49th London Open Go Congress

28th-31st December 2023

INTRODUCTION

This is a seven round tournament rated EGF Class A with side events:
lightning Go
pair Go
lectures

The top board in the main tournament will be live streamed on our YouTube channel and played on a traditional Japanese goban with slate and shell stones.

The tournament finishes at about 3pm on NYE. Depending on demand we can arrange an evening meal.

The professional-in-residence will be Cătălin Țăranu, 5P.  He will be available for reviews, advice, etc. He will also give two lectures and review the final game of the top board.
The top group in the main tournament compete for the London Open Go Trophy.
The David Ward Cup in memory of the long term organiser of this tournament, will be awarded to the best placed British player in the main tournament who has participated in every round, together with a £250 prize. (The cup and endowment has been generously donated by Helen Ward, his widow and supplemented by funds from the former CLGC).
Prizes include
Top group 1st prize £500
Below the bar 1st prize £100
 Best single digit player kyu player £50
Best double digit player kyu player £30
Lightning 1st prize £60
Pair Go 1st team prize £60

Formal registration begins at midday on 28th December. However you can pre-register now (see below). You will pay the entry fee appropriate to the date you pre-registered.

There is no requirement to pay before 28th December. However in order to guarantee your place please read “REGISTRATION” carefully.

VENUE

You can find out how to get to the tournament here.

ACCOMMODATION

There is no accommodation on site however we do have a list of hotels and other accommodation many of which are within a 15 minute walk.

SCHEDULE

 
Thursday 28 12:00 – 12:45 Registration
13:15 Opening Ceremony
13:30 Round 1
17:30 Round 2
Friday 29 10:00 Round 3
14:15 Round 4
18:15 Lecture
19:15 Pair Go
Saturday 30 10:00 Round 5
14:15 Round 6
18:15 Lecture
19:15 Lightning
Sunday 31 10:00 Round 7
14:00 Game Commentary
14:45 Closing Ceremony

REGISTRATION

If you have not registered in advance then formal registration begins at 12.00 on 28th December.  If you have not registered by 12.45 you will miss the first round.

If you have registered then unless you tell us otherwise before 12.45 you will be automatically entered into the draw for the first round.

PRE-REGISTRATION

You can pre-register now to join the registration queue.  Just send an email to: londongocentre@gmail.com titled “LOGC 2023” with your grade, club, country and EGD PIN (if you have one, find your PIN).

You will pay the entry fee associated with your date of pre-registration whenever you pay.

Please pay in advance as detailed here. It helps with the smooth running of the tournament. If you cannot attend then if we can re-use your place you will get a full refund as soon as your place is taken.

In the unlikely event that we cancel the tournament all fees will be refunded within 48hrs of the announcement.

REGISTERED AND PRE-REGISTERED PLAYERS

The entry list is in two sections:
registered players
pre-registered players

This year the tournament limit is 84 to allow some headroom for EGF Grand Prix players who might want to participate in the later rounds.

Registered players have paid in advance and are guaranteed a place.

Pre-registered players are in a queue by date of pre-registration.

As soon as you choose to pay you are moved to the registered players list. Once the number of registered players reaches the tournament limit the pre-registered players list becomes a waiting list.

If you cannot see your name or would prefer us not to publish it please contact us and ask for the entry list to be updated.

TOURNAMENT FEES

Full Student Junior (under 18)
Early Bird (applications before 1st November) £40 £30 £20
Standard £45 £35 £25
Late (applications after 30th November)
£50 £40 £30
Day rate
£15 £12 £9
BGA levy
£5 if you are not a member of your national Go Association. (You can join BGA online). This non-member surcharge is waived if this is your first Go tournament within Europe.

If you have registered for the whole tournament then the lightning Go and pair Go are included in your fee. Otherwise there is a fee of £10 per event.

HOW TO PAY

It helps us with the administrative workload if you pay by bank transfer well before the start of the tournament

Full instructions here.

TOURNAMENT RULES

The tournament is conducted according to adapted EGF rules and your participation implies knowledge and acceptance of these rules. A reference copy will be available during the tournament.

Komi 7½ points
Handicap (if required) McMahon difference – 1
Digital Timing (default) 70 minutes + 10 seconds/move (Fischer Time)
Analogue Timing (only if needed) 90 minutes main time then 20 moves in 5 minutes (Canadian Overtime).

INITIAL McMAHON SCORE

Your initial McMahon score (MMS) determines who you will play in the first round. Your MMS will be set from your GoR as published on the date of the tournament. If you do not have a GoR you might be required to provide other evidence of your strength. If you do not think your GoR is accurate (for example, you are a quickly improving kyu player who hasn’t played in any recent tournaments) please email us with your preferred strength.

PRIZES

Prizes will be awarded to those that have participated in every round as follows:
1st 2nd 3rd
Above the Bar
£500 £250 £100
Below the Bar
£100 £50 £20
Single digit kyu
£50 £20 £10
Double digit kyu
£30 £15 £5

Tournament Certificates will be awarded to anyone with five wins or more.

Lightning Tournament: 1st £60, 2nd £30

Pair Go: 1st team £60, 2nd team £30

DATA PROTECTION

We have no intention to misuse your data. The only way we use your data is for Go related purposes. Please read our Data Usage and Protection Policy. It is a condition of entry that we can publish full details of the results.   See also our Privacy Policy.