The Game Go

[kevin]

Hey, I recently stumbled upon the ancient chinese game 'go', and find it completely captivating. The idea is to use round stones to encircle the 'enemies' on a board which has 19 x 19 lines. The game is deeper than chess, and in fact computers haven't been able to beat middling players in the game consistently.

When I read about it I had to play it, and once I played it online I had to play it with a board. Going around town I realized that no one sells this game. So I came home and made my own go board (very simple to make afterall, just a square of plywood) and bought the stones they use in the bottom of beta fish tanks. I've been playing my family and bringing the board to college where I have taught some people how to play. Might start a club even.

Does anyone else here play go?

[gtalum]

It's available commercially as "Othello". I forget who makes it.

[kevin]

Othello isn't go.. at least from the java game I just played with it.

In go you play on the intersections of lines and groups share the same liberties, or basically the same lines that allow them life.

Unless I'm missing something.

[kevin]

Yeah I just checked on wikipedia.

Reversi (Othello)

Go

# Reversi: Marketed by Mattel as "Othello", Reversi bears superficial similarity to Go, with black and white circular pieces, an undifferentiated grid for a board, simple rules, and a goal of covering more of the board than the opponent. The game play is quite unlike Go, however, as it is based on flanking the opponent's pieces for capture. Captured pieces change their color.

[gtalum]

Oh okay, I'm sorry. I thought they were the same.

[kevin]

No problem. Othello looks like a fun game too. =)

[Cookiely]

Ebay has some beautiful GO sets for sale which are cheap but the shipping charges are outrageous. The dragon set is beautiful.

[x-y-no]

Hey, I recently stumbled upon the ancient chinese game 'go', and find it completely captivating. The idea is to use round stones to encircle the 'enemies' on a board which has 19 x 19 lines. The game is deeper than chess, and in fact computers haven't been able to beat middling players in the game consistently.

When I read about it I had to play it, and once I played it online I had to play it with a board. Going around town I realized that no one sells this game. So I came home and made my own go board (very simple to make afterall, just a square of plywood) and bought the stones they use in the bottom of beta fish tanks. I've been playing my family and bringing the board to college where I have taught some people how to play. Might start a club even.

Does anyone else here play go?

In my teens (sadly nearly 30 years ago now) I was a very serious player. I studied for several years with the man who was at that time the strongest player in the US. My personal best ranking was an Amateur 4-dan.

I've played the occasional game over the years, and while I still seem to have the strategic sense, the tactical details escape me.

It's a wonderful game - very much capturing the interplay of strategical maneuvering vs furious tactical fighting of battle.

[kevin]

I'll keep an eye on ebay cookiely.

This is what I have been using.

[gtalum]

No problem. Othello looks like a fun game too. =)

From the looks of it, Othello is much quicker to play than Go.

[x-y-no]

No problem. Othello looks like a fun game too. =)

From the looks of it, Othello is much quicker to play than Go.

Yes, a game of Go typically takes an hour or two.

[O Town]

Great job on the board Kevin! Did you cut the lines in or draw them on? Looks like something you would buy.

[Cookiely]

I'll keep an eye on ebay cookiely.

This is what I have been using.

I meant to post the link for the games. Look at the game with the dragons.
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dl ... =&saprchi=

[kevin]

Great job on the board Kevin! Did you cut the lines in or draw them on? Looks like something you would buy.

Thanks. The board is 20 1/2" square and I just took a good marker to do the lines. Its easy to carry around and I have been taking it to college and playing with people during my 12:00 - 1:40 break and also with my family at home. I think this is the most fun anyone could have with a piece of plywood and some fish tank stones (I think that's what the stones are used for at least.. got them from walmart).

[gtalum]

That is a good, professional looking board. If that was relatively easy to make, you might consider putting them together and selling them on ebay. You might make some decent cash that way!

[kevin]

I'm actually reconsidering selling these things for a few extra dollars. Just thought I'd ressurect this dead thread and see whether anyone else believes it'd be a good idea.

My rough idea for a price right now is $35.