The Self-Pair tournament at this year's US Go Congress in Boston introduced a new feature:
players could add themselves to the event and report their own results. Now the American Go Association is expanding the concept nationwide.
Beginning this month, any current AGA member can participate in monthly National Self-Pair tournaments, allowing players to arrange rated games whenever and wherever they choose. Participants need only create a Leago account and register once for the month's tournament. After that, they can challenge—or accept challenges from—other registrants using a QR code and self-report the results. SGF files may also be uploaded for recorded games.
Games must be played over the board, although clocks are optional as long as the game meets AGA rating requirements. Any two players may face each other up to five times per month.
Each tournament runs through midnight Eastern time on the last day of the month, at which point all completed games are rated and a new tournament opens. NAOL Tournament Director Milan Mladenovic will serve as tournament director for the National Self-Pair events.
The program also benefits local clubs: every rated self-pair game earns Chapter Rewards points for the players' affiliated chapters.
"It's a win-win-win for players, chapters, and the rating system," said AGA President Gurujeet Khalsa. "Players will be able to frictionlessly start a rated game at club night or anywhere. Chapters will earn increased rewards points, and the quality of ratings will improve by having more rated games played."
Registration for the inaugural August tournament is now open.