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Portland Grade Schoolers Shine

Eleven children from four different schools attended the first New Stars Youth Go Tournament, in Portland, OR on Nov. 2nd, reports organizer Peter Freedman.  In the round robin upper division three kyu ranked players competed, with adult Bill Corry participating to make the number of players four. Hikaru Sato won first prize, a traveling Go set, with a 2-1 record. Eight children competed in the unranked division, with one child having a rank of KGS 22kyu. The $25 first prize was won by 2nd grader Olin Waxler,  with a record of 3-0. Second place was split between Tommy Flynn, 2-0, and Emmett Mayer, 3-1, winning $12.50 each. "The tournament had a special structure, used last year, that is particularly favorable to new young players," says Freedman.  "Players had to play at least either 4 9x9 games, 3 13x13 games, 2 19x19 games, or any combination of the above." Portland kids again got a chance to compete on Nov. 18, when ten kids in the Beverly Cleary chess and Go club participated in their own tourney. Prizes were award for; most games played; most wins; and most opponents played. Winning players got to put one hand in a jar filled with change, and keep whatever they could grasp. Ms. Kendrick Dahlin dipped three times, once for tie for most wins, once for playing the most different opponents, and once for tie for most games played. Tommy Flynn, Olin Waxler and Beckett Jacobs also dipped for tie with most wins (4), and Spencer Vassal dipped for tie in most games played. Almost all games were played on 9x9 boards. -Paul Barchilon E-J Youth Editor. Photo and reports by Peter Freedman