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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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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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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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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So I’ve finally decided to venture out of my KGS bubble. In lieu of my announcement about the new go9dan server, my buddy Justin pointed out that there are other go servers out there with similar features that are free and could potentially be just as awesome. Since I have been with KGS since my inception into go, I am of course skeptical of his claims. So help prove me wrong by helping me navigate these other go servers!

There are two servers in particular that I would like to find partners for: Tygem and WBaduk, but I’m open to other ones as well! Let me know ASAP!

As promised, here is evidence of my redemption for yesterday’s atrocious play.

Here’s to hoping that I learned my lesson and never have to do this again. xD

Life is funny sometimes. Just when I thought I had a breakthrough in my go, I went ahead and played one of the worst games I’ve played in awhile. For those who have experienced the ups and downs of go, you know what I’m talking about: reckless go. For those who don’t know what it is, it consists of the following:

1. Follow my opponent around the board.
2. Try to kill everything possible.
3. Fail to notice any of my own weak groups.
4. Have little to no legitimate purpose behind my moves.
5. Play locally and hope it works out on the entire board.

Fortunately, I was not given the chance to slink away in shame and got promptly reamed out for my play. So, as instructed, I will be taking tonight to retreat into solitary and repent for my miserable play by writing down “The List” 50 times. (Proof will be posted tomorrow.) In addition, I want to thank my opponent for not letting me get away with my overplays. I will give you a better game next time!

Below is the game record for your laughter and entertainment. =)

In the Beginning

Description: In the first volume of the Elementary Go Series, Ishigure covers some basic principles and methods in the opening of the game. While a great overview of the beginning as a whole, this book is more suited for intermediate to advanced players as opposed to beginners.

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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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I normally try not to post two games in one day, but tonight I just played a game that blew my mind. I literally went into this game expecting to lose and toy with an idea here or there. Before I knew it though… everything just kind of came together…. It was completely surreal…..

There’s only one comment for the entire SGF due to how late it is, but this is perhaps one of the most controlled games I’ve played to date…

As always, comments and insights would be appreciated!