GO Chronology

Notes for Learning to play the strategy game of GO.

Chapter 1 Ladders and Nets

"When it looks as if you can capture something, hold up two fingers and ask yourself two questions: (1) Can I catch it in a ladder? (2) Can I catch it in a net?" [p. 22]

"Faithfulness to the fundamentals is something that becomes second nature to a professional." [p. 28]

"When there are two ways to capture with one move, the firmer way is correct." [p. 31]

"... who play through the whole game with a sullen expression." [p. 34]

This last quote is a gem. There is no point in playing the game unless you are enjoying yourself. This completes the first chapter. I then played 3 games of 9x9 GO++, using my conventional parameters of level 2, I take black and white has a 6.5 komi.

Here are the results of my 3 games of GO++:

• Game 1: I win by 1.5 points.
• Game 2: I win by 3.5 points. I am playing better. I begin with strong corners and then attack down the sides.
• Game 3: I lose by 11.5 points. A good game, but it was able to penetrate one of my sides.

Now to continue "Graded GO Problems For Beginners"

"Graded GO problems for Beginners Volume One Introductory Problems" Level Three

• Section 2 Killing Groups. Problems 147 - 167. I missed 150, 155, 159, 161, 164
• Section 3 Life and Death. Problems 168 - 170. All easy.
• Section 4 Seki. Problems 171 - 174. All easy.

SUMMARY of the session: This was an encouraging day. I am making progress on all fronts: I am playing the 9x9 games much better, the book is enjoyable, and I understand it, and the problems are not causing me to much trouble.

GO Chronology

Notes for Learning to play the strategy game of GO.

Chapter 1 Ladders and Nets

"What should one do to become stronger at go?" [p. 10]

This is the right question. The goal is clear: to become stronger. The question is one of strategy. What is a good strategy for Learning more about a topic?

"After you have learned the rules, your first step should be just to play for a while." [p. 11]

This is just a simple way to begin to get a feel for the terrain. Do not focus too quickly on memorizing anything. It is much better to try to get a general sense of the topic. In the case of a textbook, skim the entire book, getting a sense of the sequence of topics as well as glancing at the diagrams and exercises.

"You cannot expect to do all of your studying and gain all of your knowledge from books." [p. 11]

Even in the case of a course or a textbook, one should look for additional resources and approaches. Forming a small study group where everyone can discuss the topic and share questions, ideas, suggestions and problems is an alternative to just reading the book. Visiting a library where one can see what other books are available on the topic is often a good idea. If one book fails to express an idea clearly, another book may say it in a manner that makes sense. Or another book may give an opposing persective on a controversial issue. In addition to books, there is the Web and Google. There are also a variety of tools that should be tried: yellow highlighting of important passages making handwritten notes in a notebook or binder lists diagrams and charts graphs using computer software word processors, databases, spreadsheets web authoring (e.g. Dreamweaver) google (and other search engines) mind mapping (Inspiration, MindManager) statistics (Excel, SPSS) A cup of coffee can also help. (I have one in my hand at the moment.)

"I would like to recommend that you play according to your own ideas." [p. 11]

This applies to studying. We all have individual styles and preferences. Trust your judgement, but be ready to make adjustments as you proceed.

"If you are to learn go, open-mindedness is the most important thing." [p. 11]

Open-mindedness applies to both content and to strategies for Learning. When an approach is working well, stay with it, but when it is not, try to think of some alternative approaches or activities. For example, I am currently trying to Learn more about the mathematics of symmetry as well as the French Revolution. Yet I am using a book on Go to reflect on my overall approaches to Learning. I am also trying to apply these ideas to becoming a more proficient model railroader.

"Of course one cannot make progress in any discipline without effort." [p. 12]

Obviously! Yet in my particular case, I seem to have too many topics and I am not spending enough time on any one (or two) topics to make substantive progress.

"One must, without fail, learn the correct way to study." [p. 12]

The above notes capture the essential principles that apply to any situation: Get a general sense of the topic. Develop a variety of approaches. Trust your own judgement. Put substantial effort into Learning. This should include conscious efforts at regular review and practice. Then within a particular topic, develop specific Learning strategies.

Ladders

"Ladders should be the school that teaches you to read patiently, move by move - black, white, black, white, black, white - which is the only way." [p. 14]

Regardless of the topic, there are occasions when one must slow down and methodically pay attention to the detail of each step.

"Confine your practice to this one exercise every day until you can read the long-distance ladder in Dia. 1 with the greatest of ease." [p. 15]

Practice, practice, practice the fundamentals. Repetition of the same activity until it is automatic is a necessary prerequisite to more advanced activities. This may be algebra, or a backhand in tennis, or memorizing a sequence of important historical events. It is not enough to understand a section of text, one must integrate it into one's being so that it is automatically available at any time.

"When you can do that, rearrange the stones in the lower left corner - use your ingenuity - and try reading again. That's the way." [p. 15]

Do not restrict yourself to pre-set problems. Learn to create your own by modifying an existing problem. This is more interesting and quickly develops a confidence in the overall situation that the particular problem represents. It also begins to get one used to asking questions - which is a much better Learning strategy than trying to learn how to solve someone else's problems.

"No doubt the first requirement for becoming strong at go is to like it, ... and a second requirement is the desire to learn. A third requirement is to study it, using proper methods, patiently, little by little, without cramming. ... The only ones who fall by the wayside are those, be they gifted or otherwise, who forget the word 'effort' ". [p. 22]

SUMMARY of the session: The last hour has been one of the most enjoyable hours that I have spent while engaged in Learning in quite some time. I loved the interplay of Go and my more general interest in Learning any topic. My next hour will be spent setting up ladders on an actual (physical) wooden GO board and learning to read them. 1:30 PM

2:50 PM I played around with ladders on my wooden Go board for about half an hour. Once again, it was very enjoyable. It has been a few years since I touched the board. I quickly recalled how to hold a stone and place it on the board with a solid thunk.

Here are the results of my 3 games of 9x9 GO++:

• Game 1: I lose by 4.5 points.
• Game 2: I lose by 0.5 points.
• Game 3: I lose by 1.5 points.

Although I lost all three games, they were all close. I still need to learn to be slightly more aggressive in order to overcome the 6.5 point komi.

GO Chronology

Notes for Learning to play the strategy game of GO.

Here are the results of my 3 games of GO++:

• Game 1: I win by 1.5 points.
• Game 2: I lose by 3.5 points.
• Game 3: I lose by 1.5 points.

"Graded GO problems for Beginners Volume One Introductory Problems" Level Three

• Section 1 Making Life. Problems 121 - 146. I want to return to these after I have completed the remaining sections for level three.
• Section 2 Killing Groups. Problems 147 - 167. I miss 155, 159, 164, 167.
• Section 3 Life and Death. Problems 168 - 170. All easy.

SUMMARY of the session: This is the best sequence of 3 games that I have played since I began a week ago. I would have won all three games if there was not a komi of 6.5 points. The problems are beginning to give me a little difficulty. Overall I am satisfied with my performance, but I want to repeat Sections 1 & 2. 9:30 am

 

GO Chronology

Notes for Learning to play the strategy game of GO.

Here are the results of my 3 games of GO++:

• Game 1: I lose by 19.5 points. The computer advanced down one side and I lost too much territory.
• Game 2: I lose by 21.5 points. Same problem.
• Game 3: I lose by 7.5 points. Better, but no offense.

"Graded GO problems for Beginners Volume One Introductory Problems" Level Three

• Section 1 Making Life. Problems 121 - 146. I missed 125, 136, 139, 140, 142.

I am going to return to GO++ and try three more games, this time playing white and letting the computer move first.

• Game 1: I lose by 74.5 points. I failed to see an atari and my position fell apart.
• Game 2: I win by 3.5 points. This is encouraging.
• Game 3: I lose by 13.5 points. The encouragement was short-lived.

I played a 9x9 game of GO++ where at each move I played the move most favored by the experts. I ended up losing by 16.5 points. Fascinating.

SUMMARY of the session: The 9x9 games were better than yesterday but I am still losing. The computer is only playing at level 2 (there are 5 possible levels) so I am not doing that well. The graded problems gave me some difficulty. I missed 5 out of 25 which is not very good. Next day I will repeat Section 1 on Making Life. I have the basic idea of forming two eyes, but some of the sequences fool me as I fail to realize when I am in atari. Playing white was a good idea. I could see how black was taking the initiative. I had one good game, but one careless move can be fatal in a 9x9 game. 7:30 am

 

GO Chronology

Notes for Learning to play the strategy game of GO.

Here are the results of my 3 games of GO++:

• Game 1: I lose by 2.5 points.
• Game 2: I lose by 3.5 points. I played defensively and was not able to overcome the 6.5 point komi.
• Game 3: I lose by 88.5 points. I got behind early and then failed to defend my area and soon was unable to form two eyes.

"Graded GO problems for Beginners Volume One Introductory Problems" Level Two

• Section 8 Ko. Problems 113 - 116. All easy.
• Section 9 How to Play in the Opening. Problems 117 - 118. Both easy.
• Section 10. Endgame. Problems 119 - 120. Both easy.

SUMMARY of the session: The first two 9x9 games were close, but I need to learn to be slightly more aggressive. The third game was a total disaster. I failed to defend my territory and soon found it impossible to form two eyes. The graded problems are still easy, which is an indication that I understand something about the game. The next set of problems is at level three. I need to set an hour aside and do some reading about the game. I still like the book "Lessons in the Fundamentals of GO" that I recall starting a few years ago. 8:00 am

 

GO Chronology

Notes for Learning to play the strategy game of GO.

Here are the results of my 3 games of GO++:

• Game 1: I lose by 8.5 points. I made an error in the middle that cost me a few points but I stayed close.
• Game 2: I win by 14.5 points. This is my first win! I have now won 1 and lost 7 at this level.
• Game 3: I win by 17.5 points. I am now 2 - 7. I played more agressively and it seemed to play poorly defensively. I will increase the level of difficulty when (if?) I can win 5 games in a row.

"Graded GO problems for Beginners Volume One Introductory Problems" Level Two

• Section 2 How to Save Engangered Stones. Problems 71 - 72. All easy.
• Section 3 How to Give Atari. Problems 73 - 86. All easy.
• Section 4 Ladders. Problems 87 - 88. I made a mistake on #88.
• Section 5 Snapback and Related Moves. Problems 89 - 92. All easy.
• Section 6 Connecting and Separating Stones. Problems 93 - 98. All easy.
• Section 7 Living Groups and Dead Groups. Problems 99 - 112. I made a mistake on #105.

SUMMARY of the session: A positive session. I finally won a 9x9 game (actually 2) which certainly was a boost to my morale. I am still finding the problems relativley easy, although a few of them make me think. I sidestepped Learning anything new by avoiding reading anything on the game. I am a better reader in the morning, and I seem to know this. The variety of problems - just look at the different headings - is an indication of the implicit complexity of the game. 8:20 PM

 

GO Chronology

Notes for Learning to play the strategy game of GO.

Here are the results of my 3 games of GO++:

• Game 1: I lose by 9.5 points. Overall, I was pleased by this game. I slowed my pace down and considered each move carefully. However a comparison of my moves with those of the analysis indicated that most of my moves were weak.
• Game 2: I lose by 4.5 points. I actually thought I had won this game, but I forgot about the 6.5 point komi. Analysis showed little relationship between my moves and those of professionals.
• Game 3: I lose by 6.5 points. I played it even, but lost by the komi. All 3 games were close, which is a distinct improvement over yesterday. I played much more carefully throughout all three games. But I am still uncertain of what principles I should be following when I make a move.

"Graded GO problems for Beginners Volume One Introductory Problems" Level One

• Section 6 Ladders. Problems 39 - 40. I solved both problems easily.
• Section 7 Living Groups and Dead Groups. Problems 41 - 46. All easy.
• Section 8 How To Play In The Opening. Problems 47 - 50. All easy.
• Section 9 Endgame And Other Moves. Problems 51 - 60. All easy.

"Graded GO problems for Beginners Volume One Introductory Problems" Level Two

• Section 1 How to Capture Stones. Problems 61 - 70. All easy.

SUMMARY of the session: I feel that this was a positive step forward. My playing of the three 9x9 games was much better, although I still lost all three games. The problems are not presenting any difficulties which suggests that I at least understand the basic technical situations. It is strategy that is my weak area. I do not yet have a firm grasp of a few fundamental principles that would help guide my moves, particularly in the early game. Both playing the 9x9 games, as well as solving the problems, has been very enjoyable. Actually studying, and memorizing certain patterns is also important. I must attend to this. 8:20 PM

 

GO Chronology

Notes for Learning to play the strategy game of GO.