The Game of Go

Go is an oriental strategy game that is said to be over 4000 years old, yet many still enjoy it

to this day.

So, how has this ancient game lasted so long?

Go and Technology Old games and traditions have slowly deteriorated due to our fast and ever changing society. Improvements in technology play a big role in these changes, however, the game of Go has truly withstood the test of time.

Over the past decade, Go has adapted to the modern world by presenting itself through technology. In addition, the game has several websites dedicated entirely to it (Some of which can be seen on the right hand side of this slide). Furthermore, many players from across the world can now play Go online through a server.

Without a doubt, Go has grown in popularity substantially due to modern technology.

The Rules of Go

Here is a brief overview on how to play the immersive game of Go:

  The game revolves around 2 players, either black or white, as they place their stones on empty intersections* of the board. Once a stone is placed, it cannot be moved elsewhere on the board.

  The main objective of the game is to gain territory by surrounding empty intersections. However, this cannot easily be done with an opponent trying to achieve the same goal. Therefore, the two players battle for control over the territory, which can result in a player’s stone being captured.

  A stone is captured when it’s adjacent intersections have been filled by stones of another colour. A captured stone is reduced from the opposing player’s final score.

  The final score is calculated by the number of empty intersections the player controls. Who ever has more territory, wins the game.

*Please note, that 1 intersection= 1 piece of territory

The Art of Balance

  Everyday people struggle to balance tasks, events, personal issues, etc, into their daily lives. The real “magic” of Go, is how it closely follows the value of balance.

  There is a belief that Go builds a player’s mind to be able to efficiently handle and master the so called “art” of balance.

  It is also valuable to note that the playing pieces used in Go, match the Ying-Yang colour scheme.

This is an official drawing of the comic/cartoon “Hikaru no Go” by Yumi Hotta and Takeshi Obata.

Notice how the main character holds the stone, this is standard procedure when placing a stone and is a Go tradition.

This is a present day picture of a basic Go tournament. There currently many Go tournaments, one being the Canadian Go Open. The Canadian

Go Open will be held in Toronto for 2009, from September 5th-7th. Players from all across Canada will come to play.

The power of the Internet

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*Keep in mind that this is data from only one Go server, and does not reflect them all.

100 randomly surveyed people were asked if they had heard of Go

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When I don’t feel like playing against someone online, I often just practice by playing myself. You would be surprised how much you

can learn from yourself.

References Slide 1- Photo was personally taken Slide 2- Graphics (from top to bottom):   http://senseis.xmp.net   www.godiscussions.com   http://www.pandanet.co.jp/English/   www.gokgs.com Slide 3- Rules came from my own knowledge, however I gained my knowledge from:   http://senseis.xmp.net Slide 4- Ying-Yang:   http://fortheloveofblush.wordpress.com/2008/06/12/

-The image to the bottom left of slide 4 was created by me, using a: men’s washroom sign:   http://www.fotosearch.com/ICL119/uns_208/

-As well as a: balance scale:   http://www.tulanelink.com/legal/supreme_99a.htm Slide 5- Website that provided the “Hikaru no Go” art:   http://www.geocities.com/saiclub/wall3.html

- Actual illustrator of “Hikaru no Go”: Takeshi Obata - Actual author of “Hikaru no Go”: Yumi Hotta Slide 6- Go tournament:   http://www.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/canada_e/CultureEducation/go_tournament.html Slide 7- Data collected through personal investigation Slide 8- Data collected through personal investigation Slide 9- Photo was personally created through various software editing programs