Chinese Go

Synopsis

Go is the oldest board game in China, with records dating back to the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, spanning thousands of years of history. Played with black and white stones on a 19x19 grid, its rules are simple yet its variations are infinite, making it one of the most complex intellectual games. As one of the Four Arts—qin (music), qi (Go), shu (calligraphy), and hua (painting)—it has been listed as a national intangible cultural heritage. Introduced to Japan and Korea during the Tang Dynasty, Nie Weiping and Ke Jie are modern representative players. Yunzi and Yongzi represent traditional stone-making craftsmanship.

Overview

Go, known as Weiqi in Chinese, is the oldest and most profound board game in China, and one of the most complex intellectual competitive activities in the world. Originating in China, Go has a history spanning thousands of years, with written records dating back to the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. The equipment for Go is extremely simple—a 19x19 grid board and black and white stones—and its rules are remarkably concise. Yet, it is precisely this simplicity that gives rise to infinite variations. According to mathematical calculations, the number of possible Go games exceeds the total number of atoms in the universe, making Go the most complex strategy game ever invented by humans.

Go holds a lofty position in Chinese culture. It is one of the Four Arts—alongside the guqin (Chinese zither), calligraphy, and painting. Ancient Chinese believed that playing Go could cultivate one's temperament, sharpen the mind, and was an elegant intellectual activity. The philosophy of Go has deeply influenced Chinese thought—the unity of opposites between black and white, the interplay of the substantial and the insubstantial, and the transformation of gain and loss. These dialectical concepts in Go are consistent with traditional Chinese philosophy.

Historical Origins

There are several legends about the origin of Go. The most famous is that Emperor Yao created Go to educate his son, Danzhu. According to archaeological findings, the prototype of Go appeared during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. Ancient texts such as Zuo Zhuan, Analects, and Mencius contain references to Go. Confucius once said, "To eat one's fill all day long without applying one's mind to anything—how difficult that is! Are there not games like Go? To play them would at least be better than doing nothing."

Go reached its peak during the Tang and Song dynasties. The Tang Dynasty established the system of "Qi Daizhao" (Go attendants), selecting skilled players to accompany the emperor in games. The Song Dynasty saw the publication of Go manuals such as Wang You Qing Le Ji (The Forgetful and Happy Collection). Go was introduced to Japan and the Korean Peninsula during the Tang Dynasty and later developed independently in Japan, forming a unique Go culture. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Chinese Go reached new heights, producing master players like Fan Xiping and Shi Ding'an. Their series of ten games, known as the "Danghu Ten Games," is regarded as the pinnacle of Chinese Go history.

Basic Knowledge of Go

The rules of Go are extremely simple: two players take turns placing black and white stones on the intersections of the board, with the goal of surrounding more territory to win. Yet, it is these simple rules that give rise to the infinite depth and subtlety of Go. Every move can influence the entire game, and a single misstep can lead to total defeat. The depth and breadth of strategic thinking in Go far exceed those of other board games—the average branching factor of a Go game is about 250, compared to just 35 for chess.

Modern Go

The China-Japan Go Supermatches from 1984 to 1988 were a milestone event in Chinese Go history. Nie Weiping achieved an astonishing 11 consecutive victories in the Supermatches, defeating multiple top Japanese players and sparking a nationwide Go fever. As a result, Nie was awarded the title of "Qisheng" (Go Sage) and became a household name, celebrated as a national hero.

In 2016, Google DeepMind's AlphaGo defeated world champion Lee Sedol, shocking the entire Go community. Since then, Go AI has developed rapidly, fundamentally transforming the way Go is trained and played. Chinese player Ke Jie, once the world's top-ranked Go player, is one of the most prominent figures in modern Go.

Classic Game Records

References

1. China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network: https://www.ihchina.cn/project_details/13812/
2. Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/Go
3. Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/Go
4. General Administration of Sport of China: https://www.sport.gov.cn