One of the most beautiful premier venues in the UK, Alexandra Palace's unique qualities and breath-taking setting offer stylish, versatile and flexible facilities. A regal building restored to the highest of standards boasting an exceptional blend of Victorian splendour, opulent history and modern technology creating a magnificent backdrop for the 4th Mind Sports Olympiad.
The 4th Mind Sports Olympiad, Alexandra Palace, London
Matthew Macfadyen 6-dan retained his British Go Championship in decisive fashion by winning straight games in the best-of-five match held this year at the 4th Mind Sports Olympiad. The challenger Des Cann 4-dan kept the contest interesting.
Matthew Macfadyen (left) and Des Cann go over one of their British Championship games.
Against all-comers on 20 August 2000, 6 year old chinese prodigy, Liao Xingwen, came joint third behind new European champion Lee Hyuk 7-dan and Lee's old university pal in Korea, Kim Seong-June 6-dan, now living in Cambridge. Xingwen became the yougest ever medal winner at MSO.
The Open, six rounds from 23-25 August 2000, was won by former Chinese professional 5-dan Guo Juan, now playing as amateur 7-dan out of Holland. In second place was Zhang Shutai 7-dan, a Chinese eye doctor who has worked for a long time in London. Joint third were Lee Hyuk of Korea, currently resident in Russia, and Du Jingyu, yet another Chinese 7-dan who lives in Braunschweig, Germany.
Winner of the Rapid-play, with a perfect score, was Mun Il-to (Moon Ildo) 7-dan of Korea. Second was Du Jinyu, followed by Lu Jinqiang, who edged out Guo Juan on the SOS tie break.
Mun Il-to 7-dan and reputedly now Korea's strongest amateur was fastest on the draw in the Rapid-play event
Esteemed Guests
TV star and international film actor Michael Culver, 2-dan, called in to see old go friends. Nihon Ki-in go professional Shigeno Yuki 2-dan flew in from Milan to spend a few days at Alexandra Palace. Yuki is a popular guest teacher all over Europe and USA. Special MSO4 guests Liu Yajie and Liao Xingwen were subjects of much publicity and media interest. Professor Chen Zhixing 5-dan and inventor of Handtalk was present, as was Shogi pro Nakao Osamu 6-dan.
TV star and international film actor Michael Culver, 2-dan makes an appearance to see old go friends.
Liu Yajie and Liao Xingwen talk to Sunday Times reporter Jason Frenkel
Go professional Shigeno Yuki 2-dan
Shogi pro Nakao Osamu 6-dan took time out to brush up his go
Professor Chen Zhixing 5-dan and inventor of Handtalk - what is he trying to tell us here?
Go and Computers
There is plenty of hardware and software available for Olympiad competitors. Some use it to analyse their games. There are also exhibition events as humans take on the machines.
Two go competitors analyse their games at the Olympiad on some of the available hardware.
Liao Xingwen takes on Michael Reiss' world champion go computer program and comes out on top.
