News

Our program of free classes continues on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings during the months of June and July.  The classes are free, and your first ten visits to the Go Center are free.  If you are under 18 years old, then all your visits to the Go Center are free!

Nick Sibicky Teaching Double Digit Kyu Class

Nick Sibicky will continue to teach the Double Digit Kyu Player (DDK) class in June; we will have guest teachers in July.  This is on Mondays at 6:30 p.m.  So if you want to be in the live audience [ Read more… ]

We will be open very late May 22-26 for all the AlphaGo/Ke Jie Events, watching the broadcasts from China live. The Games with top professional Ke Jie are on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, starting around 7:30 p.m. (Seattle time.) These are long games, so 9 -12 p.m. may be the best time to watch. We do not have a schedule yet for when the on-line commentators are going to be starting. Our  Events Calendar will be updated as we get more information. 

Watch party for the first AlphaGo/Lee Sedol game in 2016

This is one of our three big tournaments of the year — there will be cash prizes, plus book prizes and equipment prizes. Special prizes for youth. A great way to play some intense Go face to face. 3 rounds, Japanese rules. [ Read more… ]

Instructors John Richards (right) and Dan Top (rear right) in 2016

We will be teaching and sharing the game of Go at the Cherry Blossom Festival at Seattle Center on Friday, April 21, Saturday, and Sunday.  We are in our regular place in the Loft of the Armory (one floor up from the food court). [ Read more… ]

Last year’s trophy for the Sunday 13×13 Tournament. Photo by Dennis Wheeler

This weekend, April 14 – 16, we will be at Sakura Con, sharing the game of Go with anime and manga fans.  We are in the same room as last year,  Room 305 of the Washington State Convention and Trade Center.  Remember that you do not need a ticket or pass to reach us.  We are outside the gates of the restricted area.   Just go up the escalator, and take a left on the third floor.

Bian Wenkai (on right) with instructor Ben Resnick

Bian Wenkai 2P, a young pro from the Nihon Ki-in, visited the Seattle Go Center from March 23 to March 28.  Originally from Shanghai, Mr. Bian is fluent in Japanese and Chinese, and also speaks some English.  A friendly and generous teacher, Bian Sensei visited the McDonald International School Go Club, the Zoka Coffeehouse group, and played against a team of players at Nick Sibicky’s  DDK Class at the Seattle Go Center.  He gave a lecture on Sunday afternoon, and he also played simultaneous games four times at the Go Center. Forty-nine people visited the Go Center on the Tuesday, when Bian Wenkai was there.  Report and photos by Brian Allen

Playing simul games on Tuesday

Players in the 19×19 Tournament

The Spring Children’s Tournament had sections for 19×19 games, and for 13×13 games.  All of the 19×19 players were students of Sonny Cho, mostly from his class at the Northwest Chinese School in Bellevue.  The four 13×13 players were from the McDonald International School Go Club, and from the Saturday players at the Seattle Go Center.  [ Read more… ]

Taking a break at the January Youth Tournament

The Spring Children’s Tournament will be this Sunday, March 12, starting at 10:30 a.m.  All players  14 and under are welcome. [ Read more… ]

Some friends from the forum lifein19x19 were interested in how we used our gobans (floor boards) in the main playing room.  The low tables are simply made with plywood, so we have covered them with tablecloths.  The little side tables for stones help a lot. This photo is from the 2015 Jin Chen Tournament.

Chihyung Nam at the Go Center in 2012

Korean Pro and Myongji University Professor Chihyung Nam is visiting Seattle this week.  She will be playing simultaneous games at the Seattle Go Center on Tuesday, Feb. 7, starting at 6:30 p.m.  On Wednesday, at 7:00 p.m., she will be lead a discussion of her book “Contemporary Go Terms”.  On Thursday, she will be visiting the after school Go Club at McDonald International School.  Welcome back, Chihyung!