New here and new to go. Greetings!

Read the forum rules, and start a thread here to introduce yourself to the community.
Post Reply
User avatar
Rin1313
Beginner
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Jul 05, 2018 10:10 am
Rank: Beginner
GD Posts: 0
IGS: Rin1313

New here and new to go. Greetings!

Post by Rin1313 »

Hello! I am very new to Go and have only played a handful of games against bots. Although my interest in Go started when I was much younger than I am now, but I never got serious about playing it until recently. Now that I am serious I feel like the more I study Go the less I understand it. I have so many questions and things I'm confused about. I hope this forum can be a good resource for getting some of my questions answered and improving at the game! Also any recommendations for starter Go books would be hugely appreciated. :)
User avatar
EdLee
Honinbo
Posts: 8859
Joined: Sat Apr 24, 2010 6:49 pm
GD Posts: 312
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Has thanked: 349 times
Been thanked: 2070 times

Post by EdLee »

Graded Go Problems for Beginners series
The Second Book of Go by Richard Bozulich
Contact Fights ( for PC Windows ) by Bruce Wilcox
gowan
Gosei
Posts: 1628
Joined: Thu Apr 29, 2010 4:40 am
Rank: senior player
GD Posts: 1000
Has thanked: 546 times
Been thanked: 450 times

Re: New here and new to go. Greetings!

Post by gowan »

Janice Kim's series of books "Learn Go from the Masters" start from beginner level. Look on Amazon for "Janice Kim Go". You might enjoy the beginner pages on Sensei's Library (https://senseis.xmp.net/?StartingPoints)
User avatar
fireproof
Lives with ko
Posts: 172
Joined: Sat Apr 20, 2013 8:22 am
GD Posts: 0
Universal go server handle: fireproof
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Has thanked: 235 times
Been thanked: 77 times

Re:

Post by fireproof »

EdLee wrote:Graded Go Problems for Beginners series
The Second Book of Go by Richard Bozulich
Contact Fights ( for PC Windows ) by Bruce Wilcox
I'll second Ed's suggestions, with the clarification that Contact Fights will work on Mac OS X if you use Wineskin http://wineskin.urgesoftware.com/, a free WINE wrapper that turns a PC application into a stand-alone Mac app.
zac
Lives with ko
Posts: 195
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2013 9:06 pm
GD Posts: 0
Has thanked: 45 times
Been thanked: 25 times

Re: New here and new to go. Greetings!

Post by zac »

Welcome to go!

I've had the chance to look at a lot of beginners books, and I think the Janice Kim ones are the best I've seen.
The problem for some people is the cost; and so a single volume beginners book might be more appropriate. I read the Kaoru Iwamoto beginners book, and thought it was a good introduction, but there are others available that are just as suitable.

I like the Graded Go Problems for Beginners series, but love the Level Up! and Jump Level Up! series of problem books, although the formers vol. 3 and 4 are likely more difficult than the most difficult problems from the latter- only a consideration once you're in to the single digit kyus. Jump level up does a much better job, in my opinion, of really drilling a wide range of concepts and has a much more organised structure.

I think starting with a beginners book + Level Up! + playing lots is the ideal introduction to the game. Having a stronger player comment on your games and to answer your questions is also hugely helpful, and you'll always find someone willing around here.

All the best
Post Reply