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I recently learned that the European Go Congress, which will take place in Warsaw next summer, is being sponsored by GoDan – a company run by Janusz Kraszek. I knew his name from older Ukrainian players and I thought that it would be interesting to ask Janusz a few questions. Enjoy the interview below!
Artem: How and when did you first hear about the game of go?
Janusz: It was in 1976: during my studies at Warsaw University, a friend of mine showed me the game.
Artem: How did you study go to reach the top European level?
Janusz: Mostly I went through professional games published in Go Review and later in Go World, plus Kido books. I liked doing this very much. Starting in 1980, I attended the World Amateur Go Championships (WAGC) in the Far East, these helped me a lot too.
Artem: What are your most notable achievements in tournaments?
Janusz: Not many: European Champion in 1983, 6th place in the WAGC in 1986 and 7th in both 1987 and 1989.
Artem: Please share your brightest memories from the period when you played actively.
Janusz: My victory in the Open European Championship at the EGC 1983, as well as making 6th place in the WAGC 1986 after beating Ronald Schlemper. In my early playing years: taking 2nd place in the 1977 Prague handicap tournament as a 12-kyu (my first appearance in a tournament); taking 4th place as a 1-dan in the same event the following year; then placing fifth in the same handicap tournament as a 4-dan. Also, winning the 1st Polish Go Championship in 1979 and my trip to the WAGC in Tokyo the following year. I would also like to mention the 1st Open Computer Go Playing Programs European Championship in 1987, won by my program Star of Poland (SOP)!
Artem: Do you play go nowadays, or follow the development of go in Europe?
Janusz: I play go but not in tournaments. And yes, I follow the developments in Europe and am very happy that European go players are getting stronger and stronger!
Artem: Please tell us briefly about your business. Is the name of your company, GoDan, inspired by the game of go?
Janusz: The name of my company came from “Watashi wa godan desu”, the phrase I often said during my trips to Japan. [Antti Törmänen helped with translation: 私は五段です means “I am 5-dan”] We started in 1991 with mylar (foil) balloons from the USA, then organically expanded to a full range of party products. Now we are the leading party supply company in central Europe.
Artem: Do you think your skills in go helped you develop your business? If so, how?
Janusz: Probably yes. Most significantly in the patience I have from playing go.
Artem: Why did you choose to support the next European Go Congress in Warsaw? Do you plan to sponsor other events in Poland?
Janusz: Yes, it is possible that I will support other events. We will see the outcome of this sponsorship. Why do I sponsor it? Because go society always needs sponsors. I remember from the past: in those difficult times in Poland, I could not afford to travel to the EGC in Edinburgh in 1983 on my own. Prof. Heine from Wilhelmshaven took me there by car together with his family! Unfortunately, that EGC had no significant prize to give to the European Champion, probably the only exception during the 80’s. Thus, I could not repay Prof. Heine for his favor after winning. It was sad.
Artem: If you could share a message with other potential sponsors, what would you tell them? Why is it important to support the game of go in Europe?
Janusz: For myself and, I believe, for many other active players from the past, go was important during their youth. We devoted a lot of our time studying, playing, competing, winning and losing. Let us now help young people to have similar experiences, if we can of course. I am sure many of us can.
Artem: Thank you, Janusz! I hope your support will help go bloom in Poland and beyond!
