Russia remains Team Tournament Champion & more at the opening ceremony
EGC 2018 went off with a bang last night in the grand Pacinotti Hall in front of hundreds of visitors from all over the world. The main event of course was the first major result of the congress: Team Russia the Pandanet European Team Go Championship, defending their title from last year! After them came France as runner up, Ukraine took third place, followed by Poland in fourth.
Results and prizes are well and good, but what made the ceremony worthwile was the charming moderation by main organiser Maurizio Parton and his daughter Sara. They were welcoming professionals and special guests from all over the world – more than could even fit on stage! Presenters got a chance to show teaching projects such as a school in Chicago, United States, where Go was integrated into the math curriculum; Leela Zero as an open source teaching tool; and a special children's program in Germany that focuses on forming connections and friendships through the study of Go online and offline.
All this was book-ended by phenomenal dance performances by a professional dance group from Pisa, accompanied by live flute music. "A night to remember" for sure, and we had "the time of our lives". ;-)
[Photos: Misha Krylov, judith van dam]