Tobamf
About
My real name is Micha Pringle and I live in Vancouver, BC in Canada. My fascination with Go is largely due to the enjoyment I get when watching high level players play. I have played mostly on KGS, but I have also tried IGS, Tom Go Server and wBaduk. On KGS, I play using the accounts Tobamf, LeeHungLo and Account. I have also watched under my humor accounts ChoChicken and SmellMyBum. The KGS admins didn't appreciate the latter account.
I am the creator and co-author of the TiTsShu humor page and the KGS Rooms / Van Go Room, a page designed to help Vancouver Go Players access clubs in Vancouver. I also improved the instructions for Tom Go Server, when I set up my own account there. I am currently the assistant manager of The Vancouver Go Meetup Group.
KGS History
I signed up on KGS on Oct 3 2002, and started playing Go regularly on Oct 4 2002, as Tobamf. Prior to this, I had played a handful on 9x9's at Simon Fraser University, where I first learned of the game. I have laid out my Go progression here for the Tobamf account. For clarity, I have limited my ? ranks to my first ? rank, and my first numbered ? rank received. All other ranks reflect the first date I acheived the rank specified.
Date | Rank | Days | Ranked | All | All | | Played | Games | 19x19's | Games | | | Played | Played | Played ----------------+--------+--------+--------+---------+-------- Oct 4, 2002 | [?] | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 Oct 5, 2002 | [26k?] | 2 | 2 | 5 | 13 Oct 22, 2002 | [28k] | | | | Oct 29, 2002 | [27k] | | | | Nov 1, 2002 | [26k] | | | | Nov 7, 2002 | [25k] | 35 | 30 | 63 | 122 Nov 11, 2002 | [24k] | | | | Nov 26, 2002 | [23k] | | | | Dec 2, 2002 | [22k] | | | | Dec 12, 2002 | [21k] | | | | Dec 25, 2002 | [20k] | 83 | 48 | 91 | 242 Jan 1, 2003 | [19k] | | | | Jan 17, 2003 | [18k] | | | | Feb 6, 2003 | [17k] | | | | Feb 26, 2003 | [16k] | | | | Mar 27, 2003 | [15k] | 175 | 97 | 193 | 533 Apr 4, 2003 | [16k] | | | | Apr 5, 2003 | [15k] | | | | Apr 23, 2003 | [14k] | | | | May 12, 2003 | [13k] | | | | May 29, 2003 | [12k] | | | | May 31, 2003 | [11k] | | | | Jun 18, 2003 | [10k] | 258 | 119 | 283 | 694 Oct 6, 2003 | [9k] | 368 | 176 | 396 | 860 Dec 4, 2003 | [8k] | 427 | 177 | 420 | 922 Apr 24, 2004 | [7k] | 568 | 205 | 518 | 1102 May 27, 2004 | [6k] | 602 | 208 | 529 | 1119
Games of Interest
- First game on KGS A 9x9 - I lost by 15.5 points.
- Worst loss A 19x19 - I lost by 354.5 points
- Best win A 19x19 - I won by resignation in an even game against a 2d. I was lucky.
Fundamental questions to ask at every move
1 Do I need to defend? (not complete, running and moving into the centre need to be added)
- If yes, then can I defend by capturing or chasing?
- If I can defend by capturing, then:
- Is the capture the firmest most efficient move?
- If yes, then capture the group.
- If no, then go to defend by chasing.
- Is the capture the firmest most efficient move?
- If I can defend by chasing, then:
- Is the chase the firmest most efficient move?
- If yes, then chase the group.
- Is the chase the firmest most efficient move?
- If I can defend by capturing, then:
- Otherwise, defend your group locally with the firmest, most efficient move.
2 What big move is available? (especially the opening)
- Is there something I need to respond to, that is too good to pass up? (i.e. I have a wall and can use it to attack or extend from).
- If yes, play the move.
- Is my corner stone approached? (i.e. 3-3, 4-4 points)
- If yes, start again at question 1, with defend = yes.
- Is there an empty corner?
- If yes, play the empty corner.
- Is there an unfinished corner of my own? (i.e. single stones on the 3-4, 3-5 and 5-4 are unfinished corners)
- If yes, finish the empty corner.
- Is there a 2 stone unfinished joseki in the corner that is to your advantage? (i.e. 1 stone of yours, 1 of the opponents, and you have sente to play there)
- If yes, play in that corner.
- Is there an approach available to an opponent's corner?
- If yes, approach the corner.
- Is there a large move on the side?
- If yes, play the move on the side.
- Is there a large move in the centre?
- If yes, play the move in the centre.