Creating Go Players and Go Fans
Team events can do both!
There is a constant, ongoing conversation—at least since I have been involved in Go communities across the internet—about how to grow the game of Go in the west (in my specific case, America). I think many players would love to have an easier time finding other people to play over the board.
This struggle is common, especially in rural areas. Some people, particularly strong players, may encounter issues even finding games online using western Go servers. It is a true shock, in my experience as an American Go player, to meet someone who even knows the game unless I seek them out.
Some believe this is just due to the nature of the game; because it is hard to learn and impossible to fully understand, there will naturally be fewer people who become passionate about the game. People try it out for a bit and never come back to the board.
Naturally I have spent a lot of time thinking about this topic, and have recently come to an opinion.
It is this: Tournaments are fun, but inter club (that is, club versus club) events allow more people to compete for a purpose—even if that purpose is simply competitive pride. I think an emphasis on these events could help spread the game and keep new players involved long-term.
This thought was inspired after getting re-involved with the Columbus Go Club through the online events against New York. Playing in the event brought me back to a live game after nearly a year of occasional correspondence moves, and watching the matches has not only been a lot of fun, but also kept my mind on the Go board and playing many more live games myself.
Tournaments are great for the game, but only reward a small number of players due to the nature of the event. The reward should go to only a few players, because it is a prestigious accomplishment to win at a tournament.
Inter club events offer participants rewards of a different nature. The rewards for these events (whether over the board or, more likely, over the internet) are as follows:
Fun. It is a good time to gather a team and do your best to win while watching your friends do the same.
Strengthened community. Inter club events provide natural introductions to other Go players and strengthen existing friendships. Even players who are not part of current games get the opportunity to kibitz and root for club members in chat rooms if they wish.
Diverse accessibility. Clubs scheduling games against one another will ideally be able to set good matchups between players of similar ranks. A fair game is an attractive thing to a player of any level.
Accountability. I think many players fizzle out when they are only playing for themselves. In Go it is easy to burn out. Spectating or playing in even casually organized events provides a strong outside motivation to play and improve. This is perhaps the primary benefit.
Competitive variety. Since club versus club events can be scheduled more loosely around small groups of players, there are many options for competition formats that are both fun to play in and fun to watch. Pair Go, head-to-head team matches, team elimination tournaments, or jubangos are some that come to mind.
Much of the battle in spreading Go is one of retention — keeping players that learn the game interested. I think that inter club events can help keep new players participating, whether through playing or simply spectating games. I love to watch games of Go, and some of my favorite events have been the transatlantic team tournaments between North American pros and European pros.
There are many Go players, but how many Go ‘fans’ are there? Becoming a Go fan is another avenue for beginners to maintain interest in the game without becoming burnt out on playing.
I must admit that some of my desire for this form of event is a bit selfish: It would mean I could watch more games of Go. I think that I like watching games of Go as much as I like playing them myself, especially those games of friends or other club members. I know there are others who would love nothing more than an English language BadukTV and spend a lot of time with Go streams, videos, or OGS relays on in the background of my other activities.
These Go fans will tune in to watch games, especially if strong players are playing for their club. Fans help spread games and contribute to the liveliness of a culture — through discussions, rivalry, and anticipation of matches and events.
Livestreams of games and other forms of coverage are wonderful if your club possesses the capability, but all of the benefits can still be had through a simple OGS game room. Games can be played and viewed simply, and spectators can kibitz and talk smack and have fun watching together.
To conclude, I will say this:
Let’s see more club versus club events! Don’t take my word for it that it’s fun, try it yourself and tell me about it if you do! (and especially if you have already). If you don’t have a club close by, start your own. If you really can’t find any other players close to you, join or create a group online.
And I will ask a question:
When you are not playing Go, do you spend any time watching other people play? Do you watch streams or videos?
You can respond in the comments or by replying to the email.