All Categories
The board (goban): The full-sized board folds into thirds and fits into a nylon bag with zipper making it ideal for travel. This high-quality board is made from 100% silicone that resists creases, unlike the vinyl mats that retain their creases when folded and must always be rolled to store. The surface is non-slip, which helps prevent pieces from being scattered if the board is accidentally bumped. The coordinates are labeled alphanumerically according to standard Go format so both players see the same coordinates. The standard-sized grid has 361 points and is cleanly printed in black ink. For reasons of perspective, the correct grid setup is in the form of a rectangle instead of a square. The long side stretches between the players, with the short side facing each player. From the player's perspective, the angle will make the grid appear square. The stones (goishi): 181 black stones and 180 white stones are included in this set. The biconvex stones are made from a high quality plastic known for its excellent aesthetic qualities and weight. There is more "heft" to these stones when compared to standard plastic ones. The goishi fit snugly on the grid points. As one customer stated, "the pieces are supposed to not quite fit -- the (somewhat abstract) war game should be sized so that the stones will crowd and jostle each other, symbolic of the tensions of war and conflict." We couldn't have said it better! Board Care: The non-slip board may collect dust. Wipe the surface with a soapy cloth and rinse with water. Stones Care: To clean, place the stones into a kitchen colander strainer with soapy water, then rinse. Dry on a flat surface. Another customer suggested, "I just put the stones in mesh bags and put them through the washing machine with some mild laundry detergent."