Life In 19x19 :: Anguish

Araban wrote:

Take a break.

Well, I actually just returned from a 13 day resting period.

...Doesn't help that I have ADHD-and I can't make sense of a lot of the information I read.

I know it's just a game, and more of a hobby, but I do harbor goals of reaching 1d before Christmas, and I doubt it will happen if I proceed as I am currently. Oh, and my family thinks I'm totally bonkers for spending so much time playing the game. Amusing.

Does anyone have any sort of advice that could perhaps help me, pardon the expression, "see the light" ?

Good advice so far, I have this to add:

During a game, try to acknowledge when your head becomes fuzzy (I bet you sometimes feel as if you're thinking a 1,000 thoughts at once but can't read out 3-4 moves of any sequence, right?). When that happens, take 30 seconds to a minute and just close your eyes and breathe. Don't think about the game--just breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth; relax your sholders and neck; stop bouncing your legs; stop squirming; and think only about breathing.

Then look at the board/screen without putting your hand in the bowl/on the mouse, and resume your game.

If you're looking for a Go book to start with, read First Kyu. If that doesn't put things in perspective, nothing will.

...I've been reading this Joseki Dictionary I have. It seems informative, but I'm not sure I really understand a good portion of it yet.

Author:	hailthorn011 [ Sun Jan 23, 2011 12:04 am ]
Post subject:	Anguish
I have officially reached rock bottom. I'm 3-10 in my last thirteen games, and 1-7 (Only win coming against a 23k) in my last eight. I don't put much emphasis on winning. I like to look at it as me still having a lot to learn a majority of the time, but now I can't even seem to get a quality win over a quality opponent. My playing stinks. My strategies are meager. And my brain is utterly frazzled. I just don't really know what to do. Recently I came across a large stock of books, but I don't really know where to start. When I do read it, it doesn't necessarily hold my attention-Doesn't help that I have ADHD-and I can't make sense of a lot of the information I read. I know it's just a game, and more of a hobby, but I do harbor goals of reaching 1d before Christmas, and I doubt it will happen if I proceed as I am currently. Oh, and my family thinks I'm totally bonkers for spending so much time playing the game. Amusing. Does anyone have any sort of advice that could perhaps help me, pardon the expression, "see the light" ?

Author:	Solomon [ Sun Jan 23, 2011 12:08 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Anguish
Take a break.

Author:	hailthorn011 [ Sun Jan 23, 2011 12:17 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Anguish
Araban wrote: Take a break. Well, I actually just returned from a 13 day resting period.

Author:	Solomon [ Sun Jan 23, 2011 12:21 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Anguish
hailthorn011 wrote: Araban wrote: Take a break. Well, I actually just returned from a 13 day resting period. I mean just a few hours, take your mind off the game and then come back. 13 days is pretty long, and your losses could just be you trying to get back into the groove.

Author:	Stable [ Sun Jan 23, 2011 4:19 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Anguish
Perhaps you're about to improve. It's pretty common to feel massively disenchanted about your skill level just before you get better for a few reasons. The common ones mentioned are that you lose a lot while new concepts work their way in but are not refined enough to exucute properly, or that you can see your mistakes all the more clearly due to new knowledge, but can't apply that knowledge yet before the fact to prevent those mistakes. Perhaps losing a lot is an amazing trigger to improve. Either way, don't worry, be happy and I guarantee you'll come out of it. (Don't worry be happy don't worry... Reggae advice ftw!)

Life In 19x19 http://www.lifein19x19.com/

Anguish http://www.lifein19x19.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2990	Page 1 of 1

Author:	daal [ Sun Jan 23, 2011 5:25 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Anguish
hailthorn011 wrote: ...Doesn't help that I have ADHD-and I can't make sense of a lot of the information I read. I know it's just a game, and more of a hobby, but I do harbor goals of reaching 1d before Christmas, and I doubt it will happen if I proceed as I am currently. Oh, and my family thinks I'm totally bonkers for spending so much time playing the game. Amusing. Does anyone have any sort of advice that could perhaps help me, pardon the expression, "see the light" ? You seem to be putting too much pressure on yourself unduly. First of all, drop the "1d before Christmas" shtick. Second, if you have trouble keeping your attention on one thing, then acknowledge that you are at a disadvantage, and that go is an excellent opportunity for you to improve this skill. (Something your family might appreciate). One idea would be to play more 13x13 games and gradually train yourself to concentrate for a longer period of time. Here's a quote that you might find useful from the KGS info of one of my opponents in the ASR League, blackmoa: Don't get shaken. Don't drop your guard. Stay fully alert. Don't get distracted for a single moment. Otherwise your head will be rolling to my feet.

Author:	cdybeijing [ Sun Jan 23, 2011 7:44 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Anguish
Do you know why you lost each one of those games?

Author:	xed_over [ Sun Jan 23, 2011 10:22 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Anguish
see the "help sort my head out" thread in the beginners section viewtopic.php?f=11&t=2983

Author:	AlGebr [ Sun Jan 23, 2011 11:12 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Anguish
I think that a book can't help here, most of them aren't a guide for a beginner. But, I think you are making too many typical mistakes, so a review(even by yourself) is very helpful for you.

Author:	vash3g [ Mon Jan 24, 2011 12:19 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Anguish
I've taken breaks up to a month and a half before before playing again. Sometimes i would still go to club to hang out and other times i would not go at all. Breaks are good, sometimes 13 days is not enough....

Author:	judicata [ Mon Jan 24, 2011 4:22 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Anguish
Good advice so far, I have this to add: During a game, try to acknowledge when your head becomes fuzzy (I bet you sometimes feel as if you're thinking a 1,000 thoughts at once but can't read out 3-4 moves of any sequence, right?). When that happens, take 30 seconds to a minute and just close your eyes and breathe. Don't think about the game--just breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth; relax your sholders and neck; stop bouncing your legs; stop squirming; and think only about breathing. Then look at the board/screen without putting your hand in the bowl/on the mouse, and resume your game.

Author:	Redbeard [ Mon Jan 24, 2011 5:49 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Anguish
If you're looking for a Go book to start with, read First Kyu. If that doesn't put things in perspective, nothing will.

Author:	hailthorn011 [ Tue Jan 25, 2011 2:10 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Anguish
judicata wrote: Good advice so far, I have this to add: During a game, try to acknowledge when your head becomes fuzzy (I bet you sometimes feel as if you're thinking a 1,000 thoughts at once but can't read out 3-4 moves of any sequence, right?). When that happens, take 30 seconds to a minute and just close your eyes and breathe. Don't think about the game--just breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth; relax your sholders and neck; stop bouncing your legs; stop squirming; and think only about breathing. Then look at the board/screen without putting your hand in the bowl/on the mouse, and resume your game. This seems like sound advice. I'll definitely try it.

Author:	hailthorn011 [ Tue Jan 25, 2011 2:13 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Anguish
Redbeard wrote: If you're looking for a Go book to start with, read First Kyu. If that doesn't put things in perspective, nothing will. Hm, I'll have to look into getting that one. I've been reading this Joseki Dictionary I have. It seems informative, but I'm not sure I really understand a good portion of it yet.

Author:	daniel_the_smith [ Tue Jan 25, 2011 2:15 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Anguish
At 12k I think you need problem books, not joseki dictionaries. I did Graded Go Problems for Beginners vol. III at 12k and ended up 8k.

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Author:	judicata [ Tue Jan 25, 2011 3:21 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Anguish
hailthorn011 wrote: ...I've been reading this Joseki Dictionary I have. It seems informative, but I'm not sure I really understand a good portion of it yet. Ah ha! The reason you're losing . Seriously though, studying tesuji and life & death problems will by far help you improve the most right now. I suspect you can reach dan level without studying fuseki or joseki at all, but at some point it is helpful. That said, learning joseki can teach you other things (e.g. good shape, efficiency), so it isn't a bad idea. Just at your level it will do almost nothing compared to tesuji and life & death. For the opening, at most right now you could read Opening Theory Made Easy, or In the Beginning. Later, if you really want to study joseki, 38 Basic Joseki is a good introduction, and it teaches good concepts. As others have suggested, if you just have fun studying joseki, by all means do so. You should be having fun. My book recommendations for you: Graded Go Problems for Beginners Volume II Get Strong at Tesuji - The problems are ranked 1-3 stars. Try the 1-star problems. Tesuji by James Davies - Honestly, you will find this book too hard, but reading it will help you improve. Just read the text and the examples, but don't do the problem sets yet; save them for later. If you think it will just discourage you, then save this until you're 8 kyu. It will still be hard.