“围棋魅力妙不可言”
an interview with the 9th-dan player Liu Xiaoguang

“围棋魅力妙不可言,只有亲身感悟才会乐在其中。”开封籍围棋九段国手刘小光在举办于河南省开封市的第35届“晚报杯”全国业余围棋锦标赛比赛期间接受河南日报记者专访时说。
In recent years, Henan Weiqi has developed rapidly at a high level, and Kaifeng has contributed to promoting Weiqi culture. In 2021, Kaifeng was awarded the "Hometown of Weiqi in China" by the Chinese Weiqi Association (CWA). This year, Lin Jianchao, chairman of CWA, presented the" International Weiqi Culture Exchange Center" plaque to Kaifeng City.In addition, 33 schools and kindergartens in Kaifeng have been acknowledged by CWA as national distinctive schools and kindergartens featuring Weiqi, ranking1st among medium-sized cities in China.
"Creating an educational environment is foremost to disseminate the Weiqi culture and make citizens feel the charm of Weiqi imperceptibly," said Liu. He added that Kaifeng City had taken measures to promote building a leading city in sports, positively influencing the popularization of Weiqi.
Liu also actively promotes the "going out" of Chinese Weiqi culture. He has held many lectures and instructive competitions in the United States, Germany, and Israel. Liu pointed out that, to better disseminate Chinese Weiqi culture, we should learn about the thinking pattern of the Western people from chess and bridge. Also, we need to strengthen the international publicity capacity of Chinese Weiqi culture by learning from the dissemination experience of Shaolin martial art.
"I hope everyone can try it." said Liu, "If you develop an interest in Weiqi and keep studying it, its charm will benefit you for a life time."