Go game
The game of Go is one of the oldest and most widespread games in the world. The system of the game may seem complex, but with experience, one realizes that Go is an art. Due to the absence of randomness, computer programs struggled for a long time to defeat Go masters. Since machines cannot think creatively, Go remains proof of the superiority of human intelligence over artificial intelligence.
History of the game
According to estimates, Go is up to three thousand years old. The game originated in China, and according to legend, it was invented by one of the emperor’s courtiers. By the 7th century, the game was already known in Japan, but its peak popularity in Asia came 800 years later.
It was only at the beginning of the last century that Go spread to Europe and North America. The strategic game captivated those who were ready for intellectual challenges. In terms of the number of players and level of skill, Asians continue to lead. Europeans and Americans have formed federations, are gaining experience, and will one day be able to compete on equal footing in tournaments.
By the beginning of the 21st century, 50 million people worldwide had mastered the art of Go, though 80% of them lived in East Asia. In the United States, 127,000 people play the game, in Russia – 80,000, and in Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and other European countries, there are between 20,000 and 45,000 players in each.
Go tournaments are regularly held around the world. In 2004, the champion was Cho U (張栩), a Taiwanese player representing Japan, who won over one million dollars in prize money.
Interesting facts
- Even a five-year-old child can learn the rules of Go. However, the complexity of the game is such that even computer programs cannot defeat the best players.
- Unlike chess, which activates the left hemisphere of the brain, Go engages both hemispheres.
- A giant Go tournament was held in the city of Ōita, Japan. On a 40×40-meter board, players moved stones nearly two meters in diameter and weighing one kilogram.
- By decree of the Japanese emperor in the 16th century, all state officials were required to learn to play Go. Today, this art is taught at business schools around the world.
- It was only in 2016 that the computer program AlphaGo managed to defeat world champion Lee Sedol (이세돌) for the first time.
- Multiple-time world chess champion Emanuel Lasker valued Go as a tool for developing strategy and tactics. Confident in his victory, the grandmaster wanted to play a game against an average Japanese player. Even with a significant advantage, Lasker could not win. He admitted that the game had many subtleties. Later, he wrote a textbook for beginners.
In China, Korea, and Japan, the ability to play Go is considered essential for those who aspire to build a career. During a game, opponents learn to better understand each other's thinking processes, assess intellectual levels, and gauge emotional control. Why not take advantage of Eastern wisdom and master this ancient game?!
