PeterN wrote: I think the weakest dan level player is 3 dan, I know there is a 6 dan who turns up from time to time, and there was an 8 dan there once.
Who is the 6d? There aren't many 6d Brits. Maybe a Chinese student? Or there's Shinichi Nao who's Japanese 6d but that's weaker than Euro 6d.
I occaisonally turn up there, although I'm 5d not 6d. I haven't been there while a 6d has been there, but I'm quite lazy about attending. The Epsom Go club also meets on Fridays now, and I go there more often.
Epsom club write up: Meets on Fridays at a local player's house. It's a very friendly club, and a large number of children typically turn up. Their interest in playing fluctuates a bit over time. Attendance has also fluctuated over the years, and is in a bit of a dip at the moment. Player strength varies between 5 dan and 35 kyu - the median is probaly 1 kyu. Games at the weaker end tend to be on 9x9 or 13x13 boards. Paul is an excellent host for all those who turn up.
It's a relaxed, informal affair - thoroughly recommended. I suspect I typically drink more there than I do at London City. (I typically bring a bottle of something when I show up, which isn't as often as I'd like to...)
Can't say whether he's Chinese for certain, and I don't know what system the 6d is actually under, I just ask how strong someone is, by and large the ranks all work out more or less.
I live in Tomi, Nagano. Being of mature years I play go every week at the kominkan -community centre. We regularly get 20 players or so. We are all retired and play from 9 in the morning to 4:30 in the afternoon.
Tojo sensei is the best player. He is about 90 now, deaf as a post and bent double. Smoking is not allowed but nobody dreams of stopping him taking out his baccy and rolling a thin cigarette when he wants to think. He still studies tsume go, bringing problems in for us to try and has wicked smile when he thinks he has you over a barrel. He loves it when you beat him too; sweeping the stones up to replay the game from memory. He must have been truly fearsome when he was young.
Once a month there is a tournament that attracts around 50 or 60 players. Entry is 1000 yen and that includes lunch.
There's lots of go played locally like this in community centres and the like in Japan.
Tombi wrote:I live in Tomi, Nagano. Being of mature years I play go every week at the kominkan -community centre. We regularly get 20 players or so. We are all retired and play from 9 in the morning to 4:30 in the afternoon.
Tojo sensei is the best player. He is about 90 now, deaf as a post and bent double. Smoking is not allowed but nobody dreams of stopping him taking out his baccy and rolling a thin cigarette when he wants to think. He still studies tsume go, bringing problems in for us to try and has wicked smile when he thinks he has you over a barrel. He loves it when you beat him too; sweeping the stones up to replay the game from memory. He must have been truly fearsome when he was young.
Once a month there is a tournament that attracts around 50 or 60 players. Entry is 1000 yen and that includes lunch.
There's lots of go played locally like this in community centres and the like in Japan.
An intersting post would love to go there and play. Tojo Sensei sounds like an interesting man to meet. To play that strong at 90 is incredible. Maybe I should try smoking too when I am in a tough spot, rather than playing quickly!
Walla Walla GO Club -(on FB)
We play because we enjoy the beauty of the game, the snap and feel of real stones, and meeting interesting people. Hope to see ya there! お願いします!