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The Spring 2026 edition of the BGJ is now available for members to read in the Members' Area, with printed copies being sent out to those that receive them.

After finishing second in League B (behind the Netherlands) the UK team had to play a promotion match against the team second bottom in League A. At one point it was expected this would be Hungary, but Israel ended in the ninth slot on tie-break. Italy was bottom and automatically relegated. Israel fielded a strong team and only Damen Woo, playing on board one, managed to win for the UK, so the match was lost 1-4 and the UK remain in League B next season.

League Page with game records

Damen Woo wrote: I had played a few games with this opponent, Amir Fragman, previously. In this game, I tried a creative opening to throw him a surprise and take the game off-book. Swimming in…

The Welsh Open was in its usual seaside venue of the Dragon Theatre in Barmouth. It was a little earlier in the year than normal and this worked well as they had had lovely sunny weather throughout the weekend. The tournament featured 28 players, ranging from 4d to 23k, including former multiple winner Matthew Macfadyen. It was great too that the late Brian Timmins' daughter Helen, and her daughter, visited to present prizes, and donate more Go equipment to the Youth Go Trust.

Jake Game (4d) from Swindon was the champion winning all his six games. Second was Alvina Kwok (3d) from Oakham School with five wins.…

In the last round of the Pandanet Go European Team Championship the UK managed to beat Finland and hold onto the second place in the B League. Unfortunately Michael Chang forgot that his game was an early start and it was forfeited to Olli Ervelä. However the other three UK players won by resignation to take the match 3-1. This means the UK will have to play Israel in a play-off to gain promotion to the A League.

League winners Netherlands beat Sweden who ended third. Fourth placed South Africa drew with Ireland, leaving them in fifth. Karl Irwin lost to Victor Chow and Gavin Rooney to Andrew Davies, but both Matei Garcia and Stephen Nulty won. Sixth was Finland, seventh Belgium and, despite their huge number of penalty…

The Candidates' and Aspirants' tournaments were once again held over the Early May Bank Holiday weekend, this time in two bright, spacious rooms at the University of Warwick, kindly arranged by the university's Go society.

In Candidates', congratulations to Zeyu Qiu (6d, LGC) who swept 1st place with 6/6 wins. Becky Li (1d, UCL) took 2nd after a remarkable run through a very strong field, finishing on 5/6 with her only loss being to Zeyu. The two will proceed to a best-of-three Title Match to determine the 2026 British Go Champion. Jake Game (4d, Swindon) and Ryan Zhang (3d, London City)…