The Strategy Game of Go
Go is an exciting board game for two players which is becoming increasingly popular right now. People have been playing Go for about 4,000 years and it is still very popular today. In recent times, more and more people are learning the game, because it helps improve concentration, memory, logic and creativity. And, because it’s fun! So let’s learn more about what Go is.
In China, where Go was invented, it is called ‘weiqi’. It is also known by other names, ‘igo’ in Japan and ‘baduk’ in Korea. In the last century it was introduced to the rest of the world through Japan. The name ‘Go’ came from the Japanese ‘igo’ which means ‘surrounding game’. There are many reasons why the game is very fashionable at the moment. We’ll talk about some of the main ones here.
Go can be enjoyed by players of any level: Whether you’re a complete beginner of an experienced player, it is fun to play. There is a simple and effective handicapping system, so players of different skill levels can play each other and both enjoy the game. As you get better, you will notice new things that keep the game interesting, but you don’t need to understand everything to start playing. You can play with a friend and learn the game together, or you can play online. After you’ve played for awhile, you might want to look for a Go club in your local area. There are clubs in most major cities around the world.
Go exercises both sides of the brain and improves concentration and memory: Researchers in Asia, where millions of people play Go, have found that learning to play the game improves students’ grades at school, as well as their self-confidence and self control. Brain scans of players have shown that both sides of the brain are activated during play, whereas many other board games mainly activate the logical region of the brain. It has been compared to learning a musical instrument and practicing martial arts. But the game isn’t just for kids. It’s also been found that regular play helps maintain mental abilities in elderly people.
Go is a strategy game: The game teaches you to master your emotions and plan ahead. People often liken it to different strategic problems they are familiar with. Sometimes it’s business or the share market. Other times it’s politics or war. Whatever you see in it, many of the principles of the game relate to other disciplines on a strategic level. Most people in the work force today know that strategic thinking is an important skill if you want to get a job that pays well. The principles in Sun Tsu’s classic ‘The Art of War’ relate directly to Go, as well as business. This gives you a chance to practice different strategies, before applying them to real life.
This article only scratches the surface of the game of Go, but I encourage you to learn more. Now that you know what Go is, tell a friend about it and play some games together. It’s easy to get started and I promise you that you’ll be glad you did. Learning how to play has changed many people’s lives for the better and I recommend it to everyone. Good luck!
Are you ready to start playing the game of Go? Find out what you need to know now at ‘Go Game Guru’.
