201. The art of Weiqi (Go/Baduk) war (碁#26)

For those of you who do not like the idea that Weiqi is a war, perhaps it could be better fathomed as a dialogue between two antagonistic players, who are ready to back their words up with force. But the skill lies not in direct confrontation. Rather, the aim is to outmaneuver one's opponent and influence as much territory as possible before it comes to blows. It was this constant strategic maneuvering that makes The Cold War the real third world war. So for those of you who are still waiting for World War Three to start, I've got news for you: It ended three decades ago. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, there was a short inter-war period of relative peace. And then on September 11th, 2001 it all started up again... When we look at the global big picture we've been 'strummin'it through World War Four and nobody has noticed. But then, that's the nature of most humans: Dreaming of a past that never existed while wishing for a future that will never come. While in the meantime, those that are aware of the nature of the game, are seizing territory all over the place. Striking deals over here while living in gangsta paradise over there. And sadly, there are certain countries around the world that have or are becoming Weiqi boards in which players can agree to be the worst of enemies while still in other places be the best of friends. I guess I could say that about all chess games but I am a Weiqi (Go/Baduk) player. And each chess game is based on different focuses with different scales. Western chess is strongly focused on the politics within castle walls. Chinese chess focuses on unifying a country already divided under one banner. And Japanese chess or Shogi is interesting as it allows for mercenaries – a reflection of the time when the samurai were in ascendancy. Whatever the chess game, Weiqi is the most abstract and the most simple: A stone is just a stone and once played, it stays played. The only way a stone can leave the board or move is if it is captured. Every move is final. If you happen to be a stone played upon your own board, it must take a lot of nerve and a lot of inner reconciliation to realise that the only way you are going to exit the game is through death? Acceptance of death. The way of the samurai is found in death. The samurai takes each day as if it is the last. A zen precept along the Tao ⚔️圍棋戰聖