The 27th London Open was held from 29th December until 1st of January, thus spanning the New Year as usual. Of course the New Year was also the start of the new century, but cancellation of Ken Livingstone's London party meant that the city was not burning with excitement as during the 2000 new year. However the Wanstead Christmas Party was back on and a good number joined the official tournament celebration at the Indian restaurant. This year the event was run as a 7-round MacMahon, with only one game with a midday start on January 1st. 103 players took part, almost the same number as previous (99), representing 14 countries including the USA and for the first time Thailand. For the first time the event was part of the Toyota European Go Tour, which meant prize money was available for the top five players, though not as much as when Hitachi were sponsors and not enough to attract the 7 dans to come. The Highbury Roundhouse has proved an adequate venue for ten years and it was warm inside despite the seasonal snow lying at the start of the weekend. However next year it looks like there will be a move to a new more central and upmarket venue, if the additional cost can be born. Anyway the event started on time. Thanks to modern technology and the purchase of a mobile phone (since sold to the BGA) it was even possible to register from the airport. The usual catering was available organised by Bill Streeten. Two friends of his daughter, Nicole Cuschieri and Hannah Wregglesworth charmed all there with their sandwiches, soups, breakfasts and smiles. Kyu players were encouraged to record their games and get analysis. Just before the closing ceremony Seong-June Kim gave an interesting commentary on his last round game.

The Lightning was held on the Saturday evening using a straight knock-out format. First was Seong-June Kim (6 dan UK) and second was Malcolm Schonfield (1 dan France). Andrej Kralj (3 dan Slovenia) won the play-off for third against Tobias Klaus (9 kyu Germany). Also 45 of the players found time to play at least one game in the 9x9 event, though no prizes were awarded in the unpopular continuous handicap event. First at small board go was Jim Sadler (1 dan UK), second Natasha Regan (1 kyu UK) and third Arnaud Knippel (1 dan France).

In the main tournament the top five places were taken by: fifth Xiangdong Wang (4 dan UK), fourth Matti Siivola (5 dan Finland), third Matthew Macfadyen (6 dan UK on 5/7), second Masanori Tanaka (5 dan Switzerland on 6/7) and winner Seong-June Kim (6 dan UK) who was unbeaten. The only other player unbeaten was American 3 kyu Clay Smith, who entered as a European 4 kyu and ended up beating three 1 kyu players, winning best kyu award. Prizes of Devon-style large wooden Go stones were given out to those on 6 and 7 wins and to especially deserving 5/7s. Best Junior was Lasse Jakobsen (25 kyu UK) and best improver was Bettina Rehburg (9 kyu Germany). The stone-getting 5/7s were Joakim Strom (4 kyu Sweden), Martin Gomilschak (4 kyu Austria), Albert Fenech (2 kyu France) and his son Antoine Fenech (2 dan France) on 5/6. Others on 5/7 were Jim Sadler (1 dan UK), Malcolm Schonfield (1 dan France) and Matthias Bahr (2 dan Germany). Parkpoom Lekhavat (12 kyu), from Thailand and a student in Essex, was the best novice.