News

Jin Chen Tournament, Jan. 5, 2020

Seattle Go Center held the annual Jin Chen tournament on January 5, 2020. There were 41 players — 33 in the Handicap section, and 8 in the Open. Nick Wilmes, Seattle’s AGA Chapter Representative, was Tournament Director; and pizza lunch from Pudge Bros. was provided for all players, thanks to the generosity of Seattle AGA Chapter and the AGA Chapter Rewards program.

The tournament has been rated already:
Open – agagd.usgo.org/tournaments/seat20200105open/
Handicap – agagd.usgo.org/tournaments/seat20200105handi/

Round 1 games at the 2020 Seattle Jin Chen Go Tournament

Youth players made a strong showing. Overall, 39% (16 out of 41) of the players were Youth, including two in the Open section — including the Open winner, Xinlei Liu 7d.

One advantage to having a relatively large field in the Handicap section is that most games were played even or at a low handicap. Out of 88 games played, all but 3 had a handicap of three stones or less.

Players who won three games:
Xinlei Liu, 7d
Chris Scribner, 1d
Alex Hu, 2k
Yulissa Wu Lu, 7k
Brian Allen, 9k
Quincy Costello, 19k

— Mike M.

24th Anniversary Tournament Report

October 6, 2019, Seattle Go Center held a Go tournament to celebrate our 24th anniversary. AGA Chapter Rep Nick Wilmes officiated with aplomb.

Forty Go players signed in to compete — including ten Youth players, younger than 18 — and the first round was delayed several minutes while AGA memberships were initiated or renewed, pairings were tweaked, and extra clocks were brought out. The players didn’t seem to mind, chatting with friends old and new.

Go players gaze seriously at their games in progress.

Seattle Go Center 24th Anniversary Tournament – Open Section

Young girls take the white stones, elder men take the black stones.

Seattle Go Center 24th Anniversary Tournament – Handicap Section

After the first games, pizza lunch from Pudge Bros. was quickly demolished by the hungry Go players and their support staff (a.k.a. families).

Go players display their winning certificates.

When the dust settled after the third round, Haichen Zhu 7 Dan had won the Open Section (and the $150 prize).

Three men discuss a table full of books about Go.
Seattle Go Center 24th Anniversary Go Tournament. Prize table for Handicap Section.

In the Handicap Section, 3-game winners were Brendan Roof 1 Dan, Lucy Lu Wang 2 Kyu, David Snow 5 Kyu, Emma Huang 12 Kyu, and Derek Wisher 14 Kyu, and they got to select a prize from a table loaded down with books about Go. Ms. Huang also won the Youth Prize.

One advantage of having such a large field of competitors is that nearly everyone had someone near their strength to play against. In the Handicap Section, all but two of the games were played at a handicap of 3 or less.

Join us at the Go Center for the next tournament, Sunday November 3. There’s no entry fee (and no prizes), and AGA membership is required. The next tournament with prizes (and entry fees) is the Jin Chen, scheduled for January 5, 2020.

–Mike M.

Youth Tournament Sunday, March 31

  • At Seattle Go Center, 700 NE 45th St., 2nd floor
  • Starts at 1:00; finished by 4:00 (maybe earlier)
  • Kids 17 and younger (parents please stay with your children; we have comfy chairs and wi-fi)
  • Fun and wacky team Go events
    • Tag Team Go
    • ZenGo
    • Teams will be chosen at the event
  • Prizes for all participants – Go sets, books, small fun items
  • Free of charge! Register at the event

— Mike M.

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.

Gala Pair Go Tournament Dec. 8 With Haylee!

Seattle Go Center is pleased to present the 6th Annual Gala Night of Pair Go

  • * Saturday, December 8 (following 2nd Saturday Speed League).
  • * Register in person, 5:00 – 5:30 PM.
  • * $10 entry ($5 for youth 17 and younger / Go Center voting members).

This is a great holiday event, with two rounds of Pair Go, cake, prizes and lots of fun.  (We expect to finish the evening around 10 PM.)  We will be following International Pair Go Rules.  Each team must have one male partner, and one female, transgender, or non-binary partner.  Team members may be of any age.  This is not an official Pair Go competition, so formal dress is encouraged, but not required.

Special guest Hajin Lee, 4 Dan professional —  Haylee’s World of Go/Baduk — is expected to play!

Fall Youth Tournament Nov. 18

Sunday November 18, 2018, Seattle Go Center held our annual Fall Youth Tournament. It was a fun event where the kids could choose whether to play their games on 19×19 or 13×13. Eight kids played three rounds on 19×19, and thirteen played four rounds on 13×13.

A girl and a boy studying their game of Go moves

Intent 13×13 players

For most of them, it was their first tournament ever. The youngest player was in preschool! The oldest players were in 7th grade.

All participants got to choose a prize from a pool of Go equipment, toys, and interesting items, awarded in order of results. Players with more wins and higher SODOS statistics got to choose their prize sooner. The Go sets went very quickly! (Go equipment prizes were donated, so if you have a board in good condition that you just don’t use anymore, consider donating it to the Go Center.)

Smiling boy holds game of Go equipment

Go equipment – most popular prize

Deep thanks go to Sonny Cho, Peter Kron, and Brian Allen for making it smooth and satisfying; also to the families who make it possible for their kids to play!

Kids and an adult observe a Go game in progress

Competitors and onlookers

–Mike M.

23rd Anniversary Tournament

Sunday, October 7, 2018, the Go Center held a three-rounds tournament to celebrate our 23rd anniversary.  32 players attended, a quarter of whom have Youth memberships in the AGA!  The “Open” section was limited to eight players maximum, all vying for the First Prize of $150 cash.  It was won by Alex Xinlei Liu 7 dan with a 3-0 record, who has been a strong contender here, even winning the Seattle Go Center Spring Tournament Open in 2017.

Go players focused on their games

23rd Anniversary Tournament, Round 1

Tournament Director Bill Chiles handled clock malfunctions and consequent pairing delays with aplomb, and Daniel Top stepped in smoothly to render assistance.

The twenty-four players in the “Handicap” section all had games with handicaps of 3 stones or less, and all but two games were at 2 stones or less.  “Handicap” players who won all three of their games were awarded prizes of Go books and equipment.  In addition, there was a cash prize for the Youth (under 18) player with the best win-loss record, which was divided among three Youth who went undefeated!

Open Section 3-game winner:  Alex Xinlei Liu 7 dan

Handicap Section 3-game winners: Yao, Zhihong (2 dan), Chen, Xiangnan (3 kyu), Brown, Frank (6 kyu), Lu, Lucas Wu (9 kyu), Schmitten, George (9 kyu), Lu, Yulissa Wu (10 kyu), Ling, Amy (15 kyu).

 

May 19 & 20: Outreach and Youth Tournament

We have lots happening on the weekend of Saturday, May 19 and Sunday May 20.  This includes two days of outreach at the U District Street Fair, a Saturday evening appearance at the new McDonald International School, the Youth 19×19 tournament on Sunday at 1:00, and the AGA chapter meeting at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.  For more information, please click on our calendar on the Events Page: 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… ]

About the Monthly Ratings Tournament

The monthly ratings tournament is usually on the first Sunday of the month.  Registration is from 12:15 – 12:45, and games begin at 1:00 p.m.  There are three rounds, and we usually finish between 6:00 -7:00 p.m.  There is no special  fee for the tournament, but players must be members of the American Go Association ($30/yr. for adults, $10/yr. for youth)  You can register on-line by following this link:  AGA

Tournament players must also pay their usual attendance fee, or be voting members of the Go Center (lifetime, yearly, and quarterly members).  More info on membership is here: Members

The ratings tournaments are a great opportunity to play some serious Go in a serene setting.  Whether you want to improve your AGA rating, or just want to immerse yourself in a good game, the ratings tournaments are for you.