I still remember my first Igo class vividly. It was a hot afternoon and I was sweating because of the heat and nervousness. My teacher taught me the names of all the Igo equipment and told me the size of the Igo board. “It is 19 by 19, remember it.” My teacher told me, and then he pulled out a smaller board said:” This one is 9 by 9, and we will start with this.” I was a little disappointed because I thought the 9X9 board was totally something made for kids. I had to comfort myself with the thought that maybe I could use the regular one after a few classes. I was so wrong.
Nearly three months have passed since then and I have not touched the regular board a single time. Since I showed no special talent in Igo at all, both my teacher and I are quite certain that I won’t have the chance to play on that board before I go home in winter.
When I wrote my first blog, I thought playing Igo was like doing math. I thought it was all about trying to get as much territory on the board as possible by carefully calculating which spot would gain more blocks. However, now I start to realize that even though winning is good, the goal of Igo is not simply about increasing territory. When an expert plays Igo with a beginner, the beginner gets to place several stones on the board before the game starts in order to compensate for the difference between their abilities. Both the expert and the beginner can enjoy the challenge and no one can be sure about the result of the game. I think people like Igo because they can learn how to overcome problems, not because they like defeating others.
My teacher told me that the most important thing for me is to have fun, because I don’t want to become a professional player. For professionals or people who are really in to Igo, playing Igo is like walking on a endless road. They are constantly facing new difficulties but they are willing to continue the journey. When they play Igo with another player, they are helping each other to go further on that road. A good game in Igo is not the game where a player conquers the entire board. On the contrary, people seem to like the games that almost come out even. When a player is losing by one block or two blocks, people who are watching will claim it is a good game because both players are challenging themselves.
I think there are still so many things about Igo that I need to learn and I want to continue my journey with Igo after I go home.
You’re so modest Jier! Don’t worry about not being an expert at Igo. I’m sure it’s something that comes with a lot of practice. In comparison to how much I know about the game, you look like the expert. I think that’s really interesting what you said about the best games being the ones that come out in a tie. What a wonderful philosophy, where in fact the most fruitful games are the ones where everyone is learning something. Because of this, would you say then that humility is also a huge part of Igo?
Although I have never played an Igo game before, I can easily tell that it is something that I would really enjoy playing. I love strategy games with very simple rules since the objective is not to win but to concentrate and try to do your best. It also helps me to clear my mind and relax for a bit since I can get my mind from stuff that I do/have to do. You already mentioned why other people like playing Igo (to learn how to overcome problems etc), what is your personal reason to like Igo? What motivates you to play it?
I am very glad that you enjoyed your CIP 🙂 Although I have never played an Igo game before, I can easily tell that it is something that I would really enjoy playing. I love strategy games with very simple rules since the objective is not to win but to concentrate and try to do your best. It also helps me to clear my mind and relax for a bit since I can get my mind from stuff that I do/have to do. You already mentioned why other people like playing Igo (to learn how to overcome problems etc), what is your personal reason to like Igo? What motivates you to play it?
It sounds to me like you’ve really been enjoying the challenge. I have to say it’s nice to see that change in your perception of the game and its goals. I believe that an important part of our experiences here are just that, having our perception of something forcibly changed. A true learning experience.
It’s also great to know you plan on continuing your learning journey. Being able to find something you enjoy in such a different environment and in a way “taking it home with you” seems like such a wonderful thing. I really wish I could say I can do the same with Kyuudou. Not that I don’t want to, but even before I came to Japan, I searched for Kyuudou dojo’s and opportunities near where I live and found next to nothing. The nearest place being at least a 45 minute drive from where I lived, and on top of that I don’t have my own mode of transportation.
Do you expect that Igo will be something you will continue to pursue mainly on your own, or do you plan on looking for clubs/communities or simply other players to improve your skills with?