Go is a board game for 2 players. Black and white stones are placed alternately on a playing grid with the aim of "claiming territory" and "surrounding the opponent". Go is simple to learn yet remains a fascinating game no matter how times you play.
Where/when did Go originate?
Go originated in China, roughly 4000 years ago. It is thought that the first Go sets were developed as astrological fortune telling devices and that it was only later that the game of Go as we know it was born.
How many people play Go?
The general consensus is that Go has more than 100 million players worldwide. Go is taken most seriously in Japan, Korea und China but there are players, Go clubs and tournaments in almost every corner in the world.
Does Go have other names and/variations?
Go is also referred to as:
Igo in Japan
Wei Qi in China (also written phonetically as Wei-Ch'i)
Baduk in Korea (also written as Badook, Paduk or Pa-dok)
There mostly common variation/derivatives of Go are:
