BGA Organisers' Handbook

Chapter 1:
Introduction

1.1: Overview

This document is intended a standard source of information on organising Go playing, teaching and publicity. It is aimed mainly at British readers, but is intended to be much more widely applicable.

The chapters contain gleanings from many years of experience, from several people, of Go organisation in Britain. If your preferred methods are not included, don't take it as a criticism – you could even email us so that they can be added.

Throughout, for brevity and convenience, a player is referred to as he, since the majority of players at present are male, despite the growing number of female players.

Material presented here may be copied as long as it is done to further the interests of Go playing and is credited to the BGA.

Acknowledgements

This edition was prepared by Nick Wedd, and updates the previous edition, prepared by Edwin Brady. Thanks are due to Edwin Brady, Tony Atkins, Ian Davis, Geoff Kaniuk, Jenny Radcliffe, Paul Smith, Nick Wedd, and Willemien for their contributions and suggestions, and the many contributions (both direct and indirect!) from the gotalk mailing list. This version is written in html..

1.2: The British Go Association

The British Go Association (affiliated to the European Go Federation and to the International Go Federation) is a voluntary organisation with elected officials, and exists to promote the game of Go within the British Isles. The BGA has existed for 50 years, and is actively involved in the organisation and co-ordination of tournaments. The BGA plays an active part in the European Go Federation (EGF), taking its turn to be the host to the annual European Go Congress.

Membership is open to all Go players on payment of a small annual subscription. Among the BGA's activities are the following:

Publications

• The British Go Journal (in hardcopy) is distributed free to members and includes instructional articles as well as news items.
• The BGA newsletter (in hardcopy or electronic format) is distributed to members every two months, and includes recent news and details of forthcoming events.
• The BGA website includes pages of news covering UK and European tournaments and events.

Services

• The BGA provides help with putting on tournaments, including lending sets and clocks in exchange for a small fee.
• The BGA sells books, sets, and other supplies, at special members' prices, by post and at some tournaments. There is a price list online.
• The BGA provides a game analysis service, and other services to members and clubs.
• The BGA promotes and subsidises Go training sessions.
• Diplomas are awarded to all those who reach dan strength, according to the grading system maintained by the European Go Federation.
• A number of public-domain Go-related utilities, including Go-playing programs, are available from the BGA's web site.
• The BGA offers free web space (up to 50kB) to BGA affiliated Go clubs.

Tournaments

• Around 25 Go tournaments are held regularly in Britain each year. The BGA helps with the organisation of these, lending Go sets and clocks for a small levy.
• The British Go Congress is held annually around Easter time, and the British Championship later in the year. Other tournaments are not run by the Association, but are assisted, and coordinated and advertised by it.

Representation

• Each year the BGA selects British Go players to compete in the World Amateur Go Championship as representatives of Britain (formerly, they received free air travel from a sponsor, but currently they must pay their own travel costs). There is also representation in European tournaments.