2002 n.j. yang 7p go workshop
successfully concluded june 30th, 2002
mahwah, new jersey, usa


John Stephenson presents the Excellence In Teaching marble plaque to Mr. Yang, 7p.
Click on any thumbnail size image to summon a full size image.

Report by Terri Schurter

This year’s Yang Workshop in Mahwah New Jersey was a great success, with 25 participants representing twelve states, consisting of an even mix of newbies and those returning from previous NJ workshops. Our own John Stephenson (mitdahand) gets credit for doing most of the work with others pitching in. Beside John, members of the organizing committee included:

  • Terri Schurter (goddess and club founder)
  • Terry Stoeckert (gastronomic consultant)
  • Steven Bretherick (chauffeur to the pros)
with a few more unofficial members drafted:
  • Robert Muldowney (Highland Park Go Club), who delivered both the goddess and the go boards
  • Larry Russ (Hoboken Go Club) who suppled additional boards
  • Rod Brayman, who supplied several cases of beer.
In addition, many others helped as needed to make the event flow smoothly, which included seven lectures, several clincs, a life and death problem roundup, free format questions, and a simultaneous challenge. There were a few late night bar games too.

Some workshoppers were captured on digital film as they teamed up to test newly learned concepts in play against Mr. Yang. Players closely matched in strength discussed their choices to find the optimal move against Mr. Yang as he strolled from board to board challenging each team at their own level, occasionally pausing to give thought about how to make a game more interesting.

Mr. Yang reviewed each of the twelve simultaneous games immediately after they were played.

On the last day of the workshop a drawing was held to give away two 50% discount $50 book/software certificates and one 50% discount $100 book/software certificate, all donated by Yutopian Enterprises. A nice spruce table go board was donated by the friendly folks at Ishi Press (congratulations to winner Robert Muldowney).

At one point during the festivities, Chris Watson mysteriously drew his own winning ticket for the $100.00 certificate. Participants were highly amused as can be seen by their expressions in the picture showing Chris receiving his certificate.

A wonderful time was had by all. And if you didn’t manage to join us this year, we hope to see you June 26 through June 29th in Hackensack, NJ, USA in 2003. Registration information will appear on the club's website sometime in the first quarter of the year.
Mike Dobbins and Dave Konz coming to grief?

Quentin Dombro and Steve Bretherick. PDAs are handy.
Chris Watson somehow picks his own winning number in the drawing.

Dave Felcan and David Matson feeling around for the right spot.
Mr. Yang analyzing the Muldowney-Stoeckert team effort.

Jack Peterson and Jim McNeely are the men in black.
Terri Schurter and Ken Berg feeling confident.

Bill Reber and David Barnett checking their stock quotes?
Gus Garcia and Mead Walker backed into a corner.

John Pinkerton and Marc Palmer in total control.
Chris White and Chris Watson happy campers.