Chapter 15 Section 15 Go and Mathematics

Go focuses on calculations, more calculations are often better than less calculations.During the game, the two sides should choose the important moment, review the situation, and calculate the possible changes.Because of this, Go and mathematics have a close relationship naturally.There are many scientists and mathematicians in history who love Go, and have formed an indissoluble bond with Go.Shen Kuo, a scientist in the Northern Song Dynasty, is an example. He used mathematics to calculate the infinite changes of Go. Shen Kuo, courtesy name Cunzhong, was born in Qiantang, Zhejiang.He is knowledgeable and proficient in astronomy, local chronicles, laws and calendars, arithmetic, and medicine. He is a famous scientist in the Northern Song Dynasty.According to "Ming Dao Magazine": "Shen Cunzhong is erudite and versatile. He is very good at astronomy, calendar, and five escapes. He is especially good at calculating and playing chess."

Shen Kuo was born as a Jinshi, participated in Wang Anshi's reform movement, and was an important figure in Wang Anshi's reform school.He served as Taishiling and was sent to the Liao Kingdom at that time, and refuted the Liao Kingdom's claim for land.He used to be a Bachelor of Hanlin, served as the magistrate of Yanzhou (now Yan'an) in Shaanxi, and rectified the salt administration in Shaanxi.In his later years, he lived in the eastern suburb of Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, and built Mengxi Garden. According to his life experience, he wrote "Mengxi Bi Tan".He studied science intensively and worked extremely hard.Despite his busy schedule, he loves to play Go in his spare time.He also used mathematical methods to analyze and study the mysteries of Go, and calculated the limit of Go changes.His spirit of exploration and research is very valuable.According to his calculation, the limit number of Go changes is "approximately fifty-two Lianshu Wanzi".Expressed in modern mathematics, the limit change of the Go game calculated by Shen Kuo is 10 times 208 times or 10208.The number is so large that perhaps only the most advanced computer can calculate it clearly.