News

Mr. Komatsu, 3 Dan Professional, March 9 – March 12

Mr. Daiki Komatsu, 3 Dan professional Go player of the Nihon Ki-in, has been visiting Seattle! Here is his profile page.

  • March 9 – Mr. Komatsu lectured at Nick Sibicky’s “Double Digit Kyu” class!
  • March 10 – Mr. Komatsu played simultaneous games, defeating seven challengers at once. Pizza for participants was provided courtesy of the AGA Chapter Rewards program.
  • March 11 – Mr. Komatsu visited the Uwajimaya weekly Go outreach meetup that Go Center volunteers have facilitated for many years.
  • March 12 – Mr. Komatsu will visit the Couth Buzzard weekly Go outreach meetup.

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus outbreak, two school visits had to be canceled.

Daiki Komatsu faces multiple opponents.
Daiki Komatsu 3 Dan battles multiple Go players.
Mr. Komatsu engaged 7 players simultaneously

— Mike M.

Happy 2020 from Mr. Yang

Happy 2020 puzzle for Go players
Happy 2020 puzzle from Mr. Yang

This is (basically) the same puzzle that appeared in the American Go E-Journal near the end of 2019. The picture links to the SGF — happy solving! (Thank you, Mr. Yang!)

— Mike M.

Thank you, Yuto!

Mr. Yuto Tajiri (“call me Yuto”), 5 Dan professional Go player with the Nihon Ki-in, visited Seattle Go Center, March 4 – March 7, and engaged in many activities with us.

Monday, despite several hours of airplane travel, Yuto took over Nick Sibicky’s DDK class, and reviewed a game vs. Hideo Otake, professional 9 Dan. Then Yuto and Nick played a demonstration game together and reviewed it.

Tuesday, Yuto met with Weiqi students at UW on campus at Red Square. In the warm sunshine, he played public teaching games on 9×9.

Then in the afternoon, with the stamina of a true professional, he played simultaneous games — then did it again in the evening!

Yuto Tajiri 5P playing simuls in the afternoon, and into the evening.

Wednesday, Yuto taught Go to 2nd-grade students at University Child Development School. These kids visit senior citizens living at Nikkei Manor — and now Go is one of the things they can do on their visits!

Smiling Go players face each other for casual and teaching games in a food court.

Wednesday evening, Yuto visited the Go Center’s long-running outreach project at the Uwajimaya food court.

1 Go player takes on 2 opponents while another watches.

Yuto played teaching games and simuls at Uwajimaya.

Thursday, Yuto taught Go at the McDonald International School Go Club. In the evening, one more lecture at the Go Center; then Friday, back to the airport.

Yuto Tajiri 5P with the instructors of McDonald International School Go Club

The Go Center is deeply grateful to the Nihon Ki-in and to Tajiri-sensei for the visit and so much hard work. Thank you!

–Mike M.

Mr. Tajiri, 5 Dan Professional, March 4 – March 7

Mr. Yuto Tajiri, 5 Dan professional Go player of the Nihon Ki-in, will be visiting Seattle!  Here is his profile page.

Mon. March 46:30-8:30 PMMr. Tajiri takes over Nick Sibicky’s “Double Digit Kyu” class!
Tue. March 52:00-4:30 PMSimultaneous games! $10 donation requested ($5 Youth / Voting Members). Sign up in advance.
Tue. March 56:00-8:30 PM Simultaneous games! $15 donation requested ($10 Youth / Voting Members). Sign up in advance.
Wed. March 66:00-7:30 PMVisit to the Uwajimaya Go outreach project.
(600 5th Ave. S., Seattle 98104)
Thu. March 76:00-8:00 PMMr. Tajiri lectures about Go! No charge (donations gratefully accepted; and ordinary Go Center admission applies).

Mr. Tajiri departs Friday; no weekend seminar this time around.  Mr. Tajiri will also visit two Go programs at Seattle schools on this trip. 

Seattle Go Center is incredibly fortunate that professional players share their expertise with us. Please enjoy these special events.

AGA – Tygem Pro Prelim Results

Results have been posted to this AGA webpage:  tournament results 

This tournament, on May 5 and 6 at the Seattle Go Center,  selected Edward Kim to go to North Carolina in July to compete for the new AGA pro position.   The winner of that competition will be able to compete in five Korean Baduk Association tournaments.  [ Read more… ]

“This must be the very symbol of international friendship”

The Seattle Go Center was made possible by a generous donation from Kaoru Iwamoto 9 Dan.  Frank Fukuda recently provided this translation of Mr. Iwamoto’s letter of 1996, which followed his visit to the Seattle Go Center:


                                                                 —dated Oct. 10, 1996

 Dear Mr. Fukuda,

 I would like to express my appreciation for your thoughtful arrangements and wonderful hospitality rendered to me while I have been in your area in September. 

The two weeks stay there was now felt so short and I feel like it passed like a blink.

But while I was there, I had a pleasure of watching the one year anniversary tournament at the Seattle Go Center where American, Chinese, Korean and Japanese Go players getting together and enjoying the Go in the same room and I felt that this must be the very symbol of international friendship.

– – – – – – –

I could see that the management of the Go Center now moving on the firm rail and I ask you to continue your leadership for the success of  the Center.

– – – – – – –

I have left United States on 30th and arrived Narita safely.

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to you for your arrangements and also to Mr. Wang(Andy) for furnishing accommodation for the period of two weeks.

Lastly but not least, I would be most happy if you could convey my deepest gratitude to all the directors and players of Seattle Go Center.

 Yours sincerely,

 

Kaoru Iwamoto 

 

Pro Visiting on Tues. Jan 24

Ms. Chizu Kobayashi 5D from Japan will be visiting the Seattle Go Center on Tuesday, Jan. 24.  She will be playing simultaneous games at 3:30 p.m., and give a lecture in the evening, at 7:30 p.m.  Ms. Kobayashi is also representing the Nihon Ki-in, which provided the funding for the Seattle Go Center.  We look forward to her visit.