Go vs Baduk vs Weiqi vs Igo
If you have seen the game called by several different names, you are not confused — they are all the same game. The name simply depends on the language and country.
Play — by any name
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One game, four names
- Weiqi (圍棋) — Chinese, where the game originated over 2,500 years ago.
- Igo / Go (囲碁) — Japanese; “Go” is the short form that English adopted.
- Baduk (바둑) — Korean.
- Go — the common English name, borrowed from Japanese.
Why the rules are the same everywhere
Although small scoring conventions differ slightly between regions (such as Chinese area scoring versus Japanese territory scoring), the game itself — the board, the stones, liberties, captures, and ko — is identical. A player from Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing, or New York can sit down and play without a single misunderstanding.
Frequently asked questions
- Are Go, Baduk, Weiqi, and Igo really the same?
- Yes. They are different-language names for one game with the same rules and equipment.
- Which name should I use?
- Use whichever is common where you are. In English, “Go” is standard; you will also see Baduk (Korean), Weiqi (Chinese), and Igo (Japanese).
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