Go (Game)

Strategically complex board game for two players.

Other names:

• Baduk (Korean).
• Igo (Japanese),
• Wei ch'i / Weiqi (Chinese)

Game description:

• Played with 2 players.
• Uses a grid of 19x19 lines.
• Players alternately place black and white stones on the intersections of the grid.
• Main object is to control more territory on the board than your opponent.
• A stone or group of stones can be captured if they are completely surrounded by stones of the opposing colour.

Game history:

• Appears to have originated in ancient China over 2,500 years ago.
• Several legends to it's origin.
• One legend is that Chinese Emperor Yao, either himself or his counselor Shun, designed the game for his son Danzhu to teach intellectual discipline.
• Also possible the game may have started as a type of crude military map used by generals and warlords to plan campaigns.
• Already very popular by 3rd century BC (referenced by Confucius).
• The early game may have been played on a 17x17 grid (archeological evidence).