Thursday, March 31, 2011

The Strategy Game Go And Why Everyone is Playing it

By Susan Bridges


Go is an exciting board game for two players which is becoming increasingly popular right now. People have been playing Go for about 4,000 years and it is still very popular today. In recent times, more and more people are learning the game, because it helps improve concentration, memory, logic and creativity. And, because it's fun! So let's learn more about what Go is.

In China, where Go was invented, it is called 'weiqi'. It is also known by other names, 'igo' in Japan and 'baduk' in Korea. In the last century it was introduced to the rest of the world through Japan. The name 'Go' came from the Japanese 'igo' which means 'surrounding game'. There are many reasons why the game is very fashionable at the moment. We'll talk about some of the main ones here.

Go is enjoyed around the world by children and adults, beginners and advanced players alike: It doesn't matter how experienced you are or what your age is, you can play and enjoy Go. There is a system of handicapping in the game that lets players of all different levels have enjoyable and interesting games together. As you learn more about the game, you will find it has a surprising depth, but to start playing you just need to get someone else you know to play with you. If nobody wants to play with you, don't worry. Most cities have Go clubs that welcome beginners and you can also play on the internet if you prefer.

Go exercises both sides of the brain and improves concentration and memory: Researchers in Asia, where millions of people play Go, have found that learning to play the game improves students' grades at school, as well as their self-confidence and self control. Brain scans of players have shown that both sides of the brain are activated during play, whereas many other board games mainly activate the logical region of the brain. It has been compared to learning a musical instrument and practicing martial arts. But the game isn't just for kids. It's also been found that regular play helps maintain mental abilities in elderly people.

Go helps you master strategic thinking: Go is more strategically challenging than other games because players are free to move almost wherever they want. Whether your plans are good or not is decided during the game, not by some arbitrary rules. Many people in the business world and in the military have found that it is a great way to learn strategy that can be applied to their work. Despite this, it is fairly easy to learn because of its visual nature. Some people are attracted to the game because it's one of the last games where even a child who has played for awhile can beat the best computer programs in the world.

There are many other things I could tell you about the game of Go, but I think it's better for you to start playing and discover some things for yourself. I know that once you learn how to play you won't regret it. Talk to a friend now and convince them to play with you. Show them this article if you need to, but get started soon. Go is a fantastic game for people of all ages which will continue to improve the lives of many people around the world. So what are you waiting for?




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