Playing Go tonight
I'm playing Go tonight. I usually play once a week, sometimes twice, with the same opponent. We've played thousands of games over the years. The game is beautiful. The more you learn about playing, the more opens up for you, and the more you realize how little you know. There have been times I have documented comments about our play, but I haven't done that for a long time. Tracking the games takes my attention away from play, and in our games, one error can cost a game. I'd like to figure out how strong we are, but to do that requires some tournament play, which I haven't done in years. There are online go servers with ranking systems, but in my experience, there are a lot of sand-baggers out there.
7 comments:
I am guessing I have seen this game, but I did not know its game.
I am curious now. Gonna look for those servers.
Could you come by my blog and help me help a friend?
I've only heard of this game due to a book a read a couple of years ago La Joueuse de Go by Sa Shan. Wonderful book. Not sure I have the patience. (or the skill!).
Of course, when you start playing Go, you will not be skilled. Even though the rules are not difficult, it will seem very complex and confusing. The best way to learn is by playing with someone who is a little better than you, say someone who learned a few months ago. There is no substitute for playing, but later a combination of playing and studying will help a lot. Most people plateau then jump levels then plateau. You learn some new concepts and once you can apply them, they raise your skill level because they apply over and over again. Sometimes you can understand a concept intellectually, but can't carry it out tactically. Go teaches patience. If you can't develop it, you will quit playing. It also teaches humility, because better players will kick your butt over and over. I've tried to teach a few people, but mostly they can't stick it out....if any of you do learn, feel free to email me with questions.....and if you're in Toronto, you might be able to talk me into a lesson or two.
What a great post. I haven't heard you talk about Go for a long time, nice to hear.
This is appropriate for a post I made today, about learning and Plato's Cave allegory. Go is a good example of the processes inherent in change and learning and gaining knowledge through practice. You've always been an inspiration for taking on new ideas and challenges Mister Anchovy!
You will remember that when mister universe and I started playing Go, we were also playing chess. Somehow along the way, we stopped the chess and Go took over. When we started, games would take us hours, but these days we can usually play 5 games in an evening. When you first start, you don't have any pattern recognition going for you. After a while, you learn about typical sequences and strong shape and entire sequences become obvious, so you play quicker. You have to be careful though not to follow your opponent around the board. You have to assert your will and play away from the sound of your opponent's stones.
is that your artwork?
no, it is a 19th century japanese woodblock print...
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