San Antonio's Go Club is hosted by Dragon's Lair on Mondays from 6pm until 9pm. Come to learn, compete, or just have fun.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Philosophy of Go

When introducing Go, the easiest comparison is to chess. "Chess is a single battle while Go is the entire war" is an easy colorful way of describing the difference. A more complex comparison starts with Go's elegant handicapping system which allows players of disparate strength to play an even game. A game wherein each player has an equal chance of winning is a game versus the self as much as the opponent. An underlying philosophy that promotes self improvement perhaps explains the passion of players of Go.

Beauty of the Game

The board is a mirror of the mind of the players as the moments pass. When a master studies the record of a game he can tell at what point greed overtook the pupil, when he became tired, when he fell into stupidity, and when the maid came by with tea.
- Anonymous Go player

I describe it as beautiful because with simple rules and equipment it acts as such a perfect reflection of the mind. One is able to unreservedly exploit all mental might. For the opposing player to defeat me not only requires my opponent to make good moves, but for me to defeat myself by playing bad moves. It is quite an intoxicating feeling when I decide I am going to battle someone. When I have made that decision that I will not hold back or allow a loss of focus to trip myself, but will fight the entire board to victory.

After learning the rules there is not one correct way to play the stones, for each strategy or philosophy is ultimately debated on the board. A great example of two completely different styles has at one extreme Lee Sedol. His style reflects a love of risk, for he is a master at creating and handling chaotic warfare. On the opposite extreme is Lee Changho. Changho plays peacefully and defensively. Without disrupting the play of his opponents or ever making a fatal blow, he still comes out victorious.