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Go

Enduring Japanese Board Game: Go

“Go” is a board game that originated in China and was introduced to Japan over a thousand years ago. It was such a traditional and honored game that four houses of Go were established when Tokugawa unified Japan in 1602. Popularity declined in the 19th century, but interest revived when the Japanese Go Association was created in the 1920s. Since then, the passion for Go has spread around the world.  It’s estimated that 27 million people worldwide play it.

Go game

The full Japanese name igo is derived from its Chinese name weiqi, which roughly translates as “board game of surrounding.”

What makes Go so fascinating is that the rules are simple but the game play is intellectually challenging. It is considered to be an even more strategic game than chess. It needs all the intuition, foresight, and analytical thinking one can muster to win over a formidable opponent. A great feature of Go is the handicapping system that one can use to level the playing field.

Dynamics of the Game

Throughout the centuries, the rules of Go have remained mostly unchanged. Two players each choose black or white game pieces called stones and use them to mark territories on a grid that has 19 vertical and horizontal intersecting lines. The players take turns placing a stone on a vacant intersection on the board. It may not be moved once it is on the board but it can be captured and removed by the opponent (the stone is then called a prisoner) if it is surrounded by the opponent’s stones.

The game ends when a player can no longer move further in the game. Both players then count all empty intersecting points within their territory, plus every stone they captured. The one who has the most points and prisoners wins the game.

Go

Go’s popularity

The standard size of a Go board is 19 by 19 lines, but for those who are just learning the game, a 9 by 9 or a 13 by 13 grid can be used. People of various ages can easily understand the rudiments of the game. Children can even play Candy Go, where the stones are substituted for hard candy which can be eaten if captured.

The ongoing popularity of Go is testament to its ability to keep players of all ages and nationalities hooked with its dynamic game play. International tournaments are regularly conducted, and the board game can be purchased at most hobby shops. It can even be played online or downloaded as an iPhone game app!

Now, what are you waiting for? Go and play Go!

 

Sources:

www.usgo.org/resources/gohistory.html

www.nihonkiin.or.jp/english/howto/howto1.htm

www.britgo.org/intro/intro1.html

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_(game)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Read all about Japanese immersion learning and studying abroad. Check out our eZasshi archives for more articles!