On October 15, the 2024 “Quzhou Lanke Cup” National Employees Go Tournament concluded at the Quzhou Oriental Hotel, following five days of intense competition. Organized by the Chinese Go Association, this event brought together Go enthusiasts from across the country, showcasing not only the rich culture of Go but also delivering a unique experience for the public.

Since its launch, the tournament has generated significant interest and enthusiastic participation. In the online phase, more than 80,000 employee players registered, resulting in over a million games played, demonstrating the vibrant energy and wide-reaching influence of Go within the workforce.

The offline stage of the tournament took place from October 10 to 15 at the Quzhou Smart New City Oriental Hotel, where nearly 200 players from 34 teams hailing from places like Beijing, Anhui, Yunnan, Sichuan, and Ningxia gathered. They engaged in friendly matches and discussions centered around the game of Go. The tournament format consisted of individual games contributing to team scores, with every match filled with suspense and the players’ strategies reflecting their intelligence and hard work.

Throughout the intense competition, participants formed friendships and outsmarted their opponents, resulting in electrifying matches. The black and white stones on the board created intricate and dynamic scenarios, where each move had to be carefully considered to counter the opponent’s strategies. After 11 rounds of fierce battles over five days, Meng Fanxiong and Liu Xinyu from the Financial Sports Association claimed the first and second personal prizes respectively, while Kuo Baichuan from the Beijing Xinmulian Team-2 took home third place. The Financial Sports Association, Beijing Xinmulian Team-2, and Hefei Go Association clinched the team championship, runner-up, and third place.

Meng Fanxiong’s perfect record of 11 wins elevated him to the top of the leaderboard, earning him thunderous applause from the audience for his steady playing style and exceptional skills. Liu Xinyu closely followed, demonstrating high-level competitive prowess.

This tournament was not only a test of Go skills but also an opportunity for cultural exchange and heritage appreciation. Quzhou, known as a national historical and cultural city, added a unique charm to the event with its picturesque landscapes and rich historical resources. Participants had the chance to explore Quzhou during the tournament, immersing themselves in the allure and essence of this ancient city, and experiencing the depth of traditional Chinese culture.