Go Lessons: How To Count Quickly and Accurately!

Get rewards for support on Patreon!

Catch me on Twitch!

Twitter: @in_sente

[ngiorgos]

After counting this way for a few weeks, I say this is THE way to count. Here's I learnt in addition to the video.

Always start by counting the prisoners and komi, then count the board. I start by giving 3 free pairs to white for komi, and then start counting white's territory. If white also has, say 4 prisoners, I would start the counting from 5. If black also has 6 prisoners, start from 2. You get the idea. This way you easily take komi and prisoners into account.

At first, it can be tricky to count downwards. I would be focusing on the shapes in front if me, what I had already counted, what I need to count still, grouping them in pairs... so I found myself counting up and down inconsistently. Fortunately, it gets easier with practice. So don't be discouraged if this happens to you too.

It's mostly usefull in close games. If one player has a 15-20 point lead, it's kinda obvious even without counting. Counting also takes a minute or two, so don't rush it, count carefully, because when counting becomes relevant, a few points up or down could make a difference

[neilharper]

I know I'm late here but this video was an awesome help! Thank you

[ngiorgos]

That trick that you count down for the second player is pure GENIUS!! I can't wait to try it in my games! You only care about the difference in score anyway, so why even try to remember two pure scores?

I already knew about counting in pairs from Nick Sibicky's videos, and it's a pretty good idea, but I find it awkward when I have to keep track of those half pairs, komi and prisoners... what do you do with those, do you just deal with them and get used to it?

[dillonyoung]

Thank you for all the Go videos youve come out with.

[TheSamuelCish]

Holy shit I get it. That's a world of difference.

[bananaquark]

hi. good videos. little question. i started learning and playing go with a friend bot we both started from zero and only had like 2 real games. now we have a big problem and im sure you already coverd it in one of your videos so it would be very helpful if you could point me to it or explain it to me if you can. we understand how to capture and how to identify territory. but when it comes to the end of the game we struggle a bit. i saw in your tutorial videos that you sayed if lets say the board is halfed in two sections by the stones that lets say im white and have the bigger territory black cant just go in and claim it. is that right? or not? do we play till every bit of the board is clearly surroundet or is it over if you have split the board in sections? so long story short we dont rly know when te game is clearly over because its not like in chess where you have a checkmate ^^
i hope you read this and find the time to answer me because i try to read through all sorts of literature to find the answer but if you cant play and only read it gets boring very quick.

[francoishofer]

Hello, thanks very much for the trick !

[flatearthjackal]

AlphaGo vs lee sedol match 2 move 37, can you tell me what the correct play is. From documentary alphaGo on Netflix, would love you input, thanks, you're amazing!

[BukovTervicz]

Responding to twitch chat over and over in a tutorial YouTube is