In the heart of Plano, Texas, the 2024 South Central Go Tournament unfolded on the weekend of February 17-18 amid fierce competition. Fifty-one players, split into Open and Handicap sections, battled it out over two intense days of play.
In the Open Section, nine players, ranging from three dan to six dan, engaged in closely contested matches. Juanshu Lan, displaying exceptional skill and consistency, clinched victory for the third consecutive year, followed closely by Ruichen Jiang and Bowei Xu.
Juanshu Lan's dominance extended beyond the tournament as he claimed the title of 2024 Texas State Champion, solidifying his status as a formidable force in the Go community.
In the Handicap Section, Jerry Young 1k emerged as the top contender, showcasing strategic prowess and determination in securing victory in his band.
The tournament highlighted the diversity of the Go community, with players of all ages and skill levels coming together to test their abilities on the board. There were 13 players rated 10 kyu or less with the lowest rating 23 kyu; there were 12 players rated 1 dan or greater with the highest rating 6 dan; there were 9 players age 13 and under; there were 5 players age 65 and older; there were 11 players from outside Texas.
- reported by Bob Gilman