Life In 19x19

Am coming back to go after a fairly long absence and estimate my level is around 16k give or take.

Best I'll be able to consistently manage with a busy work schedule and other studies is to play once a week (either a couple 19x19 or a several 9x9 games) and read a little from one of the beginner books I have or do some puzzles.

Playing and getting games reviewed is most important right?

Guessing solving a good variety of puzzles might be of more value then reading books on theory at my level. Is it important for beginners to play OTB to help budding visualization and reading skills?

Had a few other questions but can't think of them now. Appreciate any thoughts you might have to share.

You're about right. At your level, games and problems are best. Every single Go concept is closely tied to results, and reading is absolutely vital to improve.

Furthermore, I would suggest playing slower games. Games are just as important to practice your reading than tsumego. Part of the reason is that in a game you don't know the status of each group, nor whether there actually is a solution to your dilemma or tactical needs. You'll get the most 'variety' in your reading during games.

That being said, one is hardly a substitute for the other. But I have to say that on a practical level, games have done more for my reading and performance than tsumego.

On a final note, at your level the most important factor is playing games. Just keep playing games, keep having fun, and watch your rank go up.

Considering your situation, I would suggest moderately rapid play. For now, anyway. That is, take around 5 seconds per move, pretty consistently: opening, middle game, and endgame. Sometimes you will know immediately what you will play, but you can use those extra seconds to think about other plays. Then spend 15 minutes reviewing each game. Count the review time as part of your game time, not your study time. Review each game immediately, or as the last part of your session. Slow play is good, but in your situation it is probably better to play first and think deeply later. That will focus your thinking and help you to spend more thinking time on more important plays. When you review, see if you can find the losing move.

Good luck!

Hi happysocks, welcome back to Go.

To expand a bit more on what Phoenix and Bill said: if you estimate you have finished
less than 100 games total (in your entire Go career), then, try to finish 100 games
as soon as your time allows (and follow Bill's suggestion of about 5 seconds per move.)

Otherwise, if you have already finished about 100 games total, then your timing guideline could be:
- if you spend 2 seconds or less on every move, you're playing too fast;
- if you spend over 1 minute on every move, you're playing too slowly;
- for difficult situations, occasionally it's OK to spend 1 minute or move on a move.

After you have finished about 100 games, you can pick some of your games
and ask for reviews, either on a server like KGS or here.

Thanks guys!

Guess the main goal atm is to lose (another) 100 games quickly. Like to play fast games anyway so can get more games in - plus its fun! Perhaps after I get those in would be wise to play some slower (more thoughtful) games.

Great to have a place (other then KGS) where I can ask questions. Thanks again!


Btw, am reading Opening Theory Made Easy atm because its really hard for me to tell what the big moves are at the beginning of games (which is a big problem obviously ) it seems really helpful so far.

happysocks wrote:plus its fun!

Great! You don't have to lose (another) 100 games before you ask for reviews;
just finishing 100 is OK (any board size is OK, too, so 9x9 will get you more games in less time.)

happysocks wrote:(which is a big problem obviously )

(I've found almost nothing in Go to be obvious. )
It may not be as big a problem as you think; but it's good you're enjoying it.

EdLee wrote:Great! You don't have to lose (another) 100 games before you ask for reviews;
just finishing 100 is OK (any board size is OK, too, so 9x9 will get you more games in less time.)

Have to say it's been pretty cool to see how quick the Go community is to offer help (had a teaching game on KGS already and didn't even ask for one).

EdLee wrote:(I've found almost nothing in Go to be obvious. )