Life In 19x19

Hi all,

Found this forum via the British Go Association website's links page. As you all no doubt already know, it's remarkably difficult to search online using the word 'go'.

I live in the UK but am originally from Australia, and have played chess on and off since my grandfather taught me it when I was a kid, including online with FICS originally and now RedHotPawn. Go is a game I'd seen from a distance since I was a teenager, but nobody I knew played it and so it wasn't until recently that I decided to give it a go.

The apps for Android seem to be pretty good, and my experience with IRC, MUDs and FICS made KGS and Pandanet/IGS very appealing. I've registered for both and am working my way around them, though am spending more time reading than playing (bad habit). Oh, and I've just started going to my town's local Go club that meets weekly upstairs at the local games shop on a Monday (board game evening). They were very welcoming and one of the members, who I think said he was 2k or so, offered me a couple of 9x9 games and gave me some tutoring. I'm looking forward to going regularly.

So, that's my introductory essay. Better start reading the forum and participating, then.

Matt

Welcome!

Welcome! Where abouts in Australia are youm from originally?

I'm from Perth, but lived in Melbourne for a year before I moved here.

Are you from Oz yourself?

I'm from Geelong originally, but now I live up the highway in Melbourne.

Hi Matt! Welcome!

@TheBigH: From the stomping ground of God? I'd better be careful, then. I lived in Brunswick while I was there, about 50m back from Sydney Road. Loved the place.

@EdLee (and @tj86430): Thanks!

Welcome to the board.

I am an American living in north London. Sadly never been to a go club here. Where are you? Glad your local club is treating you well.

Hi wineandgolover,

Thanks. I'm going to Reading. The club is small -- seems to be a few people who use the corner of the local game shop's gaming room on a Monday evening -- but it seems to be thriving for it.

Are clubs something that don't interest you, or is there nothing nearby? A quick check of the BritGo Club Map page shows there's 4 that could be considered north or central (NW3, E11, SW1Y, EC1N), but depends on where you live/work, I suppose. Still, looks like there's plenty of games to be had online and in tournaments, if you're doing that kind of thing.

wineandgolover wrote:Welcome to the board.

I am an American living in north London. Sadly never been to a go club here. Where are you? Glad your local club is treating you well.

Wineandgolover, you should really make a visit or two. One of the North London clubs will probably be your thing.

North London Go club (Hampstead) sounds like it is near you.
Central London Go club has the nicest facilities, IMHO, but no drink.
London City, has the drink.
North London, then a bit further North, is St. Albans, where I can be found.

Welcome to the forum.

Matt and Peter,

Thanks for the reccos. I live in Ally Pally, so nothing is too convenient, nor too difficult.

Weekday go seems more likely than weekend go, due to enjoying time with my partner, so maybe Tuesday at Hampstead is most likely.

It's funny, I play on-line all year, then go the US Go Congress once a year, and really enjoy it. Face-to-face is definitely worth the effort, though it is hard to conclude I really believe that based on my inaction.