Scott No: 2436-37
Serial number: 1993-5
Values in set: 2
Date of issue: April 30, 1993
Designers: Qian Zhongping
Size: 30*40mm
Perforation: 12
Sheet composition: 50
Printing process: offset

The special stamp set Weiqi (Go), catalog number 1993-5, was issued on April 30, 1993. It consists of two stamps, produced using offset printing. The stamps measure 30×40 mm, with a perforation gauge of 12 degrees. Each sheet contains 50 stamps. The stamps were designed by Qian Zhongping and printed by Henan Post and Telecommunications Printing Factory.

Thematic Focus of the Set

This set takes weiqi (Go), a national treasure of China, as its theme. Weiqi originated in China and has a long history. It is a traditional board game combining speculative thought, strategy, and self-cultivation. The stamps adopt a contrast between ancient and modern. One stamp looks back at the elegant tradition of ancient literati playing weiqi, and the other showcases the classic opening layout created by contemporary players. It links the thousand-year inheritance of weiqi with its modern development, highlighting the infinite variations and Eastern wisdom of weiqi, and promoting traditional Chinese board game culture.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Ancient Players at the Board

The image draws on the style of ancient murals, depicting ancient literati sitting around a board playing weiqi with an observer nearby. The colors are classical and substantial, restoring the appearance of weiqi as one of the four arts of ancient literati. It reflects that weiqi has been an elegant pursuit for literati and scholars since ancient times to cultivate the mind and test each other's intelligence.

Chinese Style Opening

The main subject is a 19-line weiqi board, presenting the classic "Chinese Style" opening created by Chinese player Chen Zude. This opening does not cling to defending corner territory but prioritizes occupying strategic points along the sides, with a brisk rhythm and strong attacking nature. It shone brilliantly in China-Japan Go competitions and is an important contribution of Chinese weiqi to the world Go scene.

Artistic and Design Features

The set contrasts movement and stillness. The narrative painting image and the clean, rational board image form a sharp contrast, with restrained and refreshing compositions. One stamp renders the ancient artistic mood, and the other purely presents the principles of the game. The styles differ but the theme is unified. Through two stamps, it balances the humanistic historical attributes and the competitive technical connotations of weiqi. It is a cleverly conceived work in the category of board game stamps.