European Pros

The European professional system was started in 2014. Its goal is to give the strongest players a chance to compete on the same level as the Asian pro players already do for many years. It should attract more media attention and therefore also attract more sponsors.

Being a European professional brings a player some benefits.
There is a yearly European Professional Championship with high prize money.
In the European Grand Prix professional players compete alongside the strongest amateur players. European professional players are qualified automatically to the most prestigious tournament in the Grand Prix: The Grand Slam.

To become a professional player in Europe, a player has to pass the Pro Qualification.

As a preparation for becoming professional player, strong amateur players can participate in a half year CEGO Academic programme in Bejing. There is also the EGF Academy which aims to train the best young european players so that they reach a high level.

The main sponsor of the EGF pro system is CEGO which stands for Chinese European Go. CEGO comprises chinese investors who want to foster go in Europe.