Tributes pour in after passing of Go legend Nie, 73

China's sports community is mourning the passing of Go master Nie Weiping, as the country pays tribute to the legendary figure's enduring contribution to the promotion of the game.

Nie, an icon of the board game weiqi, also called Go, passed away in Beijing at the age of 73 on Wednesday night, according to his family. His passing prompted a wave of tributes from across the sports community and beyond to the former honorary president of the Chinese Weiqi Association, who was officially given the title "Weiqi Sage".

"It is with profound grief that we announce the passing of Nie Wei-ping, a towering figure in the world of Go, which has saddened the Chinese Go community as a huge loss for the game," according to a notice released by Nie's family.

"His contributions to the game of Go, both as a player and a mentor, have left an indelible mark on the sport and inspired generations of Go enthusiasts worldwide," it said.

Nie, who was born on Aug 17, 1952, in Shenzhou, Hebei province, demonstrated an early talent for Go and rose to prominence in the late 20th century, becoming a symbol of Chinese excellence in the strategic board game.

Nie's most celebrated career highlights came during the 1980s, when he played a pivotal role in the early stage of the storied China-Japan super challenge series by helping China secure consecutive wins in the first three editions. This brought massive attention to the game while lifting the whole nation's spirit at a trying time.

Known for his thoughtful approach to the game and finesse in strategy, Nie was committed to conveying the beauty and complexity of Go to audiences of all ages, earning him respect and admiration from his peers as well as young players and fans.

Former and current Go players, sports celebrities and notable figures all took to social media to mourn the passing of Nie, while paying tribute to his contribution.

"Master Nie, rest in peace," China's Go prodigy Ke Jie, one of Nie's students, posted on his Weibo account on Thursday.

Hua Xueming, a former president of the Chinese Weiqi Association and former manager of the Chinese national team, told The Beijing News that Nie "represented an entire generation of (glorious achievements of Chinese Go). He was an icon".

Chinese table tennis legend Deng Yaping, who shared the spotlight with Nie during the late 1980s and early 1990s, said she was deeply touched by his unwavering devotion to the board game.

"From his legendary feats on the board to his role in nurturing countless top-tier players, he's devoted his life to the art of Go, leaving a lasting legacy," Deng, a back-to-back Olympic champion at the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Games, posted on Weibo.

"His candor, resilience and dedication remain a shared treasure in the world of sports. Though he's passed, his spirit endures, and the legends etched in the black-and-white chessboard will never fade," Deng added. "May he rest in peace, and may the soul of Go live on forever."

Lei Jun, founder and CEO of Chinese tech company Xiaomi, was among notable nonsports figures who hailed Nie's influence.

"A legendary figure has passed away. With deep sorrow, we bid farewell to Master Nie and wish him a peaceful journey," Lei wrote on Weibo.

After winning five national championships in a row, Nie was granted ninth-dan rank, the highest level in the game's rating system, by the Chinese association in 1982. He became the head coach of the Chinese national Go team in 1986, having cultivated a group of world champions for the country, and popularized the game in the following decades.