The history of go stretches back more than four thousand years. The game originated in China, where weiqi known as, in Korea Go, whilst in Japan it is simply go Its name. The rules are simple, yet it offers an endless array of strategic and tactical possibilities. The aim: to capture more territory than your opponent. Players take turns placing black and white stones on the board, one at a time, on an empty intersection. Once placed, stones cannot be moved, and if an opponent’s stones are completely surrounded, they are removed from the board.
Go is not merely a game of logic: it reflects a player’s personality, way of thinking and emotional intelligence. As a Japanese proverb goes: „Show me how you play, and I’ll tell you who you are.” The board illustrates how one strikes a balance between attack and defence, how one reacts to changing situations, and how one times one’s moves.
The common language of football and diplomacy
Go is essentially a diplomatic map in miniature: a game of territories, resources, points of conflict and alliances. Diplomacy, too, is the art of strategic thinking – the only difference lies in the „board” and what is at stake.
Diplomacy – as set out in the Treaties of Vienna – serves to identify and reconcile the common and divergent interests of the parties, and to prevent and resolve conflicts. In this process, negotiating etiquette, protocol, disciplined communication and strategic planning are of key importance. The same applies to Go: one cannot win on every front, but one can organise one’s moves in such a way that, in the end, the scales tip in one’s favour. This is often not the result of aggressive expansion, but of a clever retreat and sacrifices made in the interests of long-term goals.
Diplomacy in Mediation
Mediation – whether in family, parent–child or relationship matters – is essentially a form of „diplomatic negotiation” in everyday life. Here, too, the interests of two (or more) parties are identified, compared and reconciled. The stages of diplomatic negotiations – preparation, the opening session, identifying points of disagreement, seeking compromise, and drafting an agreement – can be applied exactly as they stand to the mediation process.
A degree in diplomacy, or even a knowledge of protocol and etiquette, can be put to immediate use in mediation:
- Order of precedence: it helps to ensure that the structure of the mediation provides a sense of security for the parties. The „etiquette” of the negotiations (who speaks first, how we respond, which words to avoid) helps to reduce tension.
- Negotiation techniques: The questioning techniques, active listening and summarising used in diplomacy are also effective in mediation.
- An interest-based approach: a diplomat seeks to identify not only the positions but also the interests behind them – this is also key in mediation.
- Avoiding a loss of face: Part of cultural protocol is ensuring that the parties can extricate themselves from a difficult situation with dignity. During mediation, this helps to ensure that a compromise is seen not as a „loss” but as a mutual gain.
Relationship coaching – a strategy for everyday life
Relationship coaching can also draw on diplomatic thinking. Here, the focus is not on countries, but on the „alliance” between two people. The aim is to strike a balance between individual needs and shared goals.
Techniques drawn from diplomacy – such as the „win–win” strategy, identifying interests rather than positions, and the method of gradual convergence – are also effective in communication within a relationship. For example, if one partner wants to spend more time together whilst the other wants more freedom, diplomatic logic dictates that we should not choose between the two extremes, but rather seek a third solution: for example, shared activities with a flexible schedule.
Go – diplomacy – mediation: the power of the triangle
Go teaches you to look at the bigger picture and not get bogged down in minor skirmishes. Diplomacy teaches you that words, gestures and the order of events are just as important as specific decisions. Mediation, meanwhile, teaches us that it is only by understanding the other party’s perspective that we can reach truly lasting agreements.
A 19×19 Go board, an international conference table and a mediation room are three distinct worlds, but the pattern of thinking is the same:
- Situation assessment – What is the current situation? Where do the overt and covert interests lie?
- Strategy Formulation – What is the long-term goal, and what steps will lead to it?
- Tactical decisions – When is it best to fall back, and when should you take the initiative?
- Networking – How can trust be maintained right through to the end of the process?
A specific example: diplomatic protocol in mediation
During relationship mediation, I often employ diplomatic protocol:
- Seating plan: The parties do not sit facing each other, but at a slight angle, so that their body language is more open.
- Form of address: In accordance with negotiation etiquette, I avoid using judgemental language and address both of them in a supportive tone.
- Adherence to the timeframe: Just like a diplomat, a mediator manages time in a disciplined manner, because structure is part of building trust.
- Closing statement: at the end of the process, a brief, positive summary is given, acknowledging the efforts of both parties – thereby strengthening future cooperation.
Developing strategic thinking
Regular practice of Go not only develops logical skills, but also patience, foresight and flexibility. These are all key qualities in diplomacy and mediation. Anyone who learns from the board how to achieve a greater victory at the cost of small losses will represent their interests with greater confidence both at the negotiating table and in coaching sessions. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 66(2), 427–437.
Footnotes:
- Hungarian Go Association. Go for it!
- Diplomatic Encyclopaedia. Éghajlat Publishing House, Budapest, 2018.