Archive: undefined/2014

Friday Go Forward: Week 59

Overview

After trying to go through my training regimen from last week, I realized I was getting bored of practicing the same problems over and over again. And while my intentions were good (since my goal was to make all the problems instinctive), interest and motivation trumps that so I’ve moved on to more interesting topics to change it up for now. And especially after giving thought to the notion that tesuji is more important than life and death, I really wanted to start studying tesuji once again.

On another note, in case anyone missed it, the Washington Open is happening this weekend. Yours truly will be attending and competing/participating in whatever I can do. So you can definitely look forward to a series of posts on the event. I’m a little nervous because I haven’t really been playing as much as I should have, but I’ll have to brush that aside and just go to have as much fun as I can. If I can play really interesting games, then I will consider this event to be a success. See you all next week!

PS. In case you didn’t know, fellow go player Risingstar just started his own blog, so be sure to check it out and support him as we try and bolster go’s presence online!

Training Regimen

  • Life and Death Problems

    *   Book: Jump Level Up 5
    *   Frequency: Daily
    *   Task: 10 minutes working through problems
    
  • Tesuji Problems

    *   <span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> Book: Graded Go Problems for Dan Players (Vol. 2) - 300 Tesuji Problems</span>
    *   Frequency: Daily
    *   Task: 10 minutes working through problems
    

Games

  • KGS - 3 games
  • IGS - 2 games
  • DGS - 5 ongoing games
  • OGS - 2 ongoing games

Books

  • Jump Level Up 5
  • Graded Go Problems for Dan Players (Vol. 2) - 300 Tesuji Problems

WGW37: Tesuji More Useful Than Tsumego?

Weekly Go Wednesday, Issue #37

Last Friday, I mentioned an article that was shared with me on how to improve at go by Lynx. According to conventional wisdom, the one piece of advice that everyone seem to agree upon is that studying life and death is critical to getting stronger. And to be honest, it’s something I never really questioned. However, after reading Lynx’s article, I was confronted with an eye-opening question: Is studying tesuji more useful than tsumego?

After a lot of thought, I would have to concur with Lynx’s perspective. In fact, it is one of the key components to breaking the glass ceiling when trying to gain that next stone. However, because the masses constantly spout how important life and death is, it is often forgotten in all the noise.

Now now, before you grab your pitchforks and torches, hear me out won’t you?

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Book Review: Graded Go Problems for Dan Players - Vol. 1

Graded Go Problems for Dan Players: Volume One - 300 Life-and-Death Problems (5-kyu to 3-dan)

Description: This is the first volume of the continuing series to the popular “Graded Go Problems for Beginners.” This first book is focused on providing life-and-death techniques that are foundational to developing stronger reading abilities as players try to climb their way into dan status.

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Archive: undefined/2013

Book Review: All About Ko

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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Book Review: 1001 Life and Death Problems

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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Book Review: 501 Opening Problems

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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