As the title of this blog suggests; Tesuji (skillful play) is my ultimate aim, but I'm a head of myself. I play a game called GO (also; Baduk in Korea and weiqi in China), and have been for some time. The game's origins can be traced to the east and records exist as far back as approx. 300 years. while debates argue over its national origin, the nature of the game cannot be out shined. It is a game of strategy, played on the intersections of a grid, with only two rules.
Firstly, the rule of liberty: a stone must have at least one free point (liberty) directly next to it, or connected to a group with at least one, to remain on the board.
Secondly, the rule of KO: stones once placed on the board cannot repeat a previous position. In cases such as this it is necessary to play elsewhere before making the desired play.
These rules are the basis for the beginners game of capture (ponnuki) on a small board (9x9) and also for the true game played on the standard at 19x19. The game appears simple, but like one of einsteins equations, the level of depth and complexity achievable is astounding.
As to myself, I am a weak casual player. I began playing in high school but never really progressed past the 9x9 board at that time. I continued into college and after a year or so, according to an interactive test, i scored 14 kyu still a casual player.I then stopped playing for about two years to focus on schoolwork and life, and have only recently got back into playing. Outside of the basics i know very little and plan on using this blog to discuss and develop strategy, life-death-problems (tsumego), joseki, reading techniques, and ultimately improve my level of play.
No comments:
Post a Comment