June 6: The longest Igo (Go) game in the world
by Mie
The 21st World amateur Igo tournament in Oita celebrates its second day in downtown Oita. Today, "The longest Igo tournament" was held in Takemachi and Chuoumachi arcades along with "Land of Abundance International Exchange through Igo Festa" under the dome of Takemachi Galleria square.
 The world-longest tournament features its 500 Go boards set in the street. The players are concentrating on the board regardless crowded traffics of the street.
　　　
Forty towns and villages compete for the championship by five players. After the league series, they play fierce battles by the tournament.
　　　
The 23rd kids Igo competition is being held in the same time. Future great Igo players may be born from those kids. Many trophies and prizes wait for the winners.
　　　
Another funny event called "Multi-board play" is held as well. Four professional Go players hand 10 games simultaneously. The players are: from Ms. Yukari Umezawa (2nd grade), Ms. Mayu Hosaka (2nd grade), Ms. Eimi Nishida (fifth grade), Ms. Sachiko Honda (sixth grade), and Mr. Hideo Ohtake (ninth grade.) Forty Go boards are arranged on the table and amateur players selected by the public application sit around them.
　　　
Each applicant has a handicap of three to five black stones. The professional players walk around inside of the square-arranged tables to hand the games with white stones. The site is heated with many spectators and reporters. After one and half hours heated battles, Mr. Ohtake gives proper comments to the amateur players saying, "You put the wrong hand here" or "You should have been more careful at that aptitude."
After the multi-board play was over, many foreign guests arrived at the site. They are invited from 55 countries and regions to join the 21st World amateur Igo tournament beginning from tomorrow.
Mr. , Governor of Oita prefecture, make a few words as the chairman of the Igo festival. Each player is called up his or her name and sits on the chair. They are from Asia, Middle East, Europe, Africa, North America, south America, Middle America, and Oceania. Yes, Igo game is loved so many people all around the world.
　　　
After the opening ceremony, players sit the table in the arcade. The selected Japanese players play games with foreign players by one-to-one. Now, the international exchange has begun through he common language "Igo."
 On the stage, people draw lot to get a fancy paper with autograph of the professional Go players.
 The Go festival was held under the shopping arcade, free from any weather changes in the rainy season. Now the game is almost over. Staff in charge make clear of the street by removing 500 Go boards, tables, and over 1,000 chairs. Thank you very much for those who supported the Festa behind the stage.

We will have the formal championship of "The 21st World amateur Igo tournament in Oita" - a kind of "Olympic of Igo." What country's player will win the championship? I am very interested in it. I hope all the players can exert their full power in the game and enjoy Oita.

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