The breathtaking view of Mexico City from the 19th floor of the National University of Mexico’s cultural center was appreciated by the 56 attendees of the 8th Mexico Go Congress, but it did not distract them from the fierce competition on the Go boards June 22 to 24th.
Emil Garcia 5d won the six-round open championship, besting longtime rival Abraham Florencia 6d, who dominated the tournament several times and placed second, while Nicholas Kuschinski placed third. The Pair Go and Children's tournament featured both friendly and intense battles over the board.
To round out the competitive matches, players gathered for two rounds of simuls with Michael Chen 1P, comprising 23 games. Another highlight was a series of three lectures by Chen, expertly translated live.
“The energy and passion of the Mexican Go community make lasting impressions on visitors,” said Chen. “WIth strong players like Emil and Abraham, who competed in the 2023 Pro Qualifiers, and impressive numbers of young players in the children's tournament, Mexico's thriving Go community continues to develop and grow.”