Ryan Li and Yin Mingming — A Go Partnership from North America to the World
In the Canadian coastal community of White Rock–South Surrey, a remarkable Go story begins at Semiahmoo Secondary School, where Ryan Li (Li Liyan) once studied before embarking on a path that would make him one of the leading figures of North American Go. Today, Ryan is known as a professional 4-dan Go player, a rare distinction in the Western Go community, and his journey reflects both academic accomplishment and competitive brilliance.
Ryan pursued higher education at the University of Toronto, graduating in physics, and later completed a PhD in atmospheric physics at Yale University. Alongside his academic career, he continued to advance in the world of Go. In 2015, he achieved an exceptional 11-win, 1-loss record at the 3rd North American Professional Qualification Tournament, earning his professional status. Two years later, in 2017, he drew international attention at the 3rd MLily World Go Open, where he defeated Chinese professionals Cheng Honghao and Chen Yaoye, marking a breakthrough moment in his career. In the years that followed, he competed in high-level events hosted in China, including the World Mind Sports Games, the Chunlan Cup, and the Ing Cup, where he demonstrated skill and composure against elite opponents.
While Ryan’s achievements are distinguished, his story is also intertwined with that of his wife, Yin Mingming, herself a talented Go professional. She earned professional status in 2007 through the China Weiqi Association before continuing her studies in the United States. Representing the U.S., she participated in multiple international Go competitions and built a respected reputation within the American Go community. In 2017, the two registered their marriage in Beijing—a union formed through a shared passion for Go.
Together, Ryan and Yin Mingming have extended their influence beyond personal competition. They co-founded the New York Institute of Go, attracting students and enthusiasts from across the region. Their goal has been clear: to support the emergence of a new generation of North American Go talent and to broaden the cultural presence of Go in the Western world. Their work has played a meaningful role in the visibility and growth of the game.
In 2020, the couple welcomed their child, Liujia. Even during late pregnancy, Yin Mingming continued to compete, taking part in the 3rd Wu Qingyuan Cup World Women’s Tournament while nine months expecting—an example of her dedication to the game and the discipline it represents.
The story of Ryan Li and Yin Mingming is one that moves beyond the board:
it is about education, community building, cultural connection, and a shared life shaped by Go. From a high school student in White Rock–South Surrey, to a professional player defeating world champions, to a family nurturing the next generation of Go enthusiasts, their journey reflects how the game can accompany every stage of life.
For them, Go is not only a competition.
It is a meeting point between cultures, a bridge between continents, and the foundation of a family story still unfolding.
