Go

[yoMAMA]

you know, that game where each side tries to surround the other side.

I have no clue how to play it, but i heard it's really intellectually stimulating, like a mini war game or something.

:biggrin:

[sinisterpanda]

There are many ways to play isn't there? I recently tried to play with a friend, but neither of us really knew what we were doing. I think in the end i won, cuz my black pieces covered the board. Another way to play is trying to stop your opponent from lining up 4 in a row right??? It's a loverly game.

[yoMAMA]

Another way to play is trying to stop your opponent from lining up 4 in a row right??? It's a loverly game.

yep, it's called "wu zi qi", or five row game.

but i think Go is more complicated...like they each start on a side or something.

[nola]

It's complicated, Chinese, strategic, cheap to play with just a board and stones. Bros enjoyed it, I didn't play because it was complicated.


From wikipedia:


Go is a strategic, two-player board game originating in ancient China between 2000 BC and 200 BC.

Go is a popular game in East Asia. The development of Internet play has increased its popularity throughout the rest of the world. The English name Go originated from the Japanese character 碁 (go). The Chinese name 圍棋 wéiqí roughly translates to the "Board Game of Surrounding (Territory)", or, less literally, the "Enclosing Game".


Philosophy

According to legend, the game was used as a teaching tool after an ancient Chinese emperor designed it for his son, who he thought needed to learn discipline, concentration, and balance. The son went on to become the first great player, a good emperor, and a balanced human being. Another suggested genesis for the game states that in ancient times, Chinese warlords and generals would use pieces of stone to map out attacking positions. Further and more plausible theories relate Go equipment to divination or flood control. See also history of Go.

Before the industrial age in China, Go was perceived as the game of the aristocratic class while xiangqi (Chinese chess) was perceived as the game of the masses.

Go is deep, as playing against any stronger player will demonstrate (depth of the game as established by ELO ranking in Go). With each new level (rank) comes a deeper appreciation for the subtlety involved, and for the insight of stronger players. Beginners often start by randomly placing stones on the board, as if it were a game of chance — and they inevitably lose to experienced players. But soon an understanding of how stones connect to form strength develops, and shortly afterward a few basic common opening sequences may be understood. Learning the ways of life and death helps to develop one's situational judgement.

Further experience yields an understanding of the board, the importance of the edges, then the efficiency of developing (in the corners first, then sides, then center). Soon, the advanced beginner understands that territory and influence are somewhat interchangeable — but there needs to be a balance. Best is to develop more or less at the same pace as the opponent, in both territory and influence. This intricate struggle of power and control makes the game highly dynamic.


Overview of the Game

Go is typically classified as an abstract board game. However, a resemblance between the game of Go and war is often suggested. The Chinese classic The Art of War, for instance, has often been applied to Go strategy as well. On the other hand, general strategies of Go are well described by proverbs and are applied in other contexts such as management.

The two players, black and white, battle to maximize the territory they control, seeking to surround large areas of the board with their stones, to capture any opposing stones that invade these areas, and to protect their own stones from capture. The strategy involved can become very subtle and sophisticated.

Real wars end when the participants sign treaties. Likewise, in Go, the players have to agree that the game has ended. Only then is the outcome finally determined.

[yoMAMA]

Big time go players in Japan and south korea taking home millions of $$$$ too.

[bluemonq]

if you've any interest in manga, try finding a scanlation of "hikaru no go". it's a bit slow at times, but all in all pretty entertaining.

if you've any interest in manga, try finding a scanlation of "hikaru no go". it's a bit slow at times, but all in all a pretty entertaining series on a boy who becomes a professional go player.

[thaite]

Maybe I'm not Asian enough, but is this a sport?

[yoMAMA]

Maybe I'm not Asian enough, but is this a sport?

while in general, chess playing is considered a sport, and chess players are considered athletes.

go is a form of chess, so it's a sport.

:biggrin:

[thaite]

I don't consider chess players athletes, nor chess athletic. Competitive, sure, but not athletic. Poker, Nascar, WWE --- not sports.

[yoMAMA]

I don't consider chess players athletes, nor chess athletic. Competitive, sure, but not athletic. Poker, Nascar, WWE --- not sports.

what about horse racing, F1, indy...etc?

it's more about a good horse [or car] than about a good driver/jockey.

[bluemonq]

for a while, they were talking about adding chess to the summer olympics. it got cancelled because they wanted drug testing for the competitors. :rolleyes: what are they going to do, take drugs to allow them to slam the chess clock harder?

[nola]

It's a board game about war strategy.

[yoMAMA]

for a while, they were talking about adding chess to the summer olympics. it got cancelled because they wanted drug testing for the competitors. :rolleyes: what are they going to do, take drugs to allow them to slam the chess clock harder?

LOL

[kimpossible]

Maybe I'm not Asian enough, but is this a sport?

given the forum structure, sport might actually be the best place for a competitive non-tech games. tech houses most computer game. and serves as a catch all for geek stuff.