Category: Books

Book Review: Making Good Shape

Overall Rating: 5 / 5 Ponnuki

Basic Information

  • Title: Mastering the Basics, Volume 3 - Making Good Shape
  • Authors: Rob van Zeijst and Richard Bozulich
  • Publisher: Kiseido
  • Publication Date: December 2002
  • Page Length: 206 pages
  • Number of Problems: 245

Synopsis

  • Gives players fantastic exposure to new concepts and ideas regarding shape.
  • High quality content for a subject that has minimal literature compared to other concepts of go (e.g., life and death).
  • Any player who has a desire to get stronger and enter the realm of SDK’s should absolutely get this book.
  • A hybrid of theoretical/conceptual explanations along with problems to illustrate the ideas.
  • Appropriate for 15 kyu and stronger.
  • Recommended for serious players.

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Category: Books

Book Review: First Kyu

Overall Rating: 10 / 10 Ponnuki

Basic Information

  • Title: First Kyu
  • Author: Dr. Sung-Hwa Hong
  • Publisher: Good Move Press
  • Publication Date: July 1999
  • Page Length: 194 pages

Synopsis

  • A compelling story that is a fast read, but keeps you on the edge of your seat.
  • A fantastic insight into the world of go in Korea.
  • Even if we subtract the aspect of go from the book, it is still a great story that I think many will appreciate.
  • Highly recommended for anyone with the slightest interest in go/baduk/weiqi.

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Book Review: Graded Go Problems for Beginners, Vol. 4

Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5 Ponnuki

Basic Information

  • Title: Graded Go Problems for Beginners, Volume 4
  • Author: Kano Yoshinori
  • Translator: Richard Bozulich
  • Publisher:Kiseido
  • Publication Date: April 1990
  • Page Length: 197 pages
  • Number of Problems: 390

Synopsis

  • This is where the go problems begin to get more complicated and advanced.
  • Continues the general format from the previous volumes, but has a higher expectation of its readers.
  • Appropriate for 10 kyu and stronger.
  • Recommended for serious players and above.

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Book Review: Graded Go Problems for Beginners, Vol. 3

Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5 Ponnuki

Basic Information

  • Title: Graded Go Problems for Beginners, Volume 3
  • Author: Kano Yoshinori
  • Translator: Richard Bozulich
  • Publisher: Kiseido Publishing Company
  • Publication Date: March 1987
  • Page Length: 199 pages
  • Number of Problems: 421

Synopsis

  • This is where the go problems begin to get more complicated and advanced.
  • Continues the general format from the previous volumes, but has a higher expectation of its readers.
  • Appropriate for 10 kyu and stronger.
  • Recommended for serious players and above.

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Book Review: Graded Go Problems for Beginners, Vol. 2

Overall Rating: 5 / 5 Ponnuki

Basic Information

  • Title: Graded Go Problems for Beginners, Volume 2
  • Author: Kano Yoshinori
  • Translator: Richard Bozulich
  • Publisher: Kiseido Publishing Company
  • Publication Date: September 1985
  • Page Length: 248 pages
  • Number of Problems: 327

Synopsis

  • Does a great job building on the first volume.
  • Continues to live up to the series’ reputation of great problems and easy to understand solutions.
  • Appropriate for 20 kyu and stronger.
  • Recommended for casual players and above.

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Book Review: Graded Go Problems for Beginners, Vol. 1

Overall Rating: 5 / 5 Ponnuki

Basic Information

  • Title: Graded Go Problems for Beginners, Volume 1
  • Author: Kano Yoshinori
  • Translator: Richard Bozulich
  • Publisher: Kiseido
  • Publication Date: February 1985
  • Page Length: 216 pages
  • Number of Problems: 239

Synopsis

  • This is the perfect book for beginners.
  • A fantastically well rounded book with lots of different material.
  • Appropriate for 30 kyu and stronger.
  • Recommended for any go player.

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Book Review: Graded Go Problems for Beginners Series

Overall Rating: 5 / 5 Ponnuki

Basic Information

  • Title: Graded Go Problems for Beginners, Volume 1 - 4
  • Author: Kano Yoshinori
  • Translator: Richard Bozulich
  • Publisher: Kiseido

Synopsis

  • The best starter English tsumego books available on the market.
  • This series is a classic for tsumego.
  • It features an array of topics to help players reach the next level.
  • Recommended for any player remotely interested in getting stronger.

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Book Review: The Sanren-Sei Opening

Power of the Star Point Cover

Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5 Ponnuki

Basic Information

  • Title: The Power of the Star-Point - The Sanren-Sei Opening
  • Author: Shukaku Takagawa, Honorary Honinbo (translated by John Power)
  • Publication Date: July 1988
  • Page Length: 134 pages

Synopsis

  • This is a fantastic book for players who want to be exposed to lots of different concepts without being inundated with dense diagrams and explanations.
  • The book covers a very broad range of material that makes it a valuable purchase for those who have a difficult time with some of the other more dense material.
  • Appropriate for 12 kyu and stronger.
  • Recommended for serious players and above.

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Book Review: The Second Book of Go

Cover of The Second Book of Go

Overall Rating: 5 / 5 Ponnuki

Basic Information

  • Title: The Second Book of Go
  • Author: Richard Bozulich
  • Publication Date: January 1998

Synopsis

  • Lives up to your expectations of being the “second book” of go that you’d like to have after learning the rules, but it may be overwhelming for the casual player.
  • Covers a wide array of vital topics that really makes it worthwhile to purchase.
  • Do not expect to grasp everything the first time you read this book.
  • Appropriate for 18 kyu and stronger.
  • Recommended for serious players and above.

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