The IGA League is the Irish Go Association’s primary online tournament, giving IGA members the opportunity to play competitive, rated games throughout the year. We also welcome friends from other associations.

The League operates two seasons each year: Spring (April–June) and Autumn (September–November). Games to be played on OGS (preferred), KGS or Pandanet, and you will play 2–3 games each month.

The League Commissioner is Henry Williams (HenryW) and any questions can be asked either by email or #league channel in the IGA Discord server.

Season 9 (Spring 2026)

Entries to Season 9 are now closed.

Season 9 Entries – Updated 31/3/26

• Lisa Mayer, 1d
• Kevin Farrell, 1k
• Eon Serge, 1k
• Razvan Andrei, 1k
• Pietro Simonini, 2k
• Guillaume de Keijser, 3k
• Byoung-Ju Lee, 3k
• Dimitrios Satkas, 4k
• David Labbe, 5k
• Luciano Barbati, 5k
• Aguido Horatio Davis, 6k
• Emmet O’Rourke, 7k
• Marco Baldoncini, 8k
• Dr. Lajos Katona, 9k
• Henry Williams, 11k
• Serafeim Zanikolas, 11k
• Erwin van de Velde, 13k
• Igor Kuceriavyj, 13k
• Gia Petri, 14k
• Paul Cornett, 15k
• Conor Strickland, 21k
• Seán Kinch, 25k
• Mary Aherne, 25k
• John Fergus, 25k

Structure

The League is divided into Groups of 4–5 players. Each Group plays a double round-robin, meaning that you face each other player in your Group twice in a season, once taking black, once taking white. Time controls are 45 minutes main time, with byo-yomi of 3 x 30s.

You receive one point for each win. Within a Group, players are ranked by points, with ties broken by direct comparison (the games between the tied players), then by position at the start of the season if deemed necessary by the organisers.

Results are submitted to the European Go Database for rating — the IGA League is a Class D online tournament for ratings purposes.

Joining the League

Open registration begins approximately four weeks before the start of the season. We will place you in a Group determined by your EGF and online ratings. In general, we do not place anyone directly into the top Group — you must play your way into Group A.

We open new spaces every season and usually we can accommodate everyone who wants to join but we can’t guarantee everyone a spot. Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis. If we can’t place you in a group appropriate to your strength, we will place you on a waiting list — you’ll have priority entry for the next season.

Entry is free to members of the Irish Go Association. Guests from other Associations pay an entry fee of €5 per season.

Champions

Gavin Rooney topped the table in the Spring 2022 season to become the inaugural League Champion. Lu Xinqun then won 6 editions in a row. The current Champion is Xin Shu.

Sponsors

The IGA league is generously sponsored by Go Magic and OGS.