On February 12th, Thomas Hsiang, the great statesman of American go, passed away at age 77.
Others are far more qualified to describe his many contributions to American go on an international level, indeed, go in general internationally. Suffice to say, for over 30 years, Thomas Hsiang was the face of American go abroad. Fortunately, the AGA had the opportunity to thank Thomas, honoring him with the Edward Lasker Award at the 2023 Go Congress (see journal news 7/8/23).
Former AGA President Andy Okun and current Gurujeet Khalsa.
But we also must not forget he was an amazing player. The AGA is most often run by players who
love the game, but are also frustrated by it. Thomas was one of those rare volunteers who was immensely strong. Just last week I drafted one of my “50 Years aGO” articles noting his challenge for the US Honinbo title in 1976.
Cover boy
He won the ING Cup twice, won the first Congress Championship, a US Fujitsu Qualifier and the US Open 3 times.
Perhaps his greatest achievement as a player was during the 1998 World Amatuer Go Championship. More than his respectable 8th place finish, his one point win over the Chinese representative was an American landmark.
USA defeats China, with a humble smile.
After the game, in typical Thomas style, he remarked “ I’m very happy - because Zhao (Wen Dong) is clearly stronger than me”
And that was the Thomas I will always remember. I met him at the first US Go Congress, and to this lowly 8 kyu, he was a source of awe, along with the pro visitors. I remember to this day, after a week of admiring his strength as a player, my shock when Ron Snyder was able to defeat him in the Eastern Championships at the end of the Congress.
Like my first mentor, the late Moon Cha, he always had time for learning players, and an eye for those who shared his joy, if not his strength, in the game.
Thomas, surrounded by his students, at his home in Rochester
Empty Sky Go Club’s Steve Colburn relates that Thomas would open his house to low dan and low kyu players for lessons. He compiled “the binder”, a collection of lessons and problems, which students “ coveted for a long time”. Thomas’ generosity did not end there, he supported local tournaments with items he had picked up on his overseas travels for use as prizes.
I will always cherish those moments when he took notice of me. Back in the heyday of IGS, with big pro games online, Thomas, or “nomad” as he was known, would part the sea of any kibitz when his presence was known. Asked about who was winning a game, I remember Thomas, who had just entered the game, stating quickly - “It looks like white leads by 2 or 3”. Looking back, I cannot believe I had the temerity to suggest ‘ I think it is 4”, only to be filled with pride when nomad responded “Its probably 4, Keith is usually right”.
I recall his kindness at an unremembered go congress where he noticed me discussing a taisha variation I had “invented’ that was fairly successful for me in the mid dan ranks. His eyes lit up and he jumped into the conversation, explaining that he had seen this overplay before. I was pleased that it took him three tries to demonstrate the error in my ways, and he was very complimentary and instructive
I consider the height of my achievement as a go player to be the moment in the 2004 US Open, when I realized that I was on a higher board than Thomas in the final round (mostly due to my pairing with an undefeated player).
International Relationships - a bald denier, Steve Colburn, Thomas and his wife Joy, at Phil Waldron and Cindy Pearson’s wedding in Canada.
It is unimaginable how much joy this quiet man has given to all of us.
a smooth, gentle breeze
calms cross oceans and nations,
splendid harmony
-hka
photos courtesy of the American Go Journal, Ranka Yearbook and Steve Colburn