[1] Founded by chess master Edward Lasker and some friends at Chumley's restaurant in New York City, the AGA is one of the oldest Western Go associations.
The AGA publishes a weekly online newsletter that reaches more than 13,000 subscribers worldwide, The American Go E-Journal, and an annual Yearbook; maintains a national rating system; organizes an annual national event, The US Go Congress; selects North American representatives in international tournaments; and provides support to its members and chapters as they promote Go in their communities.
As a member of the International Go Federation, the AGA is the official organization responsible for managing and promoting Go in the United States.
[2] Whilst the US Go community were buzzing about getting exposure, and the BBC covered the event on its Newsnight programme[citation needed], the US press did not really pick up the story, except the Chapel Hill Herald, the local paper where the board was made.
In December 2011, The AGA partnered with the Korea Baduk Association and the Korean Go server Tygem to promote a new professional players system for the US.