1st UK Mind Sports Festival

17th November 2011 marked a historic moment for UK Mind Sports with the first festival of all the games who are members of the International Mind Sports Association.

The International Federation of Poker had booked the entire EDF Energy London Eye for the evening for their first international team championship for Duplicate Poker and invited the other UK games organisations to demonstrate their games to the UK and World media.

The BGA participated, occupying 2 capsules (pods) with players varying in age from 8 to 73 for most of the evening. In one capsule players Michael Culver, Natasha Regan and Oscar Selby were joined by Jon Diamond, Thomas Hsiang (Vice President of the International Go Federation and Executive Director of IMSA) as well as other members of the US Mind Sports Association.

In the other capsule Toby Manning could only stay for one circuit, but as Jenny Radcliffe, Adán Mordcovich and Nick Krempel were exiting at the end of the evening, they were turned round and had to enjoy a final circuit with a press team filming and interviewing them playing Go and also talking about the game. We look forward to viewing the resulting video!

Thanks to all the players, the BGA organisers, Jon Diamond and Toby Manning, and the Nippon Go Club for lending the sets. Finally, thanks to Mind Sports Partners, headed by Don Morris, for organising the whole enjoyable event and providing excellent hospitality for all.

A selection of pictures from the event is in the event gallery.