Malkovich Zen Go!

[fwiffo]

Anyone interested in doing a Malkovich match of Zen Go?

For those who've never played it, it requires an odd number of players, usually 3 (more is hard to keep track of). Each player takes turns successively, but each turn you're the opposite color because of the odd number. For example, if we had 3 players, (we'll call them Jesus, Buddha and Thor), it would go like follows:

Jesus plays a black stone
Buddha plays white
Thor plays black
Jesus plays white
Buddha plays black
Thor plays white
(repeat until game is over)

Since you play for both teams, nobody really wins or loses, but it's an interesting exercise. You end up having to think up plans that you, yourself don't know how to respond to, which encourages experimental play. It's also a great form of go to play while drinking.

I played this with a couple friends of mine who were quite a bit lower ranked. Eventually one side was in a completely lost position. At that point, I took that side as a "handicap", while they took the other and collaborated on their moves. (I managed to just claw myself back to victory.)

Players:
Fwiffo (4k)
Nikolas73 (6k)
Harleqin (2d)

[Nikolas73]

I have never played a Malkovich game before, but this could be an interesting way to get into it. The last time I played Zen Go was when I was 25k, with a 28k friend and a 3d teacher. It was an interesting game... but we both learned a lot from it as the teacher would go back every few moves and show us much better alternatives.

I wonder, how would hiding comments for this work? Is that even necessary? Looking forward to it nonetheless.

Nik

[fwiffo]

I think we should hide comments, for the same reason there's no table-talk with your teammate during rengo.

[xed_over]

I think we should hide comments, for the same reason there's no table-talk with your teammate during rengo.

but which team would you be hiding them from, since you've be playing on both teams?

"Ah I can't read my own comment, because I've hidden it from myself while I'm on the other team"

[Chew Terr]

More a matter of, if someone 5d showed a great variation, I'd have a hard time not just following it if I couldn't come up with anything as good.

[schultz]

I think we should hide comments, for the same reason there's no table-talk with your teammate during rengo.

but which team would you be hiding them from, since you've be playing on both teams?

"Ah I can't read my own comment, because I've hidden it from myself while I'm on the other team"

I'd assume it would be hidden from the other two players playing, and all the observers can read them all like normal. Sounds like it could be some fun.

[Phelan]

Read the description again, it's not for two players, it's for an odd number of players. I think hidden comments would be more interesting.

[tj86430]

Anyone interested in doing a Malkovich match of Zen Go?

I'm interested, although I have neither played Zen Go nor a Malkovich match before, so if I'm in, somebody should explain the dos and don'ts of a Malkovich game to me.

[fwiffo]

@tj8630: Read this description of Malkovich games and take a look at a few of the Malkovich threads.

So who do we have for volunteers? I'd like to have 3 or 5 people, preferably a range of skill levels. So far it looks like mostly kyus who are interested, I'd like to have at least one dan player. If you definitely want to join, post a reply with your rank and I'll add you to the list in the first post.

[Nikolas73]

Hi, I am still interested. I play as 6k on KGS.
Nik

[Harleqin]

I would take part in this. I am 2 dan. I would often not be able to play on weekends, though.

[fwiffo]

That would be fine. So three then, or should we get five?

[Nikolas73]

It's up to you, Fwiffo. My only concern with five is that there's a greater chance of someone becoming "absent" for too long. Perhaps we could add some sort of time limit.

Is anyone else interested in joining?

[fwiffo]

Haven't gotten any other takers and it's been a few days. I'll put up a thread for Malkovich Zen #1. Nikolas - you're lowest ranked, so you get to go first.