participating in their first AGA rated tournament. Report/photo by Roger Schrag

Go is... an ancient board game which takes simple elements -- line and circle, black and white, stone and wood -- combines them with simple rules and generates subtleties which have enthralled players for millennia. Beyond being merely a game, go can take on other meanings to enthusiasts: an analogy with life, an intense meditation, a mirror of one's personality, an exercise in abstract reasoning, or, when played well, a beautiful art in which Black and White dance across the board in delicate balance. But most important for all who play, go is challenging and fun.

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