Haven't played it myself, but spotted it in an episode of Spartacus. Has some resemblance to Go. Goes back to Roman times. Back in my teen years I played a little chess and a little Go (they say good Go players play chess to relax, : )), and a few Avalon Hill. Panzerblitz for the win!
You have to understand who has facilitated all this wealth building and money pegging. Its not like China's people were kicking ass before our Central bankers said they could.
First time I played Go was quite the experience. My chess game got much better too. Go is a very humbling game.