See the tournament website:
http://goinamsterdam.nl/tournaments/amsterdam/2008/announcement.html
The first "major tournament" of the new Pandanet Go European Cup series 2008-2009, for which 75 points can be won in Amsterdam!
Thanks to our sponsors we have been able to keep the prize money at its high level and expand on activities during the tournament.
We are planning to increase the number of participants year-for-year to at least 200 and will do our best to make the tournament a hit.
Professional commentary will be given by Guo Juan (5p, China/Netherlands) and Kang Seung-hee (2p, Korea/Germany).
Many side activities, also in Amsterdam city centre.
No-smoking room for socializing and all kinds of games, next to the bar.
Free and cheap lodging is available. For more information see the tournament site.
Discount for online preregistration before April 24:
http://goinamsterdam.nl/tournaments/amsterdam/registration/form1.html
We will have a lottery among those that preregister online before April 24. The prize is free participation, free lodging and a free meal on Friday or Saturday evening.
The two players that played the spectacular last round deciding game last year, Robert Rehm und Ondrej Silt (see http://goinamsterdam.nl/wordpress/), will take part again, just like some other top players.
The tournament is interesting for beginners as well. Already 6 players ranked 17th-25th kyu have registered. See: http://goinamsterdam.nl/tournaments/amsterdam/registered/registeredrpt.php
Have a look at the photos of last year:
http://goinamsterdam.nl/spgm/index.php?spgmGal=Amsterdam_Go_Tournament_2007
By the way, who has more, good quality photos, also of previous years and other go events in Amsterdam?
Those with some spare time should consider coming to Amsterdam early, at the day before the tournament. On April 30 the birthday of former queen Juliana is celebrated and about a million people will visit Amsterdam to take part in massive festivities all over Amsterdam. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koninginnedag
At the day after the tournament, Monday, May 5th, it will be Liberation Day in the Netherlands and there will be more festivities. See: http://www.amsterdamsbevrijdingsfestival.nl/
In short: preregister right away and tell your friends about it!
Harald Zellerer
(The tournament organization can be reached at:
tournament2008 (AT) goinamsterdam (ANTISPAM) nl)