On the morning of October 11, the opening ceremony for the 2024 “Quzhou Lanke Cup” National Employee Go Tournament took place at the Luming Mountain Cultural Institute in Quzhou City, as reported by the China Go Association.
This prestigious event is organized by the China Federation of Trade Unions, the China Go Association, and the Quzhou Municipal Government, with support from the Zhejiang Provincial Go Association. The Quzhou Federation of Trade Unions, the Quzhou Sports Bureau, the Quzhou Bureau of Culture, Radio, TV and Tourism, and others have helped in its execution, while the Quzhou Workers’ Cultural Palace is responsible for its operational management. This year, the Quzhou Federation of Trade Unions successfully secured the rights to host the national event and branded it as the “Quzhou Lanke Cup” after actively collaborating with the All-China Federation of Trade Unions and the China Federation of Trade Unions for cultural and sports activities. Notably, the National Employee Go Tournament is unique, being the only national Go competition in China that involves employees and industry associations from various provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities. It is regarded as having the highest standards, the widest participant base, and the greatest impact among employee Go tournaments in the country.
The competition is divided into two phases. The first phase consists of online matches held on the Yike Go Platform from September 8 to October 7, which saw enthusiastic participation from Go enthusiasts across the nation. During this period, over 1.03 million matches were played, with participation exceeding 88,000 individuals. The second phase features in-person matches from October 10 to 15 at the Dongfang Grand Hotel in Quzhou, attracting nearly 200 participants across 34 teams from regions including Beijing, Anhui, Yunnan, Sichuan, and Ningxia. Players are engaged in intense battles on the Go board, where strategy and wisdom collide spectacularly. This competition not only tests the players’ Go skills but also fosters friendship and communication among different regions and industries, showcasing the high level and vibrant spirit of employee Go across the nation.
To enhance the overall event experience, the Quzhou Federation of Trade Unions has planned activities such as a “Go Carnival” and promotional events that feature Go in the workplace. They also include demonstrations of Quzhou’s intangible cultural heritage, traditional cultural performances, and local culinary experiences. These activities aim to provide competing players with an enjoyable experience while allowing them to immerse themselves in the unique culture and cuisine of Quzhou.
A relevant official from the Quzhou Federation of Trade Unions expressed, “The National Employee Go Tournament is an important event in the Go community. We are committed to ensuring that the event runs smoothly and to providing an exceptional competition environment. While hosting the tournament, we will also engage local cultural and tourism resources to entice participants and visitors to fully experience the unique charm of ‘Nankong Sacred Land, Quzhou Welcomes You.’” They stressed that this tournament serves as an opportunity to enhance the cultural engagement of employees and promote the development of cultural and sports activities in the city, ultimately contributing to the high-quality growth of Quzhou’s cultural and tourism sectors.
