Can an old guy find happiness at Go?

[psk31]

Hello Everyone,

Name here is Robert. So what happens when a 50-something year old man discovers Go? I also had been lurker at GD and finally decided to sign up when everything blew up. So thanks to all for getting this up and running so quickly.

So I recently discovered this game and have completed the interactive way to go, I got Peter Shotwell's Go, More than a Game, working problems on goproblems.com, and recently got brave enough to sign up on DGS and KGS. And yes those ratings on my profile are my ratings. I think the term rank beginner applies here.

Same id on DGS and KGS. Oh the userid is from another hobby of mine, I quickly ran out of the limited anime and game characters that I knew. But I did identify with Auron for the avatar. At least here was a character that had as much grey hair as I do

Robert

[Chew Terr]

Hey, nice to meet ya. If you're intrigued by the game now, you're in the right place. You're surrounded by a bunch of addicts. =)

[xed_over]

there's a few other oldtimers here too. I first learned the about 8 years ago, and I've made it to about 6kyu so far (plus or minus a stone or two).

I know others as old or older than me who are also new to the game. Some pick it up rather quickly, others not so quickly. Don't worry about your progress, just enjoy the ride.

[Solomon]

Maybe you're not old at all, as Ben Franklin did say “We do not stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing!” . Welcome!

[Nikolas73]

Oh the userid is from another hobby of mine...

Ah, I'm glad to see another Ham on the boards!
Welcome

(sorry, this won't make a lot of sense if your name refers to something other than what I'm thinking of...)

[daal]

You bet, Robert!
Go is a great game at all levels, and if you enjoy it, it's a wonderful opportunity to rewire a few neurons. Have fun - and don't think those kids are beating you because you think like a dinosaur: all beginners get stomped. Welcome!

[Chew Terr]

Have fun - and don't think those kids are beating you because you think like a dinosaur: all beginners get stomped.

What's wrong with thinking like a dinosnore? =D

[mdobbins]

Have fun - and don't think those kids are beating you because you think like a dinosaur: all beginners get stomped.

What's wrong with thinking like a dinosnore? =D

dinosnore = old and asleep. It is hard to think while you are asleep. Although I do have go dreams....

[psk31]

Thanks everyone for the remarks. And yes Nikolas, another ham in the group.

At least right now playing online I don't really have to worry that the opponent who is crushing me could be a 10 year old somewhere. But I've been following the boards long enough to know I get to lose a lot at first so no worries.

Looking forward to taking the long journey and giving the brain cells something else to think about.

Robert

[daniel_the_smith]

Yeah, there's a guy at my club that started around that age and he's 5k now a number of years later.

[Redbeard]

At least right now playing online I don't really have to worry that the opponent who is crushing me could be a 10 year old somewhere.

This picture was taken at the 2009 US Go Congress. I think it typifies everything I love about playing Go, and that it doesn't matter what age you are when you sit down at the go board.



(Notice that the kid is playing white )

[Mosdefgo]

If you like to be grumpy or even have to occasional grumpieness then might I suggest that you join the "Grumpy Old Men Group".

[mdobbins]

At least right now playing online I don't really have to worry that the opponent who is crushing me could be a 10 year old somewhere.

This picture was taken at the 2009 US Go Congress. I think it typifies everything I love about playing Go, and that it doesn't matter what age you are when you sit down at the go board.



(Notice that the kid is playing white )

Awesome

I love playing kids, sometimes you can actually see them getting better through out a single game.

[Andreas]

Finding happiness at go depends on what You want: If You want to compete at top level, 50 might be a bit late. But go is also nice for socializing and casual play, Ive never felt unwelcome when I went into a Go club in a place Ive never been before. This is especially true for countries where go players are rather rare, theyre happy about every new face.

In Japan, its mostly older people who play go, some of them started to play regularly only after their retirement. They say its keeping your mind busy and thus prevents dementia. So its not uncommon to find regular players 70+ years old but still at kyu level.

Happiness can also come from participation in club activities: Here in Germany, there are several (a lot of?) go players who are not particularly strong, but widely respected for promoting youth go, organizing tournaments or voluntary work in the German go federation.

[ketchup]

Just a heads up, there is a room for 50+ people on KGS. Rooms -> Room List -> Social -> 50+. There are great people there who are also relatively active all across KGS. Welcome to the forums!(and KGS?)