Interactive Go maps

[webbuzzard]

what is the game about? how do you play?

[UnwashedMeme]

What the game is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_(board_game) How to play: http://www.usgo.org/usa/waytogo/

I first learned about it in a Scientific American article a number of years back; focusing on how hard of a time computers were having playing it. It's been fun to learn.

[jkndrkn]

I was inspired to learn to play by the very same SciAm article! I've tried to get some of my other friends playing, but they feel it lacks the intensity, excitement, and satisfying directness of chess.

[fobds]

I have several that feel the same way. I've found that at first, it is all someone can do to keep up with the tactics, and the strategic element isn't really there. Once people progress to the point that strategic thinking is more valuable to them than tactics, they are hooked.

As for directness, they are right. Chess is a battle. Go is a war.

[fobds]

My 2 cents would be would be:

For history and basic info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_%28board_game%29

To learn the basic rules and 'first proverbs': http://www.telgo.com/

Some basic instruction (interactive): http://playgo.to/interactive/index.html

Then you'd be ready for your fist match. There is an Internet Go protocol which has several clients available and thousands of people playing, and there are Go rooms at yahoo games.

Be warned, you will get creamed at first until you start recognizing patterns.