Isle of Man Go Congress - Congress history

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Isle of Man Go Congress

History of the Congress

The Isle of Man Go Congress was first held in August 1991. Since then it has been held in 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002 and 2004. Since the European Go Congress was held in Dublin in July 2001, we decided that it would be best to avoid clashing with it, so we have broken the biennial sequence and will held the subsequent congress in August 2002. In the table below is a list of the winners of the different tournaments at each of the five previous congresses. The first 3 Isle of Man congresses were held in the Island's capital, Douglas, seat of the world's oldest continiously existing parliament, in the Sefton Hotel. The 1997 & 1999 congresses were held in Port Erin in the south of the island where we were located in the Cherry Orchard Hotel. The 2002 congress was held in the Falcons Nest Hotel, Port Erin.

The 2006 congress shall be held in the Cherry Orchard Hotel, Port Erin. The Cherry Orchard has undergone a major redevelopment since the last congress held there late last century and 2006's congress will be held in the Orchard Suite, new suite situated where the resraurant used to be. What was the Orchard Room, where the 1997 & 1999 congress wewre held has been converted into a restaurant.

Congress Report - 1995

The third biannual Isle of Man Go Week was a success. 48 players attended the main tournament and others played in the Pair Go and 13x13. Andrew Jones (3 dan Wanstead) surprised the reigning champion and club mate Francis Roads (4 dan) by beating him. Andrew went on to win the title despite losing to Tony Atkins (2 dan Wokingham) in the final round. 1. Jones (4/5) 2. Roads (4/5) 3. Atkins (3/5). Francis Weaver (22 kyu Brakenhale) won all five games. Players on 4/5 were Paul Smith (1 dan Cambridge), Claude Burvenich (1 kyu Belgium), Bart Fondour (2 kyu France), Paul Clarke (8 kyu Swindon) and Edward Marshall (16 kyu IOM).

Francis Roads managed to hang on to his afternoon title. Others win 3/3 were Bill Streeten (3 kyu London), Dave King (8 kyu Swindon), Paul Marshall (25 kyu IOM). Paul Hankin (1 kyu Cambridge) won 2.5/3.

In the handicap a four-way tie on five wins was resolved as weakest player wins: Francis Weaver (22 kyu) from Mark Harrod (10 kyu Brakenhale), Paul Donnelly (1 dan Belfast). Alison Jones (2 dan Wanstead). Pair Go champs were Paul and Andrea Smith who beat Colin Adams and Paul Hankin in the final. The Team Champs were the Wall Of Paul 2: Donnelly, Margetts, Barnard and Hankin. 13x13 Mike Charles (2 dan Stevenage) beat Jo Hampton (1 dan West Wales) and the play-off for the Continuous Lightning Mark Harrod beat Jo Hampton despite Jo winning more continuous games and beating Mark twice already. Note that all handicap games were Manx style with handicap plus one and 7 komi/grade if over 9 stones.

The social event this year was a coach trip and walk to the official go club cafe on a remote headland. The Wanstead Mushrooms won the quiz despite sitting in a dark conservatory. The day out saw trips to Peel and St Johns (official) and to Snaefell, Castletown and the southern cliffs (unofficial). Professional player Saijo Masataki was present until the Tuesday and worked very hard on teaching games, analysis and in lectures to the players. Our thanks go to the Isle Of Man players for a successful week and extending a warm welcome to any go players that drop in at any time.

Congress Report - 1997 (Pictures from the 1997 congress)

This time the go week was held in the small southerly resort of Port Erin. As well as go there was the usual fun and games, with an outing to Peel, a quiz night and a music night, concluding with the banquet and prize giving. 47 players took part in the main event. Winner was Vesa Laatikainen (5 dan SF) with 5/5. Tie-break split the next positions into: Tony Atkins (2 dan Reading), Bob Bagot (2 dan Manchester), Richard Hunter (4 dan Japan), David Phillips (2 dan IOM). On 5/5 were John Walsh (4 kyu Bolton) and Anne Trinks (18 kyu D). On 4/5 was Ian Marsh (1 kyu Bracknell). The three round afternoon event was won again by Francis Roads (4 dan Wanstead), second Richard Hunter, third Bob Bagot.

On 3/3 were France Ellul (3 kyu High Wycombe), Bill Rivers (3 kyu Oxford) and Leo Phillips (25 kyu IOM). Ian Marsh won the handicap. 13x13 was won by Gunner Bertram (3 kyu D), but he lost in the Lightning final to Richard Hunter. Richard also won the Rengo playing with Manx President John Atherton. The Team Tourney was won by "Finns and Trinks" who beat the "Dave Phillips Formation Dancers" in the final. In a kanji test set by Richard Hunter, Junior winner was Emma Marchant, Kyu winner was Nick Wedd and Open winner was Francis Roads. The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse won the quiz night. In the Junior event the places went to: Under 16 Philip Marshall, Graham Brooks, Emma Marchant; Under 14 Samantha Hughes, Alistair Brooks, Richard Atherton; Under 12 Katherine Cooper, Clare Franklin, Linda Stone; Under 10 Ronald Atherton; special prizes to Alice Pickering (2/2) and Chris Atherton (3/4); best newcomer Robin Betts.

Congress Report - 1999 (1999 Results)

54 players took part in the main event and two more in the afternoon. Winner of the main event was Francis Roads (4d) ahead of Des Cann (4d). Neil Moffatt (8k Portsmouth) and Shawn Hearn (14k Brakenhale) won all 5. On 4/5 were Eric Hall (3k Swindon), Emma Marchant (8k Brakenhale), Gernot Belger (13k D), Ian McAnally (17k Manchester) and Gary White (26k Wildridings).

The afternoon event was won by Shigehiko Uno (5d London). On 3/3 were Ian McAnally and Emma Fairbrother (20k Brakenhale). On 2 and a jigo were Eric Hall and France Ellul (3k High Wycombe). Prizes for two and a bye went to Graham Brooks (12k Swindon) and Gustav Rober (17k IOM).

Pairs champions were Michael Marz and Gernot Rober, who beat Simon Goss and Chris White in the final.

After a play-off the team winners were the Fish, Spoon and Tea Set, ahead of Derby Leamings. Shawn Hearn beat William Brooks in the final to win the Continuous Lightning. 13x13 winner was Francis Roads (beat France Ellul in last round). Chris White (29k Brakenhale) was the best in the 35 player Handicap event. Tom Blockley (3k Worcester) was Junior champion.

Congress Report - 2002 (2002 Main Tournament Results) (2002 Afternoon Tournament Results)

The sixth Isle of Man Go Congress was held at the Falcon’s Nest Hotel in the seaside village of Port Erin. About 50 Go players and family attended including Joe and son Miguel from Lisbon. The events ran from Sunday to Friday, with the Rest day on Wednesday. The format was as usual the main tournament in the morning, and the afternoon or the handicap after lunch. The evening events were the quiz, the 13X13, a music evening, Rengo, and the popular Prize Giving Buffet Dinner. The free coach trip to Peel and Ramsey proved very popular on the rest day.

Congress Report - 2004 (2004 Main Tournament Results) (2004 Afternoon Tournament Results)

The seventh congress was held in Falcons Nest Hotel, Port Erin and was considered a great sucess.More than 45 Go players and family attended the seventh Isle of Man Go Week at the Cherry Orchard Hotel in Port Erin. They enjoyed a fun week of seaside, sunshine, walking, relaxing, games and friendship. As usual there was a full programme of events for 5 days from the Sunday to Thursday, leaving the opportunity for people to go on the Mind Sports Olympiad if they wished. The format was as usual the main tournament in the morning , and the afternoon or the handicap after lunch. The evening events were the quiz (won by Bracknell’s Table Three Team), the 13X13 won by , a music evening, Rengo, and the popular buffet prize giving. Also included were Geoff Kaniuk’s referees’ workshop, a popular Cosy Nook Cafe Barbecue, and cake for all to celebrate Tony Atkins birthday. Winners of the side tournaments were: Rengo: Mother and son Pauline and Steve Bailey 13X13: Tim Hunt 3 Dan Milton Keynes) Continuous Lightning: William Brooks (1 Kyu Cambridge)

Congress Report - 2006 (2006 Main Tournament Results) (2006 Afternoon Tournament Results)

The eighth congress was held in the Cherry Orchard Hotel, Port Erin 20 – 25 August. With 54 players and about 16 accompanying family and friends it was one of the most successful IOM Congresses to date. They enjoyed a fun week of seaside, sunshine, walking, relaxing, games and friendship. As usual there was a full programme of events for 5 days from the Sunday to Friday. The format was as usual the main tournament in the morning, and the afternoon or the handicap after lunch. The evening events included the quiz, the musical evening, and the popular buffet prize giving. The Cosy Nook Cafe Barbecue was also well attended. Many enjoyed the steam train excursion to Castletown and Douglas on the rest day. Winners of the side tournaments were: Rengo: Jenny Radcliffe and Matthew Cocke 13X13: Jonathan Englefield, Continuous Lightning: Demian Walvisch.

Congress Report - 2008 (2008 Main Tournament Results) (2008 Afternoon Tournament Results)

The ninth congress was again held in the Cherry Orchard Hotel, Port Erin 17 – 22 August. 47 players came, a slight drop in numbers from last time. However about 20 family and friends accompanied the players, attracted by the free Transport and Manx National Heritage Passes donated by the Isle of Man Government. An introductory Non Players Reception enabled visitors to get to know each other. As usual there was a full programme of events for 5 days from the Sunday to Friday. The format was as usual the main tournament in the morning, and the afternoon or the handicap after lunch. We were fortunate that Matthew Macfadyen (6D Leamington) gave two lectures, and also provided post game analysis and played some continuous games. Winners of the side tournaments were: Rengo: Jenny Radcliffe and Edmund Stephen-Smith 13X13: Jenny Radcliffe, Continuous Lightning: Jenny Radcliffe, Die Hard: Paul Barnard.

The evening events included the quiz, the musical evening, and the popular buffet prize giving. A ‘Bring your own strategy game’ evening was a new event which proved very popular. The rest day guided tour of the Life Boat Station was very interesting, showing the importance of the RNLI to life on a small island.

Year	Tournament	Winner

1991	Main	John Smith (Manchester)
	Afternoon	Jim Clare (Reading)
	Fast Play	Christian Wohlfarth (Germany)

1993	Main	Francis Roads (Wanstead)
	Afternoon	Francis Roads (Wanstead)
	Handicap	Paul Margetts (Epsom Downs)

1995	Main	Andrew Jones (Wanstead, 3 dan)
	Afternoon	Francis Roads (Wanstead)
	Handicap	Francis Weaver (Brakenhale)

1997	Main	Vesa Laatikainen (Finland, 5 dan)
	Afternoon	Francis Roads (Wanstead, 4 dan)
	Handicap	Ian Marsh (Bracknell, 1 kyu)

1999	Main	Francis Roads (Wanstead, 4 dan)
	Afternoon	Shigehiko Uno (5 dan)
	Handicap	Chris White (29 kyu)
2002	Main	Piers Shepperson (Central London, 4 dan)
	Afternoon	Francis Roads (Wanstead, 4 dan)
	Handicap	William Brooks (Cambridge, 8kyu)
2004	Main	Piers Shepperson (Central London, 5 dan)
	Afternoon	Tony Atkins (Bracknell, 3 dan)
	Handicap	Bill Streeten (Wanstead, 5kyu)
2006	Main	Piers Shepperson (Central London, 5 dan)
	Afternoon	Matthew Cocke (York 5D)
	Handicap	Simon Billonet (France 3D)
2008	Main	Matthew Cocke (York 5D)
	Afternoon	Richard Hunter (Isle of Man 4D)
	Handicap	Ian Marsh (Bracknell 1K)