Hi. Good day. Hope everyone is doing well. I was quite busy adapting myself to the new job and new organization, so I couldn’t find time for sharing posts on my blog page. Actually, I had different topics to share. Let me narrow down to a topic called “Go game.” I came across this game while watching a Korean drama “Reply 1988.” The drama is completely based on a lifestyle which was followed during the 80’s and 90’s. This “Go game” has been one of the competition shown in the series throughout. Let’s dig into the history and other interesting facts about it.
WHAT IS GO GAME?
It is a board game which needs two people to play against each other. The major objective of the game is that one has to occupy a larger area than the opponent by using their stones. During the progression of the game, the player needs to move the stones on the board to map the formation of more potential territories.
STRATEGY OF GO GAME!
The vital thing to be followed is “Attack and Defense.”
The game will start with the empty board and the players start to place the stone one after the other. Once the game reaches the mid part, it is time the players start attacking the weaker group of the opponent. It is most important that, other than killing the weaker opponent group, it is advisable to gain their territory or influence them.
Just don’t go along the way the opponent places the stone. It is recommendable to look into the board clearly before placing the stone. This helps to have a good balance and a chance of winning the game.
The game starts with answering the following questions like where, why, in what order, and in what shape the stones need to be placed. If these four questions are carefully taken care of, then the rest of the game is all about fighting/defending.
HISTORY!
Go is the world’s oldest game and it first emanated (originated) from China some 4000 years ago. The date is early 2356 bce (24th century) and more likely 2nd millennium bce.
There are myths saying that the Go game was invented by the legendary emperor Yao (Chinese ruler, known for being a morally perfect and intelligent/wise king) to give better knowledge/understanding about territory to his son, Dan Zhu.
Though there is a saying it originated in Central Asia, the game had a good start/development in Japan early before the 8th century. Soon it entered the imperial court (Kyoto, pre-Meiji period in Japan) and became a part of Japanese culture.
In 1612, the Shogun (military leaders appointed by the emperors) announced that four top Go- players would be awarded with stipends and slowly stipends passed on to the players heirs too. Four Go- schools were founded: Honinbo, Hayashi, Inoue, and Yasue. Over 250 years, these schools greatly took part in increasing the standard of the play. This results in finding the best 9 players and even a grade system was followed. The top 9 players were given a grade and the highest among the nine was called Meijin, meaning expert. The expert title can be owned by only one person at a time and the player has to be outstanding among the other 8 to own this title.
In 1670, Dosaku was declared Meijin, and he created a new standard for Go games. He is one of the greatest Go-players in history. He studied at Honinbo Go school and became the fourth leading head of the school. Out of four Go-schools, Honinbo produces most of the good players who were chosen as Meijin’s.
The whole professional structure of the Go game became ineffective due to the sudden collapse of the Shogun, and the Emperor took charge around 1868 in Japan. Due to the adaptation of western culture in Japan, Go Game School lost funds and sponsorships widely. Around 1938, Shusai, head of Honinbo, ceded control of the school to Nihon Kiin (the main organization of professional Go players in Japan). This organization is known for winning annual tournaments held among leading players. Many other contests had been introduced, still being called Meijin, and Kisei (rare) was the highest. Also, go games became very popular among youngsters because of the cartoon Hikaru no Go series that aired. There are around 10 million Go players in Japan, among whom 500 are professionals.
As of today, Nihon Kiin has increased the encouragement and development to spread about the Go game across the world. There are magazines and 100 books in English about go games. 60 countries participate in the annual World Amateur Go Championship.
FAMOUS IN!
The four countries that are known and famous for Go games are Japan, China, Korea, and Taiwan. These countries maintain good and professional players to take part in the competition. Because of this, they happen to attract good sponsorships and are able to conduct big sporting events in their countries.
At some point in time, people from China and Korea moved to Japan to become professional players in Go. Now people are willing to play for their country and be national heroes. There are almost 50 million Go players in the Far East. Though most of them are not playing, they still have interest in following up on the contest or tournament held for the game.
OTHER FACTS!
In China, the go game was known as “Wei Qi," which means “surrounding” game, during 500 BC. It also falls among the main categories of accomplishments to be achieved by a Chinese gentleman (a person known for his ability and being a role model for others).
The development of the go game in China was slow while comparable to Japan. As already mentioned during the change in culture, the game suffered setbacks, and it has its own way to figure it out or bounce back as before. In 1978, players from China started competing with Japanese players and even found it tough to fight against them.
Now Wei Qi is taught in schools, and many tournaments are held throughout the country. Chinese professionals became frequent visitors to European countries to take part in Go tournaments. Annual matches are held between China and Japan with great interest today.
In Korea, the go game is known as "Baduk,” meaning "flat and wide board field; Duk means with stones.” Koreans have a reputation for playing this game fast and well, producing the world's strongest players.
A proper professional setup for the Go game was established in the 1950s by Cho Nam-chul (a professional player who returned from Japan after proper training) in Korea. Today, Baduk is more popular in Korea than in any other country. It is estimated that 5 to 10 percent of the population in Korea plays Go daily. Korean players have won many international tournaments recently.
Both China and Korea have a growing population, mostly youngsters devoted to the game. Go game have a good future ahead.
In Europe, the go game was not known and played until 1880. When a German, Oskar Korschelt, wrote a book about the Go game, it started spreading among the people. Slowly Go was played in Germany and Yugoslavia. But it was a slow spread, and it took some time to conduct a proper tournament. The first championship was held in 1957.
Now Go is played in many European countries. People from European countries are traveling to China, Japan, and Korea to learn about the game professionally. In 1992, First Go Center was opened in Amsterdam with support from the world's oldest active player, Honinbo Kunwa (a Japanese player), who was around 90 years old.
In Britain, the go game came into practice after 1950. Now, around 1000 players are in the association. There are 100 Go clubs established all over Britain. Matthew Macfadyen, Britain's top player, has won the European Championship four times in recent years.
ADDITIONAL INFO!
It has been 20 years since a go-game competition between known master players was held. Also, it’s been 10 years since the best Go player competition was held between China, Korea, and Japan.
Other annual events, like the Fujitsu Cup and the Dongyang Securities Cup, were held between 1988 - 2011.
The Go game can now be played on the Pandanet server for free. This had given space to all the players to learn, discuss, meet people from different countries, and share about their common interests in the game.
In the 1980s, Japan introduced the term Pair Go, where people can play as a couple. This was introduced just to attract women and increase their interest in playing the game. The first Pair Go was held in 1990 in Germany and in 1991 in Britain. But it was not held widely in any other clubs or tournaments.
I conclude here. I hope this gives a wide view of Go Game, and let's all try to play them at least once. Stay tuned for my next post! Happy reading!!
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