GO clubs in London--Your impressions.

goTony · #1

Hello all,

Just wondering who here has played or is a player in London. I should be in the Radlett area in the not too distant future. I know there is a St Alban's GO club which is probably the closest. with a welcoming web page. I would appreciate hearing your impressions of the London GO scene. Any photos would be of interest and possibly not just to me.

Uberdude · #2

There's a map with clubs and meeting times at http://britgo.org/clubs/map.

I've been to several of them.
- St Albans was probably more than 10 years ago, back then it was in a traditional sort of pub, sometimes there was folk music. Unfortunately long time member and all-round interesting chap Roy died recently so you won't get to meet him.
- London city/central meets at Inn of Court pub in Holborn on Weds and Sat, get some stronger players there.
- London West in the new go centre in Shepherd's Bush. which shares premises with a bridge club under a Sainsbury's. So lots of space and no pub noise.
- South London (Balham) in a pub, not sure if still exists
- North London (Hampstead) in a church community space; went for the first time recently, only 2 people then but I know some others who sometimes go.

There's several uni ones I've not been to.

MikeKyle · #3

I usually pop into a go club anytime I'm in London for work (couple of times a year maybe.)

I've only been to:
Wanstead - nice venue and some fairly strong players last time I visited.
West - very nice venue. I think attendance has been patchy in the past but I get the impression that it's better now.
North - there was quite a lot of players last time I went but that was a while ago now.

I've heard that the central club is the one to try.

You will find that keen players go to quite a few across the city on different weeks.

Jujube · #4

I went to Central once, a few years ago. Was staying for a few days in London with work; had some excellent noodles near the hotel I was staying at in Holborn and walked down. There were 5 players only. But, I was informed it was a slow week. Roger was there, man of a thousand shirts. He plays wild opening moves and has nice shape (relatively speaking). He's around 6k EGF. I beat him but not by much. The rest of them I don't remember. I think one player was French and quite strong. I vaguely remember reading that a few recent meetups were cancelled due to the pub being busy over Christmas or something. Might be worth checking that they're back to normal.

MikeKyle · #5

If someone asks me who my favourite go player is I have to ask them to be more specific! A part of my brain goes to Go Seigen, Lee Sedol, Cho Chikun, but a part of my brain definitely goes to Roger Daniel.

I have noticed that he likes 10-3 as an opening move and it seems like he is good at leveraging the fact that he knows more about the merits of playing 10-3 early on that typical players around his strength. He ruthlessly takes you away from typical fuseki and joseki knowledge you may lean on and drags you into a game that he feels more comfortable with. There are no Hamete (as far as I've seen) just imaginative unconventional moves.

If you are close to his strength I would recommend seeking out a game with him as he may test different skills than your typical opponent.

xela · #6

Thanks for all the info! I might also be in London for a few days during the northern hemisphere summer, dates yet to be confirmed.

goTony · #7

Jujube wrote:

I went to Central once, a few years ago. Was staying for a few days in London with work; had some excellent noodles near the hotel I was staying at in Holborn and walked down. There were 5 players only. But, I was informed it was a slow week. Roger was there, man of a thousand shirts. He plays wild opening moves and has nice shape (relatively speaking). He's around 6k EGF. I beat him but not by much. The rest of them I don't remember. I think one player was French and quite strong. I vaguely remember reading that a few recent meetups were cancelled due to the pub being busy over Christmas or something. Might be worth checking that they're back to normal.

Roger sounds like an interesting player both on and off the board.... : )

Thank you for the info.

goTony · #8

MikeKyle wrote:

If someone asks me who my favourite go player is I have to ask them to be more specific! A part of my brain goes to Go Seigen, Lee Sedol, Cho Chikun, but a part of my brain definitely goes to Roger Daniel.

I have noticed that he likes 10-3 as an opening move and it seems like he is good at leveraging the fact that he knows more about the merits of playing 10-3 early on that typical players around his strength. He ruthlessly takes you away from typical fuseki and joseki knowledge you may lean on and drags you into a game that he feels more comfortable with. There are no Hamete (as far as I've seen) just imaginative unconventional moves.

If you are close to his strength I would recommend seeking out a game with him as he may test different skills than your typical opponent.

Well thats two people who have mentioned Roger! Will definitely have to meet and try to get a game in.

Of course meeting in a pub and having a few ales is not conducive to the best fuseki!

goTony · #9

xela wrote:

Thanks for all the info! I might also be in London for a few days during the northern hemisphere summer, dates yet to be confirmed.

You are welcome to pm me. Perhaps we could meet at one of the clubs over a pint. : )

Kirby · **#10**

I’ve never been to London, but this thread makes me want to visit. I’d imagine it’s a good tourist destination.

xela · **#11**

Kirby wrote:

I’ve never been to London, but this thread makes me want to visit. I’d imagine it’s a good tourist destination.

Yes. Apart from playing go, there are one or two other interesting things to do there too.

Uberdude · **#12**

And my nearby restaurant recommendations:

West London Shepherd's bush:
- Hoja, quick taiwanese noodles/rice
- Shikumen, Chinese dumplings
- Raj of India - curry

Central (Holborn)
- Kimchee, korean (duh)

goTony · **#13**

xela wrote:

Kirby wrote:

I’ve never been to London, but this thread makes me want to visit. I’d imagine it’s a good tourist destination.

Yes. Apart from playing go, there are one or two other interesting things to do there too.

I heard that there are a few things to do there.... So plan a trip Kirby!

goTony · **#14**

Uberdude wrote:

And my nearby restaurant recommendations:

West London Shepherd's bush:
- Hoja, quick taiwanese noodles/rice
- Shikumen, Chinese dumplings
- Raj of India - curry

Central (Holborn)
- Kimchee, korean (duh)

Mmmmmmm Dumplings...... MMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmm

GO clubs in London--Your impressions.

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