I'm a fairly strong chess player (FIDE ELO 2325) and a much weaker go player (best rank around 5 kyu on internet sites).
Chess is a very tactical game. There are many long term strategic concepts, but victory frequently goes to the alert tactical opportunist (and chess engines are the ultimate alert opportunists).
Also, to win a chess game, you ultimately have to attack and destroy some part of your opponent's position. In go you just need one more point of space than your opponent -- there's no requirement to resort to violence at all.
One thing I definitely prefer about go is the openings. In chess they've been so heavily analyzed that games between professionals frequently go 20+ moves before an original move is played. In go there seems to be an almost limitless number of reasonable approaches to the opening. I guess there just aren't as many good moves available in the chess openings.
I'm not sure why your friend would have disdain for go. I think they're both fascinating games of strategy, certainly more engrossing than any RTS I've ever played.
Chess is a very tactical game. There are many long term strategic concepts, but victory frequently goes to the alert tactical opportunist (and chess engines are the ultimate alert opportunists).
Also, to win a chess game, you ultimately have to attack and destroy some part of your opponent's position. In go you just need one more point of space than your opponent -- there's no requirement to resort to violence at all.
One thing I definitely prefer about go is the openings. In chess they've been so heavily analyzed that games between professionals frequently go 20+ moves before an original move is played. In go there seems to be an almost limitless number of reasonable approaches to the opening. I guess there just aren't as many good moves available in the chess openings.
I'm not sure why your friend would have disdain for go. I think they're both fascinating games of strategy, certainly more engrossing than any RTS I've ever played.