I’m a 40-something go player who has had a fascination with strategy games and wargames from an early age. I toyed with chess and a wide-variety of historically-themed board games (Oh yeah, and of course I played Risk!). Maybe 25 years ago, I bought my first go set. It was an Avalon Hill box game with a plastic board and horrible plastic stones. I opened it read the rules and proceeded to play a game against myself by lining up all the stones and trying to capture some territory. With no interested opponents, I shelved go for another 10 years.
After moving to Colorado Springs, Colorado in the early 1990′s I happened into a local game store and saw an ad for a go club in town. I had always wanted to learn this game so I showed up and one of the stronger players patiently helped me understand the concept of how the game was really played. Wow! I knew it was going to be cool from that point forward.
I met a friend (Korey from some of my posts) that night. We lived on the same side of town and thought it would be fun to play when we couldn’t get to the club nights. Korey and I still play and even though I don’t get to the club as often as I would like, I still participate when I can.
I’ve managed to make it to the single-digit kyu ranks and could be depressed when I read about guys picking the game up and making shodan in 18 months. But, you know, go really is like life and I’m in my middle game right now folks. There’s a lot going on. let’s just say that I’m more at peace now with my progress or lack there of than ever before.
That doesn’t mean I don’t want to get stronger. Hey, this blog is part of my effort to continue my progress. I’ve read books, played games (though not nearly enough) and even taken lessons from a 6 dan. All have helped me play stronger and more importantly enjoy the game more and more and more. I’m looking forward to more games, more books, lessons, reviews, defeats, victories, calluses, whatever!
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I think your justification is more than you need, and I have no problems with your nickname nor its etymology. As you say, there are causes worth fighting for, and other people’s online aliases don’t get very high up on the list!
Keep up the great vids :)
Comment by Graham (topazg) April 9, 2009 @ 11:54