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The setup was optimal in many ways: enough fresh air, pleasant temperature, separated wide tables for all participants, great playing equipment with inspiring paintings all around. Organizers provided water, tea, coffee, fruits, snacks and even home-made cookies in a separate hall, which was used for the opening ceremony and the award ceremony.
This year’s edition brought together 64 participants from 18 countries, marking another successful step toward our goal of establishing Vienna as a key stop on the European Go calendar.
The tournament’s top group consisted of two EGF professionals, one EGF not-yet-officially-certified professional, and some of the strongest European amateur players.
The tournament was honoured by the presence of Her Excellency, the Ambassador of People’s Republic of China.
We also express our sincere thanks to Mr. Padraig Lysaght, Director of the Confucius Institute in Vienna, for his continuous support. Such a great venue would not be possible if it wasn’t for the Institute’s help.
We would also like to thank Lanke Quzhou for their sponsorship and generous support of this event.
The tournament ran smoothly and without any issues, with all rounds starting timely. The first four boards of each round were broadcast using AI IZIS boards with announcements on the Online Go Server. A short report about the tournament with links to games has been updated on OGS Forum Article. In addition, 20 games of the tournament are available on Go Games Live - Vienna Open 2025.
Three rounds played on Saturday finished in a spectacular fight between Oh Chi-Min, 8d, and Stanislaw Frejlak, 2p. After many “ups” and “downs”, Stanislaw won the game by 1,5 points, entering the second day with three wins. (see the game)
On Sunday, the second player with three wins, Lukas Podpera, 7d, started his game very well, but Stanislaw Frejlak, 2p, reversed the situation in the middlegame, getting his fourth win. (see the game)
In the last round, Benjamin Dréan-Guenaïzia, 7d, defeated the tournament leader in a very good game, making the finish the tournament a thriller. (see the game)
Lukas Podpera, 7d, won the game against Oh Chi-Min, 8d, and SOSOS gave the final placement. (see the game)
Lukas Podpera, 7d, won his third EGF Grand Prix victory of the season, Stanislaw Frejlak, 2p, had the same SOS and 3 SOSOS points less, winning the 2nd place and the seat in the Grand Prix Finale. The French duo had exactly 3 SOS points less than Lukas and Stanislaw: Benjamin Dréan-Guenaïzia, 7d, took 3rd place having 3 SOSOS points more than Tanguy le Calvé, 1p. Three players scored three wins: rating favourite Oh Chi-Min, 8d, took 5th place, whereas two Austrian representatives, Schayan Hamrah, 5d, and Viktor Lin, 6d, took 6th and 7th place. The 8th prize went to Shukai Kirby Zhang, 6d.
Organizers prepared many prizes: Lisa Mayer, 1d, was the best female player (scoring 4 wins!). In absence of Yuze Xing, 5d, who had to leave before the closing ceremony, Stjepan Medak, 5d, was the best U18, Lilly Hu, 1d, was the best U12. There were awards for the youngest participant, players scoring 4 wins, and – finally – a special prize for the best EGF professional player – Stanislaw Frejlak, 2p.
Pairings, results and standings of the tournament were constantly updated in the Vienna Open Google Sheet, with the entry in EGD visible on Sunday early evening.
The Confucius Institute in partnership with OktoTV compiled a short video of the beginning of the tournament, available on Youtube. Thank you very much!
We believe that the next edition of this tournament is going to attract even more players of all strengths.
🥇 Lukas Podpera 7d – 8 GP points
🥈 Stanislaw Frejlak 2p – 6 GP points + a seat at the Grand Prix Finals
🥉 Benjamin Drean-Guenaizia 7d/1p – 4 GP points
🏅 4th: Tanguy Le Calvé 1p – 2 GP points
🏅 5th: Oh Chimin 8d
🏅 6th: Schayan Hamrah 5d – 1 GP point
Photos taken by:
Mirta Medak
Anastasiya Tsyhanova
Jasna Medak
