Introduction: The preeminent US Go event of the year is bigger and better than ever!
This year the US Open has been expanded to include the strongest players. Last year, the highest-ranked players were assigned to the Masters tournament, which was separate from the US Open. This separation created the possibility that the strongest player in the US Open might be stronger than the weakest player in the Masters. To avoid this undesirable possibility, there will not be a separate Masters tournament this year; instead, it has been blended into the US Open.
To still provide optimal playing conditions for the strongest players, a separate playing area will be used for the top boards. For each round, the pairings for the US Open will indicate your board number, and your board number will determine your tournament room. The tournament director (TD) will specify the number of “Top Boards”. The Top Boards will play in the Strong Players Room, and the other boards (the “Main Boards”) will play in the Main Playing Area. Exceptional play can potentially get you promoted from a Main Board to a Top Board.
Location: For each round, your board number determines if you are on a Main Board or a Top Board. The TD will decide the cut-off between Main and Top boards.
♦ If you are on a Main Board, you will play in the Main Playing Area (the Grand Ballroom).
♦ If you are on a Top Board, you will play in the Strong Players Room (the Old Meeting House).
When: There are nominally six rounds that start at 9am on Sun, Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, and Sat. The TD can optionally schedule an extra round on Fri evening, starting at 7pm, if needed to determine the winner.
Eligibility: Anyone with an AGA ID who registers to play. You MUST confirm your participation when you check in to the US Go Congress. To play in the first round, you must check in by 8pm on Saturday (7/25).
All players who have an AGA rating are required to enter at a rank consistent with their latest AGA rating. Exceptions to this rule will be allowed only with the explicit approval of the TD. Players who do not have an AGA rating must enter at a rank approved by the TD.
Rules: AGA rules will be used. In non-handicap games, komi for white is 7.5 points; otherwise it is 0.5 points.
Time Controls: Bonus time will be used. Each player will get a base time of 60 minutes and a bonus time of 20 seconds per move.
Handicaps: Games will be even in most sections. In the lower kyu sections, the TD will assign handicaps based on band differences.
Prizes: Top players in each section according to McMahon scoring will receive prizes. The highest scoring player will be the new US Open Champion. Award sections will be divided based on the number of participants at each entering rank.
Additional Info: All games will be AGA-rated. If you wish to skip any round of the tournament, be sure to request a “bye” from the TD before 8 PM the day before the round that you will miss. If a bye is not recorded ahead of time, and you miss your round, you will automatically forfeit the game.
Electronic devices are allowed for recording games, but must be remain visible to opponents at all times. They must also be left at the playing table when taking bathroom breaks. Use of AI aids is strictly forbidden and will be considered grounds for removal from the tournament. If there’s any question about a recording device, players may request the TD to inspect and approve the device.
Tournament Director: TBD (name and email).