The similarities between life and the game of Go are too numerous to mention. The nineteen horizontal and vertical lines and 361 intersections on the board are like the countless crossroads encountered on life's journey. Every move requires calm contemplation and careful decision-making; a single error at a critical moment can lead to total defeat. A game of Go inevitably progresses through three stages: the opening, the middle game, and the endgame. Only with a sound opening, a solid middle game, and a steady endgame can one achieve a high-quality game. This mirrors human life: building a solid foundation in youth, striving hard in young adulthood, and maintaining prudence in later years to achieve a perfect conclusion.
The level of skill in Go reflects one's perspective on life. A master can foresee ten moves ahead, never obsessing over the gain or loss of a single stone, but rather focusing on the big picture and making courageous choices to achieve ultimate victory. In contrast, a novice often focuses only on the next one or two moves, becoming trapped in a struggle for every inch of territory, only to suffer a major defeat by chasing minor local gains. This serves as a metaphor for conduct in life: One should maintain a global perspective and avoid losing the forest for the trees.
Go is centered around the concept of "Reason" or "Principle." Playing too conservatively can lead to failure, while playing irrationally or overly aggressive can also lead to downfall. It is common to see an advantageous player lose due to complacency, or a disadvantaged player win through sheer perseverance. This is remarkably similar to the ups and downs of human fate: in times of prosperity, one may forget to prepare for adversity, while in times of hardship, opportunities for survival often emerge.
During the Qing Dynasty, Wu Ruizheng once remarked: "The game of Go is a way to understand the complexities of human affairs, the fluctuations of society, and the transformations of nature. The state of joy or sorrow can change in an instant, and the turning points of fortune and misfortune are interconnected." This profound connection between the warmth and coldness of the world and the changes in a chess game is deeply moving. It teaches us that while confidence alone may not guarantee success, losing confidence is a certain path to failure.
