Tibetannet

"Tibetan Go is in fact closely connected with Chinese Go, both able to form a large pattern. I hope Tibetan Go to be well developed and Tibetan teenagers to love Tibetan Go," said Chinese Go Grandmaster Nie Weiping at the National Tibetan Go Culture Protection and Development Forum on October 6.

The 63-year-old Nie Weiping is an iconic figure in the Chinese Go circle. On invitation, he attended the forum held in Lhasa, inquiring closely into the development and status quo of the Tibetan Go and expressing his support for the undertaking of Tibetan Go.

The game of go originated in China, with a history of several thousand years. With profound connotation and unique charm, the game is time-honored in the traditional culture of China. However, few people would link it with Tibet. In fact, the Tibetan go has a long history. The malmstone with checks was ever unearthed in the ruins of Guge Kingdom in Ngari, extremely similar to today's chessboard. Around the 17th century, the development of Tibetan Go entered prosperous period and specialized books on chess also appeared.

Nowadays, the Tibetan Go is still very popular in Tibet and other places. The scene of playing the chess can often be seen. Teenagers have strong interest in the Tibetan Go. According to Lhasa Municipal Education and Sports Bureau, over ten schools in Lhasa have opened the supplementary courses of Go.

Meanwhile, Tibetan professional Go is gradually starting. In April this year, Tibet established its first chess institute—Lhasa Chess Institute. In addition, Tibet’s first professional Go Team—Tibet Fukang Medicine Professional Go Team was also set up in the same month.