Forum: boardgames.stackexchange.com
Tags: <online><go>
Title: Where to play Go online?
Question: I used to play regularly on KGS but have been inactive for several years. I am frustrated by the Catch-22 of the KGS system: in order to play rated games, you must have a solid rating. Solid ratings come from playing many rated games.  Does anyone have advice for an enthusiast who wants to play competitively online? Where should I go and how do I establish a rank?

Answers:
sents: text: KGS http://www.gokgs.com/ IMO the best server for lower level games.
text: It as an active English speaking community Ranking system is relatively meaningful, even in the lower ranks
text: Many features in the client, such as game reviews
answer_details: author: boardgames.stackexchange.com/users/854/CodesInChaos
score: 17
sents: text: IGS http://www.pandanet-igs.com/ ) IGS has a lot of players, but going up the rank ladder can also be quite time consuming.
text: Anyway, if you have an idea about your rank, you can set it up when you sing up.
text: Their english resources have been enhanced in the last year, with a social web and a new Java-based client that's actually quite usable (including an opponent search function).
text: Games tend to be serious and it lacks the communication facilities that you can find on KGS, but it's a good place to learn and it also has quite strong players.
text: There are some robots on the ranked games room to help you get a rank if you start at BC level (beginner class).
answer_details: author: boardgames.stackexchange.com/users/None/
score: 8
sents: text: Dragon Go Server (DGS)
text: For turn-based playing I highly recommend Dragon Go Server , where I play all the time, too.
text: Simple and clean interface Private notes (very handy
text: if you are playing lots of turn-based go games at once)
text: There is a client for Android and iOS and a Windows notifier "Fine" rating (kyu/dan level with +- 50%) with "proper komi feature" to fine tune komi based on fine rating.
text: Its rating graph (shows rating reliability, has a Games/Time switch on X axis)
text: I know Gōng Yuán Chéng already included a link to Turn-based go servers on the Sensei's Library, and DGS is the first on that list, but DGS should have its own special place on this list.
text: More on DGS here: http://senseis.xmp.net/?DragonGoServer
answer_details: author: boardgames.stackexchange.com/users/None/
score: 8
sents: text: OGS online-go.com is an excellent server if you're interested in turn-based go.
text: The best thing about the site is the tournament system.
text: There are five annual tournaments with multiple rounds in each category - even games, handicap games, and 9x9.
text: Some tournaments require you to win your group to advance, and some allow all players to advance, and then be matched up according to number of wins.
answer_details: author: boardgames.stackexchange.com/users/2086/TimK
score: 7
sents: text: GoShrine The GoShrine is a good alternative to other servers: No download/install needed No Java/Flash requirement Play in the browser simply Levels similar to those on kgs Possibility to play bots as well
text: It's where I play when I use my Android tablet.
text: One disadvantage is there are too few players online at all time.
text: And of course you can review the links on these pages
answer_details: author: boardgames.stackexchange.com/users/2096/龚元程
score: 7
sents: text: Tygem http://www.tygembaduk.com/
text: One of the most popular Korean servers and well known in the West for its large player base.
text: It was difficult to sign up to Tygem years ago, but they recently introduced an English client and website, solving this issue.
text: Players range from super weak to super strong (several top pros play on Tygem).
text: Their style tends to be more agressive.
text: There are noticeably many sandbaggers and the ranking system isn't optimal in the weaker ranks.
answer_details: author: boardgames.stackexchange.com/users/854/CodesInChaos
score: 5
sents: text: WBaduk / CyberOro http://www.wbaduk.com/ Similar properties compared to Tygem.
text: But I haven't played much there.
answer_details: author: boardgames.stackexchange.com/users/854/CodesInChaos
score: 3
sents: text: DashN http://club.dashn.com/english DashN is a Korean go server with an English interface.
text: It is also known as DashBaduk or Dash & Dot.
text: DashN and wBaduk are the only major Korean Go servers that offer clients with an English interface.
text: The common belief is that this is the place to play fighting games.
text: Tactics seem to also suggest a strong emphasis on territorial reduction.
text: ( Sensei's )
answer_details: author: boardgames.stackexchange.com/users/60/mafu
score: 3
sents: text: Yahoo Games
text: I'm surprised no one's mentioned that Yahoo has Go - there's consistently around 100~200 people on.
text: It's a good place for English beginners to play, and there's even some higher-rated players if you're up for a challenge.
answer_details: author: boardgames.stackexchange.com/users/175/BlueRaja - Danny Pflughoeft
score: 3
sents: text: GOmatches.com www.gomatches.com
text: Great turn-based GO server.
text: It's completely web-based
text: so you don't need to download anything.
answer_details: author: boardgames.stackexchange.com/users/3242/Markus
score: 3
sents: text: FlyOrDie
text: Sometimes I play here
text: You can play on browser without registration, the only one requirement is java...
text: Actually I do not know if it's good, but for a fast match it works well...
answer_details: author: boardgames.stackexchange.com/users/None/
score: 2
sents: text: If you can get a beta key (they give out 200 every time the counter runs down on their site)
text: kaya.gs is a good site.
text: They're working on doing everything that KGS does wrong right.
text: I've played a few games there and I must say, its very cool.
text: You should give it a try or look on their FAQ if you have a minute.
answer_details: author: boardgames.stackexchange.com/users/3250/MentatOfDune
score: 2
sents: text: http://www.usgo.org/go-internet
text: List of both Real Time Servers , as well as Turn-Based Servers (which I heard are recommended for beginners because of no time-limit).
text: Some of the sites mentioned in answers here might be found on this list.
text: I haven't really tried many of the sites mentioned on the list, because I'm just beginning my adventure with Go.
text: So I can't recommend any of the available links for now.
answer_details: author: boardgames.stackexchange.com/users/2500/beam022
score: 0

Summary of the answers:
There are a lot servers for going up the rank ladder: IGS, KGS, Dragon Go Server, OGS, DashN and Yahoo.
http://www.gokgs.com is a recommended server for lower level games.  http://www.pandanet-igs.com has a lot of players, and for turn-based playing Dragon Go Server is also recommended. online-go.com  is another excellent server if you're interested in turn-based go.  http://club.dashn.com/english  is a Korean go server with an English interface.  And Yahoo  has Go , where there are consistently around 100~200 people on.