Go!

Go!

ell, like I needed another hobby. I have model railroading, reading, writing (and blogging), astronomy, cycling, and now Go.

So what is Go? Essentially it’s an Asian game of strategy. Black and white exchange placing pieces, trying to surround the other forces and claim territory. But it’s amazing the way the patterns flow in this game. You might stalk your opponent for a capture, only to find that he is working to capture you. Astounding. While I love to play (and just purchased my own board and stones) I’ve got a long way to go before getting any good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The thing I like about Go? It awards efficiency. It allows you to judge how risky or defensive a placed stone will be. It mirrors life – to the most efficient goes the spoils. I see a lot of the concept of Go in my normal life – in how people drive, in how they talk, in movies and stories. You don’t have time to waste. In fact, you can’t even waste momentum. Going from sente (forcing your opponent to respond) to gote (giving away the initiative) is so true of purpose, be it economic, military, or even relationshipal (is that a word?). Every scheme, every plan, they all have aspects of Go in them.

So I’ve been playing. I’m sliding back and forth at about 18 kyu (a novice level of play) against the computer. At work, I’m realizing that in a passing game (when my opponent and I place carefully deliberated moves, once every couple of hours) I can rule. But the faster game I’m not quite up on things yet. And I’ve organized a tournament for work – three people so far, but I know two more who will join. There is even a club in town I’m tempted to go to (except that it’s on Tuesdays, which lands between model railroad work sessions (Monday) and model railroad club nights (Wednesdays). And I also get a call from my best friend that night. So maybe I’ll wander over and play a game or two on smaller boards (I’m too chickenshit to go full 19×19 yet). But I’m thinking – yes, it’s good to have another hobby to be half-assed at.

No, I’m not going to make another separate area for this. Rather, I’ll just post it to general and see how it goes.

BTW, recent articles about my interest are as follows…

Some stories of writing and Go…

Go!

Offstage epic

And one of books I read on playing this crazy game (the next review, for Beginner’s Go, will post in a couple of weeks)…

Go Fundamentals

So we’re going to have to see how this all plays out.

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