Since 2015, we have been teaching the game of Go.
The Midlands Go Club - A Chapter of the American Go Association
Our Goals
The Midlands Go Club was formed in order to promote the game of Go in the Midlands and help foster a community of players. We are a local group that works to help educate new players, and to provide matches and events.
The goal of the Midlands Go Club is not to focus solely on competitive victory, but on encouraging a group of players that can teach and help each other grow. We think Go is an incredible game that can help people strengthen their mental capacity and connect with others through a game of strategy, flexibility, and balance.
The AGA
As an official chapter in the American Go Association. We receive advice, equipment and support from them. The AGA has great information regarding American Go including Tournaments, Ratings, other Chapters, a great Newsletter and much more. (www.usgo.org)
The American Go Association, founded in 1935, is the national association promoting Go in the United States, and working with other national organizations worldwide through the International Go Federation to promote Go throughout the world.
Our Passion
We are dedicated to the game of Go and we would love to share that passion with newer players or connect with seasoned veterans of the game. We hope to play with you someday.
We participate in the 24 Hour Fundraising Extra Life Charity Event at Firefly Toys and Games. Gamers of all kinds play games from sunup to sunset to raise money that goes directly to a local Children’s Miracle Network, Palmetto Health Children's Hospital. We are proud of our small part in helping those children in need.
Go History
Go was originated more than 3000 years ago in China, though some think it was nearer 4000 years. In the beginning, the game had a close connection with the laws of nature, politics and economics, strategy and intelligence, and it was also a theocratic tool for the ancient emperors to rule society. The game is mentioned in the Analects of Confucius, the greatest ancient work of Chinese philosophy and ethics, written in the 6th century BC.
It came to Japan about 1,500 years ago via the Korean peninsula, and became popular at the Japanese court among the Imperial family, the aristocracy and court ladies. It makes several appearances in the 11th century masterpiece "The Tale of Genji", often described as the world's first novel. Later, it spread to the warrior classes and the Buddhist priesthood and eventually flourished throughout the country.
Oscar Korschelt, a German engineer, is credited with being the first person to try to popularize Go outside of Asia. He learned about the game from Honinbo Shuho when he worked in Japan from 1878 to 1886. He brought the game to Europe, especially to Germany and Austria, and thus became the first person to systematically describe Go in a Western language. Since he learned Go in Japan, the terms of Go in Western languages come from Japanese, not Chinese.
Interested in joining the the American Go Association?
Membership is never required to play Go at our meetings, and membership fees go directly to the AGA.
Help the AGA support Go’s development on a nationwide level and gain access to many advantages including:
Receive the daily or weekly American Go E-Journal Member's Edition with members-only extras such as game files and professional commentaries
Participate in local and national tournaments
Participate in the national rating system
Participate in the annual US Go Congress – the largest go event in North America – at member rates
Receive the annual American Go Yearbook, a full-color PDF “Best of the E-Journal” collection
Rates are Youth(under 23) at $10/yr and Adults at $30/yr.
If you visit and play with the club once, $15/yr New Member Promotional Adult Rate.
