How to Fail at Go (5k advice on fundamental ideas.)

[jts]

But using bad examples does hurt beginners, who do learn as much or more subconsciously from the diagrams as from explanatory texts that may be perfectly fine.

I agree. Well put.

Also, beginners focus on weird things. Example: the first time I didn't Cho Chikun's elementary L&D problems, I spent way too much time thinking about whether or not W could escape by crawling along the edge, which is never, ever the point of any L&D problem (unless they actually show some stones outside that W can escape to). Better to make problems and diagrams where the move you suggest is both a good illustration and indisputably the best move.

[Tsuyoku]

You don't know it's weird, stupid or silly unless you have first considered it.

As a beginner, you need to have every stupid idea there is, and then reject each one.

[snorri]

Example: the first time I didn't Cho Chikun's elementary L&D problems, I spent way too much time thinking about whether or not W could escape by crawling along the edge, which is never, ever the point of any L&D problem

Maybe it's just me, but I think that time was well spent.

[Inkwolf]

For what it's worth, I think I learn more faster from reading these squabbles (cough) discussions between stronger players than any of the Go books or practice against the computer I've had. So, CSamurai, please feel free to post more articles. (And everyone else, quibble away!)

[maestro]

For what it's worth, I think I learn more faster from reading these squabbles (cough) discussions between stronger players than any of the Go books or practice against the computer I've had. So, CSamurai, please feel free to post more articles. (And everyone else, quibble away!)

My sentiments exactly. I enjoyed your article, CSamurai.

[daniel_the_smith]

*joins chorus*

I think I used to be better at explaining things to beginners/DDKs. Nowadays, I honestly can't for the life of me understand what they are thinking. I think people just a few levels above you are likely best at explaining what you need to know, because it's information they themselves have recently learned and they haven't had time yet to make it unconscious knowledge. So don't give up.

Of course, it is a fact of life that only the strongest go player in the room is correct, and anything anyone else says will invariably have some flaw. And the internet is a very big room.