![[Welcome to Sensei's Library!]](images/stone-hello.png "Sensei's Library")
The idea of playing a lot as a beginner in order to "drown" the principles deep into ones brain is a correct one in my opinion, however... If your first few 9x9s get a good "review" (even by a player 2 ranks above) and do some elementary problems, it's unlikely you'd keep on losing that many games vs absolute beginners who don't. In fact I believe such a player would have a relatively high win-loss ratio at least at first. Either way, don't you think that "losing your 50 first games" is a pessimistic approach for anybody with at least some minimal desire to learn? I'd also say that "getting away with your 50 first games" is also a bad idea - It's a really important time in my opinion to set a good pace (as it's most likely will only slow down[1];)...
[1] Although the learning curve is probably a bit slow at the start for most people... But maybe it's this (natural) approach that is at fault? I mean in my experience noticing atari doesn't take 50 games...
I this is a Western proverb. Any know its origin?
Karl Knechtel: I understand this as meant to (a) instill a certain beneficial humility, and (b) encourage to student to practice (i.e. no problem if you lose; you are getting stronger anyway just by trying). I often tell beginners after a lesson something along the lines of "ack, I'm keeping you back from playing more games, get out there!"
Anyway, I don't know if it's a Western proverb, but it seems to be quoted by Eastern authorities pretty commonly. Just the general impression I get, anyway.