The First Move

There are approximately 11,486 websites that can tell you what Go is. There is a horde of players that can tell you why they play. There are professionals to teach, comment and compete. So why does there need to be another inarticulate blog about Go?

1) Despite the game's popularity, there is only a handful of blogs that take the time to plot out relevant, coherent thoughts.

2) You can never have too many blogs about Go.

3) People love to be voyeurs.

Number three is the hook for this blog. See, the thing is, I'm a beginner. An absolute beginner. I'm not even a neophyte. The proper term for my level of experience is "Inept" or alternatively "Primordial". This means that as my playing skills develop, and note that this is a mighty big conditional, then my blog can parallel the development, tracing the steps from my fledgling mewling and puking all the way to the sagacious master, complete with creepy cackle and a fondness for hard liquor.

Where am I in the vast landscape of Go? I've read two beginner books, played approximately seven games on various internet servers, most of then 9x9, read a great deal from other bloggers, and watched the entire Hikaru no Go series. So, I may not be entirely new, but can say I am still rather, very, severely new. I want this blog to be a record of my performance. It will force me to reflect on my multifarious mistakes and errors. Book reviews, commentary and poorly thought out musings will also make appearances here. In fact, this blog will be like every other blog on the internet, except the focus will remain solidly on Go.

I turn to ChiyoDad as a guiding model. His maturity and etiquette are rare qualities these days, but he expresses them in abundance. His acumen for the game is exceptional, and the general quality of his work, including the whimsical sketches of the star-shaped Chiyo are a breath of fresh air in a game whose seriousness can often be stifling.

That's enough blathering for now. Let the games begin!