Mastery of the ancient game can lead to fame and riches for those who can withstand the crushing pressure

For the past two years, 12-year-old Cho Sung-Bin has spent nearly all his waking hours focused on a wooden board covered with black and white stones, honing the skills he hopes to translate into a lucrative career as a professional Go player.

"It's fun. I never get tired," says Cho, one of dozens of preteens sitting at rows of desks topped with playing boards at the Lee Se-Dol School of Go in central Seoul.