[Stones and Stories] The Subtle Resemblance Between Baduk and Baseball

The roar of a full house of 23,750 seats has faded away. The Jamsil Baseball Stadium, the stage of the 2023 KBO League Korean Series, is engulfed in silence. Although it seems as if only dust remains desolately, the ground itself is a record that conveys the narrative of baseball. The traces of countless people who have come and gone, along with the results of their sweat, are deeply engraved.

The same goes for Baduk (Go). Black and white stones are placed on 361 intersections of a 19-by-19 grid. Their arrangement tells a story. Whether there are white stones nearby, black stones, or whether they are connected changes the narrative of the game.

The combination of stones on the board is the result of intense mental activity. Fierce battles unfold according to each player's strategy, compromises are made, and life and death are decided. Even if the stones are removed and the board is cleared, does the narrative of Baduk disappear?

On May 28, 2019, with warm weather, elderly people are playing Baduk at Jongmyo Park in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

Baduk and baseball may seem like unrelated sports, but they strangely resemble each other.

If you focus only on the outcome of winning or losing, you cannot appreciate the true charm of Baduk and baseball. You must not forget that the placement of Baduk stones and the footprints engraved on the baseball field are choices with their own stories. When you respect the weight of those decisions and assign value to them, the fruit of progress follows.

It is foolish to neglect reviewing past games just because they ended in defeat. In baseball, the manager of the losing team needs to review why the result occurred, from the 1st inning to the 9th. This means examining whether players were used appropriately and whether impatience caused mistakes.

Reviewing is even more important in Baduk. A single move can shake the entire game. Therefore, stones must be placed more carefully and thoroughly. By retracing the history of past moves and evaluating whether those choices were right or wrong, one’s skill naturally improves.

Another similarity between Baduk and baseball is the need to pay attention to the unsung workers overshadowed by superstars. In baseball, attention naturally focuses on dramatic moments like hitting home runs or striking out batters. However, those spectacular results are not created suddenly. To hit a home run, patience to endure bait pitches is required. When concentration is based on not missing the opposing pitcher’s mistakes, a home run can be expected.

On the 13th, at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, the 5th game of the 2023 KBO Korean Series between kt wiz and LG Twins took place. LG players, having secured the Korean Series championship by defeating kt, are celebrating.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The brilliant moves that decide the outcome in Baduk are similar. For a move that can overturn the game to succeed, several preparatory steps are needed beforehand. After a sequence that corners the opponent, a decisive strike that determines the game can succeed. A move that seems less useful may actually be the stepping stone to victory.

Respecting the opponent is another point where baseball and Baduk resemble each other. In baseball, there is an unwritten rule to observe when the game is clearly decided. When a team is winning by a large margin, attempting a steal of second base is considered unsportsmanlike behavior.

In Baduk, it is also important to maintain courtesy until the end when the opponent’s defeat is evident. Excessively expressing joy over victory or showing contempt for the opponent is forbidden.

One must not forget that behavior that maintains dignity ultimately makes one’s victory more valuable. When the loser accepts the result gracefully, does it not double the winner’s joy?

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.