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Behind the Scenes at the US Go Congress: Andrew Hall

Andrew Hall doesn't wear hats, but if he did, he'd be wearing several at this year's Go Congress. Players may know him best as the founder and Tournament Director of the new Evening League, but he is also the Event Coordinator for the Congress, which means he plays backup for just about everyone else on the Congress team. You might spot Hall at the Congress Help Desk one minute, or fixing clocks (right) the next, and then he's off and running about the playing rooms in his distinctive Congress staff shirt, the only one with the sleeves cut off to show off both arms covered in go-themed tattoos. Hall learned go from his grandfather, and both his father and his uncle -- a 1k in Glasgow -- also play. In ninth grade he discovered Hikaru No Go and started spending evenings playing go in Davis Square. After college, he got involved in the local go community who met regularly for club play and tournaments. "We ran local tournaments, including ladder tournaments like the Evening League, and then someone let us run a Congress!" Hall laughs. He's also worked hard on developing the Open Team Relay tournament, another tournament that -- like the Evening League -- emphasizes making go fun and fostering a sense of community and competitive spirit, Hall's favorite things about the game. - report by Karoline Li, Congress Tournament Liaison; photo by Chris Garlock