The 67th European Go Congress opened on Saturday in Warsaw, the capital of Poland, drawing 949 enthusiasts from 48 countries and regions to celebrate the ancient Chinese board game that continues to captivate minds worldwide. During the two-week event, participants are set to compete in professional tournaments, including the European Masters and Open Championships, as well as recreational competitions such as 13×13 board matches and speed games. The Chinese Weiqi Association sent professional players Wang Xiangyun (4-dan) and Li Ang (3-dan) to host tutorial games and deliver match commentaries, drawing widespread praise from participants for their expertise. "Chinese culture is very rich. It's about music, it's about poetry, it's about the art, and Weiqi (Go) is perceived as well as the art. Yeah, so this is something that people are interested in. Because China is a big and strong country. We are as well interested in how it was done and what is behind the culture of China," said Tomasz Andrzejewski, president of the Polish Go Association. The congress also addressed the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on Go. European Go Federation President Martin Stiassny acknowledged AI as a valuable training tool but emphasized the game's enduring human essence. "I see AI as a tool, but not as a concurrence (competition) against publicity of Weiqi, against spreading Weiqi. You can use it and it helps, of course, to become stronger or to analyze situations. The Weiqi game is a game between people, and AI can never be like people," he said. The video shows: Warsaw, Poland - July 19, 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 1. Various of participants lining up, registering at entrance to 67th European Go Congress opening ceremony 2. Cultural councilor of Chinese Embassy in Poland Wei Jiao speaking at podium 3. Wei, other guests cutting ribbon 4. Various of attendees applauding 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Tomasz Andrzejewski, president, Polish Go Association (ending with shot 6): "Chinese culture is very rich. It's about music, it's about poetry, it's about the art, and Weiqi (Go) is perceived as well as the art. Yeah, so this is something that people are interested in. Because China is a big and strong country. We are as well interested in how it was done and what is behind the culture of China." 6. Attendees of opening event FILE: Beijing, China - May 1, 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 7. Various of children playing board games like Go, Chinese Chess, Gomoku against robotic opponents Warsaw, Poland - July 19, 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 8. Various of contestants playing Go 9. SOUNDBITE (English) Martin Stiassny, president, European Go Federation (ending with shot 10): "I see AI as a tool, but not as a concurrence (competition) against publicity of Weiqi, against spreading Weiqi. You can use it and it helps, of course, to become stronger or to analyze situations. The Weiqi game is a game between people, and AI can never be like people." 10. Various of contestants, guests playing Go [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]