The New York Institute of Go (NYIG) closed out 2025 with the Prologue Open, a December tournament that
served as a warm-up and kickoff for the upcoming 2026 season. The event brought together a strong mix of returning and first-time players, with 54 total participants—24 adults and 30 youth—competing across four divisions in the adult and youth circuits.
Players enjoyed a full day of competitive games marked by friendly sportsmanship and smooth tournament operations, setting an upbeat tone for the year ahead. The Prologue Open continues NYIG’s tradition of welcoming players of all ages and strengths while building momentum for its flagship monthly series.
That momentum carries directly into the 2026 New York Monthly Series, which officially begins on January 10, 2026. Monthly tournaments will follow throughout the year on February 7, March 7, May 2, June 6, July 11, September 12, October 3, and November 7.
Throughout the season, players earn placement points and compete on division leaderboards. Standings in each division are determined by a player’s best five event results, with the top four players in each division qualifying for the Grand Finals, scheduled for December 2026. The Grand Finals will feature a prize pool of $800 or more, scaled through sponsorship support.
New for 2026, Ai-Sensei has joined the Monthly Series and Grand Finals as a sponsor. An Ai-Sensei monthly subscription will be awarded in each division at every monthly event. NYIG is also launching Monthly Highlights and pro game reviews, with players invited to submit games via Leago or by email for a chance to be featured.
Registration is now open for the January 10 kickoff event, and NYIG encourages players to return to the board to start the new season.
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