UK News

The London Go Picnic held on Sunday 21st July was very successful. Despite the heatwave the sun was not too bright and there were plenty of trees in St James' Park to hide under and there was always the trip to the pub, for more games afterwards, to allow players to quench their thirsts.

Go featured on part 4 of "Child Genius" on Channel 4 on 2nd July. Oscar Selby was shown visiting the Oxford Tournament and playing in the British Youth go Championships at Aston, against various young players and receiving a prize from Tony Atkins.

With the completion of the 2012/13 season we're pleased to announce that Chris Bryant is taking over from Andrew Simons as team captain for the next season. We'd like to thank Andrew for his efforts in the past season and hope he continues to be part of the team.

We need to reverse our relegation from Division 2 as soon as possible, so we're asking our strongest players to contact Chris if you're interesting in playing for 2013/14, starting this September/October.

We've got a new club in East Sussex; see Seaford.

Letchworth Garden City Go Club met for the first time on Thursday April 18.

Nine people attended, including organizer Alison Bexfield 2d and husband Simon 1d. There was also a three-strong contingent, ranging in strength from 25k to 5k, from the Stone Free Go Friendly Association in nearby Stevenage and two other Letchworthians including a complete beginner, as well as two enthusiasts from further afield.

Ms Bexfield, who recently organised the very successful British Go Congress 2013, took on the three Stevenage players simultaneously as well as providing and checking teaching materials from the BGA for the new starter between moves!

She was pleased with the turnout and hopes, with further publicity, to attract more players in the future.

The club will meet at 8pm every Thursday during school term-time at the Central Methodist Church Hall, a couple of minutes drive from J9 of the A1(M).

Congratulations to Martha McGill on becoming the 200th player to be awarded a dan certificate by the BGA!

Congratulations also to Dylan Carter for becoming the 201st.

See our Dans list for a full list of all dan players with certificates awarded by us.

With great regret we have to announce that Norman Tobin died on 20th October 2012, after a long illness.

Norman was a long-time member of the British Go Association, starting in the 1970s, was Newsletter Editor in 1987-8, Honorary Secretary 1982-5 and President from 1985 to 1991. He was also a significant donor to the Association prior to his final illness.

His daughter writes "Playing Go was a big part of his life and I especially remember him going to Japan with the Go Association some years ago (Ed: the 1991 International Pairs Go Championship). As children we were taught to answer the phone and explain to visitors from Japan how to get to the Central London Go Club in Covent Garden, so that they could play while they were in England."

His funeral will be at 11:30am on Thursday 1st November at the Breakspear Crematorium, Ruislip. Further details c/o Wright Funeral Services 01494 863101.

Belated congratulations to Ingrid Jendrzejewski and Alex Selby on the birth of their daughter, Rosalind Margaret, on 1st October at 2:50pm, weighing in at 7.5 lbs.

Vanessa Wong has been awarded a 6 dan certificate by the BGA, following her excellent performance at the second World Mind Sports Games in Lille.

Congratulation to Vanessa Wong on her becoming No. 1 in the UK ratings, replacing Bei Ge who overtook long-time top player Matthew Macfadyen who had a bad tournament at the London Open 2011.

Just a small caution: only the Team event of the three WMSG events Vanessa took part it has so far been included in the rating list...