About

Mission

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 9 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.

Contact us Donate

Our Team

Stephanie Yin

Stephanie Yin

Founder and President

Stephanie Yin (殷明明) is a distinguished professional 1p Go player and a seasoned Go teacher fluent in English and Chinese. Since turning professional in 2007, she has won numerous national Go tournaments. Beyond the board, she has played a pivotal role in organizing and supporting numerous international and national Go events to expand the global reach of Go. Notably, Stephanie was a main commentator in the Google Deepmind team for the Ke Jie vs. AlphaGo matches in the Future of Go Summit.

Stephanie Yin (殷明明) is a distinguished professional 1p Go player and a seasoned Go teacher fluent in English and Chinese. Since turning professional in 2007, she has won numerous national Go tournaments. Beyond the board, she has played a pivotal role in organizing and supporting numerous international and national Go events to expand the global reach of Go. Notably, Stephanie was a main commentator in the Google Deepmind team for the Ke Jie vs. AlphaGo matches in the Future of Go Summit.

Ryan Li

Ryan Li

Instructor

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

Roy Sun

Instructor

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

Cindy Qian

Instructor

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.

JW

Joshua Wong

Instructor