The Mind Sports Olympiad, now in its fourth year, brings together some of the world's greatest players of classic games to compete in tournaments and championships in board games, card games and other mental skills.
This year's prize fund is the biggest yet with over £10,000 allocated to go events alone.
This event is supported by the British Go Association and we encourage go players to attend. Non playing family or friends can try out other events at the Olympiad or take the opportunity to explore London.
| Date |
Morning |
Afternoon |
|
Date |
Morning |
Afternoon |
| Sat 19 August |
British Championship Round 1 |
Sat 19 August |
|
Introduction to go for beginners |
| Sun 20 August |
British Championship Round 2 |
Sun 20 August |
Lightning
Tournament |
Youth Tournament
+ introduction to go for beginners |
| Mon 21 August |
British Championship Round 3 |
Mon 21 August |
|
|
| Tue 22 August |
British Championship Round 4 |
Tue 22 August |
|
|
| Wed 23 August |
|
Wed 23 August |
Olympiad Championship Round 1 |
Olympiad Championship Round 2 |
| Thu 24 August |
|
Thu 24 August |
Olympiad Championship Round 3 |
Olympiad Championship Round 4 |
| Fri 25 August |
|
Fri 25 August |
Olympiad Championship Round 5 |
Olympiad Championship Round 6 |
| Sat 26 August |
|
Sat 26 August |
Rapidplay Tournament Rounds 1-3 |
Rapidplay Tournament Rounds 4-6 |
| Sun 27 August |
|
Sun 27 August |
Pairgo Tournament Rounds 1-2 |
Pairgo Tournament Rounds 3-4 |
| Mon 28 August |
British Championship Round 5 |
Mon 28 August |
13x13 Tournament Rounds 1-4
+ novice event |
13x13 Tournament Rounds 5-8 |
Olympiad Championship: August 23 - 25
Format: The top section will be a Swiss tournament. The remainder play under a McMahon draw. This tournament will have six rounds featuring the longest time limits, probably 105 minutes each, plus some overtime, per game.
Entry Fee: £25 (Reduced fee of £10 for entrants under 16 at the start of the Olympiad, entrants over 60 at the start of the Olympiad and entrants with disabilities.)
Prizes: £2,000, £1,200, £800, £500, £300 and a further 6 grading prizes of £25 each for good results in the McMahon section of the draw.
Rapid play tournament: August 26
Format: The top section will be a Swiss tournament. The remainder play under a McMahon draw. This tournament will have six rounds featuring shorter time limits, probably 30 minutes each, sudden death, per game.
Entry Fee: £15 (Reduced fee of £6 for entrants under 16 at the start of the Olympiad, entrants over 60 at the start of the Olympiad and entrants with disabilities.)
Prizes: £750, £500, £350, £200, £100 and 5 further grading prizes of £20 for good results in the McMahon section of the draw.
Lightning tournament: August 20
Format: The top section will be a Swiss tournament. The remainder play under a McMahon draw. This tournament will have seven rounds featuring the shortest time limits, twelve minutes each on the clock for each round.
Entry Fee: £13 (Reduced fee of £5 for entrants under 16 at the start of the Olympiad, entrants over 60 at the start of the Olympiad and entrants with disabilities.)
Prizes: £500, £300, £200, £100 and a further 5 grading prizes of £20 each for good results in the McMahon section of the draw.
Pairgo tournament: August 27
Format: This tournament will have seven rounds and will be open to male-female pairs. There is no requirement for pairs to be of the same nationality. The top 16 pairs will play a Swiss tournament. The remainder will play under a McMahon draw.
Entry Fee: £15 (Reduced fee of £6 for entrants under 16 at the start of the Olympiad, entrants over 60 at the start of the Olympiad and entrants with disabilities.)
Prizes: £600, £400, £200 and 3 further grading prizes of £50 for good results in the McMahon section.
13 x 13 tournament: August 28
Format: The top section will be a Swiss tournament. The remainder will play under a McMahon draw. There are four rounds scheduled for the morning session and another four for the afternoon session; the novice section will play only the four in the morning.
Entry Fee: £15 (Reduced fee of £6 for entrants under 16 at the start of the Olympiad, entrants over 60 at the start of the Olympiad and entrants with disabilities.)
Prizes: £500, £350, £200, £100, £50 and 5 further grading prizes of £20 each for good results in the McMahon and novice sections.
Youth tournament: August 20
Format: Format to be decided. Open to under-18s only.
Entry Fee: £13 (Reduced fee of £5 for entrants under 16 at the start of the Olympiad and entrants with disabilities.)
Prizes: £250, £150, £50, and 5 age group prizes of £20 each.
British Championship Title Match: August 19 - 21 (and possibly 22 or 28)
Format: This is a best of 5 title match between the current Champion and the new Challenger. The winner becomes British Champion for a year. Should a fourth game be required this will be played on Tuesday 22 August. Should a fifth game be required this will be played on Monday 28 August.
Prizes: Winner, £350; Runner up, £150.
Introduction to go for beginners: August 19 and 20 (two separate sessions)
Format: These sessions will teach the basics to beginners. Attendees will receive a free starter go set and will be encouraged to enter the 13 x 13 event on 28 August.
Entry Fee: FREE!
Computer Go
A computer go tournament will also be taking place as part of the Computer Olympiad during the week of August 21-25.
Professionals
A number of top professional go players from around the world have already accepted invitations to the event. We expect to arrange some teaching activities and game analysis with these professionals.
Other information and contacts
Go events at the Olympiad will be organised by the British Go Association and questions concerning the organisation of the individual go events may therefore be addressed to the British Go Association. Registration for events, go or otherwise, should be undertaken directly with the Mind Sports Olympiad.
Contact: Alison Bexfield (e-mail: alison@acjamj.demon.co.uk, telephone: +44 20 8504 6944)
Alison Bexfield - BGA / MSO.
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