American Go E-Journal » Go News

U.S. and EGF pros to face off in Transatlantic Professional Go Team Championship

Monday February 4, 2019

The European Go Federation (EGF) and the American Go Association (AGA) will co-host the 2019 Transatlantic Professional Go Team Championship this Spring, with a prize of €10,000 for the winning team. “While top European and American go players have faced off before, at the SportAccord Games and IEMG for instance,” said AGA president Andy Okun, “this establishes a more formal setting for a healthy rivalry between the growing fields of EGF and AGA certified pros.”

Each team will consist of five EGF- and AGA-certified professional players. The Championship will use a win-and-continue format: each player continues to play until defeated. The first round is scheduled for April 7 at 20:00 Central European Time (14:00 US EST). Later rounds will follow weekly at the same time (with some rescheduling possible for tournament conflicts. There will be no game on Apr. 28) All games will be broadcast live by the AGA broadcasting team on both YouTube and Twitch.

Categories: Europe,Main Page,U.S./North America

AlphaGo vs. AlphaGo; Game 28 (Part 1): Who’s zooming who?

Sunday February 3, 2019

In their latest in the popular video commentary series, Michael Redmond 9p, hosted by the AGA E-Journal’s Chris Garlock, review the first half of the 28th game of the AlphaGo vs. AlphaGo selfplay games. The 50-game series was published by Deepmind after AlphaGo’s victory over world champion Ke Jie 9p in May 2017.

“There’s a lot packed into this game,” says Redmond. “We start with a slightly confusing fight on the lower side, things slow down for a bit, then there are all these weak groups and it gets a bit confusing to tell who’s attacking and who’s in trouble, so it’s a pretty interesting middle game.” “Buckle your seatbelts!” adds Garlock. Part 2 will be published next Friday, February 8.

These videos are made possible by the support of the American Go Association; please consider joining today!

Video produced by Michael Wanek & Andrew Jackson.

[link]

Categories: Computer Go/AI,Main Page,Master/AlphaGo Commentaries,Redmond Reviews

5th Orion Latin American u18 Team Tournament “A great success”

Saturday February 2, 2019

The fifth edition of the Orion Latin American u18 Team Tournament held December 8/9 on OGS was a great success with 11 school and academy teams from Mexico to the southern tip of Chile and the Pacific coast (Ecuador) to the Atlantic (Argentina).

First place in the 6-round event was Team Villa High de México (Sebastián Bañuelos, Bruno Michaca and Paola Ortega), 2nd: British School of Chile (Gustavo Gibbons, Fernando Gallardo and Fernando Cárdenas). 3rd: Dojo de Go de México (Diego Luciano, Omar Zavala and Ruben Hernandez).

The decisive match was Round 5 between Villa High and the British School. Boards 1 and 3 had finished and split one each. It all came down to move 259 when the Chilean, Gallardo, had a winning placement to catch a group of Machaca’s – but was off by one intersection.

Thanks to the sponsorship of the American Go Foundation, the players of the Villa High team of Mexico will represent Latin America at the next US GO Congress next summer in Madison, Wisconsin.

Special thanks go to the board of the Ibero-American Go Federation, to the team coaches: Ernesto Cepeda, Haroldo Brown, Diego Albuja, Siddharta Ávila and Sebastián Montiel, and especially to the 33 youth players who brought tremendous enthusiasm and commitment to the contest.

Cross grid and event photos here.

- Terry Benson from a report by Sebastian Montiel of Chile.

Categories: Latin America,Main Page,Youth

Misc go news: Montclair Go Club

Tuesday January 29, 2019

“I recently started a new AGA chapter and I’m trying to generate some awareness of our newly established monthly game,” writes Matthew. “I’ve convinced the library at which I’m hosting it that if we get enough attendance for a few months in a row, they’ll let me start an actual teaching program for kids!”

The club meets the first Saturday of February:
Montclair Go Club
Montclair, NJ
Montclair Public Library
50 South Fullerton Ave
Montclair, NJ 07042
10am – 1pm
1st Saturday of every month

Got go club/chapter news? Let us know! journal@usgo.org

Categories: Main Page,U.S./North America

AlphaGo vs. AlphaGo; Game 27: That kind of a game

Sunday January 27, 2019

Michael Redmond 9p, hosted by the AGA E-Journal’s Chris Garlock, continue their popular series with a review of the 27th game of the AlphaGo vs. AlphaGo selfplay games. The 50-game series was published by Deepmind after AlphaGo’s victory over world champion Ke Jie 9p in May 2017.

This game features two of the AG 3-3 invasions, a symmetrical shape and then “group after group appear on the upper side, right next to each other, and we’re going to have fun counting the number of groups,” says Redmond. “So it’s going to be that kind of a game.”

“Simply astounding game,” writes GerSHAK. “One of my favourites so far. Incredible detective work from Michael. Thank you so much.” Adds Rory Mitchell: “Wow! Just…wow!”

These videos are made possible by the support of the American Go Association; please consider joining today!

Video produced by Michael Wanek & Andrew Jackson.

[link]

Categories: Computer Go/AI,Main Page,Master/AlphaGo Commentaries,Redmond Reviews

Strong players under 20 wanted for 6th GLOBIS

Saturday January 26, 2019

The AGA is seeking a representative from North America to participate in the 6th GLOBIS Cup U-20 World Go Championship to be held in Tokyo, Japan between April 18-22. To be eligible, the player must be under 20 years old as of Jan. 1, 2019. Food and lodging will be paid for (including for a chaperone if the player is under 18), but NOT the cost of getting to and from Japan. If you are interested in participating or have any questions, please write to tournaments@usgo.org no later than Sunday, Feb. 3. Depending on the number of entries received there may be a preliminary tournament sometime between Feb. 4 and Feb. 15 to make the final selection.

- Jeff Shaevel, AGA National Tournament Coordinator

Categories: Japan,Main Page,U.S./North America

The Power Report (4/4): Ishida Yoshio scores 1100th win; 2018 stats and recent promotions

Wednesday January 23, 2019

by John Power, Japan correspondent for the E-Journal

Ishida Yoshio scores 1100^th win: In a game in Preliminary C of the 45^th Gosei tournament, Ishida Yoshio 9P (also known as 24^th Honinbo Shuho) (W) beat Tsurumaru Keiichi 7P by resignation. This was his 1100th official win (to 692 losses and one no-result). He is the 15^th player to reach this landmark.

Promotion: To 4-dan: (Ms.) Okuda Aya (50 wins, as of January 18)

2018 statistics: Here are some of the statistics for last year.
Most wins: 1. Shibano Toramaru 7P (second year in a row): 46 wins, 23 losses; 2. Ichiriki Ryo 8P, (Ms.) Fujisawa Rina 4P: 43-23; 4. Fujita Akihiko 6P: 41-8; Onishi Ryuhei 3P: 41-11; 6. Yamashita Keigo 9P: 40-23
7. Mutsuura Yuta 7P: 37-18; 8. Koike Yoshihiro 3P: 36-12; 9. Seki Kotaro 2P: 35-15; (Ms.) Ueno Asami 2P: 35-20; (Ms.) Nyu Eiko 2P: 35-23; Iyama Yuta: 35-26; 13. Kyo Kagen Gosei: 32-13; Kono Rin 9P: 32-16; 15. Hane Naoki 9P: 30-17
Best winning percentage: 1. Fujita Akihiko: 83.67%; 2. Onishi Ryuhei: 78.85%; 3. Koike Yoshihiro: 75%
Most successive wins: 1. Koike Yoshihiro: 19; 2. Seki Kotaro: 15; 3. Onishi Ruhei: 14

Promotions based on 2018 prize-winnings
These promotions are based on the prize-winnings list, but note that there may be players who won more but were promoted by other means, that is, cumulative wins or entering a league, etc. Only prize money for the top seven titles is counted. One 6-dan is promoted, accompanied by two each from the lower ranks. Promotions take effect as of January 1, 2019.
To 7-dan: Fujita Akihiko
To 6-dan: Tsuruta Kazushi, Adachi Toshimasa
To 5-dan: Yo Chito, Ito Masashi
To 4-dan: Onishi Ryuhei, Koike Yoshihiro
To 3-dan: Otake Yu, Hirose Yuichi
To 2-dan: Shibano Ryunosuke (older brother of Toramaru), (Ms.) Kaneko Maki

Categories: Japan,John Power Report,Main Page

World Collegiate Weichi Championship set for July 7-13 in Australia

Wednesday January 23, 2019

The 2019 International Collegiate Go Tournament, hosted by the Ing Foundation, will be held at the University of Sydney, in Australia this summer. The event runs July 7-13 and is open to any current, future, or recently graduated college (both undergraduate and graduate) student who will, or has attended school in the year 2019. All costs related to room, board, tours, and travel during the event will be covered by the Ing foundation. The student is responsible for getting to and from the tournament site (both international and domestic travel costs), and for any personal expenses.

Links for more info and to register: Facebook; schedule; regulations; registration form.

Players of all skill levels are welcome to participate. There will be five divisions this year: a high dan, low dan, single digit kyu, double digit kyu and women’s division. “There is currently no deadline for applying, but please apply early as there are a limited number of spots available,” says Mike Fodera, who notes that “The selection process will be on a first come first serve basis.” You can send your registration forms directly to him at mdf116@gmail.com.

Categories: Main Page,Youth

The Power Report (3/4): Ueno makes good start in Women’s Kisei; Xie to challenge for Women’s Meijin

Tuesday January 22, 2019

by John Power, Japan correspondent for the E-Journal

Ueno makes good start in Women’s Kisei: The first game in the 22^nd Women’s Kisei title match was held at the Hotel Sunlife Garden in Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, on January 17. The defending champion Ueno Asami (W, at left in photo) beat Fujisawa Rina by 2.5 points after a marathon 310 moves. The challenger took the lead in territory early on, but Ueno attacked tenaciously and finally overhauled Fujisawa in the endgame. The second game will be held on January 28.

Xie to challenge for Women’s Meijin: Xie Yimin 6P (left) may be titleless for the first time in over a decade, but you can’t keep her out of the action. In the play-off to decide the challenger for the 31stWomen’s Meijin title, she beat Koyama Terumi 6P by resignation after 179 moves. She will challenge Fujisawa Rina for the title. Koyama, who has won this title four times, was hoping to play in her first title match for 13 years.
Tomorrow: Ishida Yoshio scores 1100^th win; 2018 stats and recent promotions

Categories: Japan,John Power Report,Main Page

SoCal Chinese Club hosts Southern California Go Championship Feb 16-17

Monday January 21, 2019

The Southern California Chinese Go Club will host a 2-day, 6-round major tournament February 16-17 in Irvine, California. This will be the sixth consecutive year that Jay Zheng has sponsored this event, formally known as the Southern California Go Championship. The event, which will expand to six rounds, will be held at a venue in Orange County near the John Wayne airport. In addition to cash awards and trophies, snacks and refreshments will be provided to ensure that players have enough energy to play long hours of go. Record turnout of around 100 is expected, including a very competitive Open section. Click here to pre-register by Feb 13.
- Kevin Chao

Categories: Events/Tournaments,Main Page,U.S./North America

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