Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lukas]

Nerd alert!

Since coming to Korea I haven't had much opportunity to play. On an unrelated note, Janggi sucks. There's always the internet, but lately I've been craving some face to face game time. I'm free most evenings during the week, and sometimes Sunday. I played regularly for about 3 years before coming to Korea, and I'd say I'm at least above average in ability. I live in Bucheon, but I'd be willing to meet up in Seoul at some point if anyone else is interested.

Cheers

[Skippy]

Have you ever just gone to the local park and set up a board. Maybe some older Korean gentleman may want to play?

[robot]

I like the chess, and play well enough, but I'm only rated at about 1500.

I'm deadly busy at the moment with summer intensives -- 10-hour days -- but will keep you in mind for the future.

[tanklor1]

I shall play Chess with you! Name the time and place and I shall knight and we shall rook! Ohhh...bad puns!

Seriously if you're up for it and have a board send me a pm.

[Globutron]

Noone ever wants to play Baduk with me =( (as in Go)

[samd]

[Sector7G]

The chess application on Facebook is the main reason I originally joined that wretched network. It gives me a way to bond with my family back home.

It also has a feature that will connect you with others looking for an opponent.

[zappadelta]

[kimdeal54]

I'll play with you. I live in Incheon, and work in West Seoul, so it's very easy for me to get to Bucheon.

PM if interested.

[CentralCali]

What's wrong with Janggi? If you lived in Busan, I'd be happy to show you how to play beyond just knowing the Chinese characters for the pieces and how the pieces move. This is Korea, of course, so it makes sense that the Chess played here would be Korea's member of the Chess family of games.

For Baduk (I-go/Wei-chi/Go), you shouldn't have any problem finding an opponent at one of the parks. Obviously today that's not such a hot idea since ol' Noah's building a boat, but spend some time kibbitzing the games at a park and soon enough you'll be invited to play. After one game, the group will determine your handicap for the next set of games. Keep going and you'll improve. Another option if you're at a public school, is to play against some of the other teachers during the lunch break. Every public school men's lounge I've seen here has a Baduk set.

[lukas]

[lukas]

Regarding future chess related posts, If you're interested in playing, please post where you live and when you available to better organize meeting points.

Thanks!

[lukas]

[akcrono]

I live in mapo-gu (in seoul). I can play weeknights after 8pm or all day sunday. I've been getting back into chess lately. I'm probably a little above average.

[christopherm]

It's true that chess (Western chess) is not "professionally" popular in Korea. They failed to qualify for the last Olympiad nor do they have a federation. On the other hand, many children seem to be well acquainted with the rules and enjoy playing. However, as far as I know, there aren't any master level players in Korea.

I recently wrote a treatise on Korean chess (장기) but I have only analyzed about 10 games, so far. I was a USCF Expert, TD, and certified coach for many years in Western chess 서양장기, so I belive my annotations are reasonably sound. I also have a page of chess games (miniatures), for which I have also provided annotations.

One of my sources lists clubs in most of the major cities. I can provide addresses for you if you would like to visit a club. (장기)

Go (바둑) is much more highly revered and can be found nearly anywhere. You can watch the 바둑 channel if you are an aspiring player.