ZGo added

I've added another (better) java applet to review games and play with tsumego. I just uploaded the applet and a couple of files, to check how it works.

Sample 1: Kogo's Joseki dictionary.
The size of this file makes the whole blog load slowly, so this is the reason for not making it load on the homepage. Click on the next applet to load it on a different window.











Sample 2: samourai (5k) vs. kkawakatsu (5k)





















Please, if you find any interesting game you'd like to share with us, say it!! And I'll try to upload it the next time.

Modified: There was a bug on the link, I think it works now.

Kogo's joseki dictionary

The deeper you get into the world of Go, the biggest the need for patterns. There is where Kogo's joseki dictionary comes into our way: it's a dictionary of joseki patterns, with some thousands in it, and their respective commentaries.

Once you open it, you'll see the different variations and their comment. It is here (On the ocomments) where some variations include the * symbol to mark their rellevance. Trick plays are also marked as such, with their continuations.

For more info and download, check Kogo's dictionary site.

There is a java applet added to the site on the lower left, so that you can use the dictionary without leaving the page, though I personally recommend using your own preferred program.

You may also find interesting the Joseki section at Sensei's

Go lessons

I'd like to comment on a couple of resources, that appear on newspapers, I came up with:

-"Go lessons" by The Korean Times: an active source of go lessons covering from the very beginning to deeper concepts.
-"The magic of Go" by The Daily Yomiuri: a higher, deeper and complicated weekly column about go, packed with a couple of tsumegos, though you have to be keen on kifus to be able to read this one.

If after reading this you are still doubtfull about a specific move, ask yourself the "famous" 4 questions for beginners:
1.Do you have a weak group?
If yes, reinforce it.
2.Does your opponent have a weak group?
If yes, plan to attack it.
3.Can you make a big territorial move?
If yes, do it.
4.Could your opponent make a big territorial move or does s/he have a big territory?
Try to prevent, destroy or reduce it with appropriate measures.

If you still haven't checked the Sensei's page for beginners, give it a try!!

One last resource are Go books, which can be found easily on go shops or peertopeer programs, though I wouldn't recommend this for beginners... but this is just a personal opinion

Test your reading skills

I just found an interesting site on the internet: Go-test

This test checks your reading skills by showing 20 different board positions where you have 5 possible choices. Each of them gives you a specific score and, at the end, you'l get an approximation of your current reading level.

It classifies me as a 5k, though I was recently crushed by a 8k player... so I've got my doubts about its accuracy...