Pair Go in UK

British Pair Go Championships

In the UK, we held our first qualifying event for Pair Go in Hyde Park, as part of the 1991 Japanese Festival. Since 1995, we have held an annual British Pair Go Championships (BPGC) which has become one the best events on the Go calendar. There are many prizes, including one for the Best Dressed pair. Normally the top eight British pairs (based on average grade) play for the championship, whilst others play in a handicap section. Because the top section players also play for points to allow them to represent the UK in both the European Pair Go Championship and International Amateur Pair Go Championship, the section includes a maximum of two pairs that may have one national and one non-national player. The BPGC is included in the illustrated Annual Report sent to the Japanese Pair Go Committee for their records.

The event has been organised by Matthew Macfadyen (1993 and 1998), Kirsty Healey (1993 and 1994), Alison Jones (now Bexfield) (1995-1997), France Ellul (1999-2001), Tony Atkins (2002) and Francis Roads (2003-2022).

Players earn a point for each game won in the BPGC towards earning the right to represent UK at the International Amateur Pair Go Championships. The best Pair are selected using the combined points from each Pair and their points are reset to zero when they go. Official Representatives at the European Pair Go Championships are similarly decided.

Partner Relationships

Pair Go has been played by all sorts of different pairings and ages of players. Pauline and Steve Bailey are mother and son; Paul and Kelda Smith are father and daughter. Pauline is over 70 and Kelda Smith became the youngest winner in 2009 aged just six. There have been club mates and pairings from opposite ends of the country. There have been a few husband and wife pairs, such as the multiple times champions Kirsty Healey and Matthew Macfadyen, but many avoid it through fear of too many marital arguments! Of course, pairs usually discuss in advance what they will be wearing, so that they can stand a chance of winning the Best Dressed Pair prize.

Other Pair Go events

There have been Pair Go side events at some of the longer competitions such as the London Open, the Isle of Man Go Week, and three times at the Mind Sports Olympiad.