Pandanet has released a new Go Beginners Academy in collaboration with Kumon, an academic enrichment program founded in 1958 that has centers in over 60 countries around the world. By applying the Kumon Method, a self-guided process where students work through carefully structured worksheets to reinforce their learning, Pandanet has designed an accessible curriculum that systematically guides beginner Go players step by step from the rules to basic tactics and shapes on a full 19x19 board.
The Pandanet Go Beginners Academy is an all-in-one English learning platform that aims to bridge the gap between a beginner's first stone and playing confidently on a 19x19 board. The program consists of three components: Kumon Go, Kokokara Go, and finally engaging with the global community on the Pandanet Internet Go Server itself. Kumon Go consists of a curriculum from 30-kyu to 13-kyu that includes concept explanations, practice problems, and end-of-level tests for students to validate their progress. Throughout the curriculum, students can also use Kokokara Go, a system that generates middlegame or endgame positions against AI that students can use to apply concepts learned from Kumon Go. Eisuke Ikegaya, director of the Pandanet Go Beginners Academy, notes, "One of the hardest tasks for beginners is knowing when and how a game ends, and we hope that Kokokara Go will give students quick feedback to understand this concept." After completing the curriculum, students will be prepared to put their skills to the test and begin playing against other real players on Pandanet.
As a former Kumon student (for math and reading) for several years as a child and now the TD of the Pandanet-AGA City League and a Go teacher, I was invited to try the program and offer my thoughts. I think the value of repetitive practice involved in Kumon's traditional subjects is equally important and valuable in Go. Most strong players have gone through this process at some point, whether it's through solving thousands of tsumego or playing thousands of games to accumulate experience. It's no different from learning an instrument or a sport - drilling the fundamentals will make one a stronger player. What's nice about Kumon Go is that all of the fundamental concepts that beginners should learn are contained within the self-guided curriculum, so students can progress at their own pace. Each lesson is short, so it's easy to either take a few minutes during a break in the day to complete one, or just continue with one more lesson during a learning session without needing to commit a long period of time. In addition, while the stated levels go from 30-kyu to 13-kyu, I believe students who complete the curriculum will actually be stronger than that. Even for weak single-digit kyu players, there are many fundamental shapes and concepts that are good to review and reinforce so that one may continue improving smoothly.
Pandanet has been a longtime dedicated supporter of Go in the United States, notably through its sponsorship of the Pandanet-AGA City League, which has run for 14 years. The Pandanet Go Beginners Academy is its latest initiative to grow the global Go community and revitalize the game worldwide. Interested users may learn more at
Ikegaya's blog where updates will be shared, and sign up for the program on
Pandanet's website. Ikegaya remarks, "We would like to invite everyone to join us on this journey - your support helps us bring the joy of Go to new players everywhere."