2008 Orlando Go Tournament - February Updates

Greetings Everyone!!

Well, that said we have some great news for the 2008 Orlando Go Tournament. Firstly, we have a whole host of great sponsors: Slate and Shell, Kiseido, Samarkand, and Yellow Mountain Imports have all kindly decided to donate some prizes for the tournament. Also, it's *possible* (nothing definite) that we might even get a Go vendor at the tournament, but more on that when I get more information. Don't worry about space, as our room this time is FAR bigger.

Anyway, with the tournament officially 3 months away, it's time to get to specifics. To download the registration form, please click here. Pre-registering will save you $5 off the entry fee. You can, of course, register at the door if you want to, but why not save $5 and make my life a lot easier? For those of you that are asking "why $5 more than last year?", the answer is simple: Firstly, we have a bigger room this time, and secondly (thankfully), we'll have coffee and snacks in our room so no starving this time.

Any profit from the tournament (although I doubt there will be profit) will be used to buy needed Go books and supplies for Go Orlando, or to invest in other upcoming tournaments around the state. I'm going to try to get the tournament started at 9:30 AM (10 AM latest), and registration begins at 9:00 AM so try to show up as early as you can and please don't be late.

There will be 4 divisions: 1 dan-level Division and 3 kyu-level divisions. The divisions are only for prize distribution purposes and final division rankings; you will still be able to play players in other divisions throughout the tournament. Generally, with the current pairing system, for kyu players the handicap should never go above 6 stones, and for dan players it should never go above 3 (there may be exceptions). Also, for our youth players (under 18), Samarkand has kindly donated some special prizes, so I highly suggest you come :).

Also, we have a far better (and hopefully cheaper) way to do hotel reservations for those that need it. This time, we'll have a section (about 10 rooms) at a local hotel reserved just for our tournament (I'm finalizing arrangements now for exact pricing, and will send you the hotel name and phone number when all details are worked out). You'll get a reduced rate off of the normal rate (the reduced rate will be under $100; split among 2-4 people that should hopefully be alright). I've seen the rooms, and they're clean and cozy.

*I'd definitely suggest all of you carpool to lower costs. If you have a car and are looking for additional passengers/hotel roommates, or you don't have a car and are looking for a driver, send me an email!! If I find that you're close to each other, I'll put you in contact.

That's all for now everyone, I hope to see you at the tournament. Make sure to drag your friends along!! I know It'll be a great gathering of players of all strengths and ages from around the state, and most likely bigger than the 2007 Orlando Go Tournament. I've also been reaching out to Georgia recently to see if we can get a few participants from up there, so who knows.

Sincerely,
Joshua Lee
Tournament Organizer, 2008 Orlando Go Tournament

2008 Orlando Go Tournament

Hey everyone!! The 2008 Orlando Go Tournament is officially 6 months away so i thought i might as well open up a blog for it early. Few details are as yet confirmed but a few things we do have:

-2-day long tournament May 3rd and 4th, Saturday and Sunday
-$20 registration fee; $15 if you register early (covers both days)
-Must be an AGA member to participate
-Coffee & bagels provided both days included in registration fee
-Large room (far bigger than 2007 tournament) capable of holding 60 players w/no loud singing next door :)
-Using new PyTD version 2.0 software
-4 Divisions: Dan Division, Lower Kyu, Middle Kyu, Upper Kyu divisions
-"AccelRat" or Swiss-McMahon Pairings will likely be used
(go to http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/AccelRat/ for more details)
-5 round tournament over two days
-45 minute main time 5/30 byo-yomi Japanese time
-Trying to reserve a section of the local Radisson hotel for our tournament to get discounted rates
-Prizes in all divisions!!!


Next time I post will probably me in January after the holidays. If you live in the Orlando area and would like to help me set up the tournament I would be very thankful, so please email me at Masterman535@gmail.com if you have any interest in helping out.

In other news, Go Orlando is doing very well, we now have 5 players 1 dan or stronger including myself. We also have 7 players in the kyu ranges whom I know will all get stronger in the coming months before the tournament. I believe I just made it to 2d AGA (yay) although I'm still 1d KGS. Unlike in 2007, Go Orlando will have a strong representation at the tournament :)

Till later everyone,
Josh