Best Free Computer Go [1]
Introduction
Go is a deeply fascinating Far Eastern board game with a long and distinguished history. Put simply, black and white stones look to surround each other and win space on a 19 x 19 board.
The rules of Go are remarkably simple, but the seriously large numbers of possible lines of play have kept Go software programmers largely in check, at least at the highest levels of play. And there's a whole world of strategy.
Curious? Hiroki Mori has made an excellent website introduction called The Interactive Way to Go [3] which gently walks you through the basics to get you up and ready to play, on-board or online. And you'll find much more useful information at Sensai's Library [4] and the American Go Association [5].
Rated Products
[7]
PANDA-glGo [7] [8]
Play Go against your computer or online in a pleasant and reasonably intuitive interface
Platforms/Download: Linux [9] | Mac OS [9] | Windows (Desktop) [9] | [10]
Version reviewed: n/a
Gizmos Freeware [11]
| Our Rating: 4.5/5 |
Read more... [8]
Platforms/Download: Linux [14] | Mac OS [14] | Windows (Desktop) [14] | [10]
Version reviewed: n/a
Gizmos Freeware [11]
| Our Rating: 4/5 |
Read more... [13]
Play Go Against A computer Online
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At 361points.com [15] you can play Capture Go (Atari-Go)—an enjoyable cut-down version of the full game of Go. In Capture Go the player who first manages to surround and capture the opponent's stones wins outright. The applet lets you choose the board size and computer playing style. Simple and fun and a great way to start to get to grips with the full game.
Computer Go Study Tools
You may want to download some amateur [18] or professional free Go game database [19] archives in SGF format.
Want more? This review is intended only as a brief introductory guide to the wide repertoire of Go freeware [20] and internet resources on offer. The British Go Association [21] provides more good information on computer Go, including several freeware reviews.
Related Products and Links
You might want to check out these articles too:
- A Great Mind Game You Can Pick Up Quickly but Challenges You Forever [22]
- A Terrific Challenge and a Great Time Killer [23]
- Hone Your Skills and Get a Rating in Gomoku [24]
- Best Free Reversi Game [25]
- Best Free Computer Chess [26]
- Best Free Chinese Chess [27]
- Best Free Computer Shogi - Japanese Chess [28]
Editor
This software review is copy-edited by Jojo Yee [29]. Please help edit and improve this article by clicking here [30].
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