Probably the best board game in the world
 

The game of Go

Go is the richest board game in the world, invented by the Chinese between 2,500 and 4,000 years ago, some centuries before the advent of Chess.

It was subsequently adopted in Japan and Korea around 700 AD. However, it was not until the early 20th century that Go spread to the West, starting in Germany. Edward Lasker, the International Chess master, took the game to America, starting the New York Go Club. The game eventually spread across the World.

The rules of Go are very simple, in many ways more so than Chess. However, much like Chess, Go is a hugely engrossing game of great elegance and astonishing depth and richness. It will handsomely reward your efforts in learning the game.

Learn how to play the game of Go Commentary on a 13 by 13 game

Hikaru No Go

Fabulous Japanese manga books and an anime series were created around 2005 to boost interest in Go for young people. In 2020, the Chinese created an even more exciting series of 36 real live acted episodes.

View Japanese episode 1

View Chinese episode 1

AlphaGo

In 2015, Google created AlphaGo, a Go playing version of their DeepMind AI system. A year later, they arranged a series of matches againt Lee Sedol, a top Go professional. AlphaGo shocked the Go world by winning 4 games to 1.

View the full AlphaGo documentary
You can play and watch Go with people around the world at any time of day. This splendid modern browser-based program is free to use.

Play and watch Go online

I have user name NicelyManifest if you seek a free teaching game.
Sister Go web sites


Joseki is the name given to standard sequences of moves in Go, most commonly in the corners.

Discover Joseki
 


Tesuji translates roughly as a finesse. Moves that can exquisitely turn a game in your favour.

Discover Tesujis
 


This is a Korean term describing the way the stones move on the board. The way of the horse.

Discover Haengma
 
It will not take you long to realise that Go is not just about techniques, but also about emotions like complacency and fear. But also the ability to keep the mind calm to allow deeper exploration of move ideas.

Go playing psychology
 
Learning patterns by repeated visualisation
 
Heuristics/examples for playing Go
 
Convert a Go video board image into an SGF file
SGF file viewer Display a game from an SGF file : with autoplay!

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Go Magic provides a very high level of tutorial and other videos and training resources for all levels of player. Such a site can supplement play, reviews and pro game viewing.