Krama wrote:I guess I should just drop the theory books for now, however for improving reading do you people think I should be playing longer games (30 minutes at least per player) or is playing blitz (pure byo-yomi) games better?
Some say one thing, other say the opposite.
I think that playing online may skew your sense of how long a serious game of go takes, to some degree. In the grand scheme of things, 30 minutes is actually pretty short as far as go timing goes. It is, for example, the minimum that the AGA will consider for a rated game, assuming overtime bringing timing into the 45 minute total range per player. Blitz is good for reinforcing things, but until you're at a level where what you know should be reinforced, it will develop and reinforce more bad habits than it will fix. I have heard people suggest, in all seriousness, that you shouldn't play blitz games until you are 5-7 dan for this reason, though most people don't go that far.
As for what to do with that time? Read every move. Look at groups on the board and determine and keep track of their status (alive, dead, unsettled, weak, strong, etc.). Count. Consider weak points and aji, and how you might use them later. Consider what to do if your opponent invades around point X, or if it would be better for you to invade at Y or reduce at Z....
