Founded in 1983 by Taipei philanthropist Ing Chang-ki, the Ing Foundation is devoted to spreading this wonderful game throughout the world. To learn more about Mr. Ing click here. The Foundation's many projects include:

The SST Laws of Wei-chi: Mr. Ing himself created a set of rules intended to correct existing imperfections in other rule sets. The Foundation promotes these rules and sponsors tournaments to familiarize the playing public with them. Click here to view a translation by James Davies. Click here to view a discussion of the Ing rules by Janice Kim, Michael Simon and Phil Straus.

The SST Laws of Wei-chi are based on four principles:

• No special cases.
• No restraints on placement of stones. (Suicide is legal, handicap stones can be placed anywhere.)
• No endlessly repeating situations -- all games should have definite result.
• Simplified counting.

Mr. Ing also noted that Black wins the majority of professional games. From this he concluded that the conventional handicap of 5.5 points does not fully compensate White for giving up the advantage of the first move -- therefore the Ing Rules give Black a greater advantage at the beginning of the game.

The Ing Rules also contain unique overtime provisions, including a "time purchasing" system in which a player can exchange points for time on the clock. Constructs of "hot" and "cold" stones and "disturbing" ko are used to resolve complex board positions.

Many tournaments utilize these rules, especially Foundation-sponsored tournaments in the West. The so-called "Ing rules" are also especially suitable for teaching young children who have not learned to count.

The World Ing Cup: Established in 1988, the Ing Cup was the first worldwide international professional tournament. With $500,000 in prizes, it has the largest prize of any international tournament. Every four years, 24 top players from around the world are invited to play.

Specially Designed Playing Equipment: The Ing rules require each side to start with exactly the same number of stones. For this purpose, the Foundation produces specially designed bowls that count each player's stones at the start of the game. In addition, the Foundation produces clocks that are capable of implementing the form of overtime control that they recommend. The AGA and the European Go Federation (EGF) distribute hundreds of sets each year.

The Foundation also manufactured a special "trick table" at one time. Secret side panels spin around, revealing bowls of stones, and the top flips over, bringing a playing board into view. These tables are now collectors' items.

World Youth Goe Championship: Every year since 1984, the Foundation sponsors a competition among top-ranked youngsters from all over the world. The AGA and American Ing Goe have hosted the tournament three times, twice in California and once in Hawaii. The WYGC has also been hosted in Europe and throughout Asia. This year it will take place in Thailand. Many of today's top professionals began their careers here.

The World Computer Goe Championship: The Ing Foundation has always believed in the ability of computers to play, so much so that it organized the First World Computer Goe Championship in 1989, inviting programmers from all over the world to meet, compete, and "talk shop." In 1995 the Foundation arranged for the tournament to transfer to other sponsorship as the FOST (Fusion of Science and Technology) Cup. This tournament has been inactive since 1999

The Ing Challenge: The Ing Challenge: For many years, the Foundation offered a $1.6 million reward for the first computer program to defeat a strong amateur player. No attempt was ever made to claim this prize.

Annual Grants for Western Development: The Foundation supports wide range of activities in the West through annual grants to the AGA (as well as the EGF). In North America, Ing Foundation funds support three major tournaments, many local regional events, and promotional support for teachers and organizers throughout the US. Click here for details.

American Ing Goe: The Foundation also supports this San Francisco center, with resident professionals, an active teaching program for children, and other activities. The Foundation also supports similar programs in Singapore and Shanghai. Click here (External Link) to visit the AGI's website.