On February 27 2011 15:01 Hesmyrr wrote:
I love Go, unfortunately had not been playing them for quite a while as they require decent time investment. And then there is the fact that getting official ranking on the KGS server is too hard, at least for me.

I'm sure I posted about Go on another (or this?) thread somewhere, but I am also player who just escaped newbie status.

Hm, from what I recall, there are ranked bots you can play to gain a "rank". The most it takes is 2 wins and 2 losses. Actually, it only takes one win and one loss to get you a rank. The system needs at least one loss to give you a rank that does not have that question next to it. This is my recollection so I could be wrong. In any case, the more you play ranked games, the easier it is for the system to find that rank it thinks you fit in.

On February 27 2011 21:25 SnowFantasy wrote:

I like Go too but I haven't played in forever. I wasn't what I could consider good though either.

I think this type of statement applies to many games. SC/SC2 being one of them as well. It's all relative. To me, I still consider myself weak. I am around 3k on KGS. So, a lot of people wouldn't consider that so weak. I think most players who play casually aim for around for 1d-2d level on KGS. I may not be that far from it, but I think once I am 1d, I would not be too happy there either. Again, it's just one of these types of games where you WANT to get better and stronger. It's just tough to do.

On a side note, let me also recommend the "KGS Teaching Ladder" under the "Lessons" category. If you are serious about improving, it's a great room. Many people are very nice there, and do give occasional teaching games to lower ranked players. The only thing asked is that you pass it down. Remember when you are stronger, to help out those that are weaker.

shindigs

United States4795 Posts

August 26 2011 06:11 GMT

#144

Does anyone know of good YouTube commentaries/tutorials on learning the game? It actually took a while to find this guy, but he provides some decent commentary on his play and it helps a newbie like myself to figure out what situations are considered good/bad at least.

Wiggum

United States8 Posts

August 31 2011 06:51 GMT

#145

I'm wiggum on KGS, about 4k.

Don't know of anyone in particular shindags, but the KGS Teaching Ladder is usually really helpful.

CountChocula

Canada2068 Posts

August 31 2011 07:06 GMT

#146

So cool! Never thought I'd see a Go Group on TL!!!

shindigs

United States4795 Posts

August 31 2011 07:28 GMT

#147

This KGS Go client is actually insanely awesome...better than Bnet 2.0?

In teaching games you can:
-Instantly watch the rep after the game ends
-Pause midgame, and play alternative moves
-Mark the board to illustrate potential shapes
-All your games are saved to match history

I'm sure there are more features I'm missing, but all these capabilities + helpful TL members, it really has made learning pretty awesome!

This game has a ton of similarities to starcraft a well, I hope more people pick it up~

iS.zemotion

United States246 Posts

August 31 2011 07:35 GMT

#148

Remember to thank zemotion for the lessons today shindigs!

shindigs

United States4795 Posts

August 31 2011 19:20 GMT

#149

Zemotion Institute for Baduk Bonjwa's

Arnfasta

United States183 Posts

September 29 2011 22:32 GMT

#150

I can't get on the IRC right now but I'll try in a bit. In the meantime, if anyone is up for a game, let me know

I was only an 11-12 kyu player and it's been a long time, but I'd like to start playing again.

Hesmyrr

Canada5776 Posts

October 05 2011 15:10 GMT

#151

Just started playing internet go recently. I'm like ultra casual though- getting destroyed by ~16k players everywhere xD. Probably 20k or lower now.

Hesmyrr

Canada5776 Posts

October 30 2011 20:24 GMT

#152

Bump, KGS (Java thing) doesn't seem to be working today. Is it only me?

nimbim

Germany985 Posts

August 07 2012 09:37 GMT

#153

If you've read Jinro's retirement post you will have noticed that he also spent some time playing Go, so I thought reminding everyone of this amazing game is a good idea.

The information in the OP is still ok. We are currently about 10-15 people who you can meet regularly in the teamliquid channel on KGS. We have a lot of nice guys who like to show newcomers the basics and review games for you.

Go is a lot like SC with a very steep learning curve that just seems to get steeper and steeper, perfect for everyone who loves to compete in games!^^ The game can teach you a lot about yourself; you can respond to moves very emotionally (and lose like me) or be rational, you can be crazy, you can hate your opponents' guts or you can play a very peaceful game. It really is up to you and how you want to play.

Come join us on KGS!

Garnet

Vietnam9047 Posts

August 07 2012 09:56 GMT

#154

We need a new OP.

shindigs

United States4795 Posts

August 18 2012 20:22 GMT

#155

Is the KGS group still active?

Also, any suggestions for a book or website for joseki? I figure I just have to drill a lot of those on my own + mass games?

mcgriddle

United States253 Posts

August 18 2012 21:10 GMT

#156

I went from never playing before to 6kyu in one summer, and havent really played much since then. Here are my tips to beginners:

1. First is first, go lose a hundred games. Frustrating yes, effective, definately. Don't worry about the fact you aren't following joseki. It doesn't matter. You just need to be able to see the most basic patterns without having to spend a minute looking at the board. I recommend fast games on kgs. Enough time to read a little, but too much time spent reading out moves is bad at the beginning.

2. Now that you understand the basics of the game, I highly recommend watching some shygost lectures. here, and on youtube. He will give you insight in to a way to evaluate moves strategically in the beginning. Also, by watching these videos, he will show you the joseki patterns inadvertently. Don't focus on joseki, but pick up the sequences as you learn why they are the best moves.

3. Once you hit maybe 10-12 kyu, you will find your reading ability lacking. Now you really need to supplement tesuji and life and death problems. This is the true way to improve at go. Unfortunately, if you are like me, you will find they sap the fun away from the game. So just try to do at least 30 minutes worth a day. Don't spend more than a couple minutes on a problem. Looking at the answer is good for tesuji, but I wouldn't bother looking at life and death problem solutions. I like to look at them on certain problems, but I can't say looking really helps your reading ability, which is the point of the practice. Intuition is secondary, and is better learned once you figure the answer out on your own.

4. What problems to do? Everyone says something different. I like the Lee-changho series and some chinese tsumego books like weiqi academy and 1000 tsumego. I used to use gochild website while at school but it has changed a lot since then. I would stay away from goproblems.com.

5. Finally, on the topic of reviewing/memorizing pro games. It is definately not as beneficial as playing or problems, but I found it fun and a nice break. Memorizing games does seem to help with the flow of the game, but if you really want to review pro games, I would focus on looking at each move as a problem. Look at what area you think is important, and try to figure out why they keep ignoring moves you think are critical. I got 5-10 kyu of improvement over the summer from just improving my ability to ignore my opponents moves. This is such a valuable thing to learn.

Any questions? Send me a pm. Maybe I will get back in to go this semester. The dream of hitting 1dan is still there...