Go Software
Please note that many simpler Wei Chi programs can be downloaded from Internet sites for free and casual beginners might be advised to try one of those before looking to buy a program with more substance.
Much commercially available Go Software can be disappointing so for those who are after something worth paying for Masters Traditional Games has saved you the trouble of searching around. Unless you are an exceptionally experienced player, then "Many Faces of Go" is the leading program while, for experts who are less concerned with graphics and features, HandTalk is generally reckoned to be most difficult Go program to beat.
The Many Faces of Go
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"Many Faces of Go" is perfect for beginners with
The graphics are very pleasing with a wood-grained board and 3-D clamshell effect stones. Each game can be configured for the following options:
CD-ROM compatible with Windows 95/98, Windows NT, Windows 2000 & Windows XP. |
if you suspect that because this software is so ideal for beginners it must be a slouch, think again! It won the 2002 & 1998 World Computer Go Championships and has won the US Computer Go Championship 10 times. Written by David Fotland, it is one of the strongest Computer Go opponents in the world and so it is also an excellent buy for intermediate and advanced players, too.
Change to $  Change to  |
UK pounds (ex.VAT) |
Pounds (incl. VAT) |
Typical ETA in wkg days |
Add to basket |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Many Faces of Go 11.00 (CD ROM) |
£53.53 | £62.90 | 2 + transit time | ||
For an immediate quote and ETA, add to the basket & select your location. |
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The Origin of Go
Wei Qi (also spelt Wei-Ch'i) as it's known in China, Baduk (Paduk or Pa-dok) as it's known in Korea or Go, as it is known in Japan and generally in the West, is considered by most Oriental game experts to be the worlds greatest strategic skill game, far surpassing Chess in it's complexity and scope. Wei-Ch'i means "surrounding game" or "surrounding chess" and the object is simply to capture territory by placing down counters on the board.
Wei Qi is the most perfect of board games from several perspectives. Of all the serious board games, Go has the fewest rules and yet, the game itself is is the most intellectually challenging. No computer program has yet been written which has been able to compete with the best Go players. The mathematical elegance of the rules is complemented by the great beauty of the boards and stones - of all board games in the world, Go has been raised by the Japanese to a pinnacle of aesthetic beauty.
According to Chinese history, Wei-Ch'i was invented by Emperor Shun (2255 - 2206 BC) to help develop the intelligence of his son, Shokin. A alternative version attributes the invention of Go to U, who lived during the reign of Emperor Kieh Kwei several hundred years later. Under non-Chinese history, it is thought more likely that the game originated in central Asia from where it spread eastwards through Nepal and Tibet to China.
The Go board can either be a flat table board or the more traditional floor-board with legs (Go-ban). The wood used, the quality of the grain and how the grain is oriented is of prime importance. Most common are Itame boards in which the grain is bent or irregular. Better boards are Masame which means the grain runs straight across the top of the board. Best of all are Tenmasa Masame boards that have grain running from bottom to top as well as straight across the top.
The best Go stones are made of slate and clamshell and the quality and the grain on the clamshell matters. There are two grades of Go stone based on the white pieces, Yuki - snow white and jitusyo - ordinary. The thickness of the stones varies according to personal taste. There is a knack to playing a stone - it should be held between the index and middle fingers and placed with an audible click. The Go bowls which hold the stones should also be of good quality wood with straight grain.
You can learn more about the History of Go from The Online Guide to Traditional Games.