In the go community, it's not uncommon to come across discouraging remarks such as, 'I started go late in life, so there's no way I'll reach a high level' or 'You started go too late, so you won't become a strong player.' These remarks are frequently heard, particularly regarding individuals who began playing after their child years. However, it's essential to question whether age truly determines our potential. Are these statements an ultimate verdict, or can one still achieve strength and proficiency even if they started later in life? Lets talk about that... When faced with such statements, it becomes necessary to challenge the notion that one's progress and mastery in go are inherently limited by the age at which they start. While it's true that the child years are often seen as an ideal period for learning and skill development, it does not imply that the path to becoming a strong player is closed off beyond that point. In fact, there are numerous examples of individuals who began their Go journey later in life and went on to achieve remarkable proficiency. They defied the preconceived limitations associated with starting at a later age and demonstrated that dedication, perseverance, and a genuine passion for the game can transcend the boundaries of age. Rather than accepting these statements as an ultimate verdict, it's essential to recognize that Go, like any other skill, is a journey that extends beyond age boundaries. The pursuit of strength and proficiency in go is a lifelong endeavor, welcoming players of all ages to explore its strategic depth and engage in continuous improvement. Nakayama Noriyuki A great example of determination and perseverance in the world of Go is Nakayama Noriyuki, a professional player affiliated with the esteemed Nihon Ki-In. His story is an inspiration, particularly because he began his Go journey at the age of 13—a relatively late start by Japanese standards. At the age of 21, Nakayama Noriyuki embarked on a bold move, leaving his hometown to continue his Go studies in Tokyo. Undeterred by the challenges ahead, he dedicated himself to the pursuit of excellence and took the professional examination year after year. Despite facing multiple setbacks and disappointments, he refused to succumb to discouragement. Finally, just before his 30th birthday, Nakayama Noriyuki's perseverance paid off as he achieved success in the professional examination. This triumph shattered the commonly held belief that professionals reach their peak strength in Go at an early stage in life. Nakayama Noriyuki's journey didn't end with that achievement. Throughout the following years, he continued to advance and hone his skills. With each passing decade, he steadily gained rank, ultimately attaining the prestigious 6-dan rank in 1992. His progress defied the limitations imposed by age, proving that strength in Go can be nurtured and cultivated regardless of the time at which one starts their journey. You can read more about Nakayama Noryuki by following this link that goes to his sensei's library page. David Ulbricht Now I know what you must be thinking. Paige, Nakayama Noriyuki still started at 13 which is relatively young. So I want to take my point a step further and talk with a player that I find incredibly inspiring and has to go through the common idea that if you start go late you can't get strong. Meet GoDave89, Dave's story is a testament to the power of determination and resilience. Starting his Go journey at the age of 24, he embarked on a path that many deemed challenging. Yet, with unyielding dedication, he has achieved an impressive rank of 4-dan EGF, showcasing his remarkable persistance when it comes to his study. Dave has become an icon, revered for his unwavering commitment to consistent study and persistent growth despite starting late. His relentless drive pushes him to constantly surpass expectations, proving time and again that age should never be a barrier to success. Regardless of the age at which he started or his current stage in life, he continues to push his limits, demonstrating that greatness knows no bounds. In 2022 Dave got to partake in his first German Championship while he may not have bolstered a record to admire ending 1 win and 6 losses. It has only made him want to strive harder to reach the goals he set out for. At 33 years old, Dave's journey is far from complete. With his sights set on becoming the German Champion, he exemplifies the spirit of ambition and aspiration. The Go community eagerly watches as he strives to achieve even greater heights, propelled by his unwavering determination. Dave wrote on his personal Open Study Room page that one of his main motivations was to inspire others to believe and live that they can begin there go journey at any age and still improve. You can read a little more about Dave by following this link. I reached out to Dave for question to get a better understanding of his journey and how he feels regarding sentiments about starting late. Interview With Dave Me: What initially drew you to the game of Go and inspired you to start playing? Dave said: A friend initially taught me the game. One of (if not the) very first conversation we had was actually an argument about the complexity of Chess vs Go, me arguing for the side of Chess, as I had been playing it on and off for over a decade. Though to be fair to my past self: I didn't know Go at all and thought he was talking about Othello :'D. Then, a few years later, we went on a ski-trip with a group of friends and he finally decided it is time for me to learn the game. So he taught me the rules and the ladder and we played a few 9x9 games on his phone on the way to the skiing-location. I was instantly hooked and wanted to try the 'real deal' (aka a 19x19 game), so when we came back from vacation, first thing I did was log in to a go-server and play a bunch of 19x19 games. I continued to play and consumed everything I could find (mainly Nick Sibicky videos and a few books). I was so drawn to the elegance and freedom of this game, that I pretty much completely dropped playing chess altogether a few months later. Me: At what specific moment or milestone in your Go journey did you realize that you wanted to set a personal goal to win the German Championship? Dave said: I think it was during a discussion I had with someone about setting goals in general, which then turned more specifically about thoughts on goals in my Go. My goal back then was to reach 5d and I was asked, if it wouldn't be better to aim higher. I ended up agreeing and set 'German champion' as my new goal. That being said I am well aware that it is a high goal and hard to guarantee, since there is only one championship per year. But I am willing to do my best to achieve it and enjoy every step that brings me closer to it. Me: Do you have a favorite Go player or someone who has influenced your playing style? Dave said: In a way, it has to be Cho Chikun. His style and his diligence with reading influenced me a good bit. Me: How do you effectively manage and strike a balance between your deep passion for Go and your various other commitments and responsibilities in life? Dave said: One thing that does certainly help is, that I am more and more getting rid of distractions (e.g. I use close to no social media and only use my smartphone sparingly). That way I open up more time for what I actually WANT to focus on. I've been very willing to get up early and do my hour of tsumego(-stream) in the morning for the past 3 years and so I would find a way to do what is important to me. It also helps that I do Go-Coaching, so I actually earn part of my current livelihood with Go. Me: As someone who started Go later in life, have you ever encountered instances where other players doubted your ability to become strong? Conversely, have you personally experienced moments of self-doubt or questioned your own potential along your Go journey? Dave said:I still remember an interaction I had during an EGF broadcast on twitch, about 4 years ago. I had just started to rise through the dan ranks and noticed, that I was the same age as Ilya, so I (mostly jokingly) said "Oh, I better hurry to catch up then!" I was a bit surprised by the negativity and the "haha, that can't be done" attitude some people displayed. Apparently, that must've been memorable for me. It might be silly, but it fired me up just a little bit and made me want to find out, if it really can't be done. Will I ever be as strong as the top European players? Maybe not likely... but impossible?... We shall see. My attitude nowadays is always "why not?", so why not try? I am however my own worst critic, so I had many moments on my journey so far, where I was doubting myself. The good news: The more I keep improving and experiencing and overcoming obstacles, the more I believe I can also break through the next barrier and my moments of self-doubt in that regard are diminishing. Me: Please tell us how you approach continuous improvement and making sure that age won't define your worth as a player? Dave said: I think one of the biggest prerequisites to continuous improvement is a growth mindset and the willingness to change. The way I do it is to find out my current biggest problem through reviews and databases of my recent mistakes and then intensely focus on that for a while (this could e.g. be group strength awareness). I check in regular intervals, if my current focus is still my biggest issue and if so, I double down and go deeper. If not, I change it up and focus on the next weakness in my play. To that end, I think it is also very valuable to keep track of your progress. As for age not defining your worth as a player, I don't deny that it holds limitations in some aspects. But I actually try to focus on and work with the advantages of age (e.g. being better at making a plan and having more patience). Me: How has the Go community and the support you've received from fellow players influenced your progress and mindset? Dave said: It's save to say that, without an active Go community, I wouldn't be half as motivated to continue improving as I am now. The ability to learn together, play with and review with strong(er) players, but also teach weaker ones, exchange ideas or simply share a funny experience helps keep me sane with this insanely complex game. I also have a few friends and training partners, who are good at keeping me in check when they notice a flaw in my mindset, emotional state or way of thinking about a position. It helps tremendously, even if at first I really don't want to hear it. Me: What would you like to convey to players who propagate the belief that those who start Go later in life are limited by their age? Dave said: Of course they are correct! If you start later, you have fewer years to live and learn. However that doesn't mean you can't still achieve great things. If you only think about the limitations, limits is what you get. A while ago I was firmly convinced 1-2kyu was my 'natural limit', so that's where I stayed for a few years. Only after I really started actually believing I could do better and acted accordingly did I see continuous growth. Something is often deemed impossible until someone does it. And not necessarily because that person was exceptional, but simply because they were dedicated and didn't know/believe it was impossible. Me: What advice would you offer to aspiring Go players who may have started late or are grappling with self-doubt arising from their age? Furthermore, when the notion that you might be too old to become a strong player enters your thoughts, is there a mindset or mantra that you embrace to counteract it? Dave said: One realization that is most helpful – in Go and in Life – is that there are two types of circumstances: The ones you can change and the ones you cannot. So why worry about age becoming a restricting factor? If it is, nothing you can do about it. If it isn't, then all worrying does, is wasting your energy! Beyond that, when doubts creep in my mind, I think back at what I have already achieved so far (beyond what I previously thought was possible), why should the limit be now? The only way to find out, if you can't do something, is to first try it anyway. You can always reassess. Me: Your unwavering commitment has garnered a dedicated fanbase that admires your determination. While your goal to win the German Championship is already an impressive aspiration, can you share if you have any plans to push beyond that milestone? Are there further ambitions or targets you have set your sights on in your Go journey? Dave said: I haven't thought, too much beyond that milestone, but I am sure should I approach it, my mind will go towards some of the big European tournaments. One thing I do have in mind already, is a participation in the World Amateur Go Championship – It would be a dream come true to be a representative of a whole country in such an international tournament! In conclusion... I want to say thank you so much to Dave for providing us this oppurtunity to hear him talk a bit about himself and to go through his thoughts with us on the matter. I hope that Dave's story serves as an inspiration for players of all ages, encouraging them to embrace the power of consistent effort and unwavering belief in their abilities. So, the next time someone raises doubts about your ability to become a strong player due to you starting later in life, remember that age does not define your potential. With determination, practice, and an unwavering belief in your abilities, you can transcend the limitations others may impose and forge your own path towards go mastery.
