China’s Go community mourns the passing of legendary player Nie Weiping, who died in Beijing on Wednesday at age 73. The iconic figure, who served as honorary president of the Chinese Weiqi Association, leaves behind an unparalleled legacy in the world of competitive Go.
Born in August 1952, Nie emerged as the central force behind China’s Go renaissance throughout the 20th century. His exceptional skills earned him the prestigious ninth-dan rank in 1982, placing him among the elite players globally. By 1986, he had taken leadership of the Chinese national Go team as head coach, where he mentored and developed multiple world champions.
Nie’s competitive brilliance shone brightest during the historic China-Japan Super Matches of the 1980s. In a stunning display of strategic mastery, he achieved eleven consecutive victories against Japan’s top players across the first four tournament editions. This extraordinary winning streak against international rivals earned him official recognition as ‘Go Master’ from China’s top sports authorities and the Chinese Weiqi Association.
Beyond competitive play, Nie dedicated decades to promoting and popularizing Go, transforming the ancient board game from an elite pursuit to a widely enjoyed cultural activity across China. His teaching philosophy and competitive approach influenced generations of players who continue to shape the game’s development internationally.
The passing of this monumental figure represents the end of an era for Chinese Go, though his foundational contributions ensure his influence will endure through the champions he trained and the millions he inspired to take up the game.