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Soojung Lee
Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies
Class of 2016
Preface
The origin of Baduk goes back to approximately 5000 years, although no records exist that specifically state
who first created the game at which period. Presumed that Baduk was already played by the royal family during
the Liao and Shun Dynasties of China, it is estimated to have been conveyed to the Korean peninsula around the
5th
century. In September 1955, the Korea Baduk Association was established, marking the beginning of full-
scale dissemination of Baduk. Today, Baduk continues to be widely enjoyed, centered on three countries—
China, Korea and Japan. However, its merits are not limited to being recognized in the Eastern hemisphere and
has stepped up as a game played by players all around the world.
When I was a young child, family gatherings always filled me with curiosity and wonder. Most of the times,
after dinner, my father and uncles would get together and take turns placing black and white stones on a wooden
board, creating mysterious shapes. Later did I find out that what I had frequently seen was the game of Baduk.
After some time, when I was 7 years old, my father suggested that I also learn the game. It was agreed upon
my family members that there is possibly no other hobby or talent better than Baduk, and so I started just
because I wanted to do something my father and two brothers were such skilled at. From the first stages of my
learning, however, I was drawn into the game. Unlike most children of my age, I would stay at the institute for
hours, reading textbooks and playing against other students. It definitely was uncommon for a girl to continue
learning it with so much passion, and as years passed, I was able to take private lessons from my coach. From
then on my skills improved drastically.
My official career in competitions having begun in 2005 (when I was a 2nd
grader), in 2006, I became the
champion of the female youth division in the Busan regional competition. In 2010, I gained the level of
Amateur-1-Dan (“Dan” referring to a nomination only given to expert-level players).
After being accepted to and enrolling at one of the most prestigious high schools in Korea, my life was
completely centered on academics; yet, I did not let go of Baduk no matter what. As a result of my constant and
tenacious practice, as a 10th
grader, I became the youngest member of the Korean national team and represented
South Korea in the 2013 European Go Congress. The following year, I participated in the 2014 World Youth
Baduk Competition and placed 6th
in the high school division among professional students whose lives depend
on Baduk. Finally, in 2015, as a senior of high school, I became Amateur-4-Dan, stepping into the semi-
professional level and officially qualifying to become a Baduk instructor.
This book is a compilation of the resources I used to teach the under-privileged children at the Haeoreum
Local Children’s Welfare Center. Having started community service at the center as a 9th
grader, I remember
being distinctly lost at first because at first, the young boys were uninterested in listening to my lectures and
staying at one seat for a long time. Some of them even threw tantrums, no longer able to withstand the intense
concentration. It took me several consulting sessions with my coach and long periods of reconsideration on how
to approach them with Baduk effectively. Out of many attempts, the one that worked was using simple drawings
to explain the basic Baduk concepts. Preparing these before every session, I was able to draw the children’s
attention to ignite their interests toward Baduk. Looking back at the almost 4 years I spent with them, I am
grateful for this wonderful collection my short drawing skills have produced, and I am even more grateful for
the mature person they have helped me grow into.
I dedicate this to my parents who have provided me with the best possible support throughout my whole life,
my Baduk coach who has led me through my journey of Baduk to grow into a skillful national player, and
finally, the children at the Haeoreum Local Children’s Welfare Center.
2015 December,
Soojung Lee
*This was printed in the form of a book, so I took photos of pages 5 to 59
and tried to fit each photo into the frame of an A4-size-document.
In order to provide more convenience in reading/ seeing, I remade the
front cover, preface and table of contents page using Microsoft Word.
Please understand the slight blurriness and the marginal gaps in the
following pages.
Thank you.
- As an official member of the Korea Baduk Association, I would like to send my deepest
support to Sedol Lee, a Korean 9-Dan professional, for his match against Alpha Go on March
8th
, 2016. I believe it is one of the most significant developments of humanity that an AI has
finally been developed enough to compete the top Baduk players of the world. Until now,
countless computer programs have beat players in chess, but none has been so advanced as to
challenge professional Baduk players, due to the infinite, incalculable and unpredictable
possibilities that can occur on the board.
The upcoming match will be one of the greatest moments of Baduk history, and will also be
the epitome of the battle between humans and artificial intelligence.
1. What is Baduk?
2. How is a Game of Baduk Played?
3. Necessary Manners for Playing Baduk
4. How to Grip a Stone Properly
5. Positioning the Stones
6. Try it out on the Board
7. Connection and Separation
8. The Survival and Death of Stones
9. Repetitive Capture
10. The Capturing Race
11. How do Stones Advance?
12. Illegal Points
13. Where Should Stones be Placed First?
14. Territories
15. Completing a Game of Baduk
16. Calculate the Territories
17. Try it on the Board
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