Go Servers
There are many places on the Internet where one can play go. On real-time go servers both players play at the same time just like on a real goban while Play by Email and turn-based go servers allow to play asynchronously (usually at a far slower pace). For most real-time go servers a go client is necessary.
Sometime, connecting through firewalls might be of some use.
It appears that favourites are KGS, IGS, and DGS; however, all of the following servers have different features to recommend them. Pick your favourite!
The descriptions of the go servers are intentionally kept short; please discuss at /Discussion.
Go servers use most - but not all - rules of go. The rule sets used by servers are not identical with "official" rules.
Real-Time Go Servers
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Aurora - aurora.go.art.pl, port 9696
;
BadukWorld
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BKGo - A system that consists of:
- A server program which moderates the game and connects players together;
- A client program which allows a player to connect to a server.
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CTN - Windows-only proprietary client.
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CUGS - go-edu.net , port 9696 , no English interface?
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CWS - cws.weiqi.net , port 9696
- Cyberoro
- english.cyberoro.com, Korean Go Server with English interface.
- Dashn
- www.dashn.com, a Korean Go Server with English interface.
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Gaming Zone - Microsoft games server
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HelloBaduk.com - Korean site with a foreigner registration section, but no English section.
- IGS
- Internet Go Server , igs.joyjoy.net , port 6969 or port 7777
- KGS
- Kiseido Go Server : reputedly more friendly than most, but has a custom Java (and mobile-phone) client.
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Kurnik - Kurnik : A nice board and user-friendly interface with a plethora of features. No client required. 9 x 9 and 13 x 13 games quite popular here.
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LGS - The Legend Go Server, lgs.taiwango.net, port 9696 - compatible with most IGS clients.
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Lianzhong - Chinese Windows-only go server with no English interface.
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MSN's Gaming Zone - Go games at MSN Gaming Zone.
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My Baduk - A.k.a. "Koryo Baduk" ran by DPRK (North Korea) Lotto Venture. Used by the Koryo Baduk (Go) Association (A go association in North Korea). Has an English, Chinese, and Japanese section.
- Neostone
- Korean server. They currently have a section for Chinese-speaking players.
- NNGS
- No Name Go Server - nngs.cosmic.org, port 9696 - compatible with most IGS clients.
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Qingfeng - Huge Chinese internet go server, no English interface.
- Playray
- English Java-based WWW-server, just launched
- Tygem
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http://www.tygem.com/, Korean Go Server with no English interface.
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Tom, Big chinese go server with many strong players. Chinese language only.
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Wing - wing.gr.jp , port 1515 (Japan)
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WWGo - Japanese Go Server. Westerners should get the Associate membership.
- Yahoo
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Turn-Based Go Servers
see Turn-Based Go Servers
Play by email (PBEM) Go Servers
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Richard's PBeM Server - Quite good PBeM server, pretty easy to use. Supports different board sizes and 3- and 4-player games, but you have to count your score yourself. Hosts many other interesting games, too. Don't know about the level of play, however.