Promoting Go in the UK and beyond

The British Go Association (BGA) exists to promote and support, the playing of the oriental board game Go in the United Kingdom.

The BGA has existed for about 50 years, and is actively involved in the organisation and promotion of Go playing in the UK. There are clubs in most big towns and cities, about 25 tournaments a year, a British Championship, Youth, teaching and other events.

The BGA plays an active part in the European Go Federation (EGF), taking its turn to be the host to the annual European Go Congress and other events. It is also a member of the International Go Federation (IGF).

The way the BGA is organised is defined in the BGA Constitution.

Join the BGA

We welcome anybody who loves the game of Go, is interested in the game or wants to support the idea of promoting Go playing, to join the BGA and so join a group of enthusiastic Go players and benefit from being part of a keen and dedicated organisation.

Membership entitles you to a year’s subscription to the British Go Journal, a bi-monthly newsletter (paper or electronic), reduced entry fees for tournaments, the ability to purchase books and equipment from the BGA bookseller at prices cheaper than in shops, the right to play in the British Championship and represent the UK internationally, access to names of other members in your area with the view to forming a Go club, the ability to receive the AGA's ejournal member edition, the ability to join in the BGA's training activities (such as the Shodan Challenge) and the right to use other BGA services, as appropriate.

Anyone may join the BGA, for payment of the appropriate membership fee; see the membership pages for more details.

BGA Officials

The BGA is entirely run by volunteers, who are organised into Council and various Committees. Who’s who is in the list of Officials of the BGA.

BGA Members

The BGA around 600 members, so we cannot tell you about them all here. But we do have pictures of some of them, including those who attend tournaments most, or are on the BGA Council and Committees.

BGA Clubs

There are Go clubs meeting in all parts of the country regularly or irregularly. Most, of course, welcome new players and visitors, but check that a meeting is actually going ahead before attending. Here is a list of BGA clubs.

Go clubs find having their own web page is very useful at attracting new players and visitors. We are offer free web space to BGA affiliated Go clubs, if they cannot host a page themselves. Clubs should send the webmaster text (plain or html) and any graphics. Club sites should contain meeting information and directions, a flavour of the club, plus any special activities being run.

Publications

The BGA publishes the British Go Journal, a bi-monthly Newsletter (paper or electronic) and there pages of news on this web site.

Details of these and others are available on the Publications page.

In addition, the American Go Association allows BGA members to receive the full members’ version of its weekly American Go E-Journal, which includes excellent teaching material, in addition to Go news from around the world. Members who wish to receive this should use the sign-up form.

The BGA also has a selection of promotional material for use by Go clubs and at publicity events.

BGA policies

As well as in the constition, many of the ways that the BGA operates are described on the BGA policies page.

Email lists

The BGA provides three email discussion lists: one for general discussion, one for debate about how the BGA is run, and one for organisers of youth Go. Here is how to join.

International Representation

Each year sponsors generously provide air tickets to allow British Go players to compete in the World Amateur Go Championship, the KPMC International Amateur Baduk Championships, and some years to the International Amateur Pair Go Championships, as representatives of the UK. In October 2008 players are attending the first World Mind Sports Games in Beijing.

There is also often representation in European tournaments, such as the European Students, European Pair Go and the Toyota-Denso Oza.

If representatives were chosen purely on the basis of strength, few players would benefit. They are therefore awarded on the basis of accumulated points.

Some Services to Members

The BGA Book Shop provides books, sets, and other supplies, at special members’ prices by post. There is a full price list.

Go playing and recording software is freely available from the BGA Software Catalogue. There is an analysis service, help with putting on tournaments, and other services to members and clubs. Details of many of these services are on the Go Resources page.

The Association monitors the European Go Ratings and recognises players with dan grades by issuing certificates, when they reach a certain standard. The BGA rating list shows the rating and grade equivalent of all tournament active players. There is also a list of active British dan-graded players.

The British Go Championship

The BGA organises an annual British Go Championship. The champion is the winner of a five game match between the top two players in the Challengers' League. Players qualify for the League by playing in the Candidates' Tournament which is open to all active tournament players above about 1 kyu in strength.

A History of the British Go Championship is also available. Matthew Macfadyen has been the champion in most recent years.

The rules of the British Championship are given here.

Go Tournaments in Britain

Around 25 Go tournaments are held regularly in Britain each year. The BGA helps with the organisation of these, and lends a draw computer, Go sets and clocks to them.

Go tournaments each have a slightly different culture, most have side tournaments and some quizzes and other competitions. Between rounds in these tournaments, unofficial activities sometimes take place, such as the playing of a card games; one that is particularly comon is a Chinese one known as Pits ” or Struggling Upwards.

This site gives the results of past tournaments and a tournament calendar of future ones. It also summarises many aspects of British Go History.

Tournaments held in co-operation with the BGA (since late 2007) normally use the AGA Rules.

If you plan to take children to a Go tournament, you should read the BGA policy on working with children and young people. Most events are suitable for older children, but you should check suitability for the very young.

Those interested in running their own tournament should check out the Tournament Organisers’ FAQ.