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Go

Wei Qi (or Wei-Ch’i) as it’s known in China, Baduk (Paduk or Pa-dok) as it’s known in Korea or “Go”, as it is known in Japan, is considered by many people to be the worlds greatest strategic game, far surpassing Chess in its complexity. Wei-Ch’i means “surrounding game” or “surrounding chess” and the object is simply to capture territory by placing down counters on the board.

The mathematical elegance of Wei Chi rules is complemented by the great beauty of the boards and stones – of all board games in the world, Go has been raised by the Japanese to a pinnacle of aesthetic beauty.

See also: Go Buying Guide: Choosing a Go Board / Go Set.

Go Stones

Kurokigoishiten Blue Label Clamshell & Slate Go Stones
Kurokigoishiten Blue Label Clamshell & Slate Go Stones
7mm Glass Go Stones in Cardboard Box (20.5 x 7mm) - Bi-Convex
9mm Glass Go Stones in Cardboard Box (22 x 9mm) – Bi-Convex
7mm Glass Go Stones in Cardboard Box (20.5 x 7mm) - Bi-Convex
10mm Glass Go Stones in Cardboard Box (22 x 10mm) – Bi-Convex
7mm Glass Go Stones in Cardboard Box (20.5 x 7mm) - Bi-Convex
7mm Glass Go Stones in Cardboard Box (20.5 x 7mm) – Bi-Convex
7mm Glass Go Stones in Cardboard Box (20.5 x 7mm) - Bi-Convex
8mm Glass Go Stones in Cardboard Box (22 x 8mm) – Bi-Convex
Care Kit for Clamshell and Slate Go Stones
Care Kit for Clamshell and Slate Go Stones

Go Sets

9 x 9 Go Table Set with 8mm stones and Bowls
9 x 9 Go Table Set with 8mm stones and Bowls
5 x Go Masters Entry-Level Go Sets
5 x Go Masters Entry-Level Go Sets – dual sided board, plastic stones
Masters Go Set with Raised Wooden Board & Yunzi Go Stones
Masters Go Set with Raised Wooden Board and Yunzi Go Stones – Wooden Goban with Authentic 9mm Bi-Convex Yunzi Go Stones and Go Bowls – Full Size Go Set For Beginners and Experienced Players
Go Masters - Entry-Level Go Set - Leatherette Board (13x13)
Go Masters – Entry-Level Go Set – Leatherette Board (13×13)
Go Masters Intermediate Go Set - Dual Side Board, Glass Stones & Bowls
Masters Traditional Games Go Game Set – Reversible Wooden Board with a 19 x 19 / 13 x 13 grid – Glass Stones – Bowls – Classic Strategy Board Game – Baduk / Wei Qi
Go Masters Intermediate Go Set - Wooden Board, Glass Stones & Bowls
Go Masters Intermediate Go Set – 19 x 19 Wooden Board, 8mm Glass Stones and Bowls – Classic Strategy Board Game – Baduk / Wei Qi
Go Masters - Entry-Level Go Set - Wood Board (13x13 & 9x9)
Masters Go Set – Entry-Level Go Set – Dual Sided Wooden Board (13×13 & 9×9) and Plastic Stones – Go Set for Beginners – Educational Board Game
Go Masters - Starter Go Set - Wooden Board (19x19 & 13x13)
Go Masters – Starter Go Set – dual sided wooden board (19×19 & 13×13), plastic stones

Go Bowls

Kusu (Camphor) Go Bowls For Size 36-42 Stones (10.1mm-11.9mm), XXL
Kusu (Camphor) Go Bowls For Size 36-42 Stones (10.1mm-11.9mm), XXL

Go Boards Tables & Go-bans

Shin Kaya (Alaska Spruce) 6cm Goban - One Piece
Shin Kaya (Alaska Spruce) 6cm Goban – One Piece
9 x 9 Go Board with Legs (36mm thick, beech wood veneer, no stones)
9 x 9 Go Board with Legs (36mm thick, beech wood veneer, no stones)
9 x 9 Go Board (36mm thick, beech wood veneer, no stones)
9 x 9 Go Board (36mm thick, beech wood veneer, no stones)
Bamboo Go Board with Etched Lines (470 x 440 x 50mm)
Bamboo Go Board with Etched Lines (470 x 440 x 50mm)
Shin Kaya (Alaska Spruce) 3cm Table Go Board / Goban
Shin Kaya (Alaska Spruce) 3cm Table Go Board / Goban

Game Clocks

DGT 1005 Byo-yomi Timer - For the Game of Go & Shogi
DGT 1005 Byo-yomi Timer – For the Game of Go & Shogi
Dal Negro Chess Hourglass - 10 Minute
Dal Negro Chess Hourglass – 10 Minute
Dal Negro Magnetic Chess Hourglass - 30 Second
Dal Negro Magnetic Chess Hourglass – 30 Second
Dal Negro Wooden Chess Hourglass - 15 Minute
Dal Negro Wooden Chess Hourglass – 15 Minute
DGT 2010 Official FIDE Digital Chess Clock
DGT 2010 Official FIDE Digital Chess Clock
SchachQueen Digital Chess Clock / Timer - FIDE Certified
SchachQueen Digital Chess Clock / Timer – FIDE Certified
GARDE Classic Mechanical Chess Clock
GARDE Classic Mechanical Chess Clock
GARDE Start Digital Chess Clock
GARDE Start Digital Chess Clock

Wei Qi (also spelt Wei-Ch'i) as it's known in China, Baduk (Paduk or Pa-dok) as it's known in Korea or Go, as it is known in Japan and generally in the West, is considered by most Oriental game experts to be the worlds greatest strategic skill game, far surpassing Chess in it's complexity and scope. Wei-Ch'i means "surrounding game" or "surrounding chess" and the object is simply to capture territory by placing down counters on the board.

Wei Qi is the most perfect of board games from several perspectives. Of all the serious board games, Go has the fewest rules and yet, the game itself is is the most intellectually challenging. An order of magnitude more complex than Chess, most people thought that no computer program would ever be able to beat the best Go players but in 2016 this was proved wrong when Alpha-Mind and learning algorithm owned by Google managed to beat the current World Go Champion. The mathematical elegance of the rules is complemented by the great beauty of the boards and stones - of all board games in the world, Go has been raised by the Japanese to a pinnacle of aesthetic beauty.

According to Chinese history, Wei-Ch'i was invented by Emperor Shun (2255 - 2206 BC) to help develop the intelligence of his son, Shokin. A alternative version attributes the invention of Go to U, who lived during the reign of Emperor Kieh Kwei several hundred years later. Under non-Chinese history, it is thought more likely that the game originated in central Asia from where it spread eastwards through Nepal and Tibet to China.

The Go board can either be a flat table board or the more traditional floor-board with legs (Go-ban). The wood used, the quality of the grain and how the grain is oriented is of prime importance. Most common are Itame boards in which the grain is bent or irregular. Better boards are Masame which means the grain runs straight across the top of the board. Best of all are Tenmasa Masame boards that have grain running from bottom to top as well as straight across the top.

The best Go stones are made of slate and clamshell and the quality and the grain on the clamshell matters. There are two grades of Go stone based on the white pieces, Yuki - snow white and jitusyo - ordinary. The thickness of the stones varies according to personal taste. There is a knack to playing a stone - it should be held between the index and middle fingers and placed with an audible click. The Go bowls which hold the stones should also be of good quality wood with straight grain.

You can learn more about the History of Go from the Online Guide to Traditional Games.
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