The seventh annual Great Cincy Go Tournament took place on Saturday, August 24, drawing
players from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. This year introduced a cash prize for the first time in the Open Division, adding extra excitement to the event.
In Division A, Soren Jaffe 6D took first place with a 3-1 record, winning a trophy, cash prize, and a tea set donated by the Evanston Go Club. Paige Lemaster 5D, who also finished 3-1, secured second place and a cash prize. The Youth Winner was Xukun Jiang (4-dan) from Cleveland, finishing with a 2-2 record.
Division B was won by Tong Qiu (2-dan), also 3-1, while Manny Jauregui (2-kyu) and Aiden Hastings (2-kyu) tied for second place with 3-1 records. Hastings was awarded Go books donated by Shawn Ray.
Division C saw Luke Wiljanen (4-kyu) and Ian Glenn (5-kyu) both finish 3-1. In Division D, youth player Winston Yan (9-kyu) and Sam Wright (13-kyu) each went undefeated at 4-0. Division E was topped by Elbert Wang (20-kyu) at 4-0, with Trey Potts (16-kyu) placing second at 3-1.
The event was powered by Nick Prince’s Leago platform and supported by donations from the Evanston Go Club, Shawn Ray, and logistical support from the Columbus Go Club. Angela Tang, a talented young violinist from Mason, Ohio, performed a solo before the final round.
A celebratory pizza party followed on August 28, featuring a talk on the history of Go by Steve Munday of the Cincinnati Go Club. Organizers thanked participants, families, and contributors for making the tournament a success and helping keep Go thriving in the Midwest.