Last Saturday, the Ambassador of Japan to Turkmenistan, Mr. Hiroshi Sasaki, visited the chess club at the French Institute in Turkmenistan. There, he met with Vepa Myalikgulyyev, Chairman of the Chess Federation of Turkmenistan.

During the visit, the ambassador presented the club with two "Go" sets, according to the SFT’s social media channels.

Mr. Hiroshi Sasaki personally introduced the club members to the basic rules of the game of "Go", sharing insights into the history and cultural significance of this unique game.

As a reminder, meetings at the chess club—organized jointly by the Chess Federation of Turkmenistan and the French Institute—take place on Saturdays from 18:30 to 20:00.

Now, club visitors will be able not only to hone their chess skills but also to play "Go", developing strategic thinking, concentration, and the ability to make long-term decisions.

Go, an ancient strategy board game for two players, is considered one of the most complex intellectual games in the world. The game originated in ancient China over 2500 years ago and was regarded as one of the "four noble arts," alongside calligraphy, painting, and playing the qin.Later, the game spread to Korea and Japan, where it developed its own traditions and styles. In Japan, "Go" became part of samurai culture; it was valued for fostering strategic thinking, composure, and the ability to foresee the consequences of one's actions.