Encounters between top players from different nations were practically unknown until the late 1970s, when Japan and China began a series of goodwill matches that eventually became the NEC-sponsored Japan-China "Super Go" competition. Around the same time, the International Go Federation was established and began holding annual amateur championships. Within a few years, tournaments like the Fujitsu Cup and the Ing Cup appeared, with fully international fields of players. Today, companies sponsor more than a dozen international competitions. There are special events for children, women, male-female pairs and even computers.

This page lists international tournaments to which the AGA is invited to send representatives, as well as major domestic and North American events. (See the youth events page for events specifically serve younger players.) Event pages contain more detailed information about particular tournaments and championships. For more detailed scheduling information about individual events, contact the AGA Tournament Coordinator at tournaments@usgo.org.

International Events

General information about eligibility requirements and the process by which the AGA chooses representatives to participate in international events is available here

The World Amateur Go Championship

The World Amateur Go Championship(WAGC) is organized under the auspices of the International Go Federation. Held annually since 1979, the WAGC brings together top amateur players from all over the world for a week-long Swiss-style tournament. Players representing 60 countries participated in the 2010 WAGC. US players have competed every year, placing in the top ten several times.

The Korean Prime Minister's Cup

The Korean Prime Minister's Cup is the world's second major amateur championship. Held each fall in Korea, this championship offers the world's top amateurs another chance at high-level competition.

The World Student Oza

The World Student Oza is the de facto world university championship. Sponsored by Japanese publisher Nikkei Newspaper, this tournament brings representatives from universities in Asia, Europe and the Americas together for top-level competition.

The Fujitsu Cup

The Fujitsu Cup is sponsored by Fujitsu Limited, with a top prize of ¥15,000,000. The field always includes several of the world's top players. The winner of the North American Fujitsu Cup represents the continental region at the Fujitsu World Championship each year. Featuring both professionals and top amateurs, this event is one of the most prestigious and heavily contested events on the continent.

The International Amateur Pair Go Championship

The International Amateur Pair Go Championship, sponsored by NKB, is a fun-filled event whose aim is to add a more social element to the game. Male-female teams compete for prizes, and abide by special rules governing order of play and communication between players. The United States has participated in the International Amateur Pair Go Championship since 1991.

The World Mind Sports Games

The World Mind Sports Games (WMSG) was organized by the International Mind Sports Association as part of an effort to have go and other mind sports recognized as Olympic events. Players in a variety of mind sports, including go, played in the first WMSG, held in Beijing shortly after the 2008 Olympic Games.

SportAccord World Mind Games

The SportAccord World Mind Games (SAWMG) is a multi-sport event focusing on mind sports. The first SAWMG was held in Beijing in December, 2011.

Domestic and North American Events

Numerous local and regional events are held across the country throughout the year. See the calendar for a listing of upcoming events. Two major events covering the Americas are held each year at the US Go Congress.

US Professional System

The US Professional System is a way for players in North America to vie for the chance to become professional go players. This was started in 2011 and the first professionals were crowned in August of 2012 at the US Go Congress. This tournament is sponsored by Tygem Online and the Korean Baduk Association.

US Open/US Championship

The US national championship has been held since 1959, making it one of the oldest continually running tournaments in North America. Currently held annually at the US Go Congress, the US Open welcomes all comers, regardless of playing strength, age, gender or nationality. The tournament is also used as the selection tournament to decide the AGA's representatives to the World Amateur Go Championship and the Korean Prime Minister's Cup.

The North American Ing Masters

The North American Ing Masters (NAIM) is the North American championship. Sixteen of the continent's top players, both amateur and professional, meet each year at the US Go Congress for an exciting week of competition.

Pandanet-AGA City League

The City League is an AGA tournament where teams, made up of go players who reside in the same city, play in a league system on the Pandanet-IGS server in the AGA Tournaments room. Each team consists of up to four players, out of which three are selected to play in each round.