Welcome to the Midlands Go Club “learn to play” page! Below are several online resources, websites, programs, equipment, and books for learning the basics and taking your first steps into the world of Go.

Online Tutorials

Best Places to Get Started

The UK Go Tutor below is a great place to get started. It is a dynamic guide that goes over all of the basics of Go, using dynamic visuals and thorough explanation.

Guided Overview - https://www.learngo.co.uk/GoTutor/Tutor.php

If you learn better by doing, the tutorial below is interactive and teaches you by creating small problems for you to solve to help you learn the basics of Go.

Interactive Overview - http://playgo.to/iwtg/en/

For those that would prefer a video, here is an 8-minute overview on how to play Go.

Video Overview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gECcsSeRcNo

Additional Resources:

https://online-go.com/learn-to-play-go - OGS’s Go tutorial

http://www.pandanet.co.jp/English/learning_go/learning_go_2.html ~ Pandanet’s Go tutorial

https://www.nihonkiin.or.jp/english/howto/howto0.htm ~ Nihon Ki-in’s English Go tutorial

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Once you’ve got the basics down, the next step is finding a place to play. If you don’t have access to a local community or club that plays Go, the next best thing is playing online! One of the best things about the online Go community is there are so many different places and ways to play, you might get a little overwhelmed with all the options. Below are a few programs we recommend to help you get started.

Use the power of technology to play online!

Playing Go Online

The first category covered here are ways of playing using a desktop or laptop computer. This is one of the easiest ways to play Go online with other human players or vs an AI-controlled opponent. Full computer programs or Go servers offer many advantages over their mobile counterparts, including the saving of your games for post-game review (saved as SGF files).

Desktop/Laptop

The fastest way to start playing Go online is on OGS. A web-based Go playing server, you can play the client entirely in your web browser without any downloads. It has some impressive features and a modern design, with an enthusiastic group of people constantly working on improvements. While its player base is not as large as others, it is growing. OGS can also run on mobile browsers.

OGS - https://online-go.com/

Started in 1992, IGS is the oldest Go server. It’s based out of Japan currently and hosts a huge player base consisting of people all over the globe. IGS runs several web tournaments throughout the year. Its GoPanda 2 software is a great tool for people who are familiar with and prefer to run traditional computer programs. It offers many great features and has been recently updated with additional improvements, including social functions.

IGS Pandanet- https://pandanet-igs.com/communities/gopanda2

KGS is one of the most popular Go playing servers in the West, and claims to host the largest English-speaking online Go player base. With its CGoban program, it provided clubs and friends the ability to host and play in private rooms for teaching games or small tournaments. Unfortunately, as its software is Java based, it is a little outdated compared to some of the other offerings out there. (https://shin.gokgs.com/ ) is an amazing web-based official replacement, but is still in development, and still requires you to create an account on the KGS site.

KGS CGohan - https://www.gokgs.com/ Fan made web based - KGS Chrome Extension

One of the newest programs to play online is Ancient Go. It actually uses OGS as its web server, but also allows people to play offline vs AI and with Steam Friends. Unlike the previously listed software options that only allow play in 2D, this program uses a full 3D-simulation of a Go board in the Unreal Game Engine, making it look and feel beautiful. However, there is a $5 cost to buy the program, unlike almost all other free server options.

Ancient Go - https://store.steampowered.com/app/468160/Ancient_Go/

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Video on the Current State of Go Servers: Youtube Overview of Go Servers (As of 2/5/2020)

Online Go Problems: https://blacktoplay.com/?p=1283
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The next section focuses on options for playing Go using a mobile device such as a smartphone (Apple or Android) or a tablet. Touchscreen devices make playing games of Go quite easy and intuitive, allowing you to play almost anywhere using the simple input of the touch screen. However, the smaller screen size and sometimes more simplistic software can make the experience less than perfect. Still, many recent Go apps on both iOS or Android have made great strides in trying to provide a premium Go experience, and are getting more advanced and user-friendly every day.

Phone/Tablet/Mobile

iOS

The flagship Pandanet App for Apple iOS has a great look and feel, and uses the same IGS server as the desktop version.

IGS - https://itunes.apple.com/be/app/panda-tetsuki/id406456426?mt=8

For quick 9x9 and 13x13 casual games, Go Quest is best for practice but sadly lacks proper multiplayer with online opponents.

Go Quest - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/goquest/id834841918

OGS should also work for mobile Safari and Chrome browsers

OGS - https://online-go.com/

Android

This IGS app allows you to play on the same server as GoPanda 2, and lets you save your login and rank on both mobile and desktop.

IGS - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=be.gentgo.tetsuki

OGS can be played on a mobile Chrome browser, but you can also try this still in development Android app.

OGS - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.zenandroid.onlinego (dev build)

This KGS app provides access to the KGS servers, but costs $4.99, and, like the desktop app, is somewhat outdated.

KGS - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gokgs.client.android

For quick 9x9 and 13x13 casual games, Go Quest is best for practice but sadly lacks proper multiplayer with online opponents.

Go Quest - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=fm.wars.goquest

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Below are AI programs, SGF applications, game review software, and collections of professional games for review. While not necessary for beginner players, reviewing the strategies used in recorded professional games or solving advanced Go problems can help you improve and keep learning.

Also here is a Free Virtual Online Board: http://goban.co/ no account needed however its local only so you need a friend with you to start playing.

Software Tools

iOS

Tsumego Go Problems -https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tsumego-pro-go-problems/id892041876

SmartGo Kifu - https://itunes.apple.com/app/smartgo-kifu/id364854741

SmartGo Player - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/smartgo-player/id314506629

BadukPop (ala CandyCrush monetization, in-app purchase available, not required): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/badukpop/id1472684271

Android

Kifu Snap - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.unbalance.android.kifusnap

Tsumego Go Problems - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.lrstudios.android.tsumego_workshop

Crazy Stone Go AI - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.unbalance.android.gocsdllite

BadukPop (ala CandyCrush monetization, in-app purchase available, not required): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.coreplane.badukpop.prod

Windows

Sabaki SGF Editor - https://sabaki.yichuanshen.de/

SmartGo for Windows - https://smartgo.com/windows.html

Online SGF Editor - http://yewang.github.io/besogo/

Drago - http://www.godrago.net/

Mac

Sente Goban3 - http://www.sente.ch/software/goban3/

Sabaki SGF Editor - https://sabaki.yichuanshen.de/

Online SGF Editor - http://yewang.github.io/besogo/

SmartGo for Mac - https://smartgo.com/mac.html

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Go Sets and Equipment

goban png.png — A work of art you can play!

Go Boards and Stones

Divided into home and travel sets, these are Go boards and stones we personally recommend for play. The Midlands Go Club recommends starting with a home set if at all possible, but an affordable travel set is a great way to jump in without paying the cost of a full board. While there are many sets out there, the listings below are products we recommend to get started.

As prices and inventory are often in flux, please help us by reporting any items that are out of stock or removed.

Get Started Right Away

For those who want a quick, no-frills option to start playing, the two options below are available on Amazon and provide a full set of everything you need at an affordable cost.

19x19/13x13 ~ Bamboo Go Game Set @ $82~ https://www.amazon.com/Bamboo-Board-Single-Convex-Stones/dp/B07GR155XR/

13x13/9x9 ~ Shin-Kaya Go Game Set @ $45~ https://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Mountain-Imports-Reversible-0-8-Inch/dp/B000Y96L9Q/

Home Sets

Bamboo 0.8" Thick Go Table Board w/ Double Convex Korean Hardened Glass Stones and Bowl Set

https://www.ymimports.com/collections/go-game-sets/products/yn-tb001-a_yn-sb029-a

Slotted Go Board | 7mm Glass Go Stones | Plastic Go Bowls

https://www.thegamesupply.com/slotted-go-board-glass-go-stones-plastic-go-bowls/

Raised Go Board | 7mm Glass Go Stones | Plastic Go Bowls

https://www.chessngames.com/product-p/22828-07k.htm

Travel Sets

Go Game Set with Folding Dark Cherry Veneer, Rosewood Go Board and Melamine Stones

https://www.amazon.com/Folding-Cherry-Veneer-Rosewood-Melamine/dp/B001N3N96A/

Magnetic Go Board w/ Single Convex Magnetic Plastic Stones Set - 14.7" x 14.6"

https://www.ymimports.com/collections/go-game-sets/products/xx-pm001-b

Magnetic Go Board with Single Convex Magnetic Plastic Stones Game Set

https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Single-Convex-Plastic-Stones/dp/B000JHSORK/
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Books

A game as deep, complex, and ancient as Go has plenty of reading material. Many people throughout the world have written all kinds of books about how to play, strategies, and philosophies about the game.

If you do want a more traditional primer on Go than the available digital tutorial options, the books in the first section are a great way to learn and study about Go. If you feel you got the basics down, the second group of books is a great place to start if you want to try and really hone your skill at the game. Go books provide an excellent insight into some aspects of the game that might be difficult to grasp at first, so I recommend at least some reading when learning about Go.

There are a wide variety of great books out there about Go!

Good Starting Points

AGA - Way to Go - http://www.usgo.org/files/pdf/W2Go4E-book.pdf

Go: A Complete Introduction - http://a.co/d/cRfkVkt

Janice Kim’s Learn to Play Go http://a.co/d/iOM2LOk

Lessons in the Fundamentals of Go - http://a.co/d/81Ino3O

iOS Smart Go Books - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/go-books/id428149193

Beyond the Basics

Graded Go Problems for Beginners - http://a.co/d/eFaiQWZ

38 Basic Joseki - http://a.co/d/hd35Zla

The Second Book of Go - http://a.co/d/8jJUPgx

The Direction of Play - http://a.co/d/2ZknbWr

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Web Resources

Below are some great websites to have bookmarked in a Go folder on your browser or phone. This list is by no means comprehensive, but should serve as a solid starting point to begin your Go journey.

Websites to Bookmark

This beautiful site hosts your SGF files for review. Reviewing your games is one the best steps you can take on your journey to becoming a better Go player, and this site also allows sharing and user comments.

https://gokibitz.com/

Sensei’s Library (SL) is an exhaustive and informative site, a bit dated but a fine wiki for Go.

https://senseis.xmp.net/

Homepage for our parent organization, the American Go Association. Tons of info and links!

http://www.usgo.org/

Sub-Reddit for Go. Great place to stay on top of new things happening, and to ask questions.

https://www.reddit.com/r/baduk/

The biggest English language forum for Go, a traditional style web forum.

https://lifein19x19.com/forum/index.php

A repository of all kinds of Go information and much of recent Go history.

http://gobase.org/

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YouTube Channels

In this last section, here are some YouTube channels we recommend for English-language Go content. Some videos are lectures on specific topics like strategy, while others are commentary on games by players. Most of these channels are still active, so subscribing can provide you new Go content every week. We also recommend Twitch.tv for live Go action!