Life In 19x19

I was interested to see how many people are going this year.

I'd really like to go, especially since it is about as close as it's going to get to Montana. I'm just not sure if I'm going to have the time for it, though. Already taking a decent chunk of time off from work in about a month, so that might be an issue.

I'm not going to completely rule it out because I would really like to be able to participate.

I'm expecting to go, but first I have to survive the WAGC in Hangzhou in May. Then there is the small matter of passing through Chicago on the way...

Best wishes.

Really good luck to you there by the way, I meant to say it in person at Edinburgh but missed the tournament through illness

I voted other. Being in Europe makes it too expensive to get to any US based event.

I'm on the edge. In the end, it seems likely that I'll end up going. Right now, I am so busy with work, I feel like I can't see past the end of my nose.

The primary thing holding me back is difficulty deciding whether I should drive or fly.

Phelan wrote:I voted other. Being in Europe makes it too expensive to get to any US based event.

To that I say, being anywhere else besides relatively close to the congress is too expensive

The difference in pricing between usgo congress and european go congress is pretty amazing. Largely, the us go congress is a lot more expensive.

I'm looking forward to being able to go. It's just the matter of working out the time off. It would really be bad to have a Congress so close and not be able to make it. How many brand new Go players find out that a national congress is going to be within a 2 hour drive?

Robert

Not this year nor the next. Here's for hopin 2012's near NYC!

I'm already registered. I still have not decided whether to fly or drive. If you are anywhere in the southwestern US, look at my post in the rideshare forum.

ketchup wrote:

Phelan wrote:I voted other. Being in Europe makes it too expensive to get to any US based event.

To that I say, being anywhere else besides relatively close to the congress is too expensive

The difference in pricing between usgo congress and european go congress is pretty amazing. Largely, the us go congress is a lot more expensive.

I can't comment on US congresses - but it seems to me that European Congresses vary widely in cost. The main issue that I have is with accommodation - ideally IMO student accommodation is best, there was none in Groningen, but there was a campsite approx 2 km away. For Tampere I've heard that the campsite is 4 (6 ?) km away and all things considered I'll probably pass on this. Next year in Bordeaux http://www.egc2011.eu/ it seems we'll have accommmodation for 15 euros a night - and I shall definitely go.

Another issue is the cost of food and beer. Holding a tournament in a hotel gives rise to 2 categories of participants - those than can afford it and those that can't - and that detracts from the event by dividing people.

From my recollection UK player attendance is higher when the event is cheap. I liked Marseille and Prague.

Finally, I don't know what it takes to get UK dan players to EGCs - with a very few exceptions they were conspicuous by their absence in Groningen - suggestions as to why ?

So general question: When do the festivities begin (day), and how long do they last? Are there things going on through both weekends before and after?

Registration and Congress Info is here:

http://www.gocongress.org/

I've got a score to settle with Congress... I am just not ok with losing 13 rated games.

So I'm hoping to go back, but it's still not set in stone.

Where will the congress be in 2011? Is it worthwhile for a kyu-level player to show up, or is it mainly for dan players?