All About Weiqi and Chess

[sydney]

weiqi is easier to learn.

[cimman]

smurf:

Weiqi is more fun I guess...it's not as simple as forming lines, but you need to place the 'qi' at a strategic place to eventually beat your opponent.


And there are many ways of playing weiqi whereas for chess, the movement is fixed.

yes, Weiqi is much more complex than Chess. In WeiQi, the game is easy to learn, but is difficult to master. In Chess, the game is difficult to learn and moderate to master.
The strategies in WeiQi are much more complex than Chess. When you lose a battle in WeiQi, you can always fight another battle on another part of the board. The war is not lost. In Chess, if you lose the battle, you lose the war.

Scientists have developed computer Chess programs that can beat GrandMaster level human opponents. They have yet to come up with something to best WeiQi Grandmaster level. That gives you an idea on the complexities of WeiQi.

WeiQi is not about forming lines, it's about surrounding your opponent. You can fight several battles on one board at the same time.

Computers can't beat human WeiQi opponents because the board is so large that the number of permutations increases exponentially. The computing power required far exceeds anything that is currently available today.

[abhcbl]

I play all 3 … weiqi, chinese chess and international chess … and used to represent my school in competition. I will definitely say weiqi as the best to learn for kids …


1. the rule is simple
2. the thought process is deeper … it teach much more things than the other
3. it is much more interesting for kids because the rule is simple

try visiting the Singapore Weiqi Association (one in Middle Road and the other in Bishan). The best way for kids to enjoy and like weiqi … is for them to learn and play with kids of their own level.

Just a brief intro of weiqi, if you don’t know about the game … it comprise of 361 intersections and play with 2 color of seeds (i.e. theoretically if you think about the first 4 moves and ignore mirror image, there are theoretically about 4 billion combination … that’s why todate … we have not seen any 2 exact similar game in weiqi (not even close).

You learn math, strategy, guesing the next steps, give and take, balancing, sacrifice, a lot of computation and scenario in your game. In chess … if you can think about the next 10-20 move … you are likely to be a good player … in weiqi, that will likely be normal player. so like the others said … it is easy to learn but hard to master. However, I would say if your kids can reach the level of about 4-5K … that will be good. Also Weiqi can play with an established handicapped systems and in different size… for beginner … usually start with a 9 x 9 board.

[sleepy]

sydney:

weiqi is easier to learn.

My dd made the same comment too. She plays both weiqi and xiangqi.

[satyagraha]

sleepy:

Hi parents


My impression of weiqi and chess, they emphasize strategizing and problem solving, hence 'exercise' the mind

Wondering what's their difference in terms of benefits?

Not sure which to pick - weiqi or chess. Which would you pick and why?

Thanks for sharing your experience

Erm... are you choosing for yourself or for child? If for child, why not just ask him/her? I suppose the kiddo will learn better and enjoy more, if it's his/her choice. Am I right to say so?

Pardon me for ignorance, am not the type of parent that is constantly on a lookout for classes. But why is there a need to compare benefits for boardgames?

[abhcbl]

fully agree, kids will usually do better in things that they like. The difficult part is how to implement this concept.


I can't ask a westerner whether they prefer to eat durian or stinky toufu when they haven't try either?

In addition, from experience, kids usually like something that they tend to win ... so may not be a good indicator. Most kids don't like to do homework ... but we can't let them don't do homework? Now I fully understand parenting is such a tough job ... much much much more difficult and challenging than my work.

Good lucks to all parents :lol:

[satyagraha]

abhcbl:

fully agree, kids will usually do better in things that they like. The difficult part is how to implement this concept.


I can't ask a westerner whether they prefer to eat durian or stinky toufu when they haven't try either?

In addition, from experience, kids usually like something that they tend to win ... so may not be a good indicator. Most kids don't like to do homework ... but we can't let them don't do homework? Now I fully understand parenting is such a tough job ... much much much more difficult and challenging than my work.

Good lucks to all parents :lol:

Agree with you too... dunno what is it, how to know which to prefer. And I strongly believe in exposures.

But the question here is like, to put in your analogy, deciding whether to teach the kiddo how to plant a durian tree or cook a stinky toufu. Why not just buy the durian AND stinky toufu for the kid to try first?

So, in this case, why not just buy the games and attempt to learn together with the kid first? Boardgames are no urgent life skills that must be picked up asap. Wouldn't it be nice if parents and child try on their own first before using money, time & energy to attend classes?

Anyway... ... hee, I am not questioning any parents' decision to sign their kids up for classes. So, my apologies if I sounded not nice. I just wish to understand the reason(s) behind it. After all, I'm sailing the boat of parenting in this big, vast ocean as well.

[sleepy]

satyagraha:

Erm... are you choosing for yourself or for child? If for child, why not just ask him/her? I suppose the kiddo will learn better and enjoy more, if it's his/her choice. Am I right to say so?


Pardon me for ignorance, am not the type of parent that is constantly on a lookout for classes. But why is there a need to compare benefits for boardgames?

She attended both chess & weiqi classes for exposure. Of course I asked her, she wants both! So I must help her pick one. Realistically, where got time to attend so many classes? Mastery needs time & effort. Eventually needs to pick one to focus on.

Anyway, decided on chess lessons for the time being due to logistics while she continues playing weiqi on PSP

[abhcbl]

since I play all three … I have no problem teaching my son the games. But frankly speaking (from personal experience), kids will usually enjoy the game more, and progress faster if they can play with kids of their own standard. So when you expose them to the games … check whether you can let them play quite often with kids of the same level.

[satyagraha]

abhcbl:

since I play all three ... I have no problem teaching my son the games. But frankly speaking (from personal experience), kids will usually enjoy the game more, and progress faster if they can play with kids of their own standard. So when you expose them to the games ... check whether you can let them play quite often with kids of the same level.

I understand that. My son plays too (mediocre but enjoys it), but we don't know of any interest groups for him to play and brush up his skills. What did you do?

Just to add, I am all for attending classes when there is a need for it. I'm just a little confused and at a lost as to why are there so many parents constantly on a lookout for classes. Am I depriving my children of anything?