Traveling Go Set with Magnetic Playing Pieces

Over­all Rat­ing: 7 / 10 Ponnuki

High­lights

• Easily fits into just about any bag (except for purses possibly).
• This is about as small as a portable 19x19 go set gets, so I wouldn’t recommend trying to find anything smaller than this set.
• Fantastic value for the price you pay.

Prod­uct Details

• Carrying case measures 11-7/8”L x 6-3/8”W x 1-3/8”H (30.4cm x 16cm x 3.5cm).
• Board measures 11” x 10-3/4” (27.3cm x 28cm).
• Stones measure 4mm tall and 13mm wide (aprox. 1/8” x 1/2”).
• There are 180 white and 181 black stones.

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Folding Wooden Go Board

Over­all Rat­ing: 8 / 10 Ponnuki

High­lights

• Great portable board considering I got it for around $10.
• The lines are not drawn the best, but it does the job and is worth the purchase.
• Let me know if you find this anywhere online, since the local store doesn’t sell it anymore.

Prod­uct Details

• One folding Go Board (19x19).
• Measures 18-1/4”L x 17”W x 3-3/4”H (46.5cm x 43cm x 9.7cm).
• Board is 1-1/2” (4cm) thick.

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Reversible “Rosewood” Go Board

Over­all Rat­ing: 2 / 10 Ponnuki

High­lights

• If by rosewood they mean a cheap knock-off layer of “wanna-be” rosewood and then layered by cheap wood, then they accomplished their job.
• Although the lines look semi-elegant in the product image, it ended up looking rather cheap and hard to see on the board.
• DO NOT PURCHASE THIS BOARD!

Prod­uct Details (What They Claim)

• One 48cm x 52cm x 3cm reversible board (19x19 Go and Chinese Chess).
• “Exquisite and unique Chinese chess board made of solid rosewood inlaid with wooden lines.”
• Weight: 5kg.

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Deluxe Go Game Roll Up Magnetic Portable Set

Over­all Rat­ing: 10 / 10 Ponnuki

High­lights

• When it comes to price, value, and portability of an almost full sized board, there is nothing else in the market that can compare.
• The quality of this product is off the charts when you consider how much you’re paying for it.
• Highly recommended for anyone who wants a larger board for travel.

Prod­uct Details

• Magnetic board is 19x19 and measures 14-3/16”L x 13-7/16”W (36.2cm x 34cm)
• Carrying tube measures 14-1/2”L x 3-3/8”W (37cm x 8.5cm)
• Stones measure 5mm tall and 18mm wide (approx. 11/16” x 3/16”)
• Includes 180 white pieces and 180 black magnetic stones

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Shin-Kaya - 1-1/2” (4cm) Go Set

Overall Rating: 10 /10 Ponnuki

Highlights

• This is a fantastic set that is complete with high quality yunzi stones, kitani jujube bowls, shin-kaya board, and a travel case for the bowls and stones.
• A perfect set for any player interested in playing go and wants a quality set without breaking the bank.
• The go board doubles as a table and floor board, so the set has even more value than simply having a floor board.

Product Description

• One 2-3/8” (6cm) thick Tibet Spruce (Shin-Kaya) wood board
• Made of 2-4 solid pieces of wood joined together to prevent warping over time.
• Measures 18-1/4”L x 17”W x 3-3/4”H (46.5cm x 43cm x 9.7cm)
• Board is 1-1/2” (4cm) thick
• 180 white and 181 black genuine Yunzi Go stones.
• Large, double convex, size: 9.2mm tall and 21mm wide (about 3/8” x 3/4”)
• Two Kitani style jujube wood bowls that measure 5”W x 4”H (12.7cm x 10cm) with travel vinyl case

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Yunzi Biconvex Stones Set

Overall Rating: 10 / 10 Ponnuki

Highlights

• This is a fantastic set that comes with quality stones and bowls.
• The stones are durable so you can play them with as much force as you’d like without fear of easily damaging them (as you might with slate and shell stones).
• Bowls are excellent quality and have a beautiful finish to them.

Product Details

• 180 white and 181 black genuine Yunzi stones.
• Large Size 33 double convex stones measure 9.2mm tall and 21mm wide (about 3/8” x 3/4”)
• Two Kitani style jujube wood Yunzi stone holders that measure 5” W x 4” H (12.7cm x 10cm)
• Vinyl travel carrying case

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Go Bowls and Stones Carrying Bag

Overall Rating: 8 / 10 Ponnuki

Important Notice

This review is based on the bag that I received two years ago. Since then, YMImports has upgraded the carrying bag to also include bowl straps as well. With that new feature, the bag’s review would escalate to a 9 or 10 Ponnuki status.

Highlights

• Best carrying bag for go stones and bowls that I’ve seen on the market.
• The bag is made of durable material that hasn’t shown signs of ripping.
• The handles are a little more fragile, so be a little more careful relying on those.

Product Details

• Travel vinyl bag with two handles and a single zipper for the top.
• Fits standard Go bowls up to 5’’ wide and 4’’ high

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Shin-Kaya - 1-1/2” (4 cm) Go Floor / Table Board

Overall Rating: 10 / 10 Ponnuki

Highlights

• Legs are removable, which allows the board to function as both a floor and table board.
• The floor height is not nearly as high as the standard floor board, but it is pretty good for the price and quality of the board.
• This is a good board that is more suited for staying at the house and not quite suitable for bringing to a coffee shop to review a pro game.
• Stones that measure 9.2mm (Size 33) fit comfortably on the board. Any size larger maybe a bit of a squeeze.

Product Details

• One 2-3/8” (6cm) thick Tibet Spruce (Shin-Kaya) wood board [including feet].
• Made of 2-4 solid pieces of wood joined together to prevent warping over time.
• Measures 18-1/4”L x 17”W x 3-3/4”H (46.5cm x 43cm x 9.7cm)
• Board is 1-1/2” (4cm) thick.

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Kitani Style Jujube Bowls

Overall Rating: 10 / 10 Ponnuki

Highlights

• This is my favorite style of bowls for holding go stones since they remind me of the ones on Hikaru No Go.
• They have a nice finish to them that makes them very beautiful to look at.
• Since the lid is also made of wood without any rubber coating, do not expect the lid to stay securely shut in the event the bowls tip over.

Product Details

• Two Kitani style jujube wood Yunzi stone holders that measure 5” W x 4” H (12.7cm x 10cm)

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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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