In addition to the US Open — which is the biggest and best US tournament of the year — there are many other tournaments for you to enjoy at the Congress. These tournaments offer a great opportunity to compete and to experience different game formats. Explore the descriptions below to choose which tournaments appeal to you the most.
Let’s begin by describing how we have improved the US Open tournament for this Congress — by including all the strongest players.
Last year, the highest ranked players were assigned to the Masters tournament, which was completely separate from the US Open. But since current rank does not always reflect current ability, this created the possibility last year that the strongest up-and-coming players in the US Open might have been stronger than the weakest players in the Masters.
To avoid that undesirable possibility, we will not have a separate Masters tournament this year. Instead, it has been blended into the US Open, including amateur and professionals of any rank. To maintain optimal playing conditions for the Top Boards in the US Open, they will play in the Strong Players Room (Old Meeting House), while the Main Boards will play in the Main Playing Area (Grand Ballroom). Click on the “US Open” link below for more information, including how to determine if YOU will be on a Top Board or a Main Board.
Overall, two rooms are being used for the tournaments:
– Main Playing Area (Grand Ballroom) is located on Floor 4
– Tournaments: US Open (Main Boards), Seniors, Women’s, 9×9, 13×13,
Lightning Go, Crazy Go, Die Hard, Self-Paired, Baum Prizes.
– Strong Players Room (Old Meeting House) is located on Floor 1
– Tournaments: US Open (Top Boards), Redmond Cup, Girls Cup,
Pair Go & Qualifier & Main Event, City League Finals.
The Time Controls and Tournament Rules are presented below, after the Tournament Descriptions section.
TOURNAMENTS
Click on the links below to see a description for each tournament.
US Open
Seniors
Women’s
9×9
13×13
Lightning Go
Die Hard
Crazy Go
Self-Paired
Baum Prizes
Pair Go
Redmond Cup Finals
Girls Cup Finals
City League Finals
TIME CONTROLS
Most tournaments will use Bonus (Fischer) time controls (Lightning Go is one of the exceptions, which will use sudden death.) Bonus Time is a timing system where each player starts with a base amount of time, and gains additional (bonus) time after each move. Additional information on the Bonus Time system is given HERE .
A summary of the time controls for some of the tournaments is shown in the table below. The time controls for each tournament is listed in the Tournament Descriptions (links given above). To make your experience more enjoyable, the clocks will be pre-set with the correct time controls for each tournament. You will just need to activate the clock at the start of play. Instructions for using the clocks will be placed next to each board.
Tournament Rules
- AGA rules will be in effect for most tournaments. Exceptions are noted in the tournament descriptions.
- AGA Concise Rules of Go.
- AGA Complete Rules of Go.
- Tournament Directors have the final say over any disputes.
- For major tournaments, if your opponent hasn’t shown up after 10 minutes, you may start their clocks. If they still haven’t shown up after an additional 20 minutes (30 minutes total), they will forfeit their game. Please see the TD for further actions.
Note that when AGA rules are in effect, White must make the last move in a game; if necessary, by an additional pass, with a stone passed to the opponent as usual. The total number of stones played or passed by the
two players during the entire game must be equal. At the end of the game, all neutral points (dame) should be filled. If you pass instead of filling a dame point, you give your opponent a “pass stone” worth one point.
Proper Conduct and Etiquette
- Tournaments should be enjoyable for all.
- Please always show respect for your opponent and other players.
- Games should be won by superior talent and technique.
- Refrain from distracting behavior and noisemaking near tournament play.
- Please analyze games away from tournament play.
- Please show courtesy by arriving promptly for all events.
- Report all results immediately after the conclusion of your games.
- Be courteous in defeat and generous in victory.
- Remember that you will have ample opportunity to experience both during the week.
- Resign when you have clearly lost.
Please make every effort to aid those who are not native English speakers and who may have trouble understanding the Congress regulations and schedule.