囲碁-(いご)-IGO!

Does いご count as a Japanese sport?
...This may be a similar debate as to whether chess is a sport ...(much blood has been shed)
But いご is definitely a well known Japanese competitive game! (even though it originated in China). Those who have watched and enjoyed Hikaru no Go will surely feel the same way I do about it, as frustrating as it is fascinating, and very hard to master.

I would just like to know if there's anyone on this forum who's interested in chatting, sharing tips, or maybe playing an online game :3

~トラノメ

Well... for the purposes of this forum, let's consider it a sport!
Don't know what other section it could fall under, unless as some kind of "culture" topic. But lets keep competitive things like go in in ze sports section.

I'm interested in go, but I must admit I am a complete rookie-n00b. I downloaded a simple version of the game, but the computer always beats me by several million points. In retrospect, this might have to do with me not properly understanding the game...

I'd be interested in learning more about it, though. How / where do you play online?

I'd be interested in learning to play! wouldn't know where to start though...

Here's a good interactive beginner's tutorial:
http://playgo.to/iwtg/en/

I play. I use Pandanet or KGS to play online. Offline I use Igowin but it is only a 9x9 board.

If you want to play real people, every Tuesday at A Touch of Madness in Observatory at 19h30, the Cape Town Go Club ( SAGA ) plays. You don't have to be a member to play.

みんな、URLが　ありがとう。

Thanks for those links, everyone. I downloaded Igowin some time ago, but up till now never looked through its help / tutorial section. I guess I thought I could intuitively figure out the rules / strategy by just playing a few games against the computer AI.

Finished the Igowin tutorial, downloaded KGS client and am about 3/4 through the interactive http://playgo.to/iwtg/en/ tutorial. It's quite a tricksy game, but it's interesting too, and I'm enjoying the whole learning process.

When most people play do they really use 19x19 boards?

I've read that's the official standard, but if the games I've played on 9x9 boards take hours, I can't imagine how long a 19x19 game must take. I suppose at this point my 9x9 games could just be overly slow because I'm a complete beginner and the people I've played with have been beginners so we're unsure and need time to think about our moves...

At any rate, I'd be keen to play some of you when I get a bit better.

どういたしまして。

Mostly people do play on 19x19. I only really play 19x19 when I play in tournaments so I end up playing rather badly as 9x9 and 19x19 can be quite different in strategy. The Cape Town Open tournament time is 45 minutes a side but seriously big games can be hours O_o

Playing 9x9 gives you skills when it comes to fighting for small territory. People usually start on 9x9, progress to 13x13 then to 19x19. But I'm lazy when it comes to 19x19 and find 9x9 games quick and fun.

Maybe we could get some of the students together for an Igo afternoon? I have some spare 9x9 boards and *cough* buttons for stones but it works out okay

In the beginning [and I'm still a beginner] just play on instinct until you can read the board better. It sounds harsh but the best way to learn is by losing. Only after falling into the traps can you see them. But that doesn't mean you won't fall into them again...

If you want to play a game on KGS, let me know and maybe we can arrange something.

Nantalith wrote:

If you want to play real people, every Tuesday at A Touch of Madness in Observatory at 19h30, the Cape Town Go Club ( SAGA ) plays. You don't have to be a member to play.

ほんとう？
ほんとうにほんとう？？

It's on lower main isn't it? That place always has best and most arbitrary goodies! Could you tell me some vague directions? I'm fairly familiar with Obz but I've never heard of A Touch of Madness.

ほんとう　だ！　

It's in Nuttall Road, next to the Peninsula Feeding Association - big square brown brick building on the corner of Nuttall and Trill . Opposite is Pepper Square parking, the Spar backs on to the the square as well. Trill is one way down but Nattall is two way. You can either come down Trill from Lower Main or you can come from Station Road.

I'm meeting a friend for a game on 1 June so you have a little bit of an in

buuu... got my last exam on the 1st .. and im watching a movie...
+inner conflict+ ...... I'll probably pop by with the bf for a game
he's likely to be keen
... 碁サロン! 碁サロン!
If you see a chick with an afro and a guy with dreads, ask for a match

Okay - don't be surprised if a tall girl dressed in black speaks Japanese to you

Good luck with your exam - がんばって！

You girls are gonna play tomorrow? >.<

I wonder if I should try come through. Don't really have transport at the moment, so I'll probably leave it. I played about forty 9x9 games this week. Probably more than was healthy, but I'm a beginner and eager to learn at this point. That said, I knew it was time to stop when I was looked at the tiled floor of my shower and thought "but where would be a good move?"

Nantalith wrote:

Playing 9x9 gives you skills when it comes to fighting for small territory. People usually start on 9x9, progress to 13x13 then to 19x19. But I'm lazy when it comes to 19x19 and find 9x9 games quick and fun.

Arigatou, for the info, again. After losing many games against the computer I now realize how true your words are.

I managed to progress down to 15 kyuu in igowin (tho I've read the ranking are pointless), but now I'm starting to lose again. Needless to say, I still have a lot to learn.

Nantalith wrote:

Maybe we could get some of the students together for an Igo afternoon? I have some spare 9x9 boards and *cough* buttons for stones but it works out okay

If you want to play a game on KGS, let me know and maybe we can arrange something.

I'd be keen, for both After building a terrible board (and using shiny and non-shiny coins, lol) I taught my gf to play, and then my family and friends. I'd be interested in playing some more advanced players tho, who can hopefully tell me where I'm going wrong.

Glad the forum is helping some people, me included.

Oh, and good luck with your exam toranome!

If you are keen to play tonight, Mikade, I could pick you up but it depends on where you stay

Igowin is er... not viewed highly but it is a good way to learn. I have a great ranking on Igowin

Have you joined KGS?

Sorry, I missed your message.

I live in Bergvliet, if that's anywhere near you and you're gonna be going through anytime in the near future. I've registered an account on KGS (mikade) but haven't played much because everyone is million dan and would probably be highly annoyed by me sitting there thinking about my moves when to them it's obvious.

After my "shiny" coins started getting "less shiny" from over-use I decided it was time to attempt my go board 2.0. What you guys think? It's still 9x9, but I'm still a n00b, so.

Fantastic!! Just like mine Those pebbles are a great option in the beginning.

BTW - The Go Club sells stones at about R200 a set. I think they are from Korea.

If you want to play on KGS, sent me a message. I'm randomly online so it's best to set a time.

why are computers so strong?

Where are you playing? I think on most you can select the game strength or handicap.

with 3-4 stone handicap on goshrine.com, the odds are about 50-50... just frustrated with lack of progress and consistency

Oh that! It's terrible - you seem to be going along at a good rate then suddenly you hit this epic wall that spans the horizon and no matter how you crane your neck, you can't see past the handicap wall...

*sigh* ...i think i should just cool down and do a few exercises...there's a limit to going nowhere slowly!

lol~

Of the forum users here, who would be interested in an Igo afternoon?

Count me in. I need all the practice I can get. I have a friend or two who might be interested, too, but maybe you want to keep it small-scale?

It would depend on how many people are interested. But about ten would be good, I think.

I'm interested!
It strongly depends on where tho