Promoting the AGA Professional program

[gowan]

I wouldn't be surprised if some qualifier for pro status decides not to pursue it further. It seems to me that becoming a pro this way will entail a lot of work with little chance of making a reasonable living from go alone. Some of the strongest contestants may have good careers in progress outside of go and it would be hard to abandon such a career for the financial uncertainty of a career as a USA pro.

[hyperpape]

I understand the completely. But I think it would be unfortunate (and would raise issues about the fairness of tiebreaks) if the winning players in the qualifier have no interest.

[Mef]

I wouldn't be surprised if some qualifier for pro status decides not to pursue it further. It seems to me that becoming a pro this way will entail a lot of work with little chance of making a reasonable living from go alone. Some of the strongest contestants may have good careers in progress outside of go and it would be hard to abandon such a career for the financial uncertainty of a career as a USA pro.

I believe many of those qualifying are still students, in which case it might be only a minimal disruption to take a year abroad to play go in Korea before coming back to US/Canada to resume their studies. I guess I'd like to think that anyone who is taking the effort to go through the qualifier is at least seriously considering pursuing it further (though admittedly it might not be their primary career long term).

[Bantari]

I am a little out of touch on all this, but I have one question.
What exactly does it mean to be AGA Professional?

Will these players be recognized as pros by the asian organizations?
Will they have access to any AGA-Pro-only tournaments with sponsors and prizes?
Will they be paid some kind of stipend by the AGA to cement their status?
Will the title be vanity-only affair?
Or what?...

[shapenaji]

I am a little out of touch on all this, but I have one question.
What exactly does it mean to be AGA Professional?

Will these players be recognized as pros by the asian organizations?
Will they have access to any AGA-Pro-only tournaments with sponsors and prizes?
Will they be paid some kind of stipend by the AGA to cement their status?
Will the title be vanity-only affair?
Or what?...

My understanding:

1 and 2) Yes, they will be eligible to compete in Asian pro-only tournaments
3) Unclear, I doubt it... But they should get their game fees from competing abroad.
4) Given that they gain eligibility through 1 and 2, I think the answer to this is "No"

[Bantari]

I am a little out of touch on all this, but I have one question.
What exactly does it mean to be AGA Professional?

Will these players be recognized as pros by the asian organizations?
Will they have access to any AGA-Pro-only tournaments with sponsors and prizes?
Will they be paid some kind of stipend by the AGA to cement their status?
Will the title be vanity-only affair?
Or what?...

My understanding:

1 and 2) Yes, they will be eligible to compete in Asian pro-only tournaments
3) Unclear, I doubt it... But they should get their game fees from competing abroad.
4) Given that they gain eligibility through 1 and 2, I think the answer to this is "No"

Cool, thanks.
I this case - it is certainly worth promoting!

[oren]

Will these players be recognized as pros by the asian organizations?

They get a professional status from the Korean Organization and live/play there for at least a year. They've given foreigners professional certificates before, and they seem to be acknowledged by others.

[etower366i2]

I believe that the list of competitors for the qualifier is finalized now--they had to wait until the last qualifiers were finished.

At the moment (for the FY 2013 budget), the pros will not receive a stipend, but they will be able to play in Korean tournaments and fully recognized by the KBA, and there is some money set aside to help with their transportation and expenses while in Korea if they choose to train there after becoming pro (although they will need to pay for much of their own room and board).

Although there are not AGA-Pro tournaments or AGA-hosted international Pro tournaments set for the next year, that is in part because those tournaments would only be of little use with only two AGA-minted pros. As the system expands, things are set to change.

I'd be happy to answer any other questions to the best of my ability (I tried to touch on the major topics), as a person close to but not involved in the creation of our Pro System.

Lisa

[pwaldron]

I'd be happy to answer any other questions to the best of my ability (I tried to touch on the major topics), as a person close to but not involved in the creation of our Pro System.
Lisa

What's the format of the qualifier tournament, and where do we check for updates as the event progresses? How do the groupies get their fix?

[jts]

I'd be happy to answer any other questions to the best of my ability (I tried to touch on the major topics), as a person close to but not involved in the creation of our Pro System.

Lisa

Will America award its own (pro) dan ranks, or will the players just have KBA ranks?

[HKA]

I share some of the frustrations concerning a lack of detail about what is going on. Please understand that this effort has been made on a compressed time fuse and has involved a lot of complexities,

The field for next week is set, all players have accepted and we have at least one alternate in case of a late drop. The field is very strong, and does justice to the hopes of the AGA for this effort.

These will be AGA Pros, not Korean Pros. This effort is supported by our wonderful sponsor, TYGEM, and is sanctioned and supported by Korean professional organizations. Currently, the AGA has no specific plans in regards to duties or compensation, but the hope is that we will create opportunities for teaching and demonstrations that will be member and sponsor supported and provide financial support. A system will need to be developed regarding rank promotion.

The players will be recognized as AGA Pros in Korea, and will have the opportunity to play in events there. Some travel money has been budgeted to support players taking advantage of this opportunity. Efforts with regard to other professional associations are ongoing, but it is premature to comment upon them.

There are ongoing efforts to attract sponsors for a US Pro event or events. Obviously, it would not be a two player event, and whether such events will include representatives from foreign go associations, American resident pros or amateurs will depend on sponsor wishes and generosity.

I must confess I was one of the most skeptical in the planning group for this effort, but so far, we have managed to reach the more optimistic range of my expectations. Personally, I am quite excited and hope we can start doing a better job of sharing the excitement with the go world at large as the event begins.

[jts]

That sounds very exciting, HKA. I'm irrationally pleased that everyone who qualified is competing. Thank you for the update.

Personally, I think the AGA should consider using uchikomi to determine handicaps and ranks where it is purely AGA players who concerned.

[fentonaop]

Please more details about the final tournaments. Such as: how many rounds in total? how many rounds per day and when? Thanks

[vash3g]

Please more details about the final tournaments. Such as: how many rounds in total? how many rounds per day and when? Thanks

http://www.usgo.org/aga-professional-system

Details? we dont need no stinkin details!

[fentonaop]

Thanks vash3g. The link works well.

It is a suprise that they use double-elimination and apply 3 rounds of best-of-three. Very complicate schedule but questionable.

4 players are out after only two games?
One fortunated (or unfortunate?) winner has to play 13 games (worst case) to reach the finish line?

With limited players (16) and plenty of rounds (9 -11 rounds), the Swiss-system might be a better choice.

In addition, due to the nature of this tournament, few player wants to drop even if he plays bad at the beginning of the tournament.