The University of Minnesota China Center co-hosted the Minnesota Open 2025 Go Tournament with the Twin Cities Go Club on October 18, marking the first Minnesota State Championship for Go since 2015. Held at Coffman Memorial Union, the American Go Association (AGA)–rated event brought together players from across the Midwest for a day of competitive play and cultural celebration.
The tournament drew a wide range of participants, from experienced competitors to newcomers exploring the strategic depth of the ancient game. After four rounds of AGA-sanctioned play, Tank Lin emerged as the State Champion, securing the top title of the 2025 competition.
In addition to the main tournament, a Learn to Play Go session was offered at midday in partnership with the Twin Cities Go Club, the University of Minnesota China Center, and the Joint Action for Diversity Engagement (JADE). This introductory workshop provided new players with an accessible overview of the rules, guided practice with experienced volunteers, and a friendly 9x9 mini-competition. The session drew strong engagement and underscored the growing local interest in Go among students, families, and community members.
The Minnesota Open 2025 highlighted China Center’s continued support for cultural programming and community building. By welcoming both competitive players and first-time learners, the event strengthened connections within the regional Go community and provided an enjoyable and enriching experience for participants of all ages.