Top Players
The best
Romanian champions on the international stage
Romanian Go is not only present in Europe – it is active, engaged, and competitive. Romania has produced European champions at the individual level, achieved notable results in global competitions such as the World Amateur Go Championship, and demonstrated its competitiveness through performances in the European Team Championship.
The real strength, however, comes from the community: players and instructors who have nurtured generations, represented Romania in the EGF/IGF circuit, and raised the standards of training, refereeing, and organization. This combination — results, continuity, and development — explains why Romania remains a prominent name in European Go and a credible participant on the international stage.
Cătălin Țăranu · 5P
The first Romanian professional Go player, a benchmark for both performance and education. European champion in 2008 (Leksand), he remains a charismatic teacher who has raised the standard for the next generations.
For more details, visit www.wikipedia.org ›
Robert Mateescu · 6D
A mathematician and sober strategist, with a clear, efficient, and ‘no-waste’ style of play. European champion (highest-ranked European) at EGC Mamaia 1998, he is one of the pillars of stability in Romanian Go.
For more details, visit www.paradise.caltech.edu ›
Cristian Pop · 7D
Calm at the board and exceptionally deep in reading, he turns difficult positions into lessons. Fourth place at the 2007 World Amateur Go Championship (one of Romania’s historical peaks), he remains active and relevant in the competitive elite.
For more details, visit www.361points.com ›
Dragoș Băjenaru · 6D
Discreet, yet highly competitive: a team player you can rely on in the big matches. A member of Romania’s European Team Championship-winning squad in 2009 (Pitești), he combines reliability with bursts of creativity.
For more details, visit www.pandanet-igs.com ›
Ion Florescu · 6D
A classic figure on the Romanian scene, with a calm and confident style, who ‘held the line’ during key periods. European runner-up in 1999, he has influenced others through example and his consistent presence in competitions.
For more details, visit www.pandanet-igs.com ›
Sorin Gherman · 6D
Part of the ‘old guard,’ with a warm and respected presence in the community. National champion in 1989 and 1991, he remains the kind of opponent you remember both for his play and his character.
For more details, visit www.wikipedia.org ›
Cornel Burzo · 6D
Highly active internationally, he plays directly and boldly, always ‘in the fight’ for the podium. Winner of the 2025 Confucius Cup (EGF), he is a benchmark of Romanian competitiveness on the European circuit.
For more details, visit www.eurogofed.org ›
Elian Ioan Grigoriu · 6D
Raised in the junior circuit, with the right energy to serve as a ‘bridge’ between performance and teaching. Bronze medalist at the EYGC U20 (2018), he feels equally at home both at the game board and by the demonstration board.
For more details, visit www.elmigoschool.eu ›
Denis Dobraniș · 6D
Ambitious and highly competitive, with a work pace that inspires the younger generation. He won the Romanian Cup for the fourth time (October 2025) and remains a consistent presence at the top of the rankings.
For more details, visit www.rasunetul.ro ›