Life In 19x19

RobertJasiek wrote:gowan, prize money is not the only, but just one of the aspects.

I'm afraid that excluding the Asian players makes the people who manage European Go Congress look very petty indeed.

Why do you think so?

breakfast wrote:From: Sang-Dae Hahn
Adviser, KABA International affairs

About the idea of Catalin Taranu (and others) of creating the separated event for top Europeans (so they will not meet any Koreans)

I am startled to hear that such a concept has been considered. If it is actually carried out then it would be even worse. This idea goes against the spirit of what Baduk is. ...

Harleqin wrote:LovroKlc: No one wants to ruin the EGC for the asian players; that is why we have this discussion!

Currently, the closed EC is somewhat ruined for the European players; that is why something might need to be changed.

Helel wrote:

LovroKlc wrote: I want to ask everyone of you who have the need of ruining the EGC for Koreans one question: Who do you think you are?

Who do you think you are? One of the Spice Girls?

Jonas wrote:I only attended the EGC once in 2009 (gronningen) and played there as a 4kyu. I was paired with 3 asian players (2x jap, 1x Kor) and I really really enjoyed the cultural exchange. Analysing the game with Mr. Masashi is one of my treasured memorys when I think back

Therefore I think excluding all asians from takeing part in the main torunament would be a shame! Seperating the European Championship from the maintournament seems the best solution. I think an online qualifier with the top 32 europeans several weeks before the congress is a really good idea. The winner of the online qualifier is allowed to challange the euro-champion of the previous year.

richardamullens wrote:I too share Professor Hahn's disquiet at recent developments which I believe will undermine the friendly relationship between Korean and European players and discourage future visits by strong Korean players.

breakfast wrote:From: Sang-Dae Hahn
Adviser, KABA International affairs

About the idea of Catalin Taranu (and others) of creating the separated event for top Europeans (so they will not meet any Koreans)

I am startled to hear that such a concept has been considered. If it is actually carried out then it would be even worse. This idea goes against the spirit of what Baduk is.

Baduk is a game of mutual respect and appreciation. Baduk has been promoting friendship and mutual understanding between Europe and Asian countries for a long time. It is also special because it crosses all boundaries of race and language. Denying players the opportunity to play based on race is not only discriminatory, but also highly anti-competitive.

There are also a great many problems with determining the boundaries of such a rule. Can Taranu himself play, as he is officially a professional representing Nihon-Kiin? If Asian Baduk associations had similar ideas to the Europeans that are being proposed, it would be worth noting that Taranu would not have been able to become a professional player at all. I am sure that he should consider allowances made for his sake in the past and reflect carefully on his current standpoint.

Having Asian guests play in the second division is unfair and absurd, both on the visiting players and also on the Europeans who have to contend with players whose strength is well above the limit of the division.

The chance to play against strong players is meant to be a joy and an experience. It is fair that they could only win open championship while you or Taranu wins the European championship. I am sure that many European players relish the challenge of strong opponents coming to compete. It is also unfair to deny them this opportunity.

When I had dinner with my students who participated in the last EGC, quite often they launched into laughter, especially about the European player’s habits, particulars and their personality. I am also certain that it was an experience that they will never forget. The excitement from the meeting European Baduk players and getting to know them through the EGC has left them with a lasting impression. They told me that they will study English harder to make better communications with Europeans in the future. They have already become pro-Europeans through cross-cultural experience. Are they going to stop Koreans experiencing it from now on?
Thank you for informing me this. I hope European players wouldn’t make such a non sense

Sang-Dae Hahn wrote:They told me that they will study English harder to make better communications with Europeans in the future.

azrael wrote:If there are already 'closed' Championships or those being proposed, then why all the fuss about the EGC?

To fiddle with it and risk losing those Asian players without creating another tournament to attract them

would be to the detriment of European Go.

I am sure that players of all grades including Dinerchtein and Taranu could learn from ex insei and ex pros.

Therefore the standard idea is to create also another tournament, like my proposal of a Top Players Tournament. Maybe so far too few proponents of system proposals have expressed such a desire explicitly though.

azrael wrote:

Top Players Tournament

I would be in favour of this, provided it is not held at the Go Congress. I gather the strong Asians (the 7ds) would be pretty annoyed if they have spend alot of time and money to come here to play against 3/4/5 dans rather than the top Europeans.