Successful 2nd ISGS International Conference 2024

Daniela Trinks / August 29, 2024

The 2nd ISGS International Conference on Go Studies took place on August 7th, 2024, in Toulouse during the main-tournament-free Wednesday of the European Go Congress. The event attracted approximately 250 Go players and enthusiasts from around the world, making it a significant occasion for those with an interest in Go Studies.

The conference began with opening speeches by Prof. NAM Chihyung, President of the ISGS, and Jean-Yves Papazoglou, Director of the EGC. Their remarks set the tone for a day of enriching exchanges, emphasizing the importance of ongoing research in the field of Go.
Following the opening speeches, the conference featured a series of insightful presentations and discussions. The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Marius Lindauer, who provided a thought-provoking lecture on Generative A.I. Other notable presenters included Dr. Théo Barollet, Naomi Bensel, Claude Brisson, Stanisław Frejlak, Dr. Silvia Lozeva, Dr. Quentin Rendu, and Prof. YOU Xiaochuan, each contributing valuable perspectives on various aspects of Go research and practice.
Another highlight of the event was the 2nd ISGS Go Promotion Awards ceremony. This ceremony recognized outstanding contributions to the promotion and advancement of the game of Go worldwide. Prof. Daniela Trinks offered a brief overview of the contest and announced the three winners. One of the winners, Dr. Silvia Lozeva, was present at the conference and received their award in person.

The smooth progression of the conference was ensured by the effective moderation by Chimin Oh, who introduced speakers, and facilitated audience interaction. Despite the tight schedule, which limited the time available for questions during the sessions, enthusiastic discussions continued informally during lunch and coffee breaks, demonstrating a high level of engagement among participants.
To reach a broader audience, all presentations were live-streamed via Zoom. Recordings of the sessions will soon be available on the ISGS website, offering those who could not attend the opportunity to benefit from the conference's content.
Special thanks are also extended to the EGC team for their exceptional cooperation and support throughout the planning and organization of the conference. Their contributions were instrumental in ensuring the success of the event.

The success of this conference highlights the growing interest in academic Go studies and underscores the importance of platforms that allow researchers to share their latest findings and engage with both Go players and scholars. We look forward to future editions of this conference that will continue to foster dialogue and development within the field of Go research.
The 3rd ISGS Conference on Go Studies is currently planned to be held during the EGC 2025 in Warsaw, Poland, on the tentative date of July 23, 2025 (Wednesday), with the theme “Connecting through Go: Education, Promotion, and Exchange.” Stay tuned for the “Call for Presentations” to be announced soon. Meanwhile, the EGC 2025 website https://www.egc2025.pl provides a great overview on what to expect at next year's biggest Go event in Europe.
On behalf of the ISGS conference team, I would like to express my gratitude to all the speakers and attendees for their interest and participation. We hope to meet many of you again next year.