neocortex wrote:
Hi all,
So, I feel like I am making OK progress in my go. One thing I am finding tricky though is to recall all the go concepts I have picked up from books or videos. I have a working knowledge of quite a few concepts, but often don't apply them during my games. For example, I might find that I review my game, and then remember "Ah yes, I need to play away from thickness". I know I should do this, but was concentrating on some other concept at the same time (e.g., "after corners, make side extensions"). Lots to remember and keep active in one's mind.
How did you handle this when improving? One idea I had was to focus just on one concept during a game, to get active practice with it (e.g., just focus on making good shape), but I find the game is just too "big" to do this effectively. I feel almost like I need a list of all the concepts I have learned at my side during the game to look over every move and remind myself.
Not sure there is a question here really. Maybe just a bit of a vent!
Cheers,
Jim.
So, I feel like I am making OK progress in my go. One thing I am finding tricky though is to recall all the go concepts I have picked up from books or videos. I have a working knowledge of quite a few concepts, but often don't apply them during my games. For example, I might find that I review my game, and then remember "Ah yes, I need to play away from thickness". I know I should do this, but was concentrating on some other concept at the same time (e.g., "after corners, make side extensions"). Lots to remember and keep active in one's mind.
How did you handle this when improving? One idea I had was to focus just on one concept during a game, to get active practice with it (e.g., just focus on making good shape), but I find the game is just too "big" to do this effectively. I feel almost like I need a list of all the concepts I have learned at my side during the game to look over every move and remind myself.
Not sure there is a question here really. Maybe just a bit of a vent!
Cheers,
Jim.
One thing about go concepts is that they nearly all have exceptions, and the more general they are, the more exceptions they have. One aspect of improving is developing the judgement to see what is important in any situation and whether it is an exceptional case. Judgement comes with experience.
One thing that may help is to frame concepts as condition-action pairs. Some of them are already in that form. Hane at the head of two stones, do not approach thickness, for example. More abstract concepts are more powerful than more concrete concepts, but, especially at your level, you should focus on more concrete concepts, as they are the building blocks of your game.
As for checklists, it is important not to overthink. Checklists should be short guides. FWIW, I have recently come up with one. Not for every play, but at crucial points in the game: ACH.
Analyze the situation.
Count. Count points, stones, liberties, eyes, ko threats, whatever is important to count.
How do I accomplish my goals?
Good luck!
