Interesting and Uninteresting

The terms interesting and uninteresting are two commonly used antonyms in the English Go literature. These terms are ambiguous, and have the following meanings depending on the context:

• The usual English meanings, i.e., interesting meaning holding the attention; arousing interest (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary), and uninteresting meaning otherwise. In Go literature, these terms are often used to indicate whether a move, position, or variation merits additional discussion. Note that this usage says nothing about the goodness of the object in question. Example: "This move is interesting, but playing here is even better."
• Go-specific meanings, with interesting meaning a mildly positive evaluation and uninteresting meaning a mildly negative evaluation. Such usage usually refers to the outcome of a tactical exchange, opening, or joseki. Example: "This position is interesting for Black."

The Go-specific meaning of interesting came from the Japanese term 面白い (omoshiroi), while the Go-specific meaning of uninteresting came from the Japanese terms 面白くない (omoshirokunai) or 詰まらない / つまらない (tsumaranai). Incidentally, the Japanese terms as used in the Go literature have deviated from the normal Japanese usage (see definitions below). Because some dictionaries list interesting as a translation for 面白い, many Go translators have adopted that word, often not even realizing that the word has a Go-specific meaning. As such, these English terms have acquired these Go-specific meanings as well. A more appropriate English term might therefore be promising or unpromising.

Likewise, although the Chinese terms 有趣 (yǒuqù) and 无趣 (wúqù) are direct translations of interesting and uninteresting, they too have acquired Go-specific meanings that are different from the ordinary everyday usage.

Examples

Uninteresting example  

Although a common joseki move, in this position is the wrong direction. Because of the low strong marked stone , the lower edge is uninteresting. It would be better to take territory with a, pincer with b, or similar.

(Source: Game commentary by Yoon Youngsun, 5p)

Interesting example  

"In this diagram, when attaches and blocks, the block of is also playable, connects, connects, and then grabs the vital pincer, it is interesting for White."

“上图中，白1靠，黑2挡时，白3挡下也是可行，黑4粘，白5粘，然后抢到9夹的攻击要点，白有趣。”

(Source: Chinese website, Diagram 11.)