The Decisive Move

"Ke Jie is not competing anymore."

The news was like a pebble thrown into the calm world of Go, stirring up layers of ripples. Li Bo sat in a corner of the Go club, sipped his bitter tea, and watched the young reporter on TV speaking passionately into the camera.

Li Bo was an old Go enthusiast, who had witnessed Ke Jie's glory and also seen his recent decline. Since the advent of artificial intelligence "AlphaGo", the world of Go had changed dramatically. Human players were retreating step by step in the face of cold algorithms. Ke Jie, this once proud son of heaven, had also begun to become taciturn.

"Old Li, what do you think is wrong with Ke Jie? He used to be so arrogant." Old Wang, the owner of the Go club, came over and offered a cigarette.

Li Bo waved his hand, refusing. "Arrogant? That was confidence. Now... the confidence is gone."

On TV, a screenshot of Ke Jie's Weibo was enlarged. "Nine-time World Go Champion". Li Bo sighed, this kid, he still couldn't let go.

Two days later, Li Bo received an unexpected phone call.

"Mr. Li, this is Ke Jie."

"Yes, I know." Li Bo tried to make his voice sound calm.

"I would like to play a game of Go with you."

Li Bo was stunned. "With me? These old bones of mine, I haven't played Go for a long time."

"Just treat it as accompanying this old man for one last game, can you?" Ke Jie's voice had a hint of pleading.

Li Bo hesitated for a moment and agreed.

The agreed location was the Go club. Li Bo arrived early, set up the Go board, and brewed good tea. When Ke Jie came, he was wearing an ordinary tracksuit, with a faint tiredness on his face.

The two sat down, with Ke Jie taking the black pieces first. Li Bo noticed that Ke Jie's hands were a little shaky.

The game began, and Ke Jie's style was still sharp, but Li Bo faintly felt a difference. His move speed was significantly slower, as if every step had to be carefully considered.

Li Bo had played Go for half his life, and his understanding of Go had long surpassed winning or losing. He could feel that Ke Jie's Go lacked the previous灵气(spiritual energy), and had more deliberation.

"Xiao Ke, is something troubling you?" Li Bo asked.

Ke Jie raised his head, looked at Li Bo, his eyes complex. "Mr. Li, what do you think is the meaning of Go?"

Li Bo smiled. "Meaning? Go is Go. Winning or losing is just a part of it. The important thing is to enjoy the process and find the fun."

Ke Jie was silent.

The game continued. Li Bo found that Ke Jie's Go was becoming more and more conservative, as if he only wanted to defend steadily and no longer pursue offense.

"Xiao Ke, you can't win playing like this." Li Bo sighed softly.

"I know." Ke Jie's voice was very low.

"Then why are you still playing like this?"

Ke Jie did not answer.

The game entered its final stage. Li Bo, playing white, had a clear advantage. Ke Jie's black pieces were already powerless to reverse the situation.

"I concede." Ke Jie said.

Li Bo looked at him without speaking.

"Mr. Li, I... I don't want to play Go with artificial intelligence anymore." Ke Jie suddenly said. "I... I'm afraid."

Li Bo understood. Ke Jie was not afraid of losing to artificial intelligence, but of losing himself in front of artificial intelligence.

"Xiao Ke, Go is not just about winning and losing. The important thing is who you are." Li Bo patted Ke Jie on the shoulder. "Remember, you are not a copy of artificial intelligence, you are Ke Jie."

Ke Jie raised his head, looked at Li Bo, and a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes.

The next day, a news item shocked the world of Go: Ke Jie announced his comeback and would participate in the International Go Tournament next month.

The end of the news included a photo. In the photo, Ke Jie was standing in front of the Go board, his eyes firm. In front of him was an ordinary Go set. On the Go board, black and white pieces were intertwined, seemingly chaotic, but containing infinite possibilities. And Ke Jie's hand was slowly picking up a black piece, ready to make a move. That black piece was not for winning or losing, but to find himself.

A few months later, in an important Go competition, Ke Jie faced artificial intelligence again. Everyone thought he would be defeated again, but he surprisingly adopted a brand new strategy, a way of playing full of imagination and creativity.

In the end, Ke Jie lost.

But he lost beautifully.

After the game, a reporter asked him: "Mr. Ke Jie, what do you think is the meaning of this game?"

Ke Jie smiled slightly and said, "Does winning or losing matter? What matters is that I played my own game."

At the same time, Li Bo was in the Go club, watching the live broadcast on TV. He picked up his teacup and took a light sip. The tea fragrance spread in his mouth, bitter with a hint of sweetness. He knew that Ke Jie had found his own "胜负手 (winning move)".

Li Bo put down his teacup, picked up a Go score, and continued to study it. The sun shone through the window, illuminating the Go board, reflecting a world of black and white. This world is full of infinite possibilities.