Yong Liu – Building a Go Community Through Education and Passion
In the landscape of Canadian Go education, Yong Liu stands out as a figure who bridges computing, pedagogy, and a lifelong dedication to the game. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Fudan University and later completed graduate studies in computer science at the National University of Defense Technology. Along the way, he studied education and psychology—fields that would become instrumental in shaping his approach to Go teaching.
With more than twenty years of practical Go experience and extensive Go teaching and training work, Yong Liu has committed himself to the research, promotion, and popularization of the game. His understanding of Go is described as deep and uniquely personal. By integrating psychological education methods into Go instruction, he not only excels in teaching Go technique but is also able to train students according to their individual characteristics, guiding them toward strong amateur levels.
For Yong Liu, Go is not only an art of strategy, but also a philosophy that parallels life. In his teaching, he places importance on helping students build positive values, good character, and personal growth—believing that both Go skills and personal integrity can be elevated through the discipline of the game.
As the founder of Gofun Studio, Yong Liu has actively organized Go activities and competitions, including Canadian team tournaments, providing a platform for Go enthusiasts to learn, practice, and connect. His efforts have contributed to strengthening Go culture within the local community and offering young players a structured path to improvement.
Gofun Studio also benefits from the guidance of respected honorary advisors, including Yu Zhigui, an amateur 7-dan player, former partner of Go champion Nie Weiping in youth training, former chief editor of Go Spring and Autumn, and author of multiple Go instruction books. After moving to Canada, Yu Zhigui won numerous Canadian Go championships and trained many strong young players, making significant contributions to Go education overseas.
Another honorary advisor, Luo Xianhe, a professional 9-dan player and world champion, was once regarded as the highest-IQ prodigy on the Chinese national Go team. His legendary achievements include defeating top Korean professionals and competing against world-renowned champions. Luo’s support for Gofun Studio reflects his enthusiasm for assisting Go promotion abroad.
Through the combined experience of these figures, Gofun Studio has become more than a teaching space—it's a hub for cultivating Go culture, building community, and nurturing future generations of players.
For Yong Liu, the motivation remains constant: a sincere love for the game, and a belief that Go can shape minds, character, and life perspective. Beyond the patterns on the board, his work reflects a broader mission—allowing Go to take root and flourish far from its birthplace, while giving students a way to grow both in skill and in spirit.
