Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Borges Poem

A go friend sent me a go poem by the Argentine poet Jorge Luis Borges (who also lived for many years in Texas). I want to share it here. I'm giving it here as he did to me, first in the original Spanish then in his English translation.


Hoy, 9 de septiembre de 1978, 
tuve en la palma de la mano un pequeño disco
de los trescientos sesenta y uno que se requieren 
para el juego astrológico del go, 
ese otro ajedrez del Oriente. 
Es más antiguo que la más antigua escritura 
y el tablero es un mapa del universo. 
Sus variaciones negras y blancas 
agotarán el 
tiempo. 
En él pueden perderse los hombres 
como en el amor y en el día. 
Hoy, 9 de septiembre de 1978, 
yo, que soy ignorante de tantas cosas, 
sé que ignoro una más, 
y agradezco a mis númenes.
esta revelación de un laberinto 
que nunca será mío.

Today, the 9th of September 1978,
I had in the palm of my hand a small disk
of the 361 that are required
for the astrological game of Go,
that other chess of the Orient.
It is more ancient than the most ancient writing
and the board is a map of the universe.
Its black and white variations
will exhaust time.
In it men can lose themselves
as in love and in the day.
Today, the 9th of September 1978,
I, who am ignorant of so many things,
know that I am ignorant of one more,
and I thank my Muses for
this revelation of a labyrinth
that never will be mine.

By the way, if you're interested in the trip, in addition to any comments you post here, please also write me at  goincuba@gmail.com. That way I'll have your email address and can keep you updated on developments that way.



Monday, September 24, 2012


I've just started to get inquiries from the AGA eJournal item that just appeared. I'm expecting final trip details any time now and will get them out to those who've inquired when I receive them. In the meanwhile, by all means let me know if you're interested. I can give you now one piece of basic information on traveler qualifications:

  • US citizen or legal resident of the US
  • nonplaying partners are OK
  • under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent.
Stay tuned.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

I'm organizing a trip for US players to play go in Cuba. The trip will take place February 15 - 21, 2013, providing there are at least 15 US players enrolled. I have started this blog to keep interested people informed of developments and to field comments and questions. If you want more information, you may comment here or email me at goincuba@gmail.com.