Go!

[shunoshi]

Go is my favorite board game of all time and I play it daily. I enjoy the simplicity of its rules while also being one of the most difficult (if not impossible) games to master in the world.

For those that aren't aware of what Go looks like:
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l175/shunoshi/goban.jpg
...and no, it's nothing like Othello.

For those that have never played but would like to learn:
Tutorial (http://playgo.to/interactive/)
9x9 Freeware (vs. AI) (http://www.smart-games.com/igowin.exe) (self-extracting zip)
Go Problems (http://www.goproblems.com) (for additional practice)

For those who'd like to play me, I play 99% of the time on OGS (http://www.online-go.com). This is a correspondence server and makes for easy play at work. ;) I can occasionally be coaxed into playing live games at home on KGS (http://www.gokgs.com) as well. My rank is roughly 14 kyu.

Any takers?

[Mastergeo7]

Sir, thank you a lot for telling us about this great game that I've always wanted to learn. Expect a new n00b to pwn :P in a short time.

[Mot Wakorb]

Now you've got me screwing around with the tutorials, damn you!

[shunoshi]

Now you've got me screwing around with the tutorials, damn you!

Sorry, did I mention that the game can be quite addictive? Muahahahahaha! :D

[EWolfmanD]

I've been interested in learning more about Go after watching a lot of anime and Japanese movies, but for some reason I've never taken the time to actually look up info for it. Thank you very much for the links. :)

[Vandabo]

I tried to pick up Go in high school, but it simply owns me. It is a very pleasant game to play though, very aesthetic and soothing.

[LordDon]

I've tried to get into the game a couple times and I grasp the concepts but I just don't do well in practice. I always get owned by AI players which supposedly suck compared to chess AI.

It's embarrassing.

[shunoshi]

I've tried to get into the game a couple times and I grasp the concepts but I just don't do well in practice. I always get owned by AI players which supposedly suck compared to chess AI.

It's embarrassing.

This game takes a lot of practice, and by a lot I mean your entire life. ;)

Actually, I've been playing seriously for about 1 1/2 years now and have made progress, but I'm still considered a weak amateur. I've read a couple books and have studied plenty of problems, but the best thing you can really do is just play. After you play enough games you start to recognize shapes and patterns. You'll get better if you stick with it.

[pseudopseudo]

I remember when I picked up Spyglass Games on XBLA, I was amazed that Go! wasn't part of the package. Definitely an awesome game.

[TheKeck]

Ugh... abstracts. :p

[Bad Buddha]

I started playing this back in 1968 after my grandparents visited Japan and brought back a Go board for us. Never really got very good at it, but it could be something that i take up in retirement.

[shunoshi]

I remember when I picked up Spyglass Games on XBLA, I was amazed that Go! wasn't part of the package. Definitely an awesome game.

Go not being a part of Spyglass Games is what kept me from buying it. I enjoy chess, but I enjoy Go and Xiangqi far more.

I started playing this back in 1968 after my grandparents visited Japan and brought back a Go board for us. Never really got very good at it, but it could be something that i take up in retirement.

Well, if you end up needing someone to play with, look me up. :)

[quidmonkey]

Does a console version of Go exist? Portable?

EDIT

I think I deserve an award for an 8-month-old necro.

[biosc1]

I got my brother this for Christmas...through sleet and snow, I found him a mat to play on. Do you think he plays it? Heck no...!

Perhaps it's because I couldn't afford any of the good boards...and just got him a mat, but still, you would think in the last 6 months he would have invited me over to play at least once.

[shunoshi]

Wow, didn't expect to see this thread again. Especially considering the only one who responds to my tsumego blog is Kielaran. :p

Does a console version of Go exist? Portable?

There is a version of Go on Community games on XBLA. The demo wasn't all that impressive. There are a few Go games based on Hikaru No Go (anime) that were put out in Japan for the DS. Not sure if any made it to our shores.

Like I said on the original post, anyone interested in playing can look me up on OGS (http://online-go.com) or KGS (http://www.gokgs.com/). I play about 99% of the time on OGS though since it's a correspondence server; I don't have much time for real time games.

[Goronmon]

I tried that small version against the AI, and I'm fairly convinced this game will never entirely make sense to me, haha.

[shunoshi]

I tried that small version against the AI, and I'm fairly convinced this game will never entirely make sense to me, haha.

You'll definitely want to work through the tutorial link I placed in the OP. This isn't a game you can just sit down and figure out on your own. You'll need at least a little instruction. Other than that, you just need to play and things will start to make sense after awhile. This is a game where you can't take losing personally at first. ;)

It's a fun and rewarding game once you figure out the basics.

[Matthias]

I've been interested in this game off and on for a couple years now, and it's been a blast! It really helps notice patterns in motion-based tasks like driving or walking through crowds. Of course it's a killer boon to military tactics; each time I play, I take away a little something I can apply towards Civ IV or the Total War series. It's really cool.

My biggest obstacle right now is really that I dont' ahve anyone I know to play with in real life, and have not had great luck with the online services- A lot of times I simply don't have time for a full game. I think it'd be pretty cool to get a CoG play-by-post group together though. It'd be great to learn the game alongside people I'm already relatively familiar with, and it'd be great to actually be involved in the community- I lurk a lot and don't have too many multiplayer games (or Xbox Live for that matter)

[shunoshi]

I've been interested in this game off and on for a couple years now, and it's been a blast! It really helps notice patterns in motion-based tasks like driving or walking through crowds. Of course it's a killer boon to military tactics; each time I play, I take away a little something I can apply towards Civ IV or the Total War series. It's really cool.

My biggest obstacle right now is really that I dont' ahve anyone I know to play with in real life, and have not had great luck with the online services- A lot of times I simply don't have time for a full game. I think it'd be pretty cool to get a CoG play-by-post group together though. It'd be great to learn the game alongside people I'm already relatively familiar with, and it'd be great to actually be involved in the community- I lurk a lot and don't have too many multiplayer games (or Xbox Live for that matter)

As I've discovered, there isn't much of a Go-playing community here. :( I may consider doing a play by post style game, but I don't think it'd be worth the effort here. If you'd like to see something like that, I suggest visiting the GoDiscussions.com forums (http://www.godiscussions.com/forum/). Two fairly strong amateurs (roughly 1d rank) recently did a game via posting and included their thoughts on every move (http://www.godiscussions.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9091). Very cool.

I also suggest going to OGS (http://www.online-go.com). I tend to not have the time for full games either, which is why I play correspondence servers. If you create an account, look me up (http://www.online-go.com/profile.php?user=9380), I'll play a game with you.

[miah]

I'm still a newb, but my friends have a Go club that meets on Sundays in San Francisco. We sometimes play in the park. Fun game.

[quidmonkey]

There is a version of Go on Community games on XBLA. The demo wasn't all that impressive.

What's it called?

[shunoshi]

What's it called?

Here it is. (http://catalog.xna.com/en-US/GameDetails.aspx?catalogEntryId=59bbc557-44c9-4e39-bfda-327074bb6b53&type=2)

[Stoke]

Wow, I can't believe I missed this thread the first time around. I've been playing on and off again for about 7 years. My usual pattern is to get really enthused about improving for a few months and then get discouraged and stop since I have never met a single person in real life that even knows what go is. I'd probably be a little more dedicated if I had someone that I could play a game with occasionally but it's all self study and online matches.

[shunoshi]

Wow, I can't believe I missed this thread the first time around. I've been playing on and off again for about 7 years. My usual pattern is to get really enthused about improving for a few months and then get discouraged and stop since I have never met a single person in real life that even knows what go is. I'd probably be a little more dedicated if I had someone that I could play a game with occasionally but it's all self study and online matches.

Yeah, this about sums it up. I've been playing for about 3 years now, but only play correspondence, so my number of finished games isn't all that high. :o I have one friend who also plays and we'll get together a couple times a year to play a game or two. There is a Twin Cities Go Club that meets throughout the week, but I never seem to have the time to make it out.

If only Go were as prevalent here as Chess is.

[Lint of Death]

Ugh I have so many papers to write right now you BASTARD

[shunoshi]

Ugh I have so many papers to write right now you BASTARD

Wait, what?

[Lint of Death]

I was supposed to be completing assignments, not learning how to play Go. This is not my fault :(

[shunoshi]

I was supposed to be completing assignments, not learning how to play Go. This is not my fault :(

Resistance is futile.