This summer I participated in my ninth European Go Congress (EGC). It was held from 20 July to 4 August in Brussels, Belgium. As usually, there were two competitions in which I participated: Pandanet European Team Championship Final and the European Championship. The EGC is a set of various events and tournaments including pair go tournament, rapid tournament, and many others. Sometimes there is even a beer tournament in which you have to show skills both in go and drinking beer. I always try to do my best in the European Championship, so for me it’s only left to observe the rest of the events.

Group photo of the EGC 2019

Winners of the Pandanet Go European Team Championship 2019, France

The pair go tournament is popular among the EGC participants.

In the Pandanet Go European Team Championship Final there were the four strongest teams of the league stage. As I played on the first board, there was no easy game for me. My team lost the first two matches against the favourites: the Russian and French teams. So, in the third round there was a funny situation: big final for the first place between Russia and France, and small final for the last place between Romania and Ukraine. Somehow our Ukrainian team won, ending up on the third place. I think me and my teammates were satisfied with such a result.

On the next day after the Team Championship was over, the individual Championship started. This year it was a tough tournament for me. I lost in the second round to Lukas Podpera 7d from Czechia. As the EC is a double elimination tournament until the quarter-finals, one more loss would mean that the tournament is over for me. I won all of my following games until the final, but in some of them I was really lucky. The final game I lost by 0.5 points to Ilya Shikshin 3p from Russia. That was a pity, but he played well. In total I played ten days in a row, as I participated also in the Team Championship final. I came home completely exhausted but happy with my results.

This time I didn’t enjoy sightseeing too much during the EGC. Playing ten days in a row is not an easy task, and in my free time I did my best to take a rest and relax. Luckily, near the apartment I was renting there was a huge park, and in the evenings after the games I mostly walked there.

Next year the European Go Congress will take place in my home country, Ukraine. For most European go players it’s a mysterious country which they have never visited; even more so for Asians. The congress will be held in a small touristic city with many attractions. I am sure everyone will enjoy it! Please check the EGC 2020 website to register or to get any additional information.

Report by Artem

View of the Kamyanets-Podilskyi