The Psychology of the Game: How Mindset Shapes Victory

Hello everyone,

For those who don’t know me, I’m Kango, and a few months ago, I started an online Go school. The experience has exceeded my expectations, teaching me a lot along the way. One thing I’ve noticed is that many people don’t realize Go is as much about psychology as it is about proper play

Let’s explore what that means and how understanding it can make you a better player.

A while back, I collaborated with a content creator, Jaystrategy. You can check out our video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sziz5fFtoiY&t=488s.

Fun fact: I started playing Go simply because it looked strange and intriguing to me. What does that say about my mindset at the time?

In the video, we discussed the importance of shapes in Go and how they help you grow as a player. But what made the video particularly successful was our discussion on mindset—how the way you think during a game can make all the difference. For example, if your opponent senses fear in your moves, they can exploit it to push you into a defensive stance, leading to mistakes and lost points.

After watching that video, many people reached out for lessons, intrigued by the concept of psychology in Go. That’s why I decided to start writing about it—because if it helped me, it might help you too.

Why Can a Weaker Player Beat a Stronger One?

Why do people say that kids are scary to play against? Why do kids sometimes defeat stronger players?

Growing up playing Go, I often heard people say they were nervous playing against me. They believed it was because kids learn faster, absorbing information like sponges. But I think the real reason is a combination of three key factors:

1. Endurance and Energy :

   • Kids have more stamina and can focus for extended periods without tiring. From my teaching experience, I’ve noticed that while adults often need breaks, kids can study for five hours straight and still be engaged.

     
     

2. Fearlessness :

   • Fear can hold you back. Imagine going into battle while being afraid of dying—you hesitate, giving your opponent the perfect chance to strike. The same happens in Go. Playing an extra move just to feel safe can give your opponent the opportunity to take control. Kids often play risky moves, and while some are mistakes, they learn from them quickly, improving at a faster rate than someone who always plays it safe.

     
     

3. Freedom from External Pressure :

   • Many players worry about how they are perceived. We don’t want others to see us lose, but this fear becomes a weakness. Kids, on the other hand, don’t care as much about external judgment, allowing them to play with more confidence and creativity.

     
     

How Can Understanding Psychology Improve Your Game?

Now, let’s get to the real question: How can you use psychology to win? The Psychology of the Game

If you want to reach a high level in Go (even dan level), there are two approaches:

1. Hard Work

   • Practicing 12 hours a day will eventually get you there, but it’s a grueling and inefficient path. I personally disliked this approach.

     
     

2. Smart Work

   • Using psychology to find the most efficient way to improve, dedicating just 1-2 hours a day and still reaching dan level within a few years.

     
     

To apply psychology effectively, you need to learn how to:

• Control your emotions

• Manage your energy levels

• Stay disciplined

• Avoid developing bad habits

(If you’d like me to dive deeper into these topics, let me know—I can create a separate post about them.)

As a teacher, I believe Go should be about personal growth. If your sole focus is winning, you’re approaching the game the wrong way. Of course, winning is important, but it shouldn’t be the only goal.

If you’re interested in trying a lesson, your first one is free! Give it a shot and see if you like it.

Final Thought

A valuable piece of knowledge: Don’t focus on who wins—focus on who plays better.

It’s better to lose a game where you played well but made one mistake than to win a game where you played poorly, only to have your opponent make a bigger mistake. When you stop obsessing over winning, you’ll learn to control your emotions and eliminate the fear of losing.

Let me know what you think! In what other ways do you believe psychology can help you grow as a Go player?