The director Tian deliberately portrayed the human side of the all conquering master of all masters in the history of the game, Wu Qingyuan. His victories and exploits were only briefly mentioned in the subtitles while his sufferings made up most parts of the film. His decision to apply for citizenship greatly tormented him. On the outbreak of the war, he sought refuge in religion. He was shattered when it turned out to be nothing but a hoax. His winning streak ended after a traffic accident and he took it very badly. But by then he was almost 50, way past his prime.
A delightful find was Sylvia Chang, playing Wu's mother.
The spirit of the game was most dramatically displayed: not even the atom bomb at Hiroshima could stop a championship game played right there in the city.
The greatness of Master Wu was subtly illustrated in the first and last game of go. In a game of go, the junior or lower ranking player always takes black and has the first move. In the first game, Wu, the young master played the first three stones in an unprecedented opening, especially the third, at the center of the board, a taboo shunned by any player but firmed established himself as an innovator. In the last, an exhibition game to celebrate Wu's retirement, his young pretender played the first stone at the center of the board, copying him and bringing Wu's game into the future.
A delightful find was Sylvia Chang, playing Wu's mother.
The spirit of the game was most dramatically displayed: not even the atom bomb at Hiroshima could stop a championship game played right there in the city.
The greatness of Master Wu was subtly illustrated in the first and last game of go. In a game of go, the junior or lower ranking player always takes black and has the first move. In the first game, Wu, the young master played the first three stones in an unprecedented opening, especially the third, at the center of the board, a taboo shunned by any player but firmed established himself as an innovator. In the last, an exhibition game to celebrate Wu's retirement, his young pretender played the first stone at the center of the board, copying him and bringing Wu's game into the future.