Learning Sites
Go Servers
- KGS -- (USA)
- IGS -- (Japan)
- Tom -- (China)
- Dash & Dot -- (Korea)
- Cyberoro -- (Korea)
- Yahoo Games -- (USA)
Go Organizations
Go Clubs
- Pittsburgh Go Association
- Dayton Go Club
- Case Western Reserve Go Club (no website)
- Columbus Igo Club (no website)
- DC & Baltimore Area Clubs
Learn and Play Go
Step 1: Do the 36 lessons in this tutorial: PlayGo. Even by the 21st lesson you will be able to play a decent beginner's game.
Step 2: Download this 9x9 Computer GO Program called Handtalk ("HandTalk" is an ancient name for "GO"). Playing a simple 9x9 game with a computer will help you really understand the rules. A real game of GO is played on a 19x19 board, and all players agree that playing a computer will teach you bad habits. But playing a 9x9 in the early stage can be helpfull.
Step 3: Contact a Member who list their e-mail addresses for free 19x19 lessons. If we are not close, go to the AGA Chapter page and look up clubs near you. Remember, the Pittsburgh Go Association also has a club that meets at CMU in Pittsburgh (30 minutes from Sewickley).
There are several servers where you can play Go on-line. If you find these difficult to enter and play, ask our Members for help.
- KGS: This is the server on which our club members often play. We have a social game room on KGS called: "Sewickley Go Club". Stop in and watch, play or teach us.
- IGS: Not as friendly as KGS - mainly serious Japanese players.
- Yahoo: This site has poor rank control and no monitoring. We suggest you use KGS.
Our GO community is proud of our emphasis on etiquette. Etiquette helps build both fine people and fine organizations. Please see these Sensei-links on GO etiquette , good habits and bad habits . You may not understand many of these until you have played a while, but this is a good reference while you grow into the game of GO.