I'm looking for a colorful and cute problem program for a total beginner
Hello. I'm teaching my daughter go. We've playing around with atari go for a while, and I've recently introduced her to the old interactive way to go tutorial. She had a lot of fun doing the problems, and I read the texts (she's six, just starting reading, and doesn't speak English anyway, so I let her worry about just the go part).
But today I had a good breakthrough. I found this small android app called Baduk Pop. Cute stones and board and lots of really simple problems. She was hooked. And she was clearly learning. We had talked about two eyes, but never got to dead shapes. After a couple dozen problems she basically recognizes them. No word for it, but she knows where to play to make/prevent two eyes.
Anyway, that app has two issues. One, it's a phone app. I don't want to have my phone hijacked. I love that she wants to learn go, but everything has limits. And two, it has a ticket system, you get a new ticket every hour, and each set of five problems eats one ticket. There's an unlimited play in app purchase, but it's a subscription. I would be ok paying once, but I really dislike subscriptions for software.
So to the question: I'm looking for software like that (simple problems for complete beginners) for Windows.
What I need:
- Windows
- Lots of beginner grade problems
- No texts necessary
What I'd like to see:
- Cute and colorful
- Free or one time payment (no subscriptions)
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Posted Feb 13, 2021, 7:27 PM UTC
https://colorgoserver.com/en (play against real people once she gets an idea of territory and different types of moves. Most kids like the names of shapes. Tiger's mouth, dog's head, horse's head, bamboo joint. Just making good shapes can get you to 10kyu. I like this because it shows the territory, counts liberties, and shows atari.)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1264970/The_Conquest_of_Go/ (this is more of a solo experience. The game has beginner problems and adjusts to your skill level. It comes with hints, undo, and other "power ups" that let your daughter play against harder AI without feeling like the game is unfair. )
https://online-go.com/puzzles
These are free puzzles that go over the most basic things like ladders, nets, and 1 move life and death.
You can also play 9x9 and 13x13 boards for free against AI.
http://www.smart-games.com/igowin.html
This has a free 9x9 board with a variable difficulty in the form of handicap stones. You can upgrade to the paid version for a larger board size. and more in depth tutorials. This is a little dry and kind of expensive, but the AI ranges from 25kyu to 1 dan, so it's good for players who've showed an interest in go.
http://www.smart-games.com/manyfaces.html
this is the upgraded version. Costs $90 right now.
A nice set of stones with bowls
https://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Mountain-Imports-Melamine-Millimeters/dp/B0019HDXNO/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1EU77UCW212P1&dchild=1&keywords=go+stones+double+convex&qid=1613253921&sprefix=Go+stones%2Caps%2C260&sr=8-1
You can make your own boards with a ruler and some time, but making your own stones is harder, but it could be a fun crafts project for your daughter and teach things like making 90 degree angles with a ruler a compass or a carpenter's square.
Good beginner set with magnetic pieces https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088CZNFS2/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B088CZNFS2&pd_rd_w=byAg1&pf_rd_p=4269e1a0-a218-4fbd-9748-1cd337d2f2a5&pd_rd_wg=d6Ylk&pf_rd_r=AZ4MDBKPFTDX8NC56GK8&pd_rd_r=8ffebaa4-094f-4cfb-ad0f-a3e2b37c4c46&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExMEpDRjkyUDkyMzc3JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTgyMDkwMVlJWU40SjlIQkgyQyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTcwNjkzTjkxSDFUM1MyM0hWJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==