Nie Weiping, an iconic Chinese professional Go player and honorary president of the Chinese Weiqi Association, passed away in Beijing at the age of 73 on Wednesday, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Born in August 1952, Nie was a key figure in revitalizing Go game in China in the 20th century. He was given a ninth-dan rank in 1982 and became the head coach of the Chinese national Go team in 1986, cultivating many world champions. Nie was also committed to promoting and popularizing the game of Go over the years.

He played a pivotal role in the first four editions of the China-Japan Super Matches in the 1980s, beating 11 top Japanese players in a row and earning the title of "Go Master" from the country's top sports governing body and the Chinese Weiqi Association.