Despite a slow start with 3W-2L in the preliminary rounds, New Jersey native Alexander Qi 1P defeats Li 2P (5-0) of China and Shim of Korea in the knockout stage of the 40th World Youth Go Championship (WYGC) on August 27, 2025. In the semi-final vs Li 2P, Qi leads the whole game but after 2-point deduction due to added time, it becomes a half-point game. The final vs Shim was somewhat under "cruise control". See full Championship Results here.
40th WYGC Final (SGF Record, W+R)
The blue line shows Black's win % and the red line shows territory point difference.
40th WYGC Semi-final (SGF Record, W+R)
The blue line shows Black's win % and the red line shows territory point difference.
The world title is not only a new milestone for the U.S., but also first world Go championship ever won by a player outside of East Asia. Ryan Li 4P from New York, first ever North American player to defeat a world champion, commented on Qi, his apprentice with "4-star general poise". Head coach Mingjiu Jiang 7P led USA U-18 and U12 representatives to the world championship. Robert Qi accompanied his son to witness the historical moment, although experienced a few sleepless days.
Many countries held qualifiers for the 40th WYGC. The fourteen U-18 elites include:
- 4 players from the Europe Go Federation
- 2 players from Malaysia
- 2 players from North America (Qi 1P and Crane Kuo from Canada who won 6th-place)
- 4 players from East Asia (Pro from China, Pro from Chinese Taipei, Pro from Japan and Korean top yunguseng)
- 1 player from Singapore and 1 from Thailand.
Since Pro-certified in 2022, Qi 1P has gradually improved to a top N.A. professional, demonstrated by his better records each year in the NA Masters and NA Pro Tournament. That could be a small step for the 17-year-old HS senior, but one giant leap for American Go.
World team leaders gather with the Ing Goe Foundation, the Malaysia Weiqi Sport Association and the Malaysia Weiqi Association executives.
The Rise of Go in North America in the Past 50 Years
Over the past decade, the American Go Association (AGA) has helped cultivate one of the strongest Go communities North America has ever seen. A key milestone came in 2020, when the AGA and the Canadian Go Association (CGA) teamed up to create the North American Go Federation (NAGF).This new federation not only revived the Professional Qualification Tournament but also welcomed top players from Mexico into the mix. Backed by the Iwamoto North America Foundation (INAF) and Google DeepMind, the CGA went on to host a major open tournament and several invitationals in Toronto in 2022. The 2nd NA Pro Tournament was held in Washington DC in 2025.
The INAF itself has deep roots. Founded in 2014 by the AGA and the Nihon Ki-in, it was named after the legendary Japanese pioneer Iwamoto Kaoru 9P. The Nihon Ki-in has long invested in North American Go—founding the Seattle Go Center and the New York Go Center, helping launch what is now the National Go Center in Washington D.C., and supporting young American talent. Perhaps the best-known example is Michael Redmond 9P, who became a professional in 1981 and, nearly two decades later in 2000, made history as the first Western player ever to achieve the rank of 9-dan professional. Minnesota’s James Kerwin 1P also earned professional status through the Nihon Ki-in back in 1978.
The American Go Foundation (AGF) has been focused on youth Go activities. Notable achievements include organizing the Youth Room at the annual U.S. Go Congress, issuing Go scholarships, hosting innovative Crazy Go events, and honoring educators through the Teacher of the Year award.
The Ing’s Goe Foundation (a.k.a. Ing Chang-Ki Wei-Ch'i Educational Foundation) has been a steady supporter of North American Go for decades. Its sponsorship has made possible flagship events like the World Youth Goe Championship (History), the North American Ing Masters, the American Chang Qi Tournament (Link Boston, 2014), and the American Collegiate Go Association.
Chinese professionals also made a major impact beginning in the 1990s. Stars such as Jiang Zhujiu 9P, Rui Naiwei 9P, Feng Yun 9P, Jiang Mingjiu 7P, and Yang Yilun 7P settled in the U.S. and began teaching. They trained a few generations of strong young players—some of whom later went pro themselves—and brought world-class experience to regional tournaments. Their willingness to play rated games gave American amateurs rare opportunities to test and improve their skills: Jiang 7P alone logged 137 AGA-rated games, while Feng 9P played 47.
Last but not least, the Korean Baduk Association (KBA) contributed in its own way. It trained Illinois native Janice Kim 3P, who turned professional in 1987, and later supported expatriate pros like Kim Myungwan 9P, Kim Yoonyoung 8P, and Lee Hajin 4P as teachers and mentors in the U.S. The AGA Professional System launched in 2011 (Link). Kim Myungwan 9P (18W–0L) and Lee Hajin 4P (17W–0L) also gave American amateurs good challenges by playing extensively in rated games.
Photo Credit: Malaysia Weiqi Association, Yike Weiqi, Robert Qi