AlphaGo Surge

[jeromie]

Bruce, did you see any increased attendance at the go club on Sunday? My attendance is as spotty as usual, but I'm hoping at least a few new players from the Denver area were drawn in.

I did end up having a conversation with a couple of people from my church about the match, one of whom had played the game long ago. We agreed that we'd get together and play sometime, so that might be one new-ish player!

[Boidhre]

Two players who hadn't shown up in a few years turned up on Sunday. That was nice, we're a tiny club. No interest from new people though.

[Calvin Clark]

I forget where and when I heard this quote but it went along the lines of what the world needs is a million new 30KYU players. Does someone know the exact quote?

If lots of people went out and bought some starter sets then that's great! Hopefully we'll see them in the beginners section soon?

I've heard Terry Benson, AGF President, say this in person, though I don't know if he's the first. I think he means in the U.S. alone, though, and maybe it was 2 million. Ambitious. I agree, though. If we have a couple million 30kyus then a decade later we won't have to worry about having enough 7-dans for the pro qualifier. As it is, I'm concerned things will get a little thin. I know that if they starting tapping me on the shoulder, we're in trouble.

[BaghwanB]

Bruce, did you see any increased attendance at the go club on Sunday? My attendance is as spotty as usual, but I'm hoping at least a few new players from the Denver area were drawn in.

I did end up having a conversation with a couple of people from my church about the match, one of whom had played the game long ago. We agreed that we'd get together and play sometime, so that might be one new-ish player!

Not much compared to the "buzz". 1 player returned after a few years absence. Other than that, just regulars.

Oh, well. If I judged myself by club attendance, I would have stopped it 5 years ago.

Bruce "Kid-sized club" Young