Go Go Igo!
They started playing by saying "just a game"... Yes, they started yesterday...
A game that has been the subject of an ancient Japanese senryū, lasting for days, is the best metaphor for life: Go.
Described as the ancient and wise game of the Far East, Go is an intellectual game that does not involve elements of chance. According to legends, around 2200 BC in China, King Yao, who was seeking to develop the intelligence of his son Tan Chu, discovered this game. The game begins with two players and an empty board. Both players aim to occupy and control a larger area than the other. The outcome is influenced not only by the player's intelligence but also by their patience and balance. Therefore, the Go board is seen as a mirror of the mind.
To learn in a minute, to master in a lifetime
Go is considered the world's oldest, simplest, and yet most complex game. The game is built upon easy-to-learn rules such as "breath" and "eyes". There are only two types of stones: black and white. These stones do not have hierarchical superiority over each other. According to some legends, black and white represent "yin" and "yang", while in other legends they symbolize "night" and "day".
The game offers such a variety of moves that it is claimed no two games are alike. This diversity also explains why artificial intelligence has not yet been able to defeat humans. Dealing with such possibilities requires a specific attribute: "Intuition". Thus, Go players develop their concentration skills by trying to predict their opponents' moves without relying on memorization.
Sharing, growing together, respecting the opponent, and patience
Go is not just a game but also a tradition. Embedded with teachings from the Far East, this game places certain values above being a skilled player. Among Go players, sharing, growing together, showing respect to opponents, and being patient are highly important.
In short, Go is more than a game; it is an identity and a set of values. That's why at Fide Schools Go Workshop, we impart the wisdom of this game dating back thousands of years to our students.
As an old Go Master once said, "To know a person, play a game of Go with them."
Deniz Çavuşoğlu
Fide Schools Classroom Teacher & Go Sensei
Senryū: A Japanese short poem structurally similar to haiku. (Wikipedia)
