Go Servers
Keywords: Online Go
This page gives an overview of online go servers.
| Table of contents |
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Introduction
Internet Go servers can potentially deliver the following benefits.
- Endless supply of players of all ranks 24 hours a day
- Play people from just about any country in the world
- Choose any time settings you like, from games that last less than 10 minutes, to 45 minutes, to 3 months or more
- Watch strong Dan players any time you want
- Many tournaments, chats, and lessons are available
- Autosave games, ease in replaying a game, ability to create variations
There are three basic types of servers.
- Real-time go servers in which two players play on line simultaneously just like over a real goban. Games usually last from 10 minutes to one and a half hours
- Turn-Based go servers allow you to post a move to a website, and check back later for your opponents response. Games usually last from a few weeks to many months.
- Play by Email allow you to email your move and play at a similarly slow pace
Currently it appears that the favorites for Americans and Europeans are KGS, IGS, DGS and OGS; however, all of the following servers have different features to recommend them. Pick your favorite!
Users should practice basic Internet security when using these Go servers. See also Internet Security / Go clients and servers for specific information on using Go servers.
Listed hereafter are real-time servers; see Turn-Based Go Servers for the other variant. The descriptions of the go servers are intentionally kept short; please discuss at Go server reviews and reports.
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English supported Go Servers
The two most common servers are listed first. The remainder is listed alphabetically.
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Most common servers
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IGS - The Internet Go server (![[ext]](images/extlink.gif)
http://www.pandanet.co.jp/English/)
- English and Japanese (origin) languages or {Chinese, English, Korean, Japanese} ?
- The official and probably most current client is PANDA-glGo and is one of the nicest for any server. Additionally, it was originally telnet based, and there are a ton of older clients for all kinds of platforms that still work.
- One worth mentioning for the quality of its GUI is qGo
- Those clients are available for Windows, Macintosh and Linux and there are a few other ones for Android.
- IGS has one of the broadest selection of players from all over the world.
- IGS is the grandfather of internet go, starting in 1992, it is still one of the most popular
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KGS - KGS Go Server ( http://www.gokgs.com/)
- English (origin) and a bunch of other languages? {English, Catalan, Czech, German, Spanish, Basque, Finnish, French, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Turkish, Swedish}
- The KGS client is cGoban
- Client is available for Windows, Macintosh and Linux; can also connect via web browser without a client
- Has a strong North American and European following, but still does well world wide.
- The ability to create "rooms" for clubs or countries has been a big draw for many. Plenty of chat.
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Alphabetical list
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BadukWorld ( http://www.badukworld.co.kr/)
- Korean (origin), English languages
- Java web based
- The server seems to be oriented towards Korean expatriates
- Playing fee is $10 per year. Claims "Board and stones are the most beautiful in the world".
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BKGo? ( http://www.red-bean.com/bkgo/)
- English language
- not sure this is active, web page has a 1999 copyright, looks pretty old
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WBaduk ( http://www.wbaduk.com/) (was OroBaduk)
- English, Korean (origin), Chinese, Japanese languages
- The client download is on the WBaduk
- Most populous contingent is Korean, but plenty of Chinese, Japanese, and Thais
- Client is for Windows only? But works with wine.
- This may be the largest server with an English client, as many as 25,000 people on line at one time.
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DashN (aka Dash & Dot) ( http://dashlive.dashn.com/english/)
- the English page doesn't look as if its been updated recently
- English, Korean (origin), Japanese languages
- The client download is on the Download page
- Client is for Windows only
- Most populous contingent is Korean
- Another large Korean server
- the Korean website is active, but I haven't yet gotten my English client to work
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FICGS ( http://www.ficgs.com)
- Mainly English language, also French, Italian, Spanish.
- A web-based go server (also chess & poker).
- Players from all over the world.
- Current FICGS Go champion is Svante Carl von Erichsen 5 dan.
- Tournaments with prizes or entry fee & money prize.
- Free to register, no ads in HTTPS.
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Fly or Die http://www.flyordie.com/
- general on line game server (many games)
- A web-based go server (also chess checkers, go moku and others.
- Free to register, has ads.
- funny dragon sounds
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GoShrine ( http://goshrine.com)
- An easy to use live go server.
- Simple, clean interface.
- Firewall friendly
- No Java or other plugins or downloads required.
- Play against GnuGo
- Rankings
- New features added regularly.
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IgoLocal ( http://igolocal.net)
- Physical go server, i.e. a site to find players and arrange over the board games.
- Games are not played on the server, but players can submit results and a ranking system is planned
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NoStrive ( http://nostrive.appspot.com)
Unique features of No Strive Go:
- Real-time Go server, without time limit, you can play the game on anytime, anywhere.
- Simply with a web browswer, you can play online Go games. There is no installation of any software. You can play games even with your smart phones. learn more
- Without time limit, you can play many-faces game of Go at the same time.
Every player, Every game, there is a permanent webpage accordingly, so that you can share them easyly.
With No Strive Go, playing Go is no longer competitive. With No Strive Go, you can always try your 'ear reddening moves'.
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Internet Go Room? ( http://www.playgogame.com)
- English and Chinese languages
- A Go Server build by Lyu shuzhi.
- copyright is 2001, doesn't look very up to date
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LGS - The Legend Go Server ( http://www.lgs.taiwango.net/)
- Chinese (Taiwanese origin), English (sort of) languages
- The client download is on the LGS homepage. Unconfirmed that many IGS clients will be compatible. port 9696
- Primarily Taiwanese players?
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Ludoteka ( http://www.ludoteka.com/jokolabur?joko=gogo)
- English, French, Spanish, Vasque language
- Java web based
- This is a multiplayer games site
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MeinGAMES ( http://spiele.meingames.de/)
- English, Russian, Deutsch.
- This is a multiplayer games portal.
- Free to register.
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My Baduk? ( http://www.mybaduk.com/)
- Also Known As (aka) Koryo Baduk, aka International Friendship Baduk Game Site
- Ran by DPRK (North Korea) Lotto Venture. Used by the Koryo Baduk Association (A go association in North Korea)
- English, Chinese, and Japanese language sections
- website copyright 2002, some dead English links, not sure
- May 2009: The link leads to a general holding site, so this server is probably offline for good.
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PlayOK.com ( http://www.playok.com/en/go/)
- originally a Polish site (kurnik.pl), translated into many other languages
- Go is one of around 30 games available
- Java Applet based
- Sizes 9, 13, 19 supported; AGA rules; automatic scheduled tournaments ..
- good for some quick games (around 50-100 players usually online in Go room)
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Playray ( http://www.playray.com/)
- English language only
- Java web based
- The players are primarily from nowhere
- This is a general game site which happens to include Go. Checking the website has always shown zero people playing
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Go Center of Second Life ( http://www.notabene-sl.com/slgc/) - ( http://secondlife.com)
- Support for other languages in the SL client works, sort of.
- At the Vineland region is an area dedicated to go. The 3d boards handle all sizes, komi, free and static handicap placement.
- Has a membership board, and a rating system.
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Traditional Baduk Association ( http://www.traditionalbaduk.com/)
- English and Korean languages
- Java web based
- Requires registration and allows one to play for free. It has a voice function, lectures, lessons, and much more.
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WING - World-wide InterNet Gokaisho ( http://wing.gr.jp/indexe.html)
- Japanese (origin) and English languages
- Real Time server
- Java and IGS / NNGS interfaces
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WWGo? - World Web Go ( https://home.wwgo.jp/)
- Japanese (origin) and English languages
- Real Time server
- probably need to pay for membership in order to get decent privileges
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WeWeWeb? - We We Web Online Game ( http://www.weweweb.net/game/client.html)
- English and Traditional Chinese languages.
- Real Time server runs with applet client.
- A gaming server with Go game for causal players.
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Go - Multiplayer Go Online Game
Go Game (ext? http://www.meingames.at/)
* English, Russian, Deutsch.
* Multiplayer games portal.
* Free to register.
* Real Time server
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Chinese (non English supported)
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CTN? ( http://www.cngames.cn/)
- Windows only client
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CUGS? ( http://www.go-edu.net/)
- port 9696
same as http://www.weiqi.cn/
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CWS? ( http://cws.weiqi.net/)
- port 9696
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eweiqi? ( http://www.eweiqi.com/)
- same client software as Tygem
- Big Chinese go server, co-operates with Tygem
- Last Sensei check/update 05 Jul 2006 (but didn't confirm client compatibility as stated above)
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Lianzhong? ( http://www.ourgame.com/)
- Seems like it might be a general games site with Go
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Tom Go Server ( http://weiqi.sports.tom.com/)
- Chinese language only, but the Sensei's page has direction to register and get started
- Big chinese go server with many strong players, co-operates with Korean Tygem
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Qingfeng? ( http://qf.china.com/)
- Almost impossible to get client without Chinese Windows system
- Huge Chinese internet go server
- Last Sensei check/update 05 Jul 2006 - couldn't access site
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QQ Weiqi? ( http://gamezone.qq.com/12game/rule17.htm)
- Seems like it might be a general games site with Go. Combined with the most popular Chinese online messenger QQ. Many players online, but generally weaker than eweiqi? and Tom.
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China Wei Qi Network? ( http://www.weiqi.cn)
- Fairly big server with strong players
- Has a betting system
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Korean (non English supported)
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Netmarble ( http://baduk.netmarble.net/)
- Korean (origin) and Chinese (will lead you to the Chinese Go server Qingfeng)languages
- Previously known as Neostone.
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Tygem ( http://www.tygem.com/)
- This is reputedly the best server in existence... if you speak Korean. astonish? I've discovered that there is a Japanese registration site and client too: ( http://www.tygem.co.jp/)
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Japanese (non English supported)
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Yuugen no ma? ( http://taikyoku.nihonkiin.or.jp/)
- Run by the Nihon Kiin, recent pro games, occasionally with (Japanese) commentary are also available.
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Sansan ( http://www.sansan.co.jp/)
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Defunct Servers
- NNGS - No Name Go Server
- - nngs.cosmic.org, port 9696 - compatible with most IGS clients.
- NHSE - No Name Go Server
- - nhse.org, port 9696 - compatible with most IGS clients. dead link 08 Aug 2007
AllFun? Go Server ( http://www.allfun.com/)
- English and Hebrew.
- Windows client was downloaded from the site.
- Client supported many other games including chess, 4-In-A-Row, checkers and many more.
- Free to use ( supported by ads ) dead link 02 Dec 2008
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New server ideas
The following are ideas for a new go servers that have not come to fruition yet
![[Welcome to Sensei's Library!]](images/stone-hello.png "Sensei's Library")
