Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1880-09-08
THE GAME OF go"

4, the CnlneSe Emperor Snun or MS pre-
decessor about 1920 b. c., and -four
ished, in China especially, from about
800 B. G.. to 400 A. d. A proof that
these dates are not merely traditional
/ is that the Chinese works of the second
century before the Christian era refer
to the game, comparing certain scenes
| in human life to Go 1t is recorded
that, on one occasion, Chinese Empe-
ror, who was at war with his nephew,
proposed to settle the dispute by a
game of Go, and that the offer was ac-
cepted. One player of those old days
is specially mentioned. His memory
was so great that, when a game was
finished he could throw down the
board and replace all the pieces in their
original position. This can be done by
many japanese players at present,
who think nothing of the feat. 1t is
frequently mentioned by them, how
ever, as proof that man has increased
in memory and brain-power, although
it is probably due to more constant
practice. Chess is generally believed
to be the most ancient scientific game
in the world but it is much more mod
ern than Go. There is no evidence
that modern chess was played before
A. d. 500. 1t is now known that the
chess in more ancient times was played
with dice, and was consequently a
game of chance rather than skill.
A Kioto monk nomed Sansha was
the most skillful player in Japan 500
years ago. He was also the first to es-
tablish a school where the game was
taught. When Iyeyasu became Sho-
gun, he established a Go academy,
with this monk as chief teacher and
all the celebrated players of the coun-
try became officers of the school, with
salaries paid by the Government. San
sha changed his name to Honimbo.
There were four other principal teach
ers. the two most celebrated of whom
were named Inouye and Yasui. These
five before their deaths each selected
their best pupils, who succeeded to
their positions and salaries, on condl-
tion that they also adopted the names
of their respective teachers.
The player who is now recognized
as the best is a gentleman named Mu-
rasse, residing in Toxic. He belonged
to the house of Inouye, one of the her.
editary players above mentioned, but
having beaten the head of the house at
play, he set up school for himself.
His supremacy seems likely to be dis
puted bv a young man named Naka-
gws, whose system of play is said tv
be very striking and ingenious. 1t is
interesting 10 know that when lead
ing player has met his superior, or
when he feels his faculties and skill
growing weaker from old age and otL-
er causes, he retires from Go circles,
and PLAYS no more. The remainder of
his existence is said to be very melan-
choly. His days and nights previous
lv were devoted to the game, which he
is thus forced to abandon, and literally,
the light of his life has been extinguish-
ed. After the Restoration, for some
wears, the interest taken in western
matters caused Go to be almost wholly
neglected, but recently wave OF reviv-
al of the old game seems to be passing
over the land, and it is again becoming
popular chiefly among the official class
es. All the Ministers play, MIR. Oku-
ma being credited with the most skill
among them In the army and navy,
also, it is the constant amusement OF
both officers and men. Mr.. Korschelt
thinks that almost every operation OF
modern warfare can find counterpart
| in a game of Go attacks, retreats,
sieges, strategic movements are all rep
resented. Good Go players are also
scarcer than good chess players, and
the game requires more study and
memory than chess. japanese require
three years. hard work to become fair
players, and all great players are grey
haired men.
A Go-board contains 361 squares
nineteen squares in each row. The
pieces are placed on the points where
the lines cross each other, white and
blvck pieces being laid down alternate
| ". The object is to combine the stones
of one color in such manner as to in
close within chain as many vacant
points as possible ; the player having
most points so enclosed being the win
ner. The opponents pieces within such
| a chain are taken out and placed in his
| field; while his chain, if he has COM
pleted one, may be surrounded, not on
Iy outside, but inside, and be removed
completely in the same manner as iso-
lated pieces. These are virtually the
only rules of she game. AS usual in
many Chinese and japanese books, an
alogies are sought to be established be-
tween the game and things Sin Heaven
above, in the earth beneath, and in the
waters under the earth" Thus there
are 361 squares on the board. Taking
one as starting point, for the unit is
the beginning of all things, we have
$50 remaining, and are there not $50
degrees in the circle of the heavens
The board has for quarters and the
wear four seasons; there are ninety
days in season, ard ninety points on
q quarter of the board. There are sew
enty-two points around the edge of the
board, and their are seventy-two divis-
ions in the year the pieces are black
and white, so are day and night.
A large literature exists on Go. The
books generally contain examples OF
good games, studies on games between
celebrated players, and problems just
as in chess. In these latter the task
is generally to destroy an opponents
chain from the inside A monthly pc
riodical is also published by Mr.. Mu-
rasse. He assemblies leading players
of his school once every month. Play
commences early in the morning and
sometimes game last until the follow
ing night, that is to say, thirty-six
hours. These games are then publish
ed in the magazine with criticisms Of
the moves, usually brief and of the ca
Il l. AIf