The 4th KPMC International Amateur Baduk Championship Update

The are total of 68 representative from all over the world meeting at Jeonju Korea from 23 Oct to 27 Oct to compete in this tournament. Tournamnet was conducted in 7 rounds Swiss system, even game with 6.5 komi, 30 min each with over-time (byo-yomi) 30 sec x 3 times.

The final top-10 ranking are as follow:

1.  Korea - Hong-Suk SONG (7d)
2.  China - Chen WANG (7d)
3.  Hong Kong - Nai San CHAN (6d)
4.  Japan - Moriei KANAZAWA (7d)
5.  USA - Yuan ZHOU (7d)
6.  Singapore - Jia Cheng TAN (6d)
7.  Chinese Taipei - Chun Yen LIN (6d)
8.  Canada - Gan Sheng SHI (6d)
9.  South Africa - Guang CHOW (7d)
10. Thailand - Ruechagorn TRAIPATANANUSORN (5d)

Malaysia player Mohd Zaid won 4 games in the 7 round tournamnet and ranked no. 29 in the top half, a slight improvement from last year's 35th place.

Click Photo Gallery to view more tournament pictures.

During the AGF (Asian Go Federation) General meeting, China (China Weiqi Association) has agreed to joint AGF and is processing internal approval of participation in AGF. Japan (Nihon Kiyin) will also agreed to participate at the same time when China got their internal approval to joint. Mr. Kunho Cho was re-elected as the president of AGF for another term of 2 years.

Update of 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games; As reported by Mr Zhang Wen Dong from Chine Weiqi Association, Weiqi competition will be held from 20-26 Nov 2010 in Guangzhou Qiyuan.

There will be 3 medals, Men's Team (5+1 players), Women's Team (3+1 players), Mixed Pair (2 pair).  Number of particapants per country is limited up to maximum of 10 peoples. (which mean if men's team and women's team have totla of 10 participant, the mixed pair players will be selected from the team members).

Competition will be using Chinese rules. Tournament will be in two stages, first all players will compete in preliminary round (6 round swiss system), the top 4 players will enter final stage, which is a knock-off match decide the champion. More details will be update later.

The 2009 AGF Baduk Instructor's Workshop; MWA representative Hock Doong attended the instructor's worksho, this workshop is focus on eduction for low level players (level 2 - 25 to 27 kyu) and  how to discriminate the "level" for beginner. The workshop also carry out some experimental game with a few low level (25 - 27 kyu) kids from baduk school.   

The 4th Korea Prime Minister Cup (KPMC) International Amateur Baduk Championship organized by Korea Amateur Baduk Association (KABA) is an annual event held in Jeonju Korea. It is held in conjunction with the 2009 Jeonju World Baduk Festival from 23 Oct to 27 Oct 2009, at the same time there will be a AGF Baduk Instructors Workshop, International Conference on Baduk, and Photograph exhibition on Korea Baduk histroty over the past 60 years. 

The KPMC & AABC selection tournament 

It's is expected to have representative from 71 countries and territories including Asia, Europe, Africa and America participate in this event to compete for the championship, the winner will be awarded an amateur 7 dan certificate. The Baduk Instructor workshop will have baduk instructors from all AGF country to meet each others to exchange ideas and discuss about teaching techiques to promote Baduk, Weiqi and Go to the world.

Malaysia Weiqi Association will send 3 representative to participate in the championship, baduk instructor workshop and international conference.

Mohd Zaid - Player                Chia Kok Hiong - Official       Ho Hock Doong - Instructor

His name is Iyama Yuta, 20 years old the first Japanese pro who was born in the Heisei era, and he has defeated title holder Cho U with a sounding win of 4-1 score. He now became the youngest Japanese professional to hold one of seven big Japanese titles!

Congrats to Iyama for playing extremely well in the match!

* Note ---  Picture taken from http://www.361points.com/blog/