<p>Only one advice: <em>Play on small boards !</em></p>

<p>Just start by understanding a "simplified-but-faithful" formulation of the rules, like <a href="http://senseis.xmp.net/?StrasbourgRules">Strasbourg Rules</a>, and then practice with a partner (either a beginner or an experienced player) <em>on a 5x5 board</em>.</p>

<p>Once you both feel too cramped on 5x5 (typically after 5 to 10 games) then move to 7x7, and so on.</p>

<p>Only after quite a long time does it become enjoyable to play on 19x19. Don't try it too soon, or you'll be disoriented by the many possibilities and loose interest in the game.</p>

CC BY-SA 2.5
2011-01-30T00:42:54.390Z
2011-01-30T00:42:54.390Z
Gyom
<p><a href="http://playgo.to/iwtg/">The interactive way to Go</a>. It is only rudiments, but helpful at the beginning.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-12-08T16:50:13.847Z
This is so far the best tutorial I've seen on Go. I learned Go this way and found it really easy and fun, and concise and fast as well.
mafu
CC BY-SA 2.5
2010-10-19T21:09:47.213Z
2010-10-19T21:09:47.213Z
Pawka
<p><a href="http://gogrinder.sourceforge.net/" rel="nofollow">GoGrinder</a> is a free desktop program for practicing Go problems.  There's also a (paid) version of <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gogrinder/id391100440?mt=8" rel="nofollow">GoGrinder for iPhone</a> on iTunes.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-04-08T01:54:06.853Z
2011-04-08T02:00:41.170Z
2011-04-08T02:00:41.170Z
Bill the Lizard
<p><strong>Mac Software</strong>. It hasn't been updated in a while, and I have no idea if they're interested in porting it to iOS, but a company in Switzerland called Sente have produced a <em>very</em> nice, and free, Go client for OSX called <a href="http://www.sente.ch/software/goban/" rel="nofollow">Goban</a> (and it still works on Snow Leopard, despite not having updates since 2006). It lets you play against the Gnu-Go program (which it bundles), and it lets you connect to internet Go servers that support Go Modem and Go Text protocols. How good you think the opposing play AI is, well, I'm not sure an experienced Go player would appreciate it, but I sure do as a learner.</p>

<p>At one point, I was able to download and compile up a simple Go Server for OSX on my own, so I could host my own Go Server and then people at my workplace could connect to it and we could play games over our intranet, but I wouldn't recommend that for the non-technical.</p>

<p><strong>Books</strong>. <a href="http://www.kiseido.com/go_books.htm" rel="nofollow">Kiseido</a> publishes a series of books on Go, in English. I have K31 ("The Second Book of Go"), which I thought was quite useful, and most of the Elementary Go Series (K10-K15), and, again, I found them quite useful. K31 says that it assumes that "you're new to the game, but you've already read a newbie intro book on Go", but I didn't think it was necessary. Once you know the rules, I thought that K31 was a perfectly fine place to start your studies.</p>

<p>I don't consider myself anything more than a beginner, and I also am not the sort of person who enjoys reading series of problems and such, so I haven't progressed past these books from Kiseido, but they do offer a whole raft of books for players of all skill levels (ostensibly).</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-04-08T14:15:24.350Z
2011-04-08T14:15:24.350Z
Viktor Haag
<p>Start by playing with "strong" (or at least stronger) players if you can. You'll get whipped, but at least you'll learn some of their "typical" moves.</p>

<p>After you have served an "apprenticeship," then look for opponents close to your own strength. Try to beat them with the techniques you have learned from others. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-06-04T19:45:57.450Z
2011-06-04T19:45:57.450Z
Tom Au
<p>My website at www.telgo.com is intended for players who have learned the basic rules, but don’t know where to go next. The site has been active for many years, and I have had many kind comments. Take a look.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-27T13:09:34.900Z
I may have offended some people (-2?),  though I would point out that I have never had any commercial interest in making this site available.
Tel Monks
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-16T18:00:44.493Z
why the downvotes? that site is not commercial and has some interesting stuff for a beginner like me
Thomas
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-24T02:26:03.117Z
2019-06-24T02:26:03.117Z
Tel Monks
<p>Once you have learned some basic strategy, the best way to learn is to play.  If you don't have a friend or neighbor to play with, then I highly recommend the American Go Association.  They have a great <a href="http://www.usgo.org/resources/index.html">resources page</a>, links to clubs, books and <a href="http://www.usgo.org/resources/computer.html#teaches">teaching software</a>. </p>

<p>The AGA maintains a list of <a href="http://www.usgo.org/resources/servers.html">Internet Go Servers</a> for on-line play, including some turn-based servers.  Turn-based servers are good for beginners because there is no pressure to move quickly — you play via email.  The <a href="http://www.dragongoserver.net/">Dragon Go Server</a> is dedicated to Go.  </p>

<p>The great thing about Go is that it is easy to handicap.  You and a much more accomplished player can both enjoy a game together, you just have to handicap the expert player.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2010-10-20T00:07:21.030Z
2011-04-08T11:41:42.917Z
2011-04-08T11:41:42.917Z
DaveParillo
<p>I am a beginner at this great game, and I would like to improve my skills at the game of Go. What resources would you recommend?</p>

CC BY-SA 2.5
2010-10-22T15:03:38.497Z
@Seth Most traditional games don't need to be uppercase; chess, backgammon, poker are all OK in lowercase. However, because "go" is a common English word on its own, to distinguish the game, it's usually written in uppercase. Just thought I'd clarify why we do that, and that it doesn't apply to other traditional games.
Brian Campbell
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-09-04T09:26:21.643Z
I recommend these great [iOS or Android applications](http://www.smartgo.com)
TecHunter
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-28T04:31:06.950Z
@TecHunter Those applications are iOS only (and Windows/OSX).
Sparhawk
<go>
What do you recommend to learn Go?
Daniel Rodriguez
# What do you recommend to learn Go?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2010-10-19)

I am a beginner at this great game, and I would like to improve my skills at the game of Go. What resources would you recommend?

**Tags:** go

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: @Seth Most traditional games don't need to be uppercase; chess, backgammon, poker are all OK in lowercase. However, because "go" is a common English word on its own, to distinguish the game, it's usually written in uppercase. Just thought I'd clarify why we do that, and that it doesn't apply to other traditional games.  
> **username_2**: I recommend these great [iOS or Android applications](http://www.smartgo.com)  
> **username_3**: @username_2 Those applications are iOS only (and Windows/OSX).  

---

## 7 answers

### Answer by username_12 on 2010-10-20. Score: 17 | Accepted answer

Once you have learned some basic strategy, the best way to learn is to play. If you don't have a friend or neighbor to play with, then I highly recommend the American Go Association. They have a great [resources page](http://www.usgo.org/resources/index.html), links to clubs, books and [teaching software](http://www.usgo.org/resources/computer.html#teaches).

The AGA maintains a list of [Internet Go Servers](http://www.usgo.org/resources/servers.html) for on-line play, including some turn-based servers. Turn-based servers are good for beginners because there is no pressure to move quickly — you play via email. The [Dragon Go Server](http://www.dragongoserver.net/) is dedicated to Go.

The great thing about Go is that it is easy to handicap. You and a much more accomplished player can both enjoy a game together, you just have to handicap the expert player.


---

### Answer by username_5 on 2010-10-19. Score: 12

[The interactive way to Go](http://playgo.to/iwtg/). It is only rudiments, but helpful at the beginning.

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: This is so far the best tutorial I've seen on Go. I learned Go this way and found it really easy and fun, and concise and fast as well.  

---

### Answer by username_4 on 2011-01-30. Score: 11

Only one advice: *Play on small boards !*

Just start by understanding a "simplified-but-faithful" formulation of the rules, like [Strasbourg Rules](http://senseis.xmp.net/?StrasbourgRules), and then practice with a partner (either a beginner or an experienced player) *on a 5x5 board*.

Once you both feel too cramped on 5x5 (typically after 5 to 10 games) then move to 7x7, and so on.

Only after quite a long time does it become enjoyable to play on 19x19. Don't try it too soon, or you'll be disoriented by the many possibilities and loose interest in the game.


---

### Answer by username_7 on 2011-04-08. Score: 3

[GoGrinder](http://gogrinder.sourceforge.net/) is a free desktop program for practicing Go problems. There's also a (paid) version of [GoGrinder for iPhone](http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gogrinder/id391100440?mt=8) on iTunes.


---

### Answer by username_8 on 2011-04-08. Score: 3

**Mac Software**. It hasn't been updated in a while, and I have no idea if they're interested in porting it to iOS, but a company in Switzerland called Sente have produced a *very* nice, and free, Go client for OSX called [Goban](http://www.sente.ch/software/goban/) (and it still works on Snow Leopard, despite not having updates since 2006). It lets you play against the Gnu-Go program (which it bundles), and it lets you connect to internet Go servers that support Go Modem and Go Text protocols. How good you think the opposing play AI is, well, I'm not sure an experienced Go player would appreciate it, but I sure do as a learner.

At one point, I was able to download and compile up a simple Go Server for OSX on my own, so I could host my own Go Server and then people at my workplace could connect to it and we could play games over our intranet, but I wouldn't recommend that for the non-technical.

**Books**. [Kiseido](http://www.kiseido.com/go_books.htm) publishes a series of books on Go, in English. I have K31 ("The Second Book of Go"), which I thought was quite useful, and most of the Elementary Go Series (K10-K15), and, again, I found them quite useful. K31 says that it assumes that "you're new to the game, but you've already read a newbie intro book on Go", but I didn't think it was necessary. Once you know the rules, I thought that K31 was a perfectly fine place to start your studies.

I don't consider myself anything more than a beginner, and I also am not the sort of person who enjoys reading series of problems and such, so I haven't progressed past these books from Kiseido, but they do offer a whole raft of books for players of all skill levels (ostensibly).


---

### Answer by username_9 on 2011-06-04. Score: 2

Start by playing with "strong" (or at least stronger) players if you can. You'll get whipped, but at least you'll learn some of their "typical" moves.

After you have served an "apprenticeship," then look for opponents close to your own strength. Try to beat them with the techniques you have learned from others.


---

### Answer by username_10 on 2019-06-24. Score: -1

My website at www.telgo.com is intended for players who have learned the basic rules, but don’t know where to go next. The site has been active for many years, and I have had many kind comments. Take a look.

> **Comments:**
> **username_10**: I may have offended some people (-2?),  though I would point out that I have never had any commercial interest in making this site available.  
> **username_11**: why the downvotes? that site is not commercial and has some interesting stuff for a beginner like me  

---

