Fun Go Facts
This page is intended to provide tidbits of information to help entice the slightly curious, or casual peruser, to look a little further. If you have a fun Go fact, please add it.
You may also enjoy Great Quotes.
- Go is the oldest game in the world still played in its original form. Some estimates are as high as 4000 years, but certainly 2500-3000. [1]
- Go is the second most played game in the world, behind Chinese Chess.
- Go is called Igo in Japan, Baduk in Korea, and Wei-qi in China.
- Top go players can earn nearly one million US dollars a year. I believe last years tops was $836,000 US.[2]
- Go is simple enough for a 4 year old to learn, but too complex for a computer to beat a human who has studied for only a few months. [3]
- It is believed there are more possible game variations than atoms in the universe.[4]
- Just like the Golf channel in the US; Japan, China, and Korea all have cable TV channels devoted entirely to Go.
- Go players take their game seriously. You can purchase what is basically a 42cm x 45cm x 18cm (17"x17"x7") square block of wood for $127,000 US.[5]
- There is a historical story that in the 17th century, the rule of Tibet was once decided over three games of Go.[6]
- Go is strongly believed to stop or reverse common senile dementia in the elderly. Additional information is coming that it may reduce the incidence of Alzheimer's.[7]
- Go is has an immense impact on the mental development of children, particulalry in the area of reasoning.[8]
- Chess is primarily a left brain game. Go actively stimulates both the right and left sides of the brain.[9]
[1] Discussion of the age of go and other games has been moved to the Fun Go Facts/ Discussion.
[2] I can't remember where I got that information so it may be wrong. However, Cho Chikun made approximately $947,000 US dollars in 1999, follow the link,
prize money winners of 1999.
[3] Discussion of young children learning go has been moved to the Fun Go Facts/ Discussion.
[4] See the discussion about this at Fun Go Facts/ Discussion.
[5]
Korye Myengban
[6] From John Fairbain's Go on the Roof of the World, published in Go World 59, Winter 1989. Condensed version at
Mindzine
[7] Please see Milton Bradley's website for further information at
Milt's Go Page scroll towards the bottom.
[8] I cannot stress enough the benefits of Go in developing a child's mind. If you are a parent or deal with the young, I strongly recommend
Milt's Go Page. Teaching your child Go will have a lifetime impact, please take the time to read Milt's site.
[9] See Mental Activity/ Discussion for further information.