After the London Open the final placings for 2002 were
- Jonathan Englefield 13-kyu High Wycombe 1351
- Paul Blockley 14-kyu Worcester 1338
- Shawn Hearn 5-kyu Berkshire Youth 1131
The BGA Council ratified the following grades/promotions
on 30/11/02:
1 dan - Andrew Morris
on 28/09/02:
3 dan - Tim Hunt
3 dan - Dan Gilder
2 dan - Henry Segerman
1 dan - Mark Collinson
1 dan - Niall Cardin
The BGA is sorry to announce that John Rickard (4 dan Cambridge) passed away in hospital in May 2002 following a liver infection. Highlights of his Go career include winning the 1987 British Open, challenging for the British Championship and representing the UK in the World Amateur. The funeral was on 23/05/02 in Cambridge and was attended by representatives of the BGA. In his memory the BGA Puzzle and Quiz book has been published to raise money for the British Liver Trust.
The AGM of the BGA was held at the BGC in Edinburgh 23/03/02. The proposed change in BGA subscriptions was agreed (starting July 2002). The BGA accounts were approved. Tony Atkins is now a Vice-President and has been replaced as Secretary by Tim Hunt. Les Bock and Natasha Regan are joining Council.
The Kisei Title Match first game was played in London on 10/01/02 and 11/01/02. An audience about 50 strong watched by video link in the Montcalm Hotel. Professionals Kato, Kudo and Redmond analysed the game for locals and for Japanese TV. Various BGA members were also interviewed on Japanese TV. In the match game O Rissei (defending Champion) beat Ryu Shikun after a long and interesting game. Six professionals also attended the Central London Go Club on Saturday 12th and Michael Redmond and Yuki Shigeno attended the Kisei Youth Tournament on 13th at the Nippon Club.
Ryu Shikun won the second game by half a point, the third by 2.5. O Rissei won game 4
by 4.5 and game 5 by resignation (best of seven).
O won the sixth game by 2.5 points on 7th March to retain the title.).
After British Go Congress 2002 the final points for the year were:
1. Francis Roads - 29
2. Seong-June Kim - 22
3. David Ward - 21
4. Young Kim - 18
So Francis Roads retains the Stacey Trophy.
The WKD (Weak Kneed Dans) Grand Prix was won again Alan Thornton who gets to keep the
WKD trophy.