First Steps After Learning the Rules of Go

This section is about what to do after learning the rules of Go: how to improve, where to play, etc.

• Get a Go set.
  • There are many types of Go sets out there - see my Go equipment page for several options.
  • Buy a cheap one first - you'll always find use for it as a spare set if you decide later to buy fancier one.
  • Technically you don't need a Go set to start with nowadays, because you can play Go on the internet...
  • ... but it is so much better to play with a friend on a real board!
• Follow the online "The Interactive Way To Go" tutorial.
  
• Join at least one Go community - it is good to be among other Go enthusiasts.
  • Find out if you can join some local Go club in the area you live in - if you are in a big city you are most likely in luck.
  • Join some online Go forum - the best I know of is GoDiscussions.com.
  • Join some online Go server.
  • You can also play Go against the computer - but it is better to play against real people.

• Play several tens of games with another beginner - before reading Go books.
  • Just concentrate on capturing stones: whoever captures the first stone wins - this is called "Capture Go (or Atari Go)".
  • Teach the rules to a friend, or a family member, or a coworker - and play a lot of "capture Go".
  • In case you cannot find someone to play with, play with my Java applet until you are confident you can defeat it.
• Read the "Lessons in the fundamentals of Go" book.
  • It provides a lot of very useful information about Go: fundamental tactical and strategical concepts, how to study, and many interesting things about the professional Go world.
  • I wrote a detailed review of this book in the articles section.
  • You'll find yourself wanting to read this book again at again at various points in your Go career - so don't be disappointed if many things don't make sense at the first lecture.
  
• Follow my "how to improve" list.
  
• Check the list of books I recommend - some of which I consider "must reads". You can also have a look at an extended list of Go books for more choices.