Background
We have run tournaments in the past and local players hosted the US Go Congress at St. John’s in 1998. We are planning to hold more tournaments for all levels of play and hope to attract all players from New Mexico and Colorado.
Rated Tournaments
As a chapter of the American Go Association (AGA) we plan to make our tournaments AGA Rated. This means that everyone entering will update or get a new AGA rating. The tournament will be run in accordance with:
our Tournament Policies and
the Official AGA Tournament Rules (2005).
The rules in effect with be the AGA Rules of Go. The AGA is the controlling body for amateur players in the US and provides many benefits for its members. Membership in the AGA is required for participating in an AGA rated tournament or the player has to pay a one time AGA tournament fee (currently $10). Joining the AGA for youths is a ‘no-brainer’ since the annual AGA membership fee for Youths (22 and under) is the same as a tournament fee ($10/yr) allowing the youth to play in as many AGA rated tournaments in the year as possible.
Prizes
In addition to getting an updated AGA rating, we hope to offer players prizes (cash, books or Go paraphernalia) for their section. With enough players, we hope to offer prizes for dan and kyu sections and may be even a Youth or Beginner section. The possibilities are endless and depend on the particular tournament director/manager/committee and, of course, players’ participation!
Time
We plan to use our Ing clocks for our tournaments. Typically, players are given so many minutes of basic time (typically 45 mins). At the end of the basic time there will be several periods of so many seconds (typically 3x30sec). When one period runs out the player can continue and use the next period. If all periods are used up, the player will forfeit the game. If a player makes a move and ‘hits’ his/her clock before a period runs out, the number of periods stays the same. Making a move within the first 30 sec retains the 3 periods, for example. This time is generally referred to as byo-yomi time.
Rounds
A one day tournament allows enough time for about 4 rounds. A two day tournament can fit in as many as 7 rounds. Opponents are paired for each round depending on their entering rank so that beginners will play other beginners and strong players will play strong players. As players win games, they will meet stronger players in subsequent rounds. It’s a lot of fun!