Weiting (Daniel) Dai (3d), an international student at Middlebury College, won the Vermont State
Championship on October 24, finishing ahead of runner-up and former multiple-time state champion Rich Chalmers (1k).
Held alongside the Vermont Fall Tournament at Middlebury College, the event drew 18 players from across New England, New York, and Virginia for three rounds of go on a perfect autumn day, reports Pete Schmer.
State championship games were played without handicaps. Players eliminated from championship contention joined subsequent rounds of the handicap tournament, the fifth of Vermont’s six seasonal tournaments this year.
Ryan Donofrio-Ralls (15k) took first in the Fall Tournament with a 3–0 record, edging fellow undefeated player Qingbo (Jeff) Zhang (4d) on strength of schedule. Kevin Burget (10k) and Glenn Wallace (19k) tied for third with identical records, strength of schedule, and strength of opponents’ schedules.
Every participant received one or more prizes, including trophies, go books, equipment, fans, and other memorabilia. Organizers thanked yearlong sponsors Board n’Stones, Yunguseng Dojang, Shelburne Farms, Go Magic, The Skinny Pancake, Yutopian Enterprises, Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, and Baduk Club.
“The day was full of intense games and good cheer,” Schmer reports. “Come and join us at a future tournament!”
Photos: (bottom left) Ryan Donofrio-Ralls (15k) - first place in the Vermont Fall Tournament; (center) Qingbo (Jeff) Zhang (4D) - second place in the Vermont Fall Tournament; (bottom right) Glenn Wallace (19k) - third place (tied) in the Vermont Fall Tournament; (top right) Weiting (Daniel) Dai (3D) - first place in the Vermont State Championship; (top left) Rich Chalmers (1k( - second place in the Vermont State Championship.