In the Beginning
In the beginning of a game of Go, the board is empty, giving you the freedom to play however you like. That being said, there are some strategies that are more effective than others. This book will teach you what they are and how to use them to get a head start in the game.
$17.99
Reviews
Book Description:
The world’s foremost intellectual board game begins with virtually unlimited possibilities on an empty board. Here a 9-dan professional Go player explains how the game takes shape, bringing correct modern opening technique within the reach of all players.
Elementary in its approach, In The Beginning illuminates depths of Go strategy that few amateurs understand well. Required for all Go players.
This book is a part of the Elementary Go Series.
- Level:
- Intermediate
- Author:
- Ikuro Ishigure
- Translator:
- James Davies
- Publisher:
- Kiseido
- Series:
- Elementary Go Series
- Pages:
- 151
- ISBN10:
- 4-906574-10-6
- ISBN13:
- 978-4-906574-10-0
- Dimensions (mm):
- 181 x 128
- Dimensions (inches):
- 7.1 x 5
This is an excellent book from the Elementary Go Series by Kiseido. It aims to demystify one of the more difficult parts of the game to grasp: The Beginning. It’s divided into three large chapters: Chapter 1 explains some of the basic moves you might make in the beginning, what moves to play in the corner, extensions from those stones, approaches and responses. The second chapter focuses more on how the beginning moves will effect the game later, and some principles you should base your thinking on. The third chapter is a set of 10 in-depth whole-board problems.
I love the way this book is written, and I find all of the Elementary Go Series to be well organized and easy to understand with adequate examples and explanation. I found the problems particularly helpful – they are graded, (Move A is worth 10 points if you thought of it, move B is worth 8, etc.) which helps to understand that there are different directions you can go in, but some are better than others. All of them have excellent follow ups and explanations.
I read this book when I was around 8kyu and got a lot out of it. I prefer this book by far to “Opening Theory Made Easy” which was too vague for me, and aimed at more of a beginner. I think this book is suitable for 1k through 12k or so.
A lovely book. Beginners really have little idea about where to play in the opening. After they read this book, they should come into the middle game with a much better position than before.