ChiyoDad
Beginner (but now with a couple of mentors on KGS). You can find me under this login name on almost any major Go server that has an English interface. I reside in the San Francisco Bay Area.
I recommend Skype for internet telephony to discuss Go. The software works works well with connections as slow as 33.6Kbps and is available for Windows, OS X, and Linux.
Skype ID: chiyodad
JOURNALS AND SITES
ChiyoDad Learns Go
Beginners, you're not alone. I took my first serious step to learn Go just on June 1st of 2005. This blog tracks my efforts and misadventures in the process. It's also meant to be a learner's resource so I have provided links to those sites that I have found useful as well as commentaries and suggestions on whatever learning materials I get my hands on.
Drop by! Discuss, laugh and learn with me.
COMMENTS
Tamsin: Hi ChiyoDad, and welcome to the world of go. I've just been reading your journal and I really like it. It's got interesting pics and useful links. Please continue taking a lot of fun and satisfaction from the game!
ChiyoDad: Many thanks for the kind compliments and warm welcome Tamsin!
Velobici: Looking at the list of books you are considering, Graded Go Problems for Beginners is a wonderful set of four books. They start very easy and progress nicely. You can expect a lot of growth in your reading from solving the problems in these books. Reading is critical. The best strategic moves can be rendered worthless, if they are not backed up by reading that allows you to punish unreasonable responses. It is worthwhile to do the books several times over.
ChiyoDad: That's a very helpful page that you have. Thanks for posting your recommendation and introducing me to your resources in the process. I've acquired the first volume of Graded Go Problems for Beginners and will be using it in my training regimen. Any suggestions on how best to use the book? Perhaps 3-5 pages a day or some disciplined approach like that?
Velobici: Well, the most important thing is to enjoy the problems. Enjoy as in feel good about doing them and feel that you are learning over time. You could do a certain number of problems a day or spend a certain about of time each day doing problems.
You should supplement problem solving with reading some books that will give you strategic view of the board. In the Beginning or Opening Theory Made Easy are two books that are both approachable and deep. You will benefit from reading either one and will benefit from re-reading when you are stronger.
ChiyoDad: Thanks! I've put in an order for In the Beginning and will probably add Opening Theory Made Easy to my library in the future.