Related Games

Discover Baduk, Weiqi, Xiangqi, and Shogi. Learn how these classic strategy games compare to Go, and explore their history and unique gameplay.

Similar Strategy Games

Go is played and enjoyed all over the world, though it goes by many names and is often compared with other great strategy games. This guide introduces some of the most popular games connected to Go.

Baduk (Go)

In Korea, Go is called Baduk. The game and its rules are identical - only the language and cultural traditions differ. Korea has a long history of professional Baduk players and international competitions.

Weiqi (Wei Chi)

Weiqi is the original Chinese name for Go. Meaning "the surrounding game" in Chinese, Weiqi is one of the oldest games in the world and has been played in China for more than 4,000 years. It remains one of the country's most revered strategy games, with millions of players.

Chess

Go is most often compared to chess. Both are profoundly complex games of "perfect information" - no secrets, no luck involved. Both have been played for many centuries and reward serious study. But their similarities end there. Chess is a war paradigm - Go is a game of building. The stronger chess player usually wins, while an ingenious handicap system ensures that nearly any two Go players can have a mutual challenging encounter. To learn more, visit our Go vs. Chess page.

Xiangqi (Chinese Chess)

With an estimated 200 million players, mostly in China, Xiangqi is one of the most popular board games in the world. As in Western chess, the pieces move and each type has a different function. The objective is to checkmate your opponent's king. Both games encourage strategic thinking, but they are very distinct styles of play. You can learn how to play the the Xiangqi One app.

Shogi (Japanese Chess)

Shogi is played by 6 to 10 million in Japan, including about 200 professionals. Uniquely among games following the chess paradigm, captured pieces can return to the board under the capturing player's control. Like Go, Shogi demands strategy, patience, and creative thinking. You can learn to play with the free Shogi app.

Gomoku/Renju (Five in a Row)

Played using standard Go equipment, Gomoku resembles tic-tac-toe or ConnectFour. The object is to make a row of five pieces vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. Comparing Go vs. GoMoku, Gomoku is a quick, simple game that last a few moments, whereas Go is more akin to the the other complex, strategically arenas listed above.

Backgammon

Backgammon, like Go, has ancient roots, but they have little else in common. Players roll dice to determine their moves, introducing an element of luck that does not exist in Go. Players can also raise the stakes using the "doubling cube" shown on the left.

How Do These Games Compare?

Baduk and Weiqi are simply other names for Go. Xiangqi and Shogi are different strategy games with their own rules and objectives. A game of Gomoku, like its three-in-a-row and four-in-a-row cousins, can be completed in a few minutes. All of these games except GoMoku emphasize logical thinking, problem-solving, and long-term planning. Go is much easier to learn than Xiangqi or Shogi, as all Go pieces are identical. Backgammon is primarily a gambling game. Gomoku is easy to understand, but its goals, strategies and tactics are much more limited than Go, the most challenging and complex of all board games, with an estimated 10170 legal configurations of stones. (Compare to 1080 subatomic particles in the known universe.)

All of the above games favor the stronger player or the person who makes the first move. In contrast, Go lends itself to a precise handicapping system so that nearly any two players can play a mutually challenging game.

If you want a game with simple rules, evenly matched contests with players of different strengths, and practicall infinite strategic depth, Go is a great place to start.

Find Out More About Go

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Learn to Play – Understand the basics of the game.
History & Culture – Learn about Go's 4,000-year history and its influence around the world.

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