Moving north more than 5,000 miles from our start point in Punta Arenas, we find the other edge of this region: Mexico. This country has gone through a very interesting go development in the last years in different areas of the game.

To begin with, Mexicans are pioneers in the production of go stones, a process which was developed by Mexican Go Association treasurer, Marco Hernandez. Throughout the years he has perfected his technique and has exported many sets to all of Latin America.

UNAM go workshop. Science Faculty.

Regarding the promotion of go culture, at Mexico’s National University UNAM, free workshops are given in the Science Faculty and in the open garden ‘Las Islas’. Previously, workshops were also given in UNAM’s high schools under a circuit of visits to different venues. During them, the students got the chance to learn about the game under the guidance of instructors in a friendly and fun atmosphere.

Another spot where seasonal go workshops are given is in the Korean Cultural Center in Mexico City. It is worth mentioning that this centre has recently organised the first-ever Pan-American Baduk Championship, where players from all over the continent took part.

On the youth sector, an important job has been done by Siddhartha Avila who teaches go regularly on different schools in Mexico City. His students travel anually to Japan to play in the Life International Go Meeting for Children and some of them have home-stayed at the Korean Dojang KIBA under different programs to study the game.

Go in Mexico is also enjoyed on a club level where two clubs stand out at their meeting frequency: the Guanajuato Go Club in the Leon province and the Ekoji Temple in Mexico City. In the latter one, students meet under guidance of Mr Ricardo Quintero. Other club initiatives are being launched at Queretaro City and Monterrey.

On a broader scale the Mexican Go Association is organizing the 6th Mexican Go Congress on June, which has stablished itself as a tradition. Professional players from Korea are expected and the Mexican Open Championship will take place among other activities.

On the right: Mexican youth players in Japan

4th Mexican Go Congress group photo

You can follow the Mexican Go Association’s activities on their Facebook page.

As you can see, from Chile to Mexico, go is developing in one way or another. We hope that this pace continues and that Latin America keeps growing! Farewell!

Report by Emil Garcia