Go

[Sasaki Kojiro]

Yes! First win against the AI without a handicap. Though I still went first and only won by one point.



I kind of bungled the end and let them pick up a few points.

19x19 is badass.

Playing large board his openings and response never made sense, until about halfway through the game.

Yes...I imagine when I switch up the opening will be hard to handle.

[Motep]

Yes...I imagine when I switch up the opening will be hard to handle.

Very much so. But that is part of what makes it so badass, you can be seemingly random, throw your opponent off guard, and slice your way into a victory.

[Togakure]

Thanks for the link. I'll have to give this a try after I complete my move back west.

I played a lot a chess as a young adult and enjoyed it, though it did stress me out because I'd over-analyze everything and like just about anything I do, I tended to take it too seriously (though I never did research how to play it well; I just played "off the cuff"). I haven't played much in my later adult life.

I became aware of Go after reading Shibumi by Trevanian. I even bought a nice board and pieces. The problem was, I couldn't find anyone to play with. When I moved out here to Jersey I gave the set away. But now, thanks to the link, I have the means to pursue my curiosity further when I can afford the time. Thanks again.

[Veho Nex]

I don't understand the rules, but I found a way to win no matter what. I just make a arrow pointing away and it always ends after I place the second marker.

[Pannonian]

Yes! First win against the AI without a handicap. Though I still went first and only won by one point.

I kind of bungled the end and let them pick up a few points.

Yes...I imagine when I switch up the opening will be hard to handle.

12 kyu is where handicaps stop. 9 kyu is the best I can reach, with my best result there being a loss by 2. My starting strategy is to secure 2 corners on the 3rd rank, with a piece between them, 1 rank in front, which sort of occupies the centre while being within easy reach of the corners. Then I progress with Knight moves where possible, blocking when I see a threat, or throwing out an outlying piece to gain some time elsewhere. I never see as far ahead as the AI though, so the AI's scattergun approach usually works better than my scattergun approach. For better learning, save your games, especially the ones where you're not sure how you lost, and read through them in Drago.