Putting in long hours lately. Studying hard, reading books, replaying pro-games etc.
Books I'm reading atm are:
- Attack & Defense
- Opening Theory Made Easy (3rd read-through in 2 weeks)
- Fundamentals of Go (just finished chapter of improper-proper moves where he has 10 problems: I had about half of them right)
- Elementary Series Volume 2 (with about 75% success in the problems)
I have played less games against people (besides Wednesday evening, since I started a go-club for beginners at my house!), but I've played a bit more against Leela (19x19) and Igowin (9x9).
Leela considers me 5kyu-ish, while Igowin has me at 13 kyu, constantly shifting between 2 stone handicap and even game (I start as black).
Now I don't hold too much importance on these ranks, but I guess it says something about my overall strength and I think I've improved hugely in just a month or so.
And I'm glad, because I do spend 2-3+ hours a day studying Go. Even though it's fun on its own, improving is the greatest fruit of it!
Oddly enough I've not been watching many Nick Sibicky or other Go videos anymore. I find my time better spend with a Go book, or replaying a pro game, or simply playing myself.
What I did watch yesterday was a workshop of Sibicky where we had multiple choice options in opening situations. Of the 10 problems, I had 8 right, and never spend more than 10 seconds on a problem (didn't pause the video). According to Sibicky (again, not too important but it says something), that's between 10 and 15 kyu.
So I might be able to call myself at least 15 kyu soon
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)
Biggest weakness is probably still contact-fighting.
So that's why Igowin is probably stil a valuable tool for me.