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PLAY GO NOW!A Guide for the Complete BeginnerSTEP 1: Learn the BasicsSTEP 2: PLAY Computers, Online, or Other PeopleSTEP 3: Play and StudySTEP 1: Learn The Basics (15-30 minutes)
Go is the essence of simplicity. The rules and object of Go can be stated in nine words: "Take turns placing stones; control more of the board." That's it! But without further understanding of the meaning and implication of those words, new players often find the game arcane in the extreme. At first, you may even find it hard to tell whether the game is over. Go is also the essence of complexity. The absence of arbirtary conventions means that a player can play anywhere on the 361 interesctions of the board. As a result, the number of possible games far, far exceeds the number of subatomic particles in the known universe! If you seek quick mastery, look elsewhere. But for those who are looking for a game with fathomless depths of understanding, worthy of time spent, you have come to the right place. Don't give up! At least, first have a look at The American Go Association's "Top Ten Reasons To Play Go." To get started, you'll need to get familiar with the "conventional wisdom," some fundamental concepts that have evolved through centuries of play. Playgo.to, an interactive tutorial, is a good place to start. The KGS Go Server also has a tutorial, and it's great place to get online and start playing too. If you prefer something offline, Igowin will play you help you get atarted and then play against you on a 9x9 board, while Smart Go Board is available for a 14-day free trial. Se below for more on these programs. . If you have a high-speed connection, check out these videos:
GoeBasics Part I & 2 from American Ing Goe ; or
Go Tutorial from Goshawk Heron: Overview, Getting Ready To Play, Terminology and Concepts STEP 2: "Lose 100 Games As Quickly As Possible "This ancient proverb contains a profound truth. When you begin playing, you will feel completely lost. You will have no idea where to play next; your opponent's move will completely confound you; you won't even be sure when the game is over. This is the biggest reason that people stop playing: bewilderment anxiety. So, don't worry! The other guy is probably as confused as you. In fact on some level, we're all bewildered by the game's complexity. But hang in there, play 100 games, and you will begin to have a feel for the basics. -- Play quickly. If you don't know what to do, just play a stone. If you can't figure out whether a move works, see what happens. -- Don't get bogged down. If you can't understand why something happened, don't worry about it, move on. Focus on what you are learning; the other stuff will come up again. -- Assume a humble attitude. You are taking your first steps on a path that others have trod for millennia. You may not win many games at first. You will meet some players who are so strong that you have to place extra stiones on the board to even things out. They can teach you a lot. Be determined, not discouraged. Some people enjoy practice games against the computer, especially when learning the basics. Go servers make it easy to meet others, play, watch and study. You'll also want to meet other players. These three areas are discussed below. COMPUTER PROGRAMS: Play Anytime, Anywhere Go playing programs are not as strong as comparable programs for others games such as chess. Go is too hard! But recently some programs have become able to play even against mid-level human players. Beginners can learn from them.
SmartGo is a series of popular products in various formats. The iPhone/iPod/iPad 9x9 app is $.99; the full board version costs $2.99. SmartGo Pro offers 2000 problems, many thousands of pro game records, and other useful resources for the serious go student. SmartGo for Windows/MacIntosh offers all these features and more, including 45,000 pro games, for $49. Fopr a more comprehensive list of downloads that play, and many other downloads and computer-related sites, visit the AGA's Computer Go page. Thousands of people from all over the world are playing online right now. In fact, whether you're a skilled player or a total beginner, someone is waiting to play you!
PandaNet Internet Go Server: The mother of all Go servers has been in operation since 1992, and better than ever. A free iPhone app lets you play anytime. (KGS has an app for the Android.) From time to time KGS and IGS also simulcast top games with commentary; sponsor free lessons by top players and teachers; and offer premium services. Private lessons are also available online. There are many other servers, including a number of turn-based servers, where you check in, make your mlove, and check back later. To explore the world of servers, visit the AGA's server page. Even avid online players would agree, there's something special about facing an opponent in person. You can teach your friends, and we hope you will! You will also want to have contact with the larger world of American Go. Which is still very small, but growing. Maybe you can even help with that. Here are three easy ways to find other players: Chapters and Clubs: The AGA maintains a list of chapters and clubs. Chances are there is a club or chapter within driving distance. Call first; some info is out of date. Tournaments: Check the AGA Tournament Calendar to learn about events near you, where you can meet other players from your area. Advertise: Place a classified ad in The American Go E-Journal, which is read by more than 13,000 players all over the world. The EJ also has a tournament calendar. Finally, here's a way that's not so easy, but rewarding: start your own club! We have helped hundreds of people like you to start programs in school, after-school programs, libraries and community centers all over the US. Click here to start learning about how we can help you to start the ball rolling. Good luck! STEP 3: Play and StudyIf you have played 100 games, whether online or against a human or computer, perhaps you have glimpsed a bit of the depth, the challenge the game presents. Now you're trying to figure out how to get stronger -- like the rest of us! Just playing game after game may not be enough. Here are four suggestions to improve your play. Play Stronger Players: Find the strongest player who will give you a game, put some handicap stones on the board, and carefully study how White accomplishes the result. Review Your Games: Figure out where you went wrong in the games you lose, and how you achieved your victories. Ideally, you will review the game with your opponent, or with a strong player or Go teacher, but self-review is also useful. Study: You can choose among hundreds of books to find the ones that suit your needs. Visit the AGA's book page for a good listing. You'll find a bewildering array of titles, literally hundreds from numerous publishers and vendors. One place to start is Kiseido's Elementary Go Series, six small volumes with in-depth analysis of the fundamentals -- the opening, joseki, tesuji, life-and-death, attack and defense, and endgame. The four-volume Graded Go Problems for Beginners series is more challenging than the name might suggest. Slate and Shell and Yutopian also offer large selections of Go books in English. Study Pro Games: Playing through pro games, with or without commentary, is a good way to get a "feel for the stones." Don't try to understand everything, just get some general impressions. The links listed below will help you find thousands of game records, and collections of up to 60,000+ games are available from vendors. Useful Links: There are hundreds of sites devoted to various aspects of the game, everything from game collections and tournament coverage to art galleries. Here are a few "mega-links" to get you started: The AGA's "GoLinks" page: A fairly comprehensive and briefly annotated listing of hundreds ofl inks to go-related sites. GoBase.com: An online Go encyclopedia with extensive info in many areas. Sensei's Library: A go-themes Wiki with thousands of article. Tigersmouth: A safe, welcoming community of young players.
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Go is a two-person strategic board game, invented in China millennia ago (Confucius wrote about it), and still played today just as it was then. Wildly popular in Asia, it is oddly unknown here, one of the West's best-kept secrets. Welcome to a small but growing "in" group who have discovered the ultimate mind sport!
KGS Go Server