There's a Light at the End of the Chunnel

In spite of the 'Chunnel', the Continent is still isolated. There are virtually no mahjong contacts between EMA and the British mahjong community. Until now, all attempts to organise international tournaments on the British isles have failed. But finally, there seems to be a chance - thanks to riichi mahjong.

Update: date of the 'UK Invitational' is August, 22nd.

LONDON - In the roaring 1920's, the British islands were amongst the many places where the world-wide mahjong craze took place. J.P. Babcock, the American tradesman who had successfully introduced the game in the United States, had no problem selling his sets in Great Britain either.

According to Jelte Rep's The Great Mahjong Book, the London nobilty was delighted by the game. Even the royal court enjoyed it, while the London fashion world launched silken ladies stockings decorated with mahjong symbols.

But in the United Kingdom, the rest is silence, as far as mahjong is concerned. Rep, in his book, may state the the British Mah-Jong Association acts as a guardian angel over the rules on the Island, in reality BMJA hardly exists. In spite of some individual contacts, there are no formal connections between the European Mahjong Association (EMA) and any British mahjong organization. Whatever happened to mahjong in the United Kingdom?

One of the very few British who play the 'new mahjong' (Mahjong Competition Rules) is Chris Redmond, the winner of the last Golden Dragon of Nijmegen (2008) - but then again, he lives in Germany and not in the UK. He confirms that organized mahjong in Great-Britain does not exist. Chris: "There is a sleeping BMJA, and I haven't been able to contact anyone there."

Chris lately did notice, however, more players from the UK on the MahjongTime server over the last twelve months. "Some of them play MCR. I know there are more who only play richii. Judging by the tournament results not too badly either."