The NYIG Team is dedicated to promoting and prolonging Go
Go is the oldest board game still played in its original form
Founded in 2016, the New York Institute of Go (NYIG) has worked hard to create a space where individuals of all backgrounds could discover, learn, and excel in the art of Go. Throughout this journey, we witnessed the transformative power of Go in our students. Some became professional Go players. Some embarked on a enlightened journey after admission to prestigious universities. While others found a renewed sense of patience and perseverance, viewing life's challenges through a strategic lens learned on the Go board.
For over 10 years, our commitment to promoting Go education extends beyond our physical locations. Through our YouTube channel, we've offered free Go lectures that have reached millions of viewers worldwide, furthering our mission to share the beauty and depth of this ancient game.
NYIG is committed to continuous delivery of exceptional education, from classes to immersive camps and exciting tournaments, making Go more accessible to everyone.
If you're interested in contributing to NYIG's mission through donations or sponsorship, please don't hesitate to reach out. Your support will enable us to continue sharing the magic of Go with even more individuals and communities. Thank you for being a part of our story and for helping us inspire a love for Go that will last for generations to come.
Stephanie Yin (殷明明) is a professional 1-dan Go player, the founder of the New York Institute of Go, and an internationally recognized Go educator fluent in both English and Chinese. She began learning Go at the age of six and became a professional player at sixteen, earning numerous national titles in China and the US before dedicating her career to teaching and promoting the game worldwide.
Since 2007, Stephanie has taught students of all ages and skill levels, helping thousands of players discover the beauty of Go through classes, lectures, tournaments, and international events. She has been invited to teach at major Go events around the world, including the U.S. Go Congress, European Go Congress, Latin American Go Congress, and the London Open hosted by the British Go Association. She also served as a commentator for the historic Ke Jie vs. AlphaGo matches as part of the Google DeepMind broadcast team.
Beyond teaching, Stephanie has organized and supported numerous national and international Go events with the goal of expanding the global Go community. Her mission is to preserve and pass on the spirit, philosophy, and culture of Go to future generations. She hopes to inspire young players not only to excel at the game but also to become the next generation of leaders who will continue promoting Go and ensuring its enduring legacy around the world. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-HL5nppBnM) in the Future of Go Summit.
Stephanie Yin (殷明明) is a professional 1-dan Go player, the founder of the New York Institute of Go, and an internationally recognized Go educator fluent in both English and Chinese. She began learning Go at the age of six and became a professional player at sixteen, earning numerous national titles in China and the US before dedicating her career to teaching and promoting the game worldwide.
Since 2007, Stephanie has taught students of all ages and skill levels, helping thousands of players discover the beauty of Go through classes, lectures, tournaments, and international events. She has been invited to teach at major Go events around the world, including the U.S. Go Congress, European Go Congress, Latin American Go Congress, and the London Open hosted by the British Go Association. She also served as a commentator for the historic Ke Jie vs. AlphaGo matches as part of the Google DeepMind broadcast team.
Beyond teaching, Stephanie has organized and supported numerous national and international Go events with the goal of expanding the global Go community. Her mission is to preserve and pass on the spirit, philosophy, and culture of Go to future generations. She hopes to inspire young players not only to excel at the game but also to become the next generation of leaders who will continue promoting Go and ensuring its enduring legacy around the world. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-HL5nppBnM) in the Future of Go Summit.
Ryan Li (李立言) is a professional 4p Go player in the North American Go Federation with over 10 years of Go teaching experience. He represented North America in the IMSA Elite Mind Games, Samsung Cup, Mlily World Go Open, Chunlan Cup, and Ing Cup international Go competitions. Ryan won against a world champion and advanced to the world top 16 players in the 2017 Mlily Cup. He received a PhD from Yale University in 2022 and currently works as a machine learning engineer.
Ryan Li (李立言) is a professional 4p Go player in the North American Go Federation with over 10 years of Go teaching experience. He represented North America in the IMSA Elite Mind Games, Samsung Cup, Mlily World Go Open, Chunlan Cup, and Ing Cup international Go competitions. Ryan won against a world champion and advanced to the world top 16 players in the 2017 Mlily Cup. He received a PhD from Yale University in 2022 and currently works as a machine learning engineer.
Roy Sun is a 6-dan player in the American Go Association. He began learning Go at the age of seven and reached 5-dan in China by the age of eleven. He went on to take 1st place at the 2014 Beijing Youth Individual Mind Sports Games and founded the first Go club at his high school, BJEA. During his college years, he won 1st place in the 2025 Pandanet AGA City League B and placed 5th in the 2024 Fall Chicago Rapid Tournament. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2025 and is currently a graduate student at Columbia University’s School of Engineering.
Roy Sun is a 6-dan player in the American Go Association. He began learning Go at the age of seven and reached 5-dan in China by the age of eleven. He went on to take 1st place at the 2014 Beijing Youth Individual Mind Sports Games and founded the first Go club at his high school, BJEA. During his college years, he won 1st place in the 2025 Pandanet AGA City League B and placed 5th in the 2024 Fall Chicago Rapid Tournament. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2025 and is currently a graduate student at Columbia University’s School of Engineering.
Cindy Qian is a 5 dan Go player from China. She started learning Go when she was six, and she won the first place in the Guangdong Province Go Tournament in China when she was nine. She came to the U.S. in 2021 and achieved the 2nd place in High Dan Division of the 1st New York State Championships in 2023. She received her bachelor’s degree from New York University and is passionate about early childhood education and teaching. She is currently a graduate student at Columbia University.
Cindy Qian is a 5 dan Go player from China. She started learning Go when she was six, and she won the first place in the Guangdong Province Go Tournament in China when she was nine. She came to the U.S. in 2021 and achieved the 2nd place in High Dan Division of the 1st New York State Championships in 2023. She received her bachelor’s degree from New York University and is passionate about early childhood education and teaching. She is currently a graduate student at Columbia University.
Jerry Ju is a 5-dan player in the American Go Association. During high school, he was an active member of the New York Go Honor School Society, where he eventually served as co-president, promoting the game and organizing online events for young players.
Jerry has remained an active tournament competitor throughout college. His recent achievements include 2nd Place in the 2026 U.S. Go Congress (U.S. Open Division D), Champion of Division A at the 2024 New York State Championship, 3rd Place in the 2022 U.S. Go Congress (U.S. Open 3-dan Division), and 2nd Place in the 2020 North American Young Lions Tournament (Top Division).
As a longtime instructor at the New York Institute of Go, Jerry has worked with students of all ages and skill levels, helping beginners build a strong foundation while guiding more advanced players to refine their strategy and reading skills. Known for his patient, encouraging teaching style, he emphasizes clear thinking, fundamental principles, and helping each student develop confidence and a lasting enjoyment of the game.
Outside of Go, Jerry is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Biology at New York University, where he continues to balance his academic studies with his passion for the game.
Jerry Ju is a 5-dan player in the American Go Association. During high school, he was an active member of the New York Go Honor School Society, where he eventually served as co-president, promoting the game and organizing online events for young players.
Jerry has remained an active tournament competitor throughout college. His recent achievements include 2nd Place in the 2026 U.S. Go Congress (U.S. Open Division D), Champion of Division A at the 2024 New York State Championship, 3rd Place in the 2022 U.S. Go Congress (U.S. Open 3-dan Division), and 2nd Place in the 2020 North American Young Lions Tournament (Top Division).
As a longtime instructor at the New York Institute of Go, Jerry has worked with students of all ages and skill levels, helping beginners build a strong foundation while guiding more advanced players to refine their strategy and reading skills. Known for his patient, encouraging teaching style, he emphasizes clear thinking, fundamental principles, and helping each student develop confidence and a lasting enjoyment of the game.
Outside of Go, Jerry is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Biology at New York University, where he continues to balance his academic studies with his passion for the game.
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