Go and Math Academy

The Perfect Blend of Math and Go: 10-Year-Old Boy and 80-Year-Old Math Professor Meet Across the Go Board.
(Fudan University Go Academy: Correspondents Luo Shiping and Ye Jinjin)

With over 100 Go schools, Shanghai's Pudong district continues to foster a rich Go culture. Recently, a 10-year-old boy and an 80-year-old math professor gathered to play Go and solve math puzzles together, showcasing the fascinating connection between mathematics and Go.

在拥有上百所围棋学校的上海浦东，近日上演了一场温馨而精彩的跨代对弈。一名10岁少年与80岁的数学教授坐镇棋盘，切磋技艺的同时共同探讨数学难题，向大家展现了“数学+围棋”的无限魅力。

A Intersection of Mathematics and Go

At the 31st Ying’s Cup University Go Championship, a notable doubles match brought together academia and Go strategy:
White Team: Guo Yuanhao (Zhejiang University) & Wang Yizhe (Shaanxi Normal University).
Black Team: Ye Jinjin (Fudan University, Pro 3-Dan) paired with mathematician Prof. Shu Wuchang (5-Dan).

Prof. Shu previously led the Chinese team at the 1988 International Mathematical Olympiad in Sydney, where he met 13-year-old math prodigy Terence Tao—who wrote "Terence Tao, Thirteen" in Chinese characters upon Prof. Shu's request before later winning the Fields Medal.

数学与围棋的学术交汇

在第31届应氏杯大学生围棋锦标赛中，一场双人赛展现了学术界与围棋界的高度融合：

白方： 郭源昊（浙江大学）与王一喆（陕西师范大学）
黑方： 叶锦锦（复旦大学，职业三段）与数学家舒五昌教授（5段）

舒五昌教授曾于1988年率中国队参加在悉尼举行的国际数学奥林匹克（IMO）。期间，他与年仅13岁的华裔数学神童陶哲轩交流，陶哲轩应舒教授之邀亲笔写下了【Terence陶，十三】。这位昔日的神童后来荣获了数学界的最高荣誉——菲尔兹奖。

( Fudan University Go Academy ) On the morning of July 29th, Professor Shu Wuchang from Fudan University visited the School of Mathematical Sciences at Zhejiang University. The Director of the School Office accompanied him to share the deep historical ties between the two math departments. Professor Shu is not only a mathematician, but also a self-taught 5-dan Go player! A perfect blend of mathematics and Go wisdom.

(复旦大学围棋学院) 7月29日上午，复旦大学舒五昌教授拜访浙江大学数学科学学院。浙大数院办主任全程陪同，并介绍了两校数学系的“家学渊源”。舒教授不仅是数学家，还是一位自学成才的围棋 5 段高手！数学与围棋的结合展现出了独特的魅力。

Go is deep. Mahjong is dark.

Which game is harder? It depends on what you mean.

Go has more possible positions than any other game — about 10¹⁷². But every stone is face up. Nothing is hidden from you.

Mahjong has fewer positions. But behind each one, there are around 10⁴⁸ ways the other players' tiles could be arranged. You never know which one you're in.

Go — huge, but fully visible
Mahjong — smaller, but mostly invisible

This is why computers beat the world's best Go player in 2016, but needed three more years for Mahjong. A computer can search its way through a big game. It can't search its way through a dark one.

It also explains something every player already knows. A beginner never beats a master at Go. At Mahjong, it happens all the time.

Both games are hard. Just not in the same way.

Data: Suphx, Microsoft Research Asia (arXiv:2003.13590)
Chart by Go and Math Academy

We had a blast teaching the basics of Go (Igo) at Japan Fest Chicago this weekend. We are so grateful to our wonderful volunteers for their patience and energy in guiding new players. It was incredible to see so many people enjoy the strategy. Thank you to our team and everyone who joined us over the board.

Japan Fest Chicago 2026, Last Day preparation. See you tomorrow ! Performance, Food, Shopping, Culture and Art Experience. More Details at https://www.japanfest-chicago.org/

Join us at the Japan Fest Chicago 2026 this weekend and learn to play Go game. Details in the flyer.