Playing Go in Beijing

[kokomi]

The staff were quite amazed when I said I was "si duan" (four dan), and asked if I didn't mean four kyu. After assuring them that I really was 4 dan, I was matched with a Chinese player of the same rank. I was a little unsure what to expect.

I thought there were many strong foreigners visited Tiandi, and they are still surprised to hear 4 Dan

[cdybeijing]

The staff were quite amazed when I said I was "si duan" (four dan), and asked if I didn't mean four kyu. After assuring them that I really was 4 dan, I was matched with a Chinese player of the same rank. I was a little unsure what to expect.

I thought there were many strong foreigners visited Tiandi, and they are still surprised to hear 4 Dan

There are a lot of strong foreigners that visit there, but for every 2 dan+ player from overseas that they see, they meet 10 5 kyus, and even some DDKs.

[cdybeijing]

Do you have plans now for when you will be in the city?

Yes, most probably 26th November.
Plan to buy some problem books - they are so cheap in China! So far I know only the huge bookstore in Xidan, but will appreciate if you can tell which others are worthwile to stop by.
Also, please advise if you know some shops with go equipment. I know you can buy various grades of stones in most department shops, but I managed to find only one shop with some really nice equipment - it was in a basement of sport equipment shop in northern part of Wangfujing. I bought my Yunzi there last year and 540 Yuan tag was one of the cheapest there.

Weiqi Tiandi incorporates a very nice book and equipment shop, which has high quality equipment.

Piotrek,

I think there is no need to go all the way to Xidan simply for go books. The store in Wangfujing is just as good if not better, and there are a lot more interesting things in that area. As you said, there is an equipment store there as well if you're looking for higher quality equipment.

Tiandi Jian (often confused with Weiqi Tiandi, which is a magazine) as Herman mentioned, sells premium go equipment. They specialize in carrying all grades and sizes of slate and shell stones, but it's not the place to go if you are looking for yunzi. There is also a nice selection of boards, bowls and some clocks there. The go books are plenty but the vast majority are professional game records and back issues of Weiqi Tiandi magazine. Problem books are relatively few compared to what you'd find in one of the big state-owned bookstores.

[yommytec]

Hi,
Are there DDK players as well? Wondering if it would make sense for me to go there to play when I'm in Beijing next time - I am about 15 k

BR,
Piotrek

Yes, there are so many DDK players and many more very good SDK players who are all capable of giving you an interesting game.