Description: Essential Life & Death 1 is part of the Essential Life & Death Series that is used as workbooks in private go schools in Korea. Though it might be seen as an addendum to the Level Up Series, it certainly can be used as a standalone product for anyone looking to study life and death.

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Overall Rating: 8 / 10 Ponnuki

Basic Information

• Title: Mastering the Basics, Volume 6: All About Ko
• Author: Rob can Zeijst and Richard Bozulich
• Publisher: Kiseido
• Publication Date: September 2007
• Number of Problems: 121 Problems
• Page Length: 250 pages

Synopsis

• A solid book that serves as a great reference on ko while providing problems and example games.
• Appropriate for 1 dan and stronger.
• Recommended for serious players who really want to study ko.

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Overall Rating: 8 / 10 Ponnuki

Basic Information

• Title: Kage’s Secret Chronicles of Handicap Go
• Author: Toshiro Kageyama, 6-dan (translated by James Davies)
• Publisher: The Ishi Press, Inc.
• Publication Date: October 1975
• Page Length: 204 pages

Synopsis

• An entertaining book from Kageyama that illustrates handicap go concepts through a conversational style of writing.
• Does not explain handicap go from a traditional textbook like style.
• Appropriate for 5 kyu and stronger.
• Recommended for serious players who already have a foundation on handicap go.

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Overall Rating: 9 / 10 Ponnuki

Basic Information

• Title: The Chinese Opening: The Sure-Win Strategy
• Author: Masao Kato (translated by Steve Lloyd)
• Publisher: Kiseido
• Publication Date: May 1989
• Page Length: 145 pages

Synopsis

• An in-depth explanation of the Chinese fuseki.
• Covers a lot of various scenarios that players might encounter when trying to play the Chinese fuseki.
• Appropriate for 8 kyu and stronger.
• Recommended for serious players.

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Overall Rating: 5 / 5 Ponnuki

Basic Information

• Title: Mastering the Basics, Volume 5 - The Basics of Go Strategy
• Author: Richard Bozulich
• Publisher: Kiseido
• Publication Date: January 2007
• Page Length: 216 pages
• Number of Problems: 101

Synopsis

• Fantastic overview to concepts that many beginners should be exposed to early on in their study of go.
• This is a hybrid book that consists of theory along with actual problems.
• Content is appropriate for 18 kyu and stronger.
• Problems are appropriate for 9k and above.
• Highly recommended for serious players.

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Overall Rating: 6 / 10 Ponnuki

Basic Information

• Title: Mastering the Basics, Volume 4 - Five Hundred and One TesujiProblems
• Author: Compiled and Written by Richard Bozulich
• Publisher: Kiseido
• Publication Date: October 2005
• Page Length: 292 pages
• Number of Problems: 501

Synopsis

• My least favorite of the entire series so far.
• Lacked the explanations that makes the series so great.
• Appropriate for 5 kyu and stronger.

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Overall Rating: 5 / 5 Ponnuki

Basic Information

• Title: Mastering the Basics, Volume 2 - One Thousand and One Life-and-Death Problems
• Authors: Compiled and edited by Richard Bozulich
• Publisher: Kiseido
• Publication Date: February 2002
• Page Length: 244 pages
• Number of Problems: 1001 problems (what else did you expect? =D)

Synopsis

• New and refreshing approach to teaching life and death.
• Appropriate for 12 kyu and stronger.
• Recommended for casual players.

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Overall Rating: 4 / 5 Ponnuki

Basic Information

• Title: Mastering the Basics, Volume 1 - Five Hundred and One Opening Problems
• Authors: Richard Bozulich in collaboration with Rob van Zeijst
• Publisher: Kiseido
• Publication Date: August 2002
• Page Length: 256 pages
• Number of Problems: 501

Synopsis

• A great basic book about opening problems that utilizes proverbs as directions instead of vague statements.
• Appropriate for 10 kyu and stronger.
• Recommended for serious players.

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Overall Rating: 5 / 5 Ponnuki

Basic Information

• Title: Lessons in the Fundamentals of Go
• Author: Toshiro Kageyama 7-dan
• Translator: James Davies
• Publisher: Kiseido
• Publication Date: May 1978
• Page Length: 272 pages

Synopsis

• A hybrid of theoretical/conceptual explanations along with problems to illustrate the ideas.
• While may seem advance, Kageyama’s personality really shines through and makes this such an interesting read (regardless of your level).
• Appropriate for 20 kyu and stronger.
• Recommended for all types of players.

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38 Basic Joseki

Description: In the second volume of the Elementary Go Series, Kosugi and Davies outline 38 basic joseki that players might find helpful in their games.

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