GNU Go 3.4 released
GNU Go version 3.4 is out!
My dad taught me the rules of GO ( introduction here: http://www.well.com/user/mmcadams/gointro.html
) a long time ago and although I know how to play, I do not play often enough to get good. One of the reasons (excuses?) for why its been hard for me to get better has been a lack of GO players to hone my skill against. Fortunately, thanks to the folks at GNU there are now free GO programs that you can play against!Actually, I showed Dad Jago (the Java GO client) a while back when GNU GO was at version 3.2. I recently checked the site and the most recent version is 3.4 so its time to download, install and start playing again! If you’re on Windows, try this link: http://www.public32.com/games/go/ You’ll need to follow the links for Jago AND you’ll need a GO executable in order to play. If you’re using Mac OSX, a much slicker version (in my biased opinion) exists in Goban where a pre-compiled dmg is conveniently provided. So, if you’ve ever wondered how that game with little white and black stones is played, but didn’t know anybody who played - here’s a good way to investigate. Oh, and once you’ve got the hang of it, let me know when you want to catch a game as all versions of GNU GO are internet-ready over “internet Go-servers” (a lot like battlenet for all you Starcraft fans).
A description of the Internet GO server system can be found here: http://igs.joyjoy.net/English/sintro1.html
Comment posted on 8-8-2003
Another cool thing about Goban, or any of these GO games, is the ability to \"observe\" a game in progress over the internet. You load up the game, log onto the GO server as \"anonymous\" and see what games are going on. If some folks are playing, you can kick back and watch the game happen right on your screen as if the computer was playing against itself. Its a great way to learn how to play!
Comment posted on 8-9-2003
Two things: I found that the most recent build of Goban is still based on version 3.2 of GNU GO. There is source up on the site with 3.4, but I\’m not going to bother to try and compile it when there\’s a conveniently finished build already done for me! Secondly, with GNU Go\’s strength set on the recommended setting (not the highest), and with it giving me nine stones, I still lost by 13.5 stones. This was my first game in a while, but its obvious I need some more practice.
Comment posted on 8-15-2003
I signed up with a user name on the IGS internet Go servers so I am available to play anyone here who is interested, and while I was up in Vermont, I \"observed\" a lot of games between masters of the game (those with \’Dan\’ standing). To observe, you basically install a GO client and watch the stones being played on the screen on your board in real time. I played another full game against the ver 3.2 on my own machine and lost worse - by 24 stones.
Comment posted on 8-20-2003
I watched a cool game last night between two professional GO players in Japan using my GO client (Goban). I stayed up pretty late checking in on the progress until I finally checked out and went to sleep around 2:30am. The game in question is the fourth in a series of five for the Gosei title match. Here’s the official page with pictures of the two guys playing for the title here (in English). It was a narrow victory which tied up the series. The final game will be on August 27th in case you want to tune in to the final game.
In more GO news, Goban (Mac OSX Go client) is now available using the GNU GO 3.4 code in v55 so I can play against an even HARDER opponent (great.)
We had a little discussion during lunch at work today, the classic GO/chess argument. I found a pretty interesting article purportedly by Milton Bradley(?!) discussing and contrasting the two. I have never been any good at chess, and since I know the rules of GO and no-one else I know does, I can claim dominance in GO (except when my Dad is around)! I always think of Chess as a game-board metaphor for a battle or skirmish and GO as a microcosm for a land war. Folks who have played (and enjoyed) Warhammer fantasy battle might like Chess for the figures or GO for the terrain and deep strategy.
Comment posted on 8-26-2003
I tried to get my Dad into a game over the internet tonight but
he bowed out, so I logged into IGS and voila! The last game of the
GOSEI title was on. The winner of this match wins $70,000 dollars,
so they are sweating it out over there in Japan. Its fun watching
these matches with a running commentary from all others
watching it too…
A great GO site http://gobase.org/
Comment posted on 10-30-2004
I got an email today about a "Play by Vote" game that’ll be
wherein Panda
happening on Nov 2nd (coincidentally enough
members will be able to "vote" on the moves. ‘Play by committee’
so to speak. I will not be participating, but it might be fun to
watch. The GO clients mentioned in the parent story all have the
ability to "observe" games passively…
Comment posted on 3-5-2005
I just noticed that goban/" class="external">Goban 3.6 was released in January! I never grabbed it.
If you’re using Mac OSX, check it out. Either way, if you’re up for a
game, get registered at English/" class="external">igs.joyjoy.net so we can play!
Comment posted on 3-5-2005
This version of screenshots.html" class="external">Panda-glGo looks really good too though. I’ll
have to check this out sometime - it looks like you can view the table in
3D which should improve the experience for those purists out there.
Comment posted on 10-16-2007
glGo needs GNUgo if you want to play against the computer. I just downloaded it, configure / make, and pointed glGo to the location of gnugo executable and had a quick game. I got beat 91 to 24 but I made a whole mess of stupid mistakes, was rushing through the game. Next time I’ll try harder