What is go?
GO (a.k.a. WEIQI, BADUK, IGO)…
is an abstract strategy board game for two players. It was invented more than 2,500 years ago in Asia. Despite its relatively simple rules, Go is very complex.
Compared to other board games, Go comes with a larger board with more scope for play and longer games, and, on average, many more alternatives to consider per move. The goal of the game, as its Chinese name suggests, is to surround as much on the board as possible – most importantly, more than the opponent.
The number of Go players worldwide was estimated to be more than 40 million, the majority of them living in East Asia, where several big cities have hosted Go schools. In this context, the term Go school refers to a place, where children between 8 and 20 years live together with their teacher, with the aim to reach professional strength. Currently, this kind of Go school does not exist anywhere in Europe…until now.
Black and white Go stones intertwined on a 19×19 Go board. Each stone is placed on an intersection – that is, out of 361 intersections. (Source: Getty Images)
To intelligent minds in the world,
The game of Go has…
[rules that are] so elegant, organic and rigorously logical that, if intelligent life forms exist elsewhere in the universe, they almost certainly play Go.
Edward Lasker (1885-1981)
GERMAN-AMERICAN CHESS & GO MASTER
always been the pinnacle of perfect information games. It’s way more complicated than chess in terms of possibility, so it’s always been [a] grand challenge.
Demis Hassabis (b. 1976)
FOUNDER & CEO OF GOOGLE DEEPMIND
Maybe you’ve seen already…
TRADITIONAL ART & CULTURE
In China, Go is considered one of the four traditional liberal arts. From a nobleman’s game to a popular competitive sport in Asia, Go has always preserved its truest form.
APPEARANCE IN MANGA & TV SERIES
Maybe you’ve heard of the manga, “Hikaru no Go”, that mesmerized a generation. In fact, you can also find the game in a Korean TV drama…or even a Sylvester Stallone movie!
EXPEDITIONS IN AI RESEARCH
Since the 2016 breakthrough in deep learning by Google DeepMind’s AlphaGo, the game has reached a brand-new age of rapid innovation, both on and outside the wooden board.
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Or, even better…
You can always learn how to play online, but nothing beats the joy and camaraderie of competing and learning with fellow Go players! At JIGS, we provide you with a fantastic environment to immerse yourself in the game, whether just for a wholesome weekend or a lifelong journey.