The 2025 Mass Go State Championship brought together 65 skilled players from across the region for five
rounds of intense competition over the January 25-26 weekend. “With every game testing players’ strategic depth and composure, the tournament delivered excitement from start to finish,” reports Tournament Director Nick Bonner, who provided the following round-by-round report.
The championship began with decisive victories from several top players in the first round. Zheng Hongkui (7D) started strong, defeating Zhaonian Chen (8D) in an impressive display of skill. Alan Huang (7D) and Jeremy Chiu (7D) also emerged victorious, besting Jie Liang (7D) and Justin Teng (6D), respectively. Among the mid-ranked competitors, Joaquin Perkins (2D) overcame Lysander Christakis (1D) with sharp strategic play, while Isaac Wilde (9K) delivered a solid victory to start his campaign. The opening round set the tone for the fierce battles to come.
In the second round, the competition heated up as players began facing tougher opponents. Alan Huang (7D) continued his dominant run by defeating Hongyu Sun (7D), while Zheng Hongkui (7D) outmaneuvered Jeremy Chiu (7D) in a highly anticipated match. Meanwhile, Alexander Qi (7D) secured his second win by besting Forest Song (6D). On the other hand, Joaquin Perkins (2D) struggled in this round, falling to Shih-Yu Wang (3D).
These results began to shape the tournament’s upper echelons, with the 7D players holding firm at the top.
The third round brought critical turning points. Zheng Hongkui (7D) suffered his first loss to Alexander Qi (7D), whose precise play kept him in contention for the championship. Alan Huang (7D) maintained his undefeated record by defeating Justin Teng (6D), solidifying his position at the top of the leaderboard. Jeremy Chiu (7D) rebounded from his earlier loss with a strong win over Lambert Lee (7D). In the mid-tier ranks, Isaac Wilde (9K) continued his impressive run with another victory, while Shih-Yu Wang (3D) faced a setback against a determined opponent. The standings were beginning to take shape as the tournament headed into its final stages.
As the tournament neared its conclusion on Sunday, the fourth round saw high-stakes battles across all divisions. Alan Huang (7D) defeated Alexander Qi (7D) in a crucial match, asserting his dominance and setting the stage for the final showdown. Zheng Hongkui (7D) bounced back from his earlier loss by beating Jie Liang (7D), keeping himself in contention for the title. Jeremy Chiu (7D) edged out Zhaonian Chen (8D) in a closely fought game, showcasing his resilience. At the lower ranks, players like Luca Bove (12K) and Isaac Wilde (9K) continued to perform well, adding excitement to their divisions. This round solidified the field of top contenders heading into the finale.
The final round determined the championship in dramatic fashion. The marquee match between Alan Huang (7D) and Zheng Hongkui (7D) lived up to expectations. Zheng’s calculated moves and endgame precision secured a victory, allowing him to claim the championship title with a 4-1 record. Alan’s loss dropped him to second place. Jeremy Chiu (7D) rounded out the podium with a strong win over Alexander Qi (7D), who finished fourth despite his solid performances throughout the tournament.
In the mid and lower tiers, players like Isaac Wilde (9K) and Shih-Yu Wang (3D) ended their campaigns on high notes with decisive final-round victories. The competition’s depth and intensity were evident as players across all levels delivered memorable performances.
Final Standings
Forest Song (6D, bottom right in photo) emerged as the top-ranked competitor from Massachusetts and was crowned the 2025 Massachusetts State Champion. “His consistent performance throughout the tournament earned him this well-deserved recognition,” said Bonner.
Tournament Winner: Zheng Hongkui (7D, bottom left in photo, with TD Bonner) – 4 wins, “a testament to his strategic prowess and consistency.” Runner-Up: Alan Huang (7D) – 4 wins, “narrowly missing the title after a close final-round loss.” Third Place: Jeremy Chiu (7D) – 4 wins, “showcasing resilience and tactical strength.”
“The 2025 Mass Go State Championship would not have been possible without the generous contributions of our sponsors,” Bonner added. These include David Cho (5D), Bill Saltman, OGS, GoMagic, AYD, Michael Chen 1P, Chris Sagner (5D), Polgote, Internet Go School, BadukPop, SmartGo, John Kerpan & Boston Latin School. Thanks also to Trevor Morris and Pierre Bove. Find the full cross-tab and sponsored prizes here.
Finally, “To great excitement, Trevor Morris announced that plans for the 2026 Boston Go Congress are coming together, with Trevor and Audrey Wang being co-directors.” Anyone interested in volunteering can reach Trevor at trevor.morris@usgo.org
photos by @Mari Oshima