38 Basic Joseki

Description: In the second volume of the Elementary Go Series, Kosugi and Davies outline 38 basic joseki that players might find helpful in their games.

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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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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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Rating: 4 /5 Ponnuki

Synopsis:

• A fantastic resource for game reviews when you don’t have time for real-time reviews.
• It’s FREE!!!!
• The reviews are not instantaneous, but what you’d expect from a volunteer based service?

Detailed Review:

GoTeachingLadder is a fantastic resource for players want to have their games reviewed.

As it is a completely volunteer based service, one cannot expect the same level of reviews that you might receive from strong players online; but this does not diminish the value of this website.

The process for submitting a game for review is very simple:

1. Click the link for submitting a game.
2. Fill out the form.
3. Verify that the information is correct.
4. Submit your request.
5. Enjoy your game review when you receive it!

One of the things about GTL that makes it so effective is the fact that they allow you to ask specific questions about your game so that you can be sure those aspects are given the attention you desire. If it weren’t for this aspect, the value of the reviews would be diminished greatly.

The only downside to this resource is the fact that the wait time can be up to a couple weeks at a time depending on your reviewer. While you should expect nothing less from a volunteer based site, this can diminish the value of the game reviews since you may not quite remember the lessons as vividly as shortly after the game.

For more information and common questions, visit their FAQ page here!

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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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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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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