Playing Go

I have just started two games on the Dragon Go Server, a web-based Go interface that allows you to play games with very long time limits. The games I'm playing allow roughly one day per turn. So these will be games I'm playing in the background of my life. I'll be able to stop every now and then to think about my next move. I have also challenged Steven Den Beste to such a game. Hey, I can dream.

I am going to provide running commentary here on the games I play on DGS. I will try to make the commentary accessible to people who know little to nothing about Go, while at the same time provide interesting analysis for people who are somewhat skilled at the game. Hope you guys enjoy it!

In my game against Vladimir, I am playing someone who is two stones weaker than me, so he gets two handicap stones. I am waiting to see where he places them.

In my game against Dominique, the player is slightly more than one stone stronger than me, so we can use the great "proper komi/handicap" feature of DGS to make a fine-tuned handicap. I get two handicap stones, but he gets 4 points of komi. If this were an even game, black would go first, and white would get 6.5 points of komi (compensation for the disadvantage of going second). With two handicap stones, I get two moves at first, instead of one, but his komi is reduced by 2.5 points, roughly 1/5th of a move, so it works out to me getting roughly 1.2 handicap stones.

I have placed my two stones on opposite corner hoshi (star) points on the goban (board). Generally speaking, you want to stake out large areas at the beginning of the game. By taking the stars, I have made a dominant presence in that corner, but I have by no means captured it all for myself. Usually it is best to play on or near the corner star points in the beginning of the game. Most likely, Dominique will play near one of the two remaining corner star points, but it is possible he will play a kakari (approach) on one of my stones instead. We'll see what happens.

Dominque's a great name...
That's the extent of my commentary.

I had a crush on a girl named Dominique when I was eight. Though I understand that in France, particularly where foreign ministers are concerned, the name Dominique does not necessarily imply one is female.

That's only cuz the French are dumb though.

That's not a ko threat!

Neither are you.

No, but A1 is!

A1 is a steak sauce.