IGO anyone?

[6pack]

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So does anyone play igo? I first saw this game when I got the Hikaru no Go series from nukeu
The anime was done so good and the game felt so interesting that I searched the nets for it.
Don't know anyone here who plays this game so thought of asking here. Searching for Igo or Go game clubs in India throws up really bad results. Seems the beautiful game is not played here unfortunately.

Currently I play against the comp in a shareware version, but am planning to get a real wooden set with stones from amazon. The ones from Japan are too costly to even think of for a beginner like me, who can only play with myself now. 

Links to learn the game given below:
Introduction of Go

Go Game Book

Game free trial (also a small freeware version - Igowin is available there to download)
Many Faces of Go and Igowin

Image copyright TGM

[nukeu666]

you play with yourself...ecchi!

i preferred the 9x9/13x13 as those games are over much faster

[6pack]

^ you play on the comp or have a set?
till now i haven't won a single game against the comp in 9x9 or 13x13 boards or any other board for that matter. 

[Kyo]

I beat a level 1 computer opponent on a 9X9 board. Well... the computer resigned... so I guess I won... but thats it. No repeat performance yet. But then again I only just started today. Still havent got the hang of how the capturing works. It reminds me a lot of othello. Except its tougher!

http://361points.com/computergo/#gnugo-9

Thats where I played. Lots of info there. I watched one of the games by the pro players since they have the facility to replay games from their database on the board. I had NO idea what strategy those dudes were playing. It was a match between the 2 top ranked Japanese players apparently.

[6pack]

check pandanet. there's a live match going on for the Honinbo title...

[nukeu666]

i used to play on yahoo games for a while

[Kyo]

So I have won a few games against level 1 computer but its damned hard. I have problems understanding the whole concept of capturing 'areas.' I do know how to capture stones though. But I am unable to think far enough ahead to make a good game out of it. I only play 9X9 right now... I cant imagine what I would do on a big board... LoL...

[6pack]

at last i won a game against the comp at the beginner level 
problem is to keep winning every time. 



i want to buy a real go set from ebay.
should i buy a folding one with cheap stones (no bowls) or a non folding one with good quality stones (with bowls) which costs double of the former? asking since this will be a one time buy and the non folding one is about 10kgs in weight whereas the folding one is just 3kgs. shipping is free at present due to some promotion going on.

Inexpensive one

The expensive one

[6pack]

an update: I got the inexpensive board and its looks good. it had some small damage during shipping in one of the corners, but i think it can be saved.

only drawback is that the printed side always turns towards the ground while storing, so i might have to store it on some cloth so that i don't scratch the surface of the board and wear out the lines fast. Maybe i'll need to put a coat of clear varnish on it first.

will post pics of the board later when i get time.

[Kyo]

Not actually played Go at all since I made that post... had no time... been taking care of some things... hope to get back in the groove soon... maybe beat a level 2 opponent without a handicap... Yeah... big dream... isnt it?

[ai-chan]

@6pack: Congratulations on getting the board. Post the pics when you can