By Molly Byrd, Assistant Copy Editor
While skimming through the television channels, a cartoon caught Dustin Janssen’s eye, and he watched, fascinated, as the characters played a game similar to that of chess.
Janssen, freshman history major from Amarillo, had his interest sparked in the Chinese board game called Go when he saw it on a cartoon called Hikaru Nogo. He said he went online to find more information about the game and came across a Web site (www.usgo.org) describing where and when the game originated as well as its rules.
When Janssen began attending ACU last fall, he met other students who enjoyed playing the game so he decided to begin a club for Go players. The Go Club meets every Sunday from 2- 5 p.m. Janssen typically begins the meetings by giving a short lecture on different aspects of the game.
Go is a board game that originated in China more than 4,000 years ago. To play, two players alternate in placing black and white stones on a 19-by-19 line-ruled board with the aim of surrounding territory. Stones are never moved and are only removed if they are completely surrounded. The goal of the game is to collect the most territory. The official Web site said the rules of Go can be learned in minutes, but it can take a lifetime to master the game.
“There are more Go variations than atoms in the universe,” Janssen said. “The best part about the game is that it never repeats itself.”
Janssen began playing Go a little more than a year ago on a computer program. He said computers can only reach the level of an advanced beginner, and he desired more of a challenge. The first game he played on a real 19-by-19 wooden board was during the 2008 U.S. Open, which is the largest U.S. Go tournament. He wanted to work his way up to a higher rank. He said the Go ranking system works a lot like martial arts belts do.
“No one has completely mastered the game, so even the top players are still improving,” he said.
Janssen said his goal is to someday sponsor Go tournaments on campus when more people decide to become members.
