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Shudan

A poetic alternative name for the game of Go, understood as a conversation carried out through moves.

Also known as

hand talk

Shudan is an alternate name for the game of Go. It comes from a Chinese expression meaning a conversation or dialogue by hand, giving the game a poetic, literary character.

The metaphor treats each player’s successive moves as responses in a dialogue: one player makes a move, and the other answers on the board. Shudan is therefore a cultural or literary synonym for Go, not a move, technique, or rank. It does not describe a separate rule or playing method. Do not confuse Shudan with Shodan, the term for the first dan rank.