Famous Go Players You Should Know About

Are you a Go enthusiast looking to learn more about the game and its history? Or maybe you're just curious about the famous players who have made their mark on the world of Go. Either way, you're in luck! In this article, we'll take a look at some of the most famous Go players of all time, their achievements, and what makes them stand out.

Honinbo Shusaku

Let's start with one of the most famous Go players in history, Honinbo Shusaku. Born in 1829 in Japan, Shusaku is considered one of the greatest Go players of all time. He was known for his innovative and aggressive playing style, which earned him the nickname "Invincible Shusaku."

Shusaku's most famous game is known as "The Ear-Reddening Game," which he played against Gennan Inseki in 1846. In this game, Shusaku played black and won by just half a point. The game was so intense that it reportedly caused Gennan's ears to turn red with anger.

Shusaku's legacy lives on today, with the Honinbo tournament in Japan named in his honor. He is also the only Go player to have a statue erected in his honor, which stands in his hometown of Hikone.

Go Seigen

Another famous Go player is Go Seigen, who was born in China in 1914 and later moved to Japan. Go Seigen is known for his innovative and unconventional playing style, which often left his opponents confused and unsure of how to respond.

Go Seigen's most famous game is known as "The Game of the Century," which he played against Kitani Minoru in 1933. In this game, Go Seigen played black and won by just half a point. The game is considered a masterpiece of Go strategy and is still studied by Go players today.

Go Seigen's legacy lives on today, with the Go Seigen Cup named in his honor. He is also known for his contributions to Go theory, including the concept of "influence," which describes the way in which stones on the board can affect each other.

Lee Changho

Moving on to more recent times, we have Lee Changho, who was born in South Korea in 1975. Lee Changho is considered one of the greatest Go players of all time, with a career that spanned over two decades.

Lee Changho is known for his calm and methodical playing style, which allowed him to dominate the Go world for many years. He won numerous titles, including the Korean Baduk Championship, the Fujitsu Cup, and the Samsung Cup.

Lee Changho's most famous game is known as "The Meijin's Retirement Game," which he played against Cho Chikun in 1996. In this game, Lee Changho played black and won by just half a point. The game is considered a masterpiece of Go strategy and is still studied by Go players today.

AlphaGo

Finally, we have to mention AlphaGo, the computer program developed by Google DeepMind that made headlines in 2016 when it defeated Lee Sedol, one of the greatest Go players of all time.

AlphaGo's victory was seen as a major milestone in the development of artificial intelligence, as Go is considered one of the most complex games in the world. The program used a combination of machine learning and neural networks to analyze millions of Go games and develop its own playing style.

AlphaGo's victory over Lee Sedol was seen as a major turning point in the history of Go, as it showed that even the greatest human players could be defeated by a machine. However, it also sparked a renewed interest in the game, as people around the world became fascinated by the idea of a computer program mastering such a complex game.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these are just a few of the most famous Go players of all time. Each of these players has left their mark on the game in their own way, whether through their innovative playing styles, their contributions to Go theory, or their historic victories.

If you're a Go enthusiast, studying the games of these famous players can be a great way to improve your own skills and deepen your understanding of the game. And even if you're just a casual observer, learning about the history of Go and the players who have made it great can be a fascinating journey.

So why not take some time to explore the world of Go and discover the many famous players who have helped to shape it into the game we know and love today? Who knows, you might just find a new favorite player or a new appreciation for the game itself.

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