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.

Xiangqi (Chinese Chess)

Xiangqi, or Chinese Chess, is one of the most popular board games in China. Unlike Go, the pieces move and each type does different things. The objective is to checkmate your opponent's king. Both games encourage strategic thinking, but they are very distinct styles of play.

Shogi (Japanese Chess)

Another great strategy game is Shogi, or Japanese Chess. One fascinating feature is that captured pieces can return to the board under the capturing player's control. Like Go, Shogi demands strategy, patience, and creative thinking. It is more difficult for Western players to learn as the pieces are labeled in Japanese. Each piece does different things, and changes at the far end of the board.

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.

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. 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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