So i recently starting playing go an i understand the basics of how to play, capturing and such, i feel the hardest thing for me to do is start out the game...i have tried many of the scenarios where it has been pre-setup and you have to decide how to do it (im great at these) the problem lies with me starting a game, other than the basic 1st few spots i find myself just attacking or randomly placing stones

any suggestions or help would be much appreciated, also here is a recap of a recent game

Generally in my opinion, the best way to learn about the opening is to play standard corner moves (which you got down), the play in the way that feels right, and after the game look up parts that you weren't sure about on sensei's library or in a joseki dictionary (I recommend kogo's). you don't really have to memorize the joseki, but it is good for getting a feel for the kind of moves that work well and the kind of moves that don't work well. If you are really stuck then it is better to ask a stronger player or even just another player around your strength, because they might have some insights.

Specifically about your game, the main thing I would say is that 4,4 and 5,4 is a good combination, but it doesn't really makes sense to play those stones diagonally across from each other, because they aim at developing on a large scale, so it is better to have them on the same side of the board where they can develop together.

If you recently started, playing lots of small board games (9x9, 13x13) might help a lot, since it improves your tactics.

Also, welcome!

_________________
a1h1 [1d]: You just need to curse the gods and defend.
Good Go = Shape.
Associação Portuguesa de Go

Looking at your game, I don't think you need to worry about any opening theory yet. What is most important is to develop your basic instinct for things like cutting, connecting, counting liberties. Some say smaller boards are better for this as the games don't last so long and there isn't such a big space staring at you to confuse you, but I say do whatever you find most fun. I think The Second Book of Go would help you a lot.

As for the opening, about all you really need at this level is:
1) Corners, then sides, then centre.
2) 3rd and 4th line are good when you are dotting stones around the edge, once you get into contact fights of course this goes out of the window.
3) Know what a corner enclosure (shimari) and approach is.

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$c Shimari/approach
$$ ---------------------------------------
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . . . . 6 . . |
$$ | . . . 4 9 . . . . , . . . . . , . . . |
$$ | . . . . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . . . , . . . . . , . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . b . . . . . . . . . . 5 . . |
$$ | . . . 1 . . . . . , . . . . . , . . . |
$$ | . . . . . 2 . . c . . . . . . 3 . . . |
$$ | . . . a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ ---------------------------------------[/go]

is a nice first move on the 4-4 point, 'approaches' this stone. This shape of a stone on the 3rd line a knight's move away from an enemy one is very common. It has 3 places to go: slide into corner at a, jump out to middle at b, and extend along the side at c.

is on the 3-4 point, another good 1st move in the corner. 'encloses' the corner and stops white approaching there.

Something to note about the approach is how the knight's move keep some distance from the stone approached. to approach is not a good move as when white blocks at black's stone doesn't have many liberties and is stuck next to a white wall with lots of liberties. If it pushes up at white's hane at is very powerful. This shape of 'hane at head of 2 stones' is one of the basic instincts I was talking about.

Once you are a bit stronger and want to learn some more about opening I recommend Opening Theory Made Easy.

Interesting, I would recommend Opening Theory Made Easy before the Second Book of Go. The first is much less technical and more intuitive.

_________________
a1h1 [1d]: You just need to curse the gods and defend.
Good Go = Shape.
Associação Portuguesa de Go

Here are a few comments. As you can see your weird opening was not the biggest mistake by far, it was h16 and d2 broken shapes. Opening theory is way less important than basic instinct like this.

Before as in a better book (agreed) or before in time for a beginner? I remember I read Second book of Go when I was a total beginner and I've not looked at it since. Opening Theory Made Easy truly is an excellent book, but my idea was it doesn't cover the basic instincts (well, it does have hane at head...) which are far more important and I seem to recall 2nd book did (and things like spacing out stones in opening instead of all in one corner). But if you only buy one of the 2, certainly get Opening Theory Made Easy. In fact if you only buy 1 go book ever I might well recommend it be that one .

Before as in time. But I guess it depends if you prefer technical over intuitive or vice-versa. I had both when I was a beginner, and I got more out of Opening than I did of Second Book at first.

_________________
a1h1 [1d]: You just need to curse the gods and defend.
Good Go = Shape.
Associação Portuguesa de Go

i really appreciate all the input, i will be looking into getting either book as all the help is needed. I think all the randomness in the beginning ends up messing with me, i noticed alot of connecting stones from the review which would be helpful playing, i just went back through and went over the basics and terminology

Welcome!
I am sure you will find many things here that will help you.
More importantly, Go is a fun and exciting journey. If you ever feel like giving up, just post here! I am sure people will support you.

_________________
Ko is the best solution.
With Ko, I can keep eating until I am full.

Skip the 19x19 board for now. Play at least 20 games on a 9x9. Trust me, this will be the least frustrating way to learn.

Howdy, and welcome!

Joaz, when you said to skip the L19 board, I thought for a moment that you meant us. =)

_________________
Someday I want to be strong enough to earn KGS[-].