So I purchased Boardz for Iphone. Its interesting because it allows you to play go, chess, shogi, and xiangqi. It runs as a turn-based service like DGS. The only down side I see is that it looks like you can either play a "random" opponent or an opponent whos username or email you know. There doesn't seem to be a user list or chat feature. It also lacks a rating system. So the random opponent you get might be anywhere from 30k or 9D. I haven't actually made a move yet on the go board since both games I have started I am white and waiting on black so I will get back to you guys on the board features/interface. I am hoping its programmed with the zoom function like tetsuki.

Overall thoughts so far... Good if you know the people you will be playing... that is if the interface turns out ok(chess interface seem fine). Otherwise for a turnbased game, you might just be better of on DGS for now.

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Downloaded this and I've been waiting for another play for an entire day now .

Whats your user name? I'll play you a game.

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Have you tried SmartGo Pro? I highly recommend it.

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be immersed

i have smartgo pro too!! however, smartgo doesnt let you play people over the net...

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Yeah, that's true. It's the only paid app I have so far. You can get on IGS, though, with the free tetsuki app... Although, Boardz may be better in that regard :-p

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be immersed

I have tetsuki too i also have igowin life and igowin joseki.

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Yep, you have more than me

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Sure. I guess I'm around 13 kyu, but I guess we can't do a handicap (unless you want to pass I guess). I don't really care. I'm "judicata" on there as well.

Someone accepted a game, but he opened with the 4-10 point as W, so I'm a bit skeptical...

as far as i know, boardz doesnt allow handicaps.... so i will go white...

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I meant to add that I have smartgo pro, tetsuki, and igowin life. I think I have one or two other apps as well, but those are the ones I use. It looks like igowin life has a lot of, ahem, similarities to graded go problems for beginners.

Also, I don't actually like playing with a handicap, but I read somewhere (either GD, SL, or both) that refusing handicap all the time is a bad habit and annoying to stronger players, so I wanted to make sure we were on the level.

The app isn't too bad. I can't find a zoom feature, which is a shame and may be more bothersome later in the game. It also isn't nearly as pretty as Tetsuki or smartgo. But that's not a huge deal.

Now that I have a few games going, a few points:

This application is best for playing your friends, rather than random opponents. I suspect people do not realize it is a long turn/turn-based game. I've had 4 people resign before I even knew they accepted a game. It can also take a long time to find an opponent -- in my experience, about a day.

There is no way to communicate with other players at all. There isn't even a way to share your rank, estimated or otherwise. Not having a ranking system is fine by me, especially with so few players, but there should at least be an option to display an estimated rank. There is also no handicap system, but that isn't so bad; it would be useless unless you were playing someone you know anyway.

The interface is sub-par, but workable. You play a stone by dragging it from a bowl to the desired point, and then tap "submit." There is no zoom feature, which is a shame--especially on a 19x19 (there are 13x13 and 9x9 options also).

It isn't a terrible game, but needs some work. I think there is definitely room for a turn-based go app. Ideally, an established server (DGS) would create such an app.

If you are playing via Boardz please share your username in this topic:

viewtopic.php?f=49&t=1226

Thanks

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Tsumego/Tesuji apps for iPad, iPhone & Android devices:http://www.lifein19x19.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=7511

Necroing this thread ...

Boardz by now has a chat feature, and a ranking system, but either I am missing something terribly obvious or there is no way to dispute and change the auto-scoring at the end? I just played a 9x9 game with a friend, and Boardz scored it incorrectly (very incorrectly). Now, that wouldn't be an issue as its not unusual for software to fail at correct scoring, but I didn't see a way to mark dead stones and get a proper scoring.

Just to let you know, the developer has listed his email on the website and welcomes all suggestions. I've seen a few myself.

I like this application just because it's one of the few (only?) iPhone apps to play go online.

A good way to find an opponent is to look at the ladder for someone around the same level as you, then send them a request (is this rude?). If you go to the weekly ladder you're more likely to find people who play regularly.

Also, something like adding a feature to select an open game would be cool.

Now, the 9x9 scoring system has a major flaw; it dosent always recognize dead stones. The developer has said he's trying to add a feature where you can select and agree on dead stones to fix this scoring problem.

Ok, this leads me to another topic; Tetuski(pandanet?) uses the IGS server, right? Is paying something like 30$ the only way to make an account?

Here's the website if you'd like to also contact the developer: http://www.snarlsoftware.com/boardz/
It isn't perfect software, but it's off to a good start. Here's to it become better!

Would it be possible for you to post a few screenshots (of Go, chess, etc.) from your iPhone apps?

Did you want to see some screen shots or are you asking if you can?

I'd be embarrassed to post pics since I'm losing most of my games....
Also, don't think it would be fair to post mid-game pictures (not sure about the etiquette of doing that).

I have this hazy idea that IGS is free to non-Japanese players, but costs money in Japan.

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Occupy Babel!

Not the best pics but they give you an idea....

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