As a Chess players of 50 years, I can’t bring myself to say that Go is categorically better. They are both, imo, LIGHT YEARS better than any other game though.
I learned to pay Go decades ago, but every time I try to get into it, something in my personal life interrupts my learning and I have to start over a few years later, up until this last time. I’ve only played about 50 games of Go in my life, but I absolutely LOVE the game.
Chess is better than Go in that:
- More pieces afford a better opportunity to coordinate attacks.
- VASTLY more opportunities and learning materials, at least in the West, although the internet is changing that (YEA OGS!!!)
3)Much easier to play a casual game, because of the sheer number of moves and time involved in Go.
4)Chess is less abstract.
Go is better than Chess in that:
1)The coordination of different areas of the board, which can be switched in emphasis back and forth, makes the game continue to be engaging even if you’ve made a mistake in one area, you can often unite that are with another and bring life back into that part of the game.
2) The strategy (and tactics) of Go are unique among “war” games. Capturing is secondary. and there is no one winning goal (like the King in Chess) that you can focus on exclusively.
3)Go is more abstract.
Ok, I know I said both games are better because of their level of abstract thinking. I love both; depends on what kind of mood I’m in.
Both game are absolutely brilliant and great fun for someone who like to think.
About the way the initial question for this forum is phrased: I play a sport called Pickleball. It’s kind of like Tennis meets Ping Ping with a little bit of Chess strategy thrown in. It’s one of the fastest growing sports in the world. It takes faster reflexes, both with the hands and with movement, and more strategy that Tennis. We who play it, love the sport so much it’s hard to put it into words. Tennis players often watch the games on YouTube and proceed to explain why it’s a crummy sport and not fit for “real athletes”, because the balls and paddles are lighter, and you don’t have to run as mush as in Tennis. Still, Tennis players are flocking to Pickleball by the thousands every month. Discussions about which of two sports or games is better can be interesting as long as they are conducted by people who know and love both, but otherwise, they just seem defensive. Go players don’t have to convince anyone that GO is better than Chess, or vice versa. I wish the Tennis players who have never tried Pickleball would withhold their opinion until they’ve tried it. And I think my fellow Chess and Go players should try the other if they have not.
Which game(s) or sport(s) one prefers depends on what they like- how they like to test themselves.
I would be heartbroken if I couldn’t play both.