News

British Go Journal No. 13. April 1971. Page 4.

Wessex Go Tournament

The Wessex Go Tournament was held on Sunday, 1st November, when about 30 players from the south of England met in the Town Hall of Marlborough. It is hoped that this will become a regular competition for the trophy presented by Robnor Paints of Swindon.

Also present were the BBC in the guise of a Radio 4 interviewer, who talked to Francis Roads. He seemed to find it hard to believe that intelligent adults could spend their time in this way but, nevertheless, the interview was broadcast on the Today programme the next morning.

By imposing very strict time limits the organisers managed to fit in four rounds of play. While this proved rather tiring for the competitors, particularly for the heroes who had to leave Cambridge at 6 a.m., it made the journey worth while.

Thanks are due to Mrs. Chandler and Mrs. Snelgrove, who did the catering, and to Bristol Go Club for organising a very enjoyable day.

Death of Felix Dueball

Go players throughout Europe were saddened to hear last autumn of the death at the age of 90 of Felix Dueball, one of the first Go players In Germany.

Tokyo Newsletter

from Stuart Dowsey

We have a new Meijin, Fujisawa Shuko. This is the second time he has held the title as he was the winner of the First Meijin Tournament in 1962. Since that time he has been eclipsed by Sakata and the rising Rin Kaiho, but now he has emerged again with a convincing win, 4 - 2, in the 1970 series. Fujisawa won the first game, slipped behind when Rin won the next two games, but took the next three in a row to win the title.

For those who already have everything in the Go field, an enterprising company has produced a series of lessons (in Japanese) on an LP record. The first volume is out, and features an introductory course by Sakakibara, 8 dan, who is also the regular beginners teacher on NHK television.

Among the latest arrivals here in Tokyo is Mark Hall, late of London Go Club. He is working at the British Embassy and will stay 2½ years. In the few months he has been here he has already reached a respectable 3-kyu level. If a few more Englishmen like him and John Tilley could get to Tokyo, the general level of Go in Britain would benefit no end.

Mark Hall and John Tilley both took part in an international goodwill match, in which a team of foreigners resident in Tokyo played a team of Japanese women from the Koyukai group. The foreigners won by 8 matches to 2.

European Congress 1970

Last years European Congress and Championship, held in Vienna, was notable for the best British performance for some years. John Diamond, with a 3-3 record against 4th and 5th dan opposition, was placed third in the Championship, and on the basis of these results was promoted to 4th dan.

The winner once again was Jurgen Mattern, 5th dan, from Berlin, who has won more times than not in recent Championships, and is probably the strangest player in Europe. Second was last years surprise winner, Manfred Wimmer, of Austria, and third equal were Diamond, Rebattu and Wiltchek.

Other British players competing were John Barrs, Fred Hall and Tony Cooper in the Shodan section, which Cooper lost only on a countback. Mike Digby played in the 1-2 kyu section.