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Guatemala hosts successful 2nd Latin American Go Congress

By Terry Benson

 Following up on last year’s first-ever Latin American Go Congress in Cancun, Mexico, the Ibero American Go Federation staged a well-run event October 13-15 at the Porta Hotel Antigua in Antigua, Guatemala. 

The Porta Hotel has five stars but still feels authentic and local, with Guatemalan art, crafts and design throughout. The playing room was large and could be set up simultaneously for lecture, simuls and the tournament rounds. Forty six players – including ten above 3 dan - were spread over six MacMahon bands, run by TD Adrian Ramirez 5k of Guatemala. Abraham Florencia 5d from Mexico won the 2018 Latin American Championship, and Mexico also took the second Pandanet Team Latin American Championship, beating Chile in the final of the 10-team event which started back in January. The second Latin American Youth Tournament was taken by Juan David Ramirez 3d of Colombia, while the winners of the third Latin American Pair Tournament were Eun-kyo Do 1p of Korea and Hector Paiz of Guatemala. Like the US Go Congress – on which it’s modeled -- there was a lot to do at the Latin American Go Congress.

 Korea once again sent two excellent representatives; Cho Hye-yeon was her effervescent and engaging self and Eun-kyo Do was quiet, charming…and deadly. From the U.S., Zirui Song 1d (right) from Chicago attended with funding from the American Go Foundation. The pros played simuls every day, offered free commentary on games as they finished, and each gave a lecture. Zirui’s contribution on Friday detailed two high level games - including one of his own from the last US Go Congress. He led the group though multiple variations – including the “why you can’t cut there” sort of questions which are obvious to the pros but not to the strivers.

On Sunday I ran Crazy Go (left) – known in this case as “Go Loco” -- with the usual laughter at Rengo Kriegspeil, puzzled looks over the spiral board, and real interest in Coupon Go – including from Zirui. Antigua is a beautifully preserved and restored Spanish city catering to tourists. 

The food at the Congress was superb – especially the included lunch – and reasonably priced for the location. Other than the last day, when the cultural tour encountered several hours of torrential downpour, the weather cooperated – the thunder storms came while we were playing and the temperature was always temperate.

Great credit goes to the team from Guatemala including main Congress organizer Jose Romero (at far right with Abraham Florencia, and two Korean pros), to IberoAmerican Go Federation president Emil Garcia (left), and to the many other volunteers who helped in the typical spirit of go congresses. 

The venue for next year’s Latin American congress is uncertain, though Buenos Aires is a prime candidate. What is certain is the quality of the event and the fun of an international gathering like this, which will only grow as Latin American players come to know the unforgettable experiences at a Go congress. Benson is president of the American Go Foundation; photos by Daniela Salamanca and Terry Benson