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Chapter 7: Go

Summary: How I Learned to Play Go

• I learned the basic rules of the game.
• I purchased a goban, stones, and several books on Go strategy aimed at beginners.
• I found several ways of studying the most important strategic principles by working on ranked Go problems, both in a computer program and in books.
• I focused my initial practice on solving ranked problems, repeating the exercises I couldn’t answer or explain on the first try.
• I practiced problems and played games until I hit 20 hours. At that point, I was comfortably solving 20 kyu problems, an improvement of 15 ranks from the beginner rank of 35 kyu.

How to Play Go Online

If you're curious about playing a game of Go to see what it's like, here's a nice online program that doesn't require installing special software.

Learn to play Go

Wang Jixin's "Ten Golden Rules of Go"

1. “The greedy do not get success.”
2. “Be unhurried to enter opponent’s territory.”
3. “Take care of oneself when attacking the other.”
4. “Discard a stone to gain sente.”
5. “Abandon small to save big.”
6. “When in danger, sacrifice.”
7. “Make thick shape, avoid hasty moves.”
8. “A move must respond to the opponent.”
9. “Against strong positions, play safely.”
10. “Look for peace, avoid fighting in an isolated or weak situation.”

The "Five Stone" Questions

1. Can I ensure one of my groups lives? (By forming two eyes, connecting, etc.)
2. Can I kill one of my opponent's groups?
3. Can I secure my territory?
4. Can I invade my opponent's territory?

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