Anyone here play Go?

[anarres]

A bit OT I know, but this is probably the only CFC forum in which I may actually find a Go player.

I want a game, and it would be nice to play a CFC'er. I am not amazingly good, a decent player once rated me at about 12 to 14 kyu.

I can suggest programs we can use to play, probably not live, but each of us posting our moves here and then entering them ourselves in to our Go programs. Personally I want to use my big Go board at home, so I will play on that

Any takers? Not looking for a quick game, but looking for any game...

EDIT: If anyone is worried about being too good/not good enough we can use the amazingly useful handicap system of free stones.

 

[Aphex_Twin]

What board size? On a classical board (19 x 19 ) it could take up to a year to finish a game. Maybe 9x9 ? I am a "decent" 15-16 kyu and rising (learned the game 2 months ago)...

 

[anarres]

OK, lets comprimise and play on a 13x13 board, that is the other standard size between 9x9 and 19x19 (although you don't see it too often).

Here is the program I recommed using to map the moves (if you don't already have one). Since this program labels the points as ABC, 123 (from the bottom left corner) I think we can use that syntax to play our moves.

Here is an example of the pics we can make periodically:

2 last things:

In the program, it puts the handicap stones in the wrong place on the 13x13 board , so maybe you can go first instead of having a 2 stone handicap (as I was going to offer).

I have always used the Japanese form of scoring (only captured territory counts for you, minus the stones you have had captured). The Chinese form of scoring also counts all of your stones on the board. So, which do you want to use? I am happy with either, and I have been told you get the same result in 99% of games (by a 4th dan player)

Oh, one last thing. As long as you are happy with this, post your first move as black!

 

[anarres]

P.S. I am GMT time zone, and since I am online at work all day and most evenings at home, we may be able to get a few turns a day done...

 

[Aphex_Twin]

The game would still last too long. Go is a wonderfull and frustrating game, but which I would rather play live. Sorry anarres.

Anyway... thanks for the link...

 

[anarres]

OK, no problemo.

The most annoying thing about it is that even the best computer program is awful at the game...

 

[Aphex_Twin]

Originally posted by anarres


OK, no problemo.

The most annoying thing about it is that even the best computer program is awful at the game...

Maybe that's a good thing. Chess programs are now the equivalents of grandmasters and will soon be unbeatable by humans. It's a good feeling that a "mecha" (see A.I. - the movie) is still inferior at this game...

 

[anarres]

hedgehog, you sure I can't convince you to have a game?

We could have had 5 or 10 moves by now...

pleaaaaaasssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

[Algernon Pondlife]

Hi! I will play if you want. I have not played for a long time. I have turbogo and can play that way. Sounds like I used to be about same strength as you (maybe 14kyu), so perhaps an even game won't be too bad. If it gets too one-sided we can always abandon and estimate a handicap. It is also possible to play here: http://www.itsyourturn.com/. I am called Algie there.

Funny coincidence I just promised to lend someone my book by Edward Lasker which is an excellent introduction to the game. I only have a small cardboard board and tiny plastic pieces which I can't even find now..Someday I will buy a proper set.

 

[anarres]

Excellent

Sounds like we are about the same level.

I have invited you to a game at the url you gave. If you do not get an invitation then send one to me as there were 3 variations on Algie ('Algie', 'algie' and 'AlgieIII'). My username there is anarres.

I invited you to a ful 19x19 game as I am in no real hurry to finish quickly. If you would prefer a quicker game then set one up for 13x13, that will be fine also.

I recommend buying a full size set sometime, it really motivates you to play (or at least it did for me).

 

[Algernon Pondlife]

I didn't get the challenge (might be my fault) so I've sent one to you. Thanks for the quick response. My name their is Algie (with the capital - which I keep forgetting. Do you play in a club. I used to be with the Edinburgh club.

 

[anarres]

I wrongly guessed you were 'algie', since 'Algie' was listed in Scotland, and your location setting here in cfc says Staffordshire. But I got your invitation now

I have never played in a proper club, but I have played a few good players. At my old workplace there was a 4th Dan, be used to whip my butt on a 13x13 board at lunchtimes...

I have started the game, and decided to be predictable:

 

[Algernon Pondlife]

It all depends on the mood I'm in. Scotland is from whence I came to Staffordshire.

Do you think we will get kicked out the chess forum?

They had better be quick or we will be making converts

 

[anarres]

OK, played turn 2.

I think go is a good alternative to chess, and it is the same kind of thinker that tends to play both. The powers that be can either leave us here (not a bad idea), or maybe find us a better home, although I'm not sure where that would be...

 

[Algernon Pondlife]

okay.

do you know of this site: http://www.britgo.org/?

Better not post the diagram too often, we'll use up all the space and the thread will load slowly for us.

 

[anarres]

Yes, I go to Britgo a little.

I won't the pic more than every 5 or 10 turns, but it is a nice way of seeing the moves.

Do you know if we can get pics with the numbers on the stones? Or maybe this place saves the games iin a standard format we can use in replay software?

 

[Algernon Pondlife]

I've played

To be honest I'm not too clever with picturey things. Perhaps someone on the BGA site knows how to do it. While playing chess at Crewe last year (Feb) I watched some go. I didn't make it this year but I understand the Go was back again.

 

[anarres]

Here is the latest snapshot of the game:

1. q16 d17
2. d4 p3
3. o17 c14
4. p5 f3
5. e3 n4
6. p8 c7
7. c5 j16
8. j4

 

[Algernon Pondlife]

Perhaps a little commentary will interest those unfamiliar with the game. It won't be very technical (or for that matter particularly knowledgeable) because I ain't. So anyone else wants to chip in, feel free. Also I don't want to affect the game as a contest, so tell me to stop, Anarres, if it bothers you.

The basic objective is to gain territory and in the early play it is best to sketch out areas lightly. When it comes down to the stone to stone fighting you won't hold all that you aspire to, and nor will your opponent. I find each move early on a big gamble. Is it best to stake another claim of to disrupt your opponents play? Only time will tell.

Anarres last move separated my f3 stone from the pair at n4 and p3. He could have chosen instead to split my left side with a play e.g. at c10 or d10. Equally he could have played to strengthen his right side with a play near p12.

What he played plus those two ideas are the three most obvious options. I haven't a clue which is best (and I'm hoping he hasn't either), but it is reasonable to assume that I will be best to either counter his move or play at one of those other key areas in reply.

You will see that quite soon close combat will occur in some area and from then the dillema will always include whether to play a fighting move or a strategic move. Of course the experts tend to understand the strategic importance of the fights as well.

If someone could say whether this makes sense or not, I'll know if it is worth doing some more.

One of the attractions of the game for me is that it is possible to play reasonable opening moves fairly intuitively, i.e. without learning too much theory. But it soon gets tougher.

 

[anarres]

I find that my moves are heavily influenced by intuition.

As Algernon says, later on you find yourself working many moves in to the future to predict the outcomes of individual battles.