Board & Stones

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belikewater
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Board & Stones

Post by belikewater »

I am looking to buy a board and stones. I was interested in this board some time ago but I see that GoGameGuru has closed its shop. I liked that it had a 9x9 board on the back. Let me know the board and stones you would recommend, as I don't have much experience with buying either.

I live in Canada so if you know of a place here or online I can purchase the equipment that would be much appreciated.
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Galation
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Re: Board & Stones

Post by Galation »

Hi,
it is not an easy advice, since I do not really know your budget, but I usually recommend a new kaya goban (or better) whenever possible, as you were looking for.

Glass go stones are a good option, as are yunzi (slightly heavier and less "white" than glass).

Since this will (likely) not be your final go set, if you intend to carry it around (e.g. to your local Go club) I would recommend a foldable goban, that is much more easier to carry than a standard one. This said, with the exception of bamboo boards (that are very heavy and not so beautiful) I don't know where you can find one.

I am based in Europe, so I don't have direct experience, but Yellow Mountain Imports have several go sets https://www.ymimports.com/collections/go-game-sets

Please enjoy your first set quest and don't forget to share a picture of the result here :tmbup:

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EdLee
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Post by EdLee »

I usually recommend a new kaya goban (or better)
Potential ambiguities:

  • [sl=ShinKaya]Shin-kaya[/sl] = "imitation kaya" ( "new" kaya ) = spruce ;
  • Kaya ;
  • a [sl=ShinKaya]Shin-kaya[/sl] board that is new ( 9,100 ¥ = US$ 82 ; less or more ) ;
  • a Hyuga-kaya board that is new ( 32,000 ¥ = US$ 291 ; less or more ) ;
  • a Hon-kaya board that is new ;
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Post by Galation »

EdLee wrote:Potential ambiguities:

You are right :tmbup: !
Shin Kaya is what I had in my mind, I translated automatically into new Kaya.
Obviously, if you have the budget, a japanese set of Hyuga Kaya with Shell and Slate Stone is my best advice ;-)
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Re: Board & Stones

Post by Ophitoxaemia »

I was advising someone recently on stones and boards and find it is more difficult recently, esp since GoGameGuru closed.

Glass stones are good in my experience.

I dislike the inexpensive bamboo boards I've seen recently. The surface is very hard.

The woods I prefer are Japanese Kaya, Hiba, and Katsura. Quality is a huge variable.

edit: don't have experience with Chinese Kaya

Don't know much about Shin-Kaya, which is an unspecified Spruce species. I suspect the quality is variable.
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Re: Board & Stones

Post by belikewater »

I decided to go with the 0.8" bamboo board from YMI with double convex yunzi stones. I just received the set and all the components are very beautiful. I look forward to playing on it and using it for problems or replaying games.
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