The board game GO (known as weiqi in Chinese) is an abstract strategy board game requiring skills in strategy, tactics and observation.  The game was apparently invented by the Chinese more than 5,000 years ago.

GO is more challenging than chess, for example, because of the large variety of strategies and tactics that can be deployed.  It is even said that there are more possibilities than the number of atoms in the visible universe!

GO is a game for two persons, the goal of which is to surround more territory than the opponent.

Someone just shared with me this GO strategy list (supposedly from the 8th century), which would also be useful for success in life and business:

圍碁十訣 (“10 Rules in GO”)

• 不得貪勝 : If you are too focused on winning, you may mess up. Empty your mind and look for the best move.

• 入界宜緩 : If you are entering enemy territory, be careful and don’t go in too deep … there is timing in everything.

• 攻彼顧我 : Before attacking opponent, look inwardly and evaluate your own weaknesses.

• 棄子爭先 : Even if having to forgo a few stones, you must hold power over the entire game.

• 捨小取大 : Let go of the immediate small profit and think about the larger ones.

• 逢危須棄 : In danger, learn to let go and wait for better opportunity.

• 愼勿輕速 : Play with patience, one at a time, the more pressed, the more accurate diagnosis is needed.

• 動須相應 : Every stone is organic & connected to one another so knowing relationships is important.

• 彼强自保 : If your enemy is strong, first shore up yourself.

• 勢孤取和 : If you are surrounded in enemy territory, first seek path to survival.

 “GO” for success in leadership, business, and life!

Photo credit: https://gogameguru.com/i/2013/01/ear-reddening-move-shusaku-gennan-inseki.jpg