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In the old days of computers, when we played chess, it was Battle Chess. It was normal chess rules, but the pieces moved anthropomorphically. When a piece was captured, the two pieces would stage a little animated battle. These were the days of 320x200 graphics with a mere 256 colors. It would look like crap today, but at the time we were impressed.
In contrast, Battle Chess II seems to have been played by about five people; I was one of them. Rather than revisit standard chess, the game implemented "Chinese chess" or Xiangqi. I really enjoyed this game, but breathing opponents in the US are had to find. I played my Chinese coworker twice; we each won a game. The tie breaker was never fought because, like regular chess, it takes too damn long to play.
With this in mind, we visited some friends a couple weeks ago who were really into table games. Alas, Chinese chess got the usual blank stare. I then asked about a game that many have heard of, but few seem to play: go. "Aww, hell, no one knows how to play go," my host replied. We both laughed, because it seems sadly true. It also stuck with me.
I found myself looking at a go book at the store. I know the rules, I just suck at it. I suspect there's some kind of Eureka moment to be had where you finally "get" the bloody game. In reading, I found out something amusing; computerized go also sucks. Sure, it can kick my ass, but a professional go player has yet to be defeated by the evil little boxes.
Now I have two carrots, can't be played and computer supremacy. The idea of playing a game well enough so defeat a computer is quite enticing. Now for the big silly, there's go manga and anime.
Apparently riding on the coattails of the strangely popular "Yu-Gi-Oh", "Hikaru no Go" is about a boy learning the game from a ghost. So, I watched a few; very Yugi but somehow less annoying. Cartoon Network has picked up the show and may begin airing it this month. The show is responsible for a surge in go popularity in Japan. I doubt that will happen here, but kids buy Yu-Gi-Oh cards, so who knows.
The long and the short of it, I guess, is that I'm trying to play this friggin game. The computer shows no signs of not eviscerating me at even the lowest levels. Kids play this game! I played my first game of chess at the age of twelve and beat my dad on the second game. Chess is easy, go not so much. Either I'll beat this box or move on, we'll see.
In contrast, Battle Chess II seems to have been played by about five people; I was one of them. Rather than revisit standard chess, the game implemented "Chinese chess" or Xiangqi. I really enjoyed this game, but breathing opponents in the US are had to find. I played my Chinese coworker twice; we each won a game. The tie breaker was never fought because, like regular chess, it takes too damn long to play.
With this in mind, we visited some friends a couple weeks ago who were really into table games. Alas, Chinese chess got the usual blank stare. I then asked about a game that many have heard of, but few seem to play: go. "Aww, hell, no one knows how to play go," my host replied. We both laughed, because it seems sadly true. It also stuck with me.
I found myself looking at a go book at the store. I know the rules, I just suck at it. I suspect there's some kind of Eureka moment to be had where you finally "get" the bloody game. In reading, I found out something amusing; computerized go also sucks. Sure, it can kick my ass, but a professional go player has yet to be defeated by the evil little boxes.
Now I have two carrots, can't be played and computer supremacy. The idea of playing a game well enough so defeat a computer is quite enticing. Now for the big silly, there's go manga and anime.
Apparently riding on the coattails of the strangely popular "Yu-Gi-Oh", "Hikaru no Go" is about a boy learning the game from a ghost. So, I watched a few; very Yugi but somehow less annoying. Cartoon Network has picked up the show and may begin airing it this month. The show is responsible for a surge in go popularity in Japan. I doubt that will happen here, but kids buy Yu-Gi-Oh cards, so who knows.
The long and the short of it, I guess, is that I'm trying to play this friggin game. The computer shows no signs of not eviscerating me at even the lowest levels. Kids play this game! I played my first game of chess at the age of twelve and beat my dad on the second game. Chess is easy, go not so much. Either I'll beat this box or move on, we'll see.