Anyone else here is playing Go?

[Xell]

Well, i'm playing this board game close to one year already. Really like it, especially now i can play on real board with many other people. On internet it's not as much fun Its perfect to have green tea while playing it

For people wondering what it is, check http://senseis.xmp.net/?WhatIsGo

[Poohblah]

I learned go last summer. I'm pretty bad at it; it's incredibly difficult. I still prefer to play 9x9 boards. There is too much happening on a 19x19 for me to process at once.

[IPT]

Love it! I've been playing for about 15 years. You aren't kidding, there's nothing like playing on a real board. I've had games that have lasted months. I don't get to play too much anymore though.

[David R.]

I have also learned how to play go 15 years ago. I really got into it then. But like everything here, the more you want to play, the more you have to attend tournaments and competition, and I just wanted to play for fun and learn.

Anyway I had to stop due to my studies. It is not easy to find a player now who will just have fun playing go on japanese tatami, drinking green tea.

[Marco]

I've been playing Chess for years.
And so it had to come that one day I stumbled upon Go.

This time I found a wonderful training computer-program for it. There you worked up your ranking if you managed to win against always better AIs.
I played straight up from the (I think) 30th to the 15th Kyu. And then I've been stuck. For two months I always had won against the 16th Kyu AI and lost against the 15th Kyu AI. So I think I didn't manage to understand the strategy behind the game.

my little story about Go experiences

[Xell]

I read a book about basics and do some tesuji exercises time to time. Got up to japanese 4d... but in reality it's about ~1k on KGS - http://www.gokgs.com/

I'm lucky to be in Japan since there are a lot of people, who play just for fun. But i think, there is enough already in many western countries to. As far, as i know, Go is spreading quite fast in recent years. You can check country rooms on KGS and ask about clubs or who prefers to play on real board.

I really like handicap system, it allows to play even game even if players strength is really different.

....
This time I found a wonderful training computer-program for it. There you worked up your ranking if you managed to win against always better AIs.
....

I think programs are good enough only for some practice. Try to play with real people at least on internet, it's a lot more interesting. There are actually quite many at this level. I think you can get stronger without any studies or solving problems, at least up to 8-10kyu and this is enough to have fun playing.

[tenuki]

I love the game - been playing for a while although I'm only around 3-2k on KGS last time I was ranked. Reposting some pics I posted a couple years back that the folks on this thread might enjoy...

[Xell]

Nice photos, looks like really comfortable setting for playing Go. Although i don't think i can hold more than 2 hours sitting on floor Lucky for me, go salon where i usually play has desks too.

[woozl]

I love Go,
Yet I am bad
Chess is another thing altogether, I'm a Bland (not grand) master n

Anything beats relocating snow

[Poohblah]

Nice setup, tenuki! I like the kettle and stove next to the board. My friend has a bamboo board and yunzi stones; it is my hope that the board occupies a prime space in our house that we will be sharing next year. Also my chess board needs to have a good location as well; I used to be really into chess. Not so much anymore, since I don't have friends who play since I started university.

[Xell]

May be lets hold some Go sessions on KGS for teachat members? No pressure for winning/losing, just enjoy the game. Also i can help beginners, not strong enough to suggest something to advanced players. I'm teaching go to kids for few month already in school club

Anyway, if someone is interested, i created room on KGS. Name is 'Teachat'

[Poohblah]

May be lets hold some Go sessions on KGS for teachat members? No pressure for winning/losing, just enjoy the game. Also i can help beginners, not strong enough to suggest something to advanced players. I'm teaching go to kids for few month already in school club

Anyway, if someone is interested, i created room on KGS. Name is 'Teachat'

that's great, maybe this weekend I'll sign up for a KGS account I have other priorities though, go will tend to be shunted to the side in my free time

[GoTea]

Hey guys,

I am a big go fan. My id on KGS is spider451. I have been playing about 3 years and have got to 1d on KGS. I went to China to study go and ended up spending a lot of the spare time in a tea shopping center.

[Xell]

Hey guys,

I am a big go fan. My id on KGS is spider451. I have been playing about 3 years and have got to 1d on KGS. I went to China to study go and ended up spending a lot of the spare time in a tea shopping center.

Join Teachat room i created, was approved as permanent room too Would be nice to play time to time, quite close in rank.

I would like to go to China too, some pro's organize summer go camp for 1-2 month. But sadly there are few more important things right now and don't think my wife would let me go that easily