41 replies to this topic

[MengTzu]

Hey all,

It seems that Jiang Qi might have evolved from Indian chess -- if India was the birthplace of the first chess. There are tons of theories about how chess developed: some say the Indians invented it, some say the Greeks, some say the Chinese.

While military simulation could well have been a reason for the invention of various boardgames, there might be a more ancient reason: fortune telling. Weiqi might have been invented as a fortune telling tool, as were many ancient boardgames.

Personally my favorite chess game is Japanese Shogi.

Peace,

Michael

9-29-2004

[TMPikachu]

On Go...
it's gotten a huge boost in popularity due to the Shonen Jump Manga Hikaru No Go

It's also gaining in America, with Hikaru No Go being published in US Shonen Jump

[BlueDragonMagik]

Actually, I can bearly play Xiangqi or Weiqi..I used to learn how to play weiqi, but now, I've forgotten how to play..

I hear it takes less than 12 mins to learn and a whole life time to play. ... The truth is that it took me 11 min. I learned more about developing strategies and executing tactics from this game.

[BlueDragonMagik]

What is the red color name for soldier in Xiang Qi and green color name for soldier different? Both mean soldiers but I think I saw the red color one in movies one soldiers in Qing Dynasty. Can someone please tell me this? Is the game a indicating the classical battle between Qing and Ming?

I think ... the red colored one is bing. ... the green colored one is jui (spelling could be a no-no.)

[Lafiel]

Just thought I'd add that anyone interested in playing Weiqi (Go) should take a look at the International Go Server (IGS). It is an online server for people from all over the world (and of all levels) to find opponents and play the game. I guess it works about the same as chess servers. You can download a simple program onto your computer that will let you play with virtual board and black & white stones. The International Go Server website is here:

http://www.pandanet.co.jp/English/

Weiqi is a fascinating game that rewards practice. It can also be quite a beautiful form of personal cultivation/meditation. It used to be one of the 4 arts of the Chinese scholar: qin 琴 (zither), qi 棋 (weiqi), shu 書 (calligraphy), hua 畫 (painting). The more people who play, the better.

[MengTzu]

What is the red color name for soldier in Xiang Qi and green color name for soldier different? Both mean soldiers but I think I saw the red color one in movies one soldiers in Qing Dynasty. Can someone please tell me this? Is the game a indicating the classical battle between Qing and Ming?

Actually, a more practical reason for the different writing is that poor people could not afford different dyes, so they used different writing for each side.

Shogi (Japanese chess) has an even better idea -- make the pieces in the shape of arrowheads, so that whichever the pieces face indicate which side the pieces belong. All the pieces are of the same color in Shogi.

[Klamath]

http://www.pandanet.co.jp/English/

I 've downloaded that client and played several rounds these days.
My Weiqi skills is so bad, so I mainly seek those beginningers at my same level. Well, 5 wins 8 loses at the moment I post this.
The most attracts me is that through the playing on that platform I can find some cultural distinguishes of people from different countries. So interesting.

1. Westerns
Most beginners are rigid with the basic tactics and rules, they are serious at every step with cautious, especially rational. But they are offensive in motion although they are still unfamiliar with certain regular moves.They don't like to be passive.


2. Japanese
At the same level, no difference from other asians, maybe we learn through the familar guidelines of the cultural background. But they are over subtle with everything, they are serious but more focus on every little loss and win. Funny, each time I threw out a decoy（弃子）, they would try to eliminate it with all expenses,never think about the big picture. This phenomenon occurs from beginner to comparatively higher levels. If on battle field, I don't doubt they are all fierce warriors.


3. Chinese
So few, the only chinese I played with is a guy from Hongkong, He losed too much territory and finally shout to me "You **** japanese", rather sad.


My experience on that is still very limited and my skills is wretched which restricts me from learning from more people.
Maybe the differences I noted was just that of characters but not culture.

Edited by Klamath, 02 August 2005 - 09:31 AM.

[dej2]

Just thought I'd add that anyone interested in playing Weiqi (Go) should take a look at the International Go Server (IGS).  It is an online server for people from all over the world (and of all levels) to find opponents and play the game.  I guess it works about the same as chess servers.  You can download a simple program onto your computer that will let you play with virtual board and black & white stones.  The International Go Server website is here:

http://www.pandanet.co.jp/English/

Weiqi is a fascinating game that rewards practice.  It can also be quite a beautiful form of personal cultivation/meditation.  It used to be one of the 4 arts of the Chinese scholar: qin 琴 (zither), qi 棋 (weiqi), shu 書 (calligraphy), hua 畫 (painting).  The more people who play, the better.

If you don't have time to play a whole game the Dragon go Server is a e-mail type server that lets you make one move per/session, also give a beginner a lot more time to try different moves between play's
http://www.dragongoserver.net

Edited by dej2, 02 August 2005 - 10:07 AM.

[CARDINAL009]

If you don't have time to play a whole game the Dragon go Server is a e-mail type server that lets you make one move per/session, also give a beginner a lot more time to try different moves between play's
<a href='http://www.dragongoserver.net' target='_blank'>http://www.dragongoserver.net </a>

Q: Is that where you are spending your time at?

[Lafiel]

I 've downloaded that client and played several rounds these days.

Great! Keep it up, Klamath.

    My Weiqi skills is so bad, so I mainly seek those beginningers at my same level. Well, 5 wins 8 loses at the moment I post this.

Don't worry, just be patient and keep striving, you will get better. The game is an artform and it takes time to learn the intricacies and the subtle beauties.

Maybe the differences I noted was just that of characters but not culture. 

Still, interesting observations. True, it could just be individual character. In fact, it probably is mostly individual character at the beginning levels of play. Style can't really be predicted by nationality. At advanced levels, however, some players do take professional Weiqi/Go players (such as Cho Chikun, Ma Xiaochun, Go Seigen, etc.) as their role models, so there can be some consistency among styles. I like to think of Weiqi/Go as something that transcends nationalism, however.

I'm "laphyr" on the International Go Server. Feel free to say hi if you happen to see me there when you're online.

[Klamath]

Thanks,my username is "Klamath" on Goserver, same with the one here.
I am glad to learn a lot from you.

[dej2]

Q: Is that where you are spending your time at?

Yes, well at least a few minutes of my day is spent there.

[urofpersia]

Actually, a more practical reason for the different writing is that poor people could not afford different dyes, so they used different writing for each side.

Shogi (Japanese chess) has an even better idea -- make the pieces in the shape of arrowheads, so that whichever the pieces face indicate which side the pieces belong.  All the pieces are of the same color in Shogi.

But another imporant reason to do so in Shogi is because your opponent's pieces can become your pieces, right?

[CARDINAL009]

Yes, well at least a few minutes of my day is spent there.

Sure.

Stop wasting Goverment $$ and better produce for Arnold.

[Private joke!]