Our Story
Every story begins somewhere. Ours began with a single Go lesson and has grown into a community where children learn, families connect, and everyone grows together. DEITSCH has become a shared journey—shaped by every child, family, and companion who has been part of it.
Our Philosophy
Without victory and defeat, there is no Go.
Yet we believe that the greatest lessons of Go lie beyond victory and defeat. Through every move they make, children learn to think independently, respect others, and grow as individuals.
Igniting Enthusiasm
Enthusiasm is the best foundation for long-term learning. That is why every beginner course is personally led by Mr. Cheng. Especially at the beginning, our goal is not only to introduce children to the rules of Go, but more importantly, to help them discover the joy of the game and build a strong foundation for independent learning. Parents are welcome to attend classes alongside their children free of charge, making Go a shared journey of growth for the whole family.
Community & Language
For many Chinese-heritage children growing up in Germany, Chinese should not feel like a task to complete, but a language for everyday communication and a way of thinking. Through Go, children naturally enter a Chinese-speaking environment where they connect with others, learn together, and build a relationship with language and culture — not through pressure, but through a shared interest.
Values of the Game of Go
Our most important mission is to encourage children to think independently, respect their opponents, and embrace new challenges. We never shy away from the reality of competition, nor do we believe that shielding children from winning and losing helps them grow. The result of any game is temporary, but the character and resilience it helps build can last a lifetime.
A Transparent Path of Growth
Every child develops at their own pace. That is why we have established a clear and fair system for group placement, as well as advancement and movement between levels. Through multiple online and in-person tournaments in different formats each year, children have regular opportunities to assess their progress, understand where they stand, and discover what to work on next.
Our Journey
1. The Beginning – A Go Class in a Kindergarten
It all began in 2013 in an ordinary classroom of a kindergarten in Düsseldorf. At that time, a few families got together to help their children learn Chinese. One day, someone made a simple suggestion:
"Cheng, you play Go. Why don't you try teaching the kids?"
There was no projector, no recruitment plan, no curriculum, and certainly no vision of what this might one day become. The first class was simple: five or six children, a few Go boards, and parents who wanted to support their children's growth.
The children were young and easily distracted, so parents often joined the lessons. We had little teaching experience and learned by experimenting, adjusting, and improving week after week. Yet from the moment those Go boards were placed on the tables, they were never packed away again.
Looking back, we realized that Go was becoming much more than an extracurricular activity. It became a way to connect children, families, and cultures. Quietly, the first seed of Go had taken root in Düsseldorf.
2. The Birth of DEITSCH – From a Hobby Group to a Go School
At first, the Go class was simply a small gathering among friends. As some families moved on and others joined through word of mouth, more children gradually became part of the group. There was never a marketing campaign. Like a small stream, the community grew naturally.
By 2016, however, one challenge had become impossible to ignore. The differences in playing strength had grown too large. Lessons that were suitable for beginners were no longer engaging for stronger players, while more advanced material overwhelmed the newcomers. Dividing students by level was no longer optional—it had become essential.
This decision marked the beginning of a more structured teaching system. Fixed lesson schedules, structured learning materials, separate teaching and playing sessions, and online tournaments all gradually took shape. Around the same time, the school received its name: Düsseldorf wEIqi Talent SCHool, or simply DEITSCH. The logo that still represents our school today was designed by the mother of one of our earliest students.
After our first official trial lesson in December 2016, nearly thirty complete beginners enrolled.
In January 2017, one class became five.
On June 18, 2017, the first Düsseldorf Mingren Youth Go Tournament took place. For the first time, the children finally had a stage of their own; the Go School became known among more and more families; and a spontaneous idea evolved into a place where children grew together.
3. The Team – From One Person to Companions on the Path
As the school continued to grow, so did the number of students—and the differences in playing strength between them. In 2018, nearly forty children joined our beginner classes. Preparing lessons, teaching classes, reviewing games, and organizing tournaments had gradually become too much for one person to handle.
Fortunately, a shared vision brought together people who wanted to walk the same path.
Over the following years, more teachers who believed in the same approach joined the team. Outside Go, they all have their own careers or studies. In their free time, they teach as freelance Go instructors. Each teacher brings their own Go experience, teaching style, and perspective, but what connects us is our commitment to helping children grow. None of us is perfect on our own, but by teaching, discussing, and learning together, we continue striving to improve as a team.
But those walking this journey with us are not only teachers. Many dedicated parents and older students actively contribute to this community, supporting tournaments and events through organization, photography, logistics, and communication. Together, they strengthen our community and show children what commitment, passion, and responsibility can look like.
Over the years, the school has grown from one person's weekend class into a community carried forward by many people. What keeps this community moving forward is no longer any single individual, but everyone who shares the same commitment to helping children grow.
Walking together is not about following the same path, but about moving toward the same destination.
4. Ten Years of DEITSCH – A Milestone and a New Beginning
2017–2026. Ten years is a long time—long enough for strong branches to grow from a small seed. Yet when we look back, that very first lesson still feels like yesterday.
Despite the challenges during the pandemic, we have now held the Düsseldorf Mingren Tournament seven times. But more valuable than trophies and titles are the traces time has left behind. The children who first held Go stones in those early kindergarten days are now studying at university. It is a beautiful thing to see that the fascination of Go has accompanied them through their childhood and that they have remained connected to the community. Former students return in new roles, eager to pass on their passion to the next generation. At the most recent Mingren Tournament, Kele, the oldest student of DEITSCH, presented the traditional award for the youngest participant to Yuanyuan, the first DEITSCH student of the 2020s generation. Dingding, who had competed in the highest division, the Mingren Group, from the very first tournament onward and holds the title of “Honorary Master,” also presented awards to the finalists of that division.
On the threshold of our tenth anniversary, we look back while planning ahead. With this website, we are documenting our journey. Moving beginner courses to the autumn, planning a new location in Essen, and preparing new tournaments like the "Lanke Cup" are natural next steps in our continued development, making our community even more vibrant.
A Go board has only 361 intersections, but the world it opens up is infinite. The tenth anniversary is a milestone and a fresh start. In the years ahead, we will continue to welcome every child who places their first stone with curiosity and joy.
Key Milestones
First Go Lesson
The first stones were placed in a Düsseldorf kindergarten classroom.
From Classroom to Tournament
Students gradually became active participants in Go tournaments across Germany and Europe.
- 2014.06 First participation in the Ratingen Tengen Youth Tournament
- 2016.02 Bonn - First Open Tournament by a First-Generation Student
- 2018.02 Bonn - Growing Presence of Students in open Tournaments
- 2018.05 Hamburg - First group participation in the German Youth Championship
- 2018.07 Bacharach - First participation in the Ing Cup Youth Championship & Go Camp
- 2018.09 Jena - First participation in the Hans Pietsch Memorial
New Location in Eller, Düsseldorf
Moved to a new venue and welcomed new students.
Open Trial Class
First trial class attracting nearly 30 beginners.
Establishment of the Teaching System
The school introduced a structured level-based system and developed internal competition formats.
- 2017.01 Established the model of level-based classes combined with inter-class matches, which continues to be used today
- 2017.05 First online tournament
Trier Trip Tradition
Started the Trier excursion & Trierer Tengen tradition, resumed in 2022 after the pandemic.
- 2017.06 First joint parent-child weekend with Tianyuan Cup
- 2022.06 Resumption of the annual trip & tournament tradition post-pandemic
Mingren (Meijin) Tournament
Inaugurated the annual Youth Go Meister Cup in Düsseldorf. (Resumed in 2023 after the pandemic.)
- 2017.06 1st Youth Go Meister Cup
- 2023.10 Post-pandemic reboot, renamed to Youth Go Meister Cup
- 2024.06 Titled 'Hanyuan Cup', part of the 'Rhine Chinese Knot & Olympics' event
Faculty Expansion
Multiple dedicated teachers joined to enhance student support.
- 2018.01 Ms. Yang joined
- 2018.09 Mr. Ni joined
- 2019.10 Mr. Guo joined
- 2022.10 Mr. Wu joined
DGoZ Feature
Featured in the official German Go magazine.
Transformation and Renewal During the Pandemic
Facing the challenges of the pandemic, the school adapted through online teaching and gradually returned to stable growth.
- 2020.01 Move to Neuss
- 2020.02 Transition to Online Teaching
- 2021.06 Official partnership established with Hanyuan Chinese School; in-person classes resumed, while the annual beginner program was delayed until summer because of the pandemic.
- 2022.10 Establishment of an annual online tournament tradition with three formats (team competition, challenge ladder, and Champions League-style individual tournament)
- 2024.01 Student Numbers Return to Pre-pandemic Level
German Youth National Team Leader
Mr. Cheng named German Youth National Team Leader.
Düsseldorf Return & Milestones
Returned to Düsseldorf campus, hosting 1st Lanke Cup, and launching website.
- 2025.03 Returned to Düsseldorf Hanyuan Campus
- 2025.11 First German Youth Go Championship Hosted at the Go School's own campus
- 2026.04 Hosting 1st European Lanke Cup
- 2026.07 Official Website Launch
More information about our teaching team coming soon...