European Championship: 1985

British Go Journal No. 66. November 1985 Page 6.

Tony Atkins describes the scene at this year's European Championship

* Matthew in fact finished above Pierre Colmez, beating him in a play-off.

Bar-tailed godwits flew south early this year, or so I discovered at the European Championship, the site of Terschelling, a Dutch Island, was ideal for bird watchers and Go players alike.

Our journey started late on a Friday night with a drive to Dover, The ferry crossing was spent discussing Go problems, and then it was a drive up through Belgium and Holland to spend a quiet couple of hours on the quay at Harlingen (still discussing Go problems) before catching the fast BGAt to the island.

We managed to dodge the first of many downpours and booked in at the hotel, before going to the opening ceremony. At this two self-styled jazz musicians played a composition called "Go", in which one hit random keys on a piano, while the other hit most of the furniture and the wall with drum sticks.

After this the first of many games In casual handicap tournaments was played, before adjourning into the drinks tent for the first of many glasses of froth posing as beer.

Sunday morning saw the first round. Three hours plus one minute byo-yomi if you are good - less if you are a weakie - a break for lunch with a sealed move, and more froth from the beer tent to help the day along.

Monday and Tuesday, and by now it was clear that, as expected, Dutchman Schlemper was going to be the man to beat, having 3/3, including a win over Matthew. The lightning tournament was held in the evening over these two days and won by Jean Michel, 4-dan from France. Even Matthew was knocked out early on as the scene was dominated by the French and Dutch.

Wednesday was the first free day, and Jim Clare and I set off across the island on a pair of bicycles until the road ran out. Dutch bikes are built like tanks, have no gears, and back-pedal brakes, which makes them difficult to handle on hills - yes Holland does have a few. Matthew turned up on his proper bike (on which he had cycled all the way from London) and invited us to join him on a walk past the 'Boschplat' Nature Reserve to see the birds.

Amazingly, the sun was shining brightly as we walked barefoot along the water's edge, watching the bar-tailed godwlts returning from Siberia. Ten kilometers later and we spotted a Jacksnipe - and some Go players enjoying the weather. On the way back to the bikes we encountered more birds, Go players, and Cas Muller (venerable Dutch 5 dan), while sampling the Dutch gastronomic speciality of sour milk. Jim and I adjourned to the beach for a quick swim, and then it was back for the European Go Federation's AGM. This was lively affair, which showed that Jan van Frankenhuisen is good with the Japanese, but bad at chairing meetings.

The main surprise was that the Germans wanted the 1988 European (which they are hosting) run like the World Cup, and not a Macmahon system (see Matthew's report for details). The Yugoslavs could not be bothered to attend, and so the 1989 location is in doubt, though Budapest is all set for next year, and Grenoble in 1987 will probably happen too. Eventually the meeting ended at midnight with no accounts, three new member countries and a new schools representative.

Thursday and Friday. A return to wet weather, but also the onset of a strange affliction among the English - everyone turned a funny pink colour.

The team tournament was won by 'Bosche Reunited'. Schlemper continued his seemingly inexorable progress, and Pierre Colmez (French 4 dan) turned up in bandages, having been knocked off his bike by a delinquent dog belonging to Christophe Ribbes.

Matthew did not play in the 5-round weekend tournament, but Schlemper did and won hands down (although Paul Margets and Brian Chandler won 4/5). A few extra Brits turned up, boosting the number to 25.

The second week saw the last four rounds of the main tournament, the 13 x 13 tournament, in which Jim Clare came second, and more rain. As the week wore on, the early sunburn wore off, and Schlemper won even more games. On the Wednesday night there was a second EGF meeting at which the German World Cup system was thrown out and a compromise Swiss system was adopted. Several discussion forums were initiated on topics such as Go theory, computer Go, and schools. Unfortunately Allan Scarff was not able to demonstrate his MicroGo2 program.

The last day (Friday). Matthew dropped another game to Andr Moussa, and so had to beat Pierre Colmez in a play-off for second place before cycling off to Taiwan.

After the evening's prize-giving (at which Andrew Grant and Alistair Thompson Joined the roll of honour for 6/9) there was a team game between, on the one (?) hand, Japanese professional Mr. Nakayama, Colmez and Moussa, and on the other, Schlemper, Frank Jannsen and Miss Guo from China. This proved good value, with a victory of 1/2 point for the Dutch.

I had a final game of liar dice with Louise Bremner and Richard Hunter en visite from Tokyo. Finally, Saturday saw packed bags and many farewells to our Dutch hosts. The European is a good holiday - and good Go playing as well - so see you all in Budapest!