Hikarunix

There is a specialized Linux distro for Go players. You can install it or run it from the CD. It has everything you need to play Go, start your own Go server, Study professional games, play against the computer...it does it all. I would recommend it for anyone interested in Go. Happy Playing.

As promised, I took some pictures at our meeting tonight. Here's the game where Melissa and I beat Wally. She started the game, and I managed to not screw it up too much when she left.


Then I played Chalice of Evil, and without Wally's help, I lost most fantastically quickly.


Perhaps I have gotten a little better. I did recognize a few of the things that I did wrong. I am quite sure I am still the worst player in the club, so if you have ever wanted to soundly beat Tangerine at something, now is your opportunity.

I hope to see you all there next Tuesday. We even had half a pan of brownies today, courtesy of the Math Dept., I believe.

Go Club meeting last night was quite a success, in my opinion. Wally beat me (but only with a two stone handicap this time, so maybe I'm improving). I didn't see much of it, but it sounded like Melissa played an awesome game as well. I can just imagine how good Wally Jr. is going to be. And Dr. Forcade dominated all, as usual.

Next week will be a picture day, so come looking your best and be prepared to have your lovely image immortalized on the Go Club blog.

Third Times the Charm

Wholly smokes! We had a more people than ever before. Unfortunately we didn't have quite enough boards for everyone, but we are trying to remedy the situation. There were some fierce battles going on all over the game room, keeping the intensity levels pretty high. Tangerine and Benjamin had a rematch. Tangerine dominated the first half of the game, but finished just a few points behind from an extremely lucky play by Benjamin that neither of them saw until it was too late. Both of them have significantly improved since beginning. And that is what it is all about. The Go club should be about letting people who are experienced play as well as getting beginners started with their game! Hazzah for beginners!!

Stage II

After record breaking numbers attended our first Go Club meeting, the numbers dwindled for the second. Dr. Forcade was there with his boards thankfully because right now we only have three boards; Benjamin's boards are still under construction. Tangerine ventured to come out to the club another time after being totally stressed out the first time. But the second meeting was a huge success despite the lack of numbers. Tangerine and Benjamin played their first games together. Benjamin won the first game (it was only Tangerine's second Go game), but learning quickly Tangerine focused her will to win and Destroyed Benjamin in the second game; she took more than three quarters of the board, and left Benjamin with -3 points. Benjamin also played his first game against Melissa and got equally dominated. He missed several key points of play and ended up being surrounded on nearly every side. In the future it is very unlikely that Melissa will ever get a 4 stone handicap against Benjamin again. Luckily for Dr. Forcade his faculty friend ended showing up to play a few games with Dr. Forcade, which Dr. Forcade won easily. We are all too scared to play against Dr. Forcade, but are greatful that he is helping us understand the game better. Without him we may never know when we are 'cusping', which would greatly reduce the intensity of the game. Hope to see you Tuesday 30 January 2007 in the Talmage building room 294 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. No experience is required and come whenever you can, even if just to watch:-)

First Meeting

It is finally here...What you've all been waiting for...THE BYU GO CLUB!!!!

The first meeting was a smashing success. We had 6 people there besides Dr. Forcade (our club advisor). Dr. Forcade gave us all a great tutorial of the game, and then we started playing. Instead of starting on the standard 19x19 grid we decided to start on 1/4 of that which is a 10x10 grid. Benjamin and James went head to head after the lesson and ended with a game score of 1-1, the last game was particularly intense. (Tangerine was watching our game after she defeated Bismark) We were cusping (a new word we invented that describes a game position in which the next few moves are extremely important to the outcome of the game) almost the entire time; it was a fierce battle. Dr. Forcade when he wasn't anxiously stressing over our game and all the critical moves we were missing, he got to play with another math professor who also plays Go. Dr. Forcade won easily. What a way to start the Year!