Report by Chris Garlock, special to the E-Journal
The first full day of the 7th Ibero Latin American Go Congress got underway Saturday morning in Quito, Ecuador, with two rounds of the Ibero American Go Championship. Other than the instructions being given entirely in Spanish, the atmosphere was instantly recognizable to any Go player: boards and stones arrayed across the hall, clocks ticking, and silence broken only by the soft click of stones.
As in tournaments everywhere, Round 1 began about half an hour late, but between rounds, staff at the Hotel Reina Isabel served a welcome snack — a bean, rice, meat and cheese wrap, plus a small sweet — to keep players fueled. After finishing their games, many headed downstairs, where U.S. pros Ryan Li 4P and Guanyu Song 1P reviewed games and answered questions.
Board 1 games relayed live on OGS by the E-Journal’s Chris Garlock:
After a lunch of spicy pork and corn, Ryan Li drew a full house for his lecture on the middle game — which he called “the heart of Go,” far more important than the opening so many players obsess over. Audience members actively debated and voted on key moves throughout the session.
Upstairs, a Special Female Rengo Event featured two teams of women alternating moves in a friendly exhibition that drew appreciative onlookers.
The day wrapped up with the Latin American Pandanet City League finals, as Argentina faced Mexico in a three-board showdown. The Argentinians swept the match 3–0 to claim the 2025 championship.
Check out the game between Argentina’s Fernando Aguilar and Mexico’s Emil Garcia here.
Sunday brings Rounds 3 and 4 of the Congress tournament, another Rengo match, and Pair Go.
👉 Watch for updates throughout the day on our socials:
X @theaga | Facebook: American Go Association
Standings after Rounds 1 & 2
Argentina arrasa en la final de Pandanet al comenzar el Congreso Ibero Latinoamericano de Go
¡Argentina vence a México 3-0 y gana la Liga Ciudadana Panamericana de Go 2025! 🏆🇦🇷🇲🇽
El 7º Congreso Iberoamericano de Go comenzó con gran energía en Quito.