Library of Books, Links & More: GAME OF GO

Reposted on Sunday 6/13 after correcting typos and an unsatisfactory trial of using the iPhone to blog:).

Dd was introduced to the game of GO as a 7yr old by the Math majors in Univ of Berkeley. She was hooked on to it instantly. It is one of the games she enjoyed playing with her classmates from the university math classes even though there was a huge age difference between them. According to dd GO is an abstract strategy game that is more brain crunching and intellectually satisfying to her than a game of Chess! And this is one of the games that we will be taking with us to India this summer. We hope to begin a GO club there to spread the joy of playing the game weekly with other interested families.

GO originated in China over 4000 years ago. This is a 2 player game that is played on a 9x9, 13x13 or 19x19 board with black and white stones. The weaker player takes black and goes first. Both sides place the stones on the board alternately strategically following simple rules and capturing stones as a result. And it can be played by kids as young as 4.

Here are some of the fabulous resources on GO. My kids highly recommend this game for your families.

GO SITES

History of the game is here.

American GO Association (AGA) Latest GO news, membership, GO resources, GO professionals, with FREE E-journal.

Check out the RULES of the game GO video

Wiki article has some information on GO with links.

361points.com The Game of GO/Baduk/Weiqi. GO software and online resources.

I love the Sensei's Library (short: SL) site, as it is meant to be a place where Go players can meet to find information, contribute information and discuss any items related to Go. It is also well organized.

Non fiction involving GO. List of writings that make references to GO.

Harry Fearnley's Main Go (Baduk, WeiQi/Wei-Ch'i, Igo) Pages. Excellent, with many links and resources.

Top 5 ancient Board games. From about.com.

List of GO organizations.

Computer GO

GO Grinder for practicing GO problems online. JAVA program.

Computer Resources for GO players from British GO Association.

Here is COMPUTER GO, Online GO, software that teaches GO, software to play GO on the internet and plenty more.

Discussion Boards

GO Discussions.com "This site is first and foremost a discussion forum for Go players, the ancient strategy board game from Asia. It started shortly after I began looking for a thriving discussion forum for Go and couldn't find one".

GO Base "Welcome to GoBase.org, which was established as Go, An Addictive Game in October 1994 (a brief historical overview is available). On these pages you'll find a lot of information on the game of Go (Go is the western word for the game, in China the game is called wei ch'i, in Korea baduk). Of course, the Go rules are explained (in 8 languages), but you can also read about the history of Go, read stories and anecdotes related to Go, study theindepth study material, study baduk academy material in the problem section, connect to one of the online Go servers (reference: IGS clients) or retrieve information on Go and computers."

The GO Teaching Ladder "Several high dan players have recommended getting your own games reviewed by stronger players as a good way to make progress. However it is not always easy to find stronger players willing to comment your games. The Go Teaching Ladder has been set up for this purpose. Volunteers in the ladder comment games made by weaker players. Anyone may submit a game for commenting by a stronger player. The GTL is a free service, no strings attached".