News

Tournament Report: 6th Pair Go Gala

Saturday, December 8, 2018 was the Go Center’s 6th annual Pair Go Tournament — the Gala Night of Pair Go!  Thirty Go players teamed up in pairs, seeking to beat the other pairs at their table.

Go players smiling and laughing in the middle of their games.

Table 3 players express their mirth. (Catherine Ozols Photography)

Each table had four teams — so, two games going at once. The winners of Round 1 faced each other in Round 2. At the end of Round 2, each table had one undefeated pair.

Final results – 2018 Pair Go Table Winners:
Table 1 – Lee Anne Bowie, 4k and Bill Chiles, 3k
Table 2 – Xiangnan Chen, 3k and Brian Dai, 7k
Table 3 – Monique Nickerson, 15k and Rick Campbell, 14k
Table 4 – Ann Thompson, 18k and Bill Thompson, 13k

Go players pose in a group, displaying prize folding fans.

Seattle 2018 Pair Go Table Winners. (Catherine Ozols Photography)

Fun fact: Hajin Lee, professional 4 dan, and her partner defeated popular Go Center lecturer Nick Sibicky and his partner, in Round 1. Here’s Nick’s review of his Pair Go match vs Hajin Lee.

Go players gaze fiercely at the board in the early midgame.

Hajin Lee and Dan Maas vs. Nick Sibicky and Sonny Cho (Table 1, Round 1). (Catherine Ozols Photography)

–Mike M.

Japan Fair 2018 in Bellevue

Seattle Go Center had volunteers introducing the game of Go at Japan Fair 2018 in Bellevue, Saturday July 7 and Sunday July 8.  We saw old friends and made new ones, and saw many exhibits about Japanese culture.

Saturday, we got the booth set up, using some Hikaru no Go posters and hangings that continue to attract attention.  The kids who enjoyed Hikaru when it was new, now are adults with children of their own, curious about Go.

Posters decorate a convention booth

Seattle Go Center booth at Japan Fair

Two players arrange stones on a 9x9 Go board

Dave introduces Go at Japan Fair

Three experienced Go players face three new players on small Go boards

Kyle, Mike, and Dave on 9×9

Sunday seemed even busier than Saturday.  Frank Fukuda sat with us and taught for a while, and Connie Hayashi brought some friends.  Some people mentioned that they know about the Go Center, and wish they had more time to come play.  Others were surprised to learn the Go Center exists.  Hopefully, they will come visit soon!

Two men play Go, one with his daughter on his lap

Two old friends learn Go together; in the foreground, two experienced players, one with his daughter, strike up a new friendship