More than 30 players took part in the First Annual San Diego Blitz Go Championship and Go
Workshop, held June 13–14 and hosted by the San Diego Go Club (SDGC). The two-day event featured a 13x13 beginners tournament, a 5-round blitz competition, international guests, workshops for all levels, and a friendly U.S.–Japan team challenge.
A highlight of the weekend was the Blitz Tournament, played under Fischer timing (10 minutes basic time with 10-second increments). While AGA membership was required, the blitz games were not AGA-rated. However, on Sunday, a special USA vs. Japan challenge round was played without clocks—making the matches eligible for AGA ratings. All eight visiting Japanese players returned home with official AGA ratings.
Cho Seokbin, a respected Go teacher based in Nagoya, Japan, delivered three tailored workshops: Foundations of Go for beginners (30–20 kyu); Breaking Through: Strategies to Shodan for intermediate players (10 kyu–1 kyu); Go Beyond Dan: Masterclass for high-dan players.
Cho, who originally trained as an insei in Korea, now runs the Nakamura Honinbo Go School, which has produced six professional Go players.
Meanwhile, Hai Li 5P directed the 13x13 Beginners Tournament, offering both officiating and personalized analysis to newer players.
SDGC President Enrique Garcia made sure players were well-fed, providing breakfast and a standout lunch from Rubio’s Baja Grill both days. The taco bar—with options including chicken, steak, fish, shrimp, mahi-mahi, and vegetarian selections—was a hit with all attendees.
Blitz Tournament Results
The Zhou family dominated the event, claiming three of the top prizes:
- Michael Zhou won the overall Blitz Championship
- Andy Zhou took 2nd place in the Open Section
- Anna Zhou captured first place in Handicap Division III
The Margetts family also had a strong showing:
- Paul Margetts won Handicap Division I
- Rebecca Margetts placed 3rd in Division III
USA vs. Japan Friendly Match Results
- Etsuko Kakumu defeated Andy Zhou (even)
- Hirukazu Eba defeated Yi Han (even)
- Shigetoshi Komori defeated Paul Margetts (taking 2 stones)
- Masaki Ando lost to Rebecca Margetts (giving 9 stones)
From family triumphs to international camaraderie, workshops to tacos, the inaugural San Diego Blitz Go Championship offered a weekend full of strategy, learning, and celebration. Organizers hope to make it a recurring event on the Go calendar.
Photos: Top row (l-r): Enrique giving to Michael Zhou the Championship award in the Open Section; SDGC President Enrique Garcia presenting Aiden Li first prize in the Beginner section; Enrique giving 2nd place in the Open to Andy Zhou; Japanese delegation at Old Town, CA
Middle row: Enrique, Aiden, and Ted Terpstra SDGC Chapter rep; Enrique giving first prize in the Handicap Division II to Arunas Rudvalis; Hai Li (5P) and grandson, Adrian Li; The sendoff dinner of the Japanese contingent
Bottom row: Cho Seokbin gave two simultaneous exhibitions; competition; Enrique giving second prize in the Handicap DivisionI I to Yi Han; Cho Seokbin giving a workshop; Japanese delegation at Midway Aircraft Carrier & “Sailor and Nurse” statue by J. Seward Johnson