Imagine a group of go players walking – or driving — through their community, stopping here to play for a while, then continuing to another place to play some more, finishing the evening playing in a local restaurant or pub. That’s the idea of “Go Public,” a project proposed at the European Go Centre that aims to literally bring go to the general public. “Places can include shopping streets, bars, restaurants etc.” says Andreas Neumann of the Bochum Go Club in Germany, who proposed the project. “It is important though that these places attract public attention…People on the streets or people in bars/restaurants are expected to be at least curious about what is going on. Therefore the players should be prepared for any interested person to provide explanation or information material. The impact of the project increases with the number of players who implement the idea… The passion for go is enough to illuminate the flame which can spread this project.” Bochum Club members successfully tried out the idea on April 15, playing in the street, in a bookstore and in a pub; click here for the Bochum report and photos.

– photos by Sascha Hempel