The opening ceremony of the 46th World Amateur Go Championship (WAGC), the premier global competition to determine the world’s top amateur go player, was held on 6 September at Onnuri Sports Center in Mungyeong, Korea.
Inaugurated in 1979 and boasting over 40 years of prestigious history, the WAGC is the most authoritative international amateur go tournament. Returning to South Korea for the first time in 12 years since the 2014 Gyeongju edition, this year’s championship brings together 53 elite amateur players from across the globe.
The opening ceremony kicked off with a Taekwondo demonstration, attended by key domestic and international dignitaries. Domestic leaders in attendance included Hak-hong Kim, Mayor of Mungyeong; Jeong-sik Seo, Chairman of the Mungyeong City Council; Tae-sun Chung, Chairman of the Korea Baduk Association; Geun-yool Ha, President of the Korea Baduk Federation; and Jae-ho Yang, Secretary General of the Korea Baduk Association.
International representatives included Chang Hao, President of the Chinese Weiqi Association; Hiroko Taki, President of the Japan Go Federation; Shinji Takao, Chairman of the Nihon Ki-in; Korsak Chairasmisak, President of the Go Association of Thailand; Manza Marz, President of the European Go Federation; and Jonas Acres, President of the American Go Association.
‘We warmly welcome all participants to Mungyeong, a city known for its beautiful nature and vibrant culture. We hope players demonstrate their best skills and engage in inspiring matches.’ – Hak-hong Kim, Mayor of Mungyeong
‘I hope this championship helps broaden the reach of go and enriches minds worldwide. Let us unite as a global go community to see the game featured on major stages such as the Asian Games and the Olympics.’ – Tae-sun Chung, Chairman of the Korea Baduk Association
Alongside the main rounds, the event features simultaneous teaching games with professional players, Korean cultural experience programs, and regional tours of iconic landmarks including Mungyeongsaejae Pass.
Prior to the ceremony, the Korea-China-Japan Trilateral Meeting and the International Go Federation (IGF) Board of Directors Meeting took place. The IGF board passed key agendas including executive appointments, financial reports, and global development initiatives. Korea Baduk Association Chairman Tae-sun Chung was appointed the new President of the International Go Federation, serving a two-year term.
South Korea has claimed eight WAGC titles to date: Chan-woo Kim (20th), Jae-sung Yoo (21st), Kang-wook Lee (25th), Sung-bong Ha (29th), Hong-seok Song (31st), Hyun-jae Choi (34th), Chang-hoon Kim (36th), and Jung-sun Kim (43rd). Representing South Korea in pursuit of its ninth title is Hyun-seok Kim.
The competition runs from 8–11 September at Onnuri Sports Center, featuring an 8-round Swiss system with two rounds played daily. The komi is set at 6.5 points, with a time control of 60 minutes per player and three 30-second countdowns.
The 46th Mungyeong World Amateur Go Championship is co-organised and hosted by the Korea Baduk Association, the International Go Federation (IGF), and the Korea Baduk Federation. The event is co-sponsored by Mungyeong City, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation (KSPO), with special cooperation from the Mungyeong City Baduk Association.