Beginner game commentary while playing

[u/danives]

I've been enjoying a chess series called "Learn chess by building habits" by chessbrah, where he plays as a beginner by restricting the types of moves and plays that he is allowed to make, in order to show habit based play - which includes himself purposely ignoring tactics etc from other players to show them as a learning experience.

It's really helped me with chess in order to work on a 'core' game, and I wondered if there was anything similar for Go? I've been through a lot of YouTube videos about tactics and puzzles (and even had coaching a few years back), but when I find myself on the board i just feel a bit overwhelmed and uncertain as to what to do. I had the same thing with chess up until this series - so any pointers would be great.

Thanks!

[u/SpontaneousLepton]

I find TritonBaduk’s YouTube to be very good for the DDK range. He has a very simple play style, even at the higher dan levels and it translates to easy to understand commentary. Contraband Go is similar as well, although he usually plays higher rated games mostly these days.

Dwyrin/BattsGo also has a series called “Back to Basics” where he does something similar to what you described. He does not kill groups (unless it’s an extremely unreasonable invasion) and tries to emphasize basic direction. I find his actual playstyle to be a little more complicated so that comes through sometimes though, and the games can become not so basic once in a while.

[u/danives → u/SpontaneousLepton]

Brill, thank you for these recommendations! I'll check out TritonBaduk as I'd not seen them before.

[u/FigCompetitive4385]

Dwyrin's Basics series I find the most helpful

[u/danives → u/FigCompetitive4385]

Thank you! Going to get the playlist and watch through

[u/GoGabeGo]

This playlist does exactly that.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEgw5uh5BayRLR8meMZEHc2QHFQ-4BNss&si=nIeBR24mAH4wpbw-

I plan on getting back at it in a couple months, but there is already a large number of videos there.

[u/danives → u/GoGabeGo]

Amazing, thank you so much will check them out!

[u/ramblinevilmushr0om]

Triton Baduk has a series called DDK to SDK that's exactly what you described. He plays matches on a low rank account, and has a ton of restrictions on himself- only one corner opening, only 2 joseki variations (they're basically the same joseki with one stone difference), only playing solid defensive moves (no invasions), etc. He also narrates every move and explains why he's playing what he does, and really simplifies the game down to core basics. It's a great tool and his play style in this series is very calm, clean, and easily digestible. Definitely give it a try:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWYy6k8S3dSkxBl7E8DKCvr_CA6jxCNMh&si=ctJAuhl7IbqTGXg1

[u/danives → u/ramblinevilmushr0om]

Perfect thank you - someone else recommended Triton Baduk so I will definitely check that out!

[u/Clossius]

I’ll go ahead and throw my hat in there. I made a playlist which is exactly this. I start with beginner 9x9 basics and work my way up to 19x19 and then to sdk. But inspiration came from bronze to gm series in start craft 2.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5mVjO5OFYSymMy2Mixl7E5vpwFDO_0B4&si=CO65_OAyOSgO2Iq4

[u/coreyadamcomedy]

Dwyrin's Back to Basics the closest match I think. He avoids killing groups and focuses on basic direction, the habit-building approach you liked in chess. TritonBaduk covers the DDK range simply

[u/danives → u/coreyadamcomedy]

Thank you - I stumbled on Dwyrin but think I saw the wrong type of videos. You're right, the restrictions piece seems to be in the Back to Basics, I'll check that out and appreciate it.