The Journey and Philosophy of Yao Shen
In 2023, Yao Shen moved with his family to the lakeside city of Kelowna, Canada—a region known for orchards, wineries, ski slopes, and outdoor living, but not yet for the ancient game of Go (Weiqi). Rather than seeing this as a limitation, he saw opportunity: a blank board waiting for its first move.
Soon after arriving, he began spreading Go across the Okanagan community:
hosting free Go activities at public libraries
collaborating with local elementary schools and the school district
discussing community Go programs with the City of Kelowna
For many families and educators, this was their first encounter with Go—and they were fascinated.
A Lifelong Bond with Go
Yao Shen’s relationship with Go began in childhood. He learned entirely by self-study, buying Go books, analyzing patterns, and challenging classmates and friends whenever he could. There was no formal teacher—only curiosity, persistence, and the joy of discovery.
To Yao Shen, Go is not only a sport, but also a discipline and a lifelong career. He believes that Go represents the purest form of human thinking, and he often shares his core idea that Go does not need to be taught. What he means is that true learning comes from self-discovery rather than memorization, that teachers are there to summarize, guide, and explore alongside students, and that the most powerful learning happens through reflection, discussion, and independent thought. In the world of Go, every move becomes a judgment, a choice, and a snapshot of the mind at that very moment. As the founder of Beiyi Weiqi, which expanded into nine campuses in Shanghai with more than a thousand active students, Yao Shen shaped an educational philosophy based on the belief that every decision a student makes is the best decision possible at that time, reflecting their understanding, energy, experience, and emotional state. In this way, Go becomes a mirror of personal growth. He has led Beiyi students to international tournaments, such as the 2017 Japan Go Congress, allowing young players to connect Go with culture, travel, and confidence. When asked what makes Go valuable, Yao Shen explains that every move strengthens a child’s ability to think, developing calculation skills, memory and visual recall, judgment and comparison, decision-making under uncertainty, and emotional calmness. Over time, these thinking patterns become subconscious habits that prepare children for future learning. He also emphasizes that children should learn Go out of interest rather than parental pressure, proposing that Go represents freedom—children choose their moves, their ideas matter, there is no true right or wrong, and independence develops naturally. At Beiyi Weiqi, the focus is on creating an environment rather than imposing direction, because when children feel safe and comfortable, they unlock new possibilities. Even while living and teaching in Kelowna, Yao Shen continues to influence the global Go community. He independently built the Global Weiqi platform using AI, connecting players worldwide and running high-quality international leagues. He served as a co-producer of the documentary The Surrounding Game, contributing to its Chinese filming and translation and helping introduce Go to broader audiences. His free online Go classes for children are widely appreciated, while his Renote and WeChat Video channels inspire learners across different regions. Before relocating to Canada, he had already built an impressive career: he founded the Yike Weiqi app, one of the world’s largest all-in-one mobile Go platforms with millions of users; he established Beiyi Weiqi with nine physical campuses; he developed Go teaching tools such as Go Mobilization and Feimu Planet; he delivered “Go Strategic Leadership” courses to Fortune 500 executives; and he served as an international cultural ambassador, leading groups to Europe, Japan, and global Go congresses. From Shanghai to Kelowna, from children to corporate leaders, from classrooms to documentaries, and from local community gatherings to global online leagues, Yao Shen continues to share Go as a language of thought, creativity, and connection. Wherever Go has not yet taken root, someone must place the first stone—and that is precisely what Yao Shen is doing, patiently, passionately, and with a vision that reaches far beyond the board.