News / Articles

CENTRAL NY CLUBS HOLD 1ST TOURNEY: The Central New York Go Club and the Manlius Hill School Go Club in Syracuse, New York, joined forces to hold their first annualfall ratings tournament on December 11, 2004. "The self-paired event drew31 participants," reports organizer Anton Ninno. Spectators, parents and curious visitors swelled the crowd to more than 50 over the course of the day. AGA members came from several nearby cities, including Binghamton, Ithaca, Rochester, and from as far away as Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Virginia. Competitors ranged in age from grade school students to retirees. "Many players commented favorably on the lovely private school setting, the refreshments provided at the canteen, the Bargain Pagoda sales table for new and used books and go equipment, the lottery for door prizes held atthe end of the day, and the convivial atmosphere," notes Ninno, who adds that articles and photos about the tournament appeared in Syracuse newspapers before and after the event. The two clubs are now planning their first annual spring tournament for early April. More on area go activities at: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/cnygo/

COLUMBUS TOURNEY SET: In conjunction with Ohayocon, an anime and Japanese pop-culture convention, local go players have organized a tournament Saturday, January 15 in Columbus, Ohio. With $1,000 in prizes in three divisions, there is no cost for the 3-round tournament itself, but admission to the convention is required. "Players can purchase a one-day pass to the convention and AGA membership will be extra if entrants are not AGA members," says Nicole Casanta. Thetournament begins at 10A in the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Convention Center.For more details, email elvenflare@aol.com

KERWIN OFFERS ONLINE BEGINNER'S CLASS: James Kerwin 1P is now offering a short online course for complete beginners. "The four 75-minute lessons are aimed at English speakers who are interested in the game but do not yet know the rules or who know the rules but are just starting to play go," Kerwin tells the E-Journal. The lessons will be offered on KGS using the new voice over internet capabilities recently added to the server.  Class size will be between 10 and 20, the cost is $30. For details or to sign up, contact Kerwin at jimk@maroon.tc.umn.edu or by phone at 612-823-0699.  

ZHOU BEGINS 2005 1ST FRIDAY SERIES: Yuan Zhou 7d begins a new year of his monthly lessons at the Greater Washington (DC) Go Club this Friday, January 7, at 8:30P in the basement of the Cedar Lane Unitarian Church, 9601 Cedar Lane, Bethesda. "Bring game records to participate ($5), or observe for free," says GWGC's Haskell Small. "Don't have a game? Come early -- officialopening time is 7P -- to play and record a game." More info: haskellsmall@starpower.net

PRE-REGISTRATION URGED FOR FENG YUN TOURNEY: With space limited for this Saturday's Feng Yun tourney in Piscataway, NJ, organizers are urging pre-registration by Wednesday January 5. Email Golesson@yahoo.com or call Feng Yun at 973-992-5675 if you plan to attend; registration forms may be brought with you Saturday and are available at http://mywebpages.comcast.net/fengyun/FY=5FGo=5FCenter/FYGT2005.htm

KATO UPDATE: Kato Masao's "Attack and Kill" was originally published by Ishi Press (not Kiseido, as we reported in our 12/30 special edition marking Kato's death) and is currently out of print. Kato's "The Chinese Opening," also originally published by Ishi Press, has been republished by Kiseido and can be ordered at http://www.kiseido.com  
Our full report onKato's untimely death last week is online at http://www.usgo.org/ejournal/ejournal.asp

CHAPTER MEMBERSHIPS SURGE IN '04: Full, youth and chapter memberships in the American Go Association were up last year.The increase in chapter memberships, up 38 to 125, was especially significant in light of the AGA's renewed commitment to chapter support with initiatives like the new Chapter League beginning later this month. AGA membershipticked up in December, increasing by 23 to 1,935, but while membership continued to hover at historic highs throughout 2004, total membership dipped slightly for the year, down 28 from the beginning of the year. On tap for 2005 is a plan to "invest heavily in retaining existing membership," accordingto AGA President Mike Lash. Being considered are member enrollment packages with study materials and website guides, ranking certificates, teaching ladders, pro lessons, equipment support for chapters, AGA t-shirts/mugs and incentives like discounts for second or third year's membership renewals. For more details on the plans under discussion, email Lash at president@usgo.org

2004 YEARBOOK GOING TO PRESS: Be sure to get your copy of the 2004 American Go Yearbook, a 100-page "best of" selection from the year'sE-Journals by renewing or joining now: http://www.usgo.org/org/application.asp  The 2nd-annual Yearbook includes a CD with all the year's E-Journal content, including every game commentary, review, tournament report and more!

WORLD GO NEWS

FENG YUN UP NEXT IN NEW PRO INTERNET CHAMPIONSHIP: Feng Yun 9P of the USA is set to play Cho Hunhyun 9P of Korea on January 3rd in the new international internet pro tournament. In the first round Kobayashi Koichi 9p of Japan defeated Fernando Aguilar 7d of Argentina, Gu Li 7p of China defeated Alexandre Dinerchtein 1p ofRussia, and Zhou Jinxing 9p of Taiwan defeated Hane Naoki 9p of Japan.

MINGREN MAKES 4 FOR GU LI: Adding a fourth major Chinese title to his current holdings, twenty year old Gu Li 7P took the 17th Mingren titlefrom Qiu Jun 7P by a score of 3-0. The winner's purse is about $300,000 US. Earlier this year Gu Li won the 16th CCTV Cup, a rapid play (30 seconds) tournament sponsored by the Chinese CCTV station. He also holds the Tianyuan (Tengen) title and defeated the Korean Chunwon (Tengen) title holder Choi Cheolhan 8P in a dual meet last August. He won the Chinese NEC Cup lastyear and is paired against Chang Hao 9P in the finals of that tournament tobe played later in January. He won the Chinese Agon Cup last year and defeated Kato Masao 9P in the China-Japan Agon Dual Meet. Pictures and more details can be found at http://www.gogameworld.com/gophp/playerinfo.php?id=3D79

CHANG HAO STORMS BACK IN ING CUP: In the second game of the 5th Ing Cup, Chang Hao 9P of China defeated Choi Cheolhan 9P of Koreawith a very aggressive fighting style of play. "Chang is trying to changehis gentle appearance," Liu Xing 7P commented. Check out his appearance and his pro record for yourself at http://www.gogameworld.com/gophp/playerinfo.php?id=3D3  Chang forced Choi to resign after only 179 moves, tying up the best-of-five series at one win each. After playing the first two games in Seoul, Korea, the contest now moves to Beijing, China in March.You can download the first two game records at http://igo-kisen.hp.infoseek.co.jp/ig.html

PEI ZHAO TOPS LONDON OPEN: Pei Zhao 6dof Germany won seven out of eight games to take first place in the London Open at the end of December. This tournament is part of the Toyota-PandaNetEuropean Go Tour. Pei's only loss was to Jun Tarumi 3d of Germany, who won all six of the games he played, but missed one day due to illness. Second place went to Radek Nechaicky 6d of Czechia with a 6 out of 8 record. Christoph Gerlach 6d of Germany was third with 5 wins, and Tony Goddard of theUK was 4th, also with five wins. Young Li Shen 5d of the UK tied with Antoine Fenech 4d of France for fifth place. Hichem Aktouche 7k of France wonthe continuous 9x9 tournament with a remarkable record of 28 wins in 28 games. Pictures and many details of the tournament are posted on the BGA web site at http://www.britgo.org/news/enews1.html#london .

GAME COMMENTARY: Coming Friday!
    Starting this week, our game commentaries and reviews are moving to the E-Journal's new weekly Friday edition. The new edition, which will be distributed only to Member's Edition subscribers, features game commentaries (look for Alexandre Dinerchtein 1P's analysis of the 12/12/04 Japanese NHK Cup Round 3 game between Hane Naoki 9P and Sakai Hideyuki 6P this Friday!), reviews of go books, software, equipment and more, as well as updates on tournaments scheduled forthat weekend and any late-breaking go news.
    Non-members can sign up now at http://www.usgo.org/org/application.asp  The Monday edition, distributed free to over 5,000 readers worldwide, willcontinue to focus on the latest go news and will include the event calendarand go classified section.

ONLINE GO: New at www.usgo.org
    In the December 20 E-Journal, we reported on recent news coverage of go, including The Economist on why go is "the most mentally challenging game of all time", and an extended reference to go in a November 8 Newsweek article by Dr. Henry Kissinger. Check out the original articles under "New and Noteworthy" at http://www.usgo.org/resources/books.asp#articles   In the "General Interest" section of the same page, you'll find a link to a bizarre cartoon series, "Almost Sente" by Polishartist Kamil Budzinski.      Beginners will want to note the Internet lessons being offered by James Kerwin on KGS, using the voice over internet capability that KGS recently added.  At $30 for four75-minute classes, these classes are a hard-to-beat value with a professional player and highly respected teacher.  Visit our "Sensei" page at http://www.usgo.org/usa/sensei.asp for contact information.
    We've also added a new merchant to the vendor page at The Trading Centre at http://www.usgo.org/resources/distributors.asp, the only place online to purchase and download Michael Reiss' Go++ program.  We now list over twenty vendor sites; it's not too early to start your Christmas list for next year!
- Roy Laird

GO CLASSIFIED

FOR SALE: Full set of new 8.0mm Japanese glass stones with pair of new, Japanese, brown plastic bowls ($35); Full set of new 10mm Japanese glass stones in original box ($45); Pair of new, medium-brown, large wood bowls, will hold up to 9.0mm stones ($35). Price includes shipping! Contact Anton Ninno at antonninno@yahoo.com (1/3/05)

WANTED: 3d+ players to participate in theWestern Go online tournament as it starts its second year.  Play some of the best US middle school, high school, and college players online in this insei-style training ground. Sign up at:  http://westerngo.org/   (12/13/04)

FOR SALE: Original ukiyo-e woodblock Kuniyoshi print.  Peter Shotwell: Shotwell@nyc.rr.com  (11/29)

INSTRUCTION, TEACHERS:
- WANTED: 14-year-old with a ranking of 17k would like a teacher to play games with, and help my game improve to shodan level. E-mail me at TarenSolther@wmconnect.com
- DIANA KOSZEGI, Hungarian 6 dan, is now offering lessons on KGS. For more information please visit diana.koszegi.hu
- JOEY HUNG 8d is giving lessonson both IGS and KGS using voice chat skype.  For detail, email egogames@yahoo.com Joey is also giving free lessons on KGS from 8-9P PST. (11/29)
- CORNEL BURZO 6d EGF (7d AGA) is teaching online on IGS and KGS,also using skype voice chat, for pricing check http://www.golessons.comor email  cornelburzo@yahoo.com  (12/6)

GO PLAYERSWANTED:
AK: Juneau, Alaska ; stevekrall@yahoo.com (8/23)
AL: Birmingham or Hoover: email goboard@bellsouth.net I'm about 5k; any level is welcome. (9/6)
AZ: Phoenix, AGA 5d looking for go players; michaelscai@yahoo.com (8/23)
CA: Fresno/Visalia, meeting at Borders, 4kyu player, larrygates@sbcglobal.net
CO: Grand Junction: Beginner looking for players; email bevans@hospicewco.com  (12/6)
FL: Ft. Myers: Looking for players in the area interested in starting a go club; emailkent=5Fno=5Fgo@earthlink.net  (11/29)
FL: Tampa Bay; Looking for players within 30 minutes of Tampa Bay to help create a club which might be located near USF. rruiz002@tampabay.rr.com  (9/27)
IL: Northern Illinois, Gurnee area. Any rank, age, or shoe size welcome. Looking for friendly or teaching games. Contact (15 kyu) Joe at nothing217@comcast.net (9/6)
IN: Bloomington: Want to help start an AGA chapter?  Contact me now at sfcowling@bluemarble.net  (11/08/04)
KY: Louisville; I would like to start a go chapter in Louisville; I am a
total beginner, but I would still like to play with some actual human
beings. Interested folks should contact ed.hammerbeck@gmail.com
MA: Looking for players to meet on the South Shore, possibly at Thomas Crane Library or Panera's Bread in Quincy. E-mail Adam@polymathsblade.com
ME: Looking for players in the Southern Maine area; allenfr@waterboro.com
NH: Hanover, Meets 2-5 PM Wed at Hopkins Center Cafeteria; efeustel@direcway.com
NV: Las Vegas; Looking for players a new, and I believe the first, area go club. Anyone interested should contact Aaron Thomasat avontron@gmail.com (11/29)
NV: Reno: The Reno Go Club ( http://www.renogo.org ) is looking for people interested in go. Email: info@renogo.org
NY: Syracuse; The Central New York Go Club invites players who live anywhere near Utica, Geneva, Oswego, and  Cortland to join them on Monday nights. Visit the club's website at: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/cnygo/
PA: Philadelphia; the Penn Go Society now meets every Wednesday evening beginning at 5:30 pm in Houston Hall, on the University of Pennsylvania campus, 3417 Spruce Street.  Players of all levels are welcome, we are looking to ramp up our membership and visibility - come be a part of an emerging go scene! Email either Matthew Bengtson mattbengtson@earthlink.net or Peter Nassar pnassar@vet.upenn.edu for details  (12/6)
SC: Charleston/Lowcountry area. Total beginner looking for teaching and friendly games. Contact Doug: dougsimpson@email.com

GOT GO STUFF TO SELL, SWAP OR WANT TO BUY? Do it here and reach over 5,000 Go players worldwide every week at Go Classified! Listings are freeand run 4 weeks; send to us at journal@usgo.org

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

January 8:  Piscataway, NJ
3rd Feng Yun Go Tournament
Feng Yun 973-992-5675  Golesson@yahoo.com

January 8:  Plano, TX
2005 Spring Tournament
Christopher Vu 281-480-8615  wasonlyyesterday@yahoo.com

January 8 & 9:  Sunnyvale, CA
13th Jujo Jiang Goe Tournament
Ernest@goedharma.com

January 9:  Salem, OR
2005 Winter Tournament
Jim Levenick 503-370-6486  levenick@willamette.edu

January 15:  Kalamazoo, MI
KZoo's 2nd Go Tournament
Benjamin Schooley 989-287-0123  benjaminschooley@hotmail.com
http://votar.org/kgc/tourney.html

January 15:  Seattle, WA
Mid-Winter Tournament
Jon Boley 206-545-1424  jon@seattlegocenter.org

January 15: Columbus, OH
1st Annual Ohayocon Tournament
elvenflare@aol.com

January 15-17:  Evanston, IL
6th Annual Winter Workshop with Yang Yilun 7P
Mark Rubenstein 847-869-6020  mark@evanstongoclub.org

January 15-18:  Belchertown, MD
Guo Juan Workshop
Bill Saltman 413-323-8658  b1saltman@charter.net

January 16:  Somerville, MA
MGA Winter Handicap Tournament
Zack Grossbart 617-497-1232  zack@grossbart.com
http://www.massgo.org

January 22:  Richmond, VA
The Slate and Shell Open
William Cobb 804-740-2191  wmscobb@comcast.net

March 17-20:  Germantown, MD
10th Annual Maryland Yang Workshop
Gordon Fraser 31-540-2640  gordon@wui.net

This is a digest of events for the next month only; for a complete listing see the Tournament Calendar on the AGA website: http://www.usgo.org/usa/tournaments.asp
For the European Go Calendar see http://www.european-go.org/TOURNAMENTS/TListbyDate.htm

GET LISTED & BOOST TURN OUT! Got anupcoming event? Reach over 7,000 readers every week! List your Go event/news In the E Journal: email details to us at journal@usgo.org

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