The 38th World Amateur Go Championship kicked off on June 3 in Guiyang, Guizhou province, and will last until June 7.

The championship has gathered more than 50 amateur go players from about 50 regions in different countries.

The 38th World Amateur Go Championship kicks off in Guiyang, Guizhou province, on June 3. [Photo by Tao Liang/gz.xinhuanet.com]

This is the fourth time for the championship to be held in China, following Hangzhou in 2010, Guangzhou in 2012 and Wuxi in 2016.

Chinese player Bai Baoxiang, winner of the championship in 2011 and 2016, will compete for his third title at the competition.

Bai Baoxiang, winner of the championship in 2011 and 2016, defends his title at the 38th WAGC in Guiyang, Guizhou province. [Photo by Tao Liang/gz.xinhuanet.com]

The first WAGC was held in 1979 with 30 participants from 14 countries, gradually growing to 76 countries and regions in 2016.

From 2010 onwards, the event location has rotated between Japan, China and South Korea in two year terms, bringing together international players once a year to compete for the official world amateur title under the supervision of the International Go Federation (IGF).

Participants from different countries compete against each other at the 38th WAGC held in Guiyang. [Photo by Tao Liang/gz.xinhuanet.com]