Devin Fraze and the Mission to Connect the Go World
For many Go players living in North America, loving the game has never been easy. Go equipment is expensive, places to purchase it are limited, and finding a local club can feel nearly impossible. In a region where the game is scattered, underdeveloped, and often hidden from public view, one website has quietly become indispensable. Baduk Club has earned a reputation as the platform that allows Go players to locate clubs not only across North America but throughout the world. Its purpose is not to sell Go products or teach rules, but to do something far more essential—help people find each other. For newcomers, immigrants, students, and isolated enthusiasts, it has become a bridge to community, companionship, and the joy of sitting across a board from another human being.
Behind this project is Devin Fraze, a figure widely recognized as one of the most dedicated Go promoters in North America. His commitment to the game extends far beyond casual enthusiasm; he has devoted his time, personal energy, and lifestyle to the belief that Go thrives when people gather in person. For Devin, Go is not just a pastime, but a social force powerful enough to shape friendships, strengthen local culture, and create belonging. His guiding aim has been consistent: to support Go clubs so that more people can come together across a board and share the experience that first captured his imagination.
Devin’s contributions to the Go world are extensive and sustained. He operates the Columbus Go Club and established the Ohio Go Association, building organizational structure where none existed. He has served as the Youth Director for the US Go Congress for three years, helping young players discover the confidence, challenge, and joy that Go offers. He has organized city leagues, local tournaments, and statewide events, strengthening the network of players across regions. His teaching has extended into five schools, earning recognition from the school district, and he has promoted Go at anime conventions and Japanese cultural festivals, reaching audiences who might otherwise never encounter the game. Devin has even represented the United States in international competition, where he achieved a third-place finish. He also helped co-create WhereToPlayGo, the early foundation of what would evolve into Baduk Club. His influence is such that in some parts of the United States, the Go ecosystem is held together by his efforts alone.
Devin’s lifestyle reflects his dedication. Rather than pursuing a conventional professional path, he chose to simplify his living expenses and sustain himself through property management so that he would have more time to volunteer for Go development. His work has not been driven by financial incentive, but by conviction. He believes that Go should become something millions of people look forward to each week—a regular part of life, a source of mental engagement, and a reason to connect face-to-face in an increasingly digital world.
Because of this passion, Devin encourages Go players to support the growth of the game, even through small contributions, so that the community can continue expanding. He understands that in North America, where Go infrastructure is still fragile and resources are few, any progress depends on shared effort. His vision is not one of prestige or hierarchy, but of expansion, accessibility, and joy. He hopes that more clubs will form, more beginners will feel welcome, and more people will discover the beauty of gathering around a Go board.
In a region where Go remains scattered and understated, Devin Fraze stands out as someone who has devoted himself to strengthening a culture that might otherwise fade. For anyone searching for a place to play, a friend to learn with, or a doorway into this ancient game while living far from its traditional centers, Baduk Club offers a starting point. It provides direction, connection, and the reassuring knowledge that one is not alone. For those who continue the journey of Go in North America, the invitation remains simple: begin by finding a club, sit down at the board, and become part of a community that exists because someone believed it was worth building.
