Which books for a beginner?

[Elesthor]

Hi all!

I'm projecting to buy some go books, in order to improve my game.
Which ones would you advice to me?
I'm a real beginner, (i've started go one week ago, with an introduction book, but i've completely finished it twice).
If possible a (or more) book(s) on the different part of the game, because i'm a bit lost in a game. And if there is, one on shapes and their studies.


Thanx,


Elesthor

[Chew Terr]

Probably Janice Kim's series, Learn to Play Go. I've heard good things about the Second Book of Go, as well. In the Beginning is also a fairly helpful guide to what all you're supposed to be doing in the opening, but you might want to start with the basics first.

[emeraldemon]

I like the Graded Go Problems for Beginners series, the difficulty increases steadily from 30 kyu to about 3 kyu over four volumes. I don't know of a better source for beginner life and death problems.

http://senseis.xmp.net/?GradedGoProblemsForBeginners

[judicata]

Without hesitation, Janice Kim's Learn to Play Go Series. The books in the series are well written, don't throw too much at you at once, and they focus on general principles that provide a great foundation. I would also pick up Graded Go Problems for Beginners volumes I and II.

I'd say, Learn to Play Go volumes I-II, and Graded Go Problems I-II and playing games will give you months of growth. Remember to lose your first 50 games as quickly as possible .

There are also a websites with free problems.

[prokofiev]

I liked Cho Chikun's "A Complete Introduction the the Game" and Bozulich's "Second book of Go" when I was first learning.

The first may be too simple if you already read an introductory book, but if you've just read e.g. a pamphlet or website, it's a good book. The "second book of go" touches nicely on various topics, so I'd say go with that given what you say. I haven't ever looked at Janice Kim's books, though.

For problems, Graded Go Problems for Beginners is great (four volumes; 1st is very basic, 2nd will be good but challenging for a beginner, and 3rd and 4th are good problems to do even at my level).

[karaklis]

I have created a list of books for beginners that shows the approximate KGS rank when it is useful to start reading the relative book. The books are predominantly tsumego books, i.e. where you can do exercises (except for "In the Beginning" which is mainly a theory book).

[just updated the list]

[Phelan]

This thread might help.

[Elesthor]

Thanx for your replies!

I think I will buy the "Learn to play go" =)

But the first one looks to be a really introduction (i've read the review on SL), mine (a french one called: "Le langage des Pierres") is about : Fundamentals (of course) / An introduction to the three parts of the game (about 10 pages for each)/ Capturing stones (double atari, geta, snap-back, oiotoshi, semeaï)/ a few tsumegos/ and a commented game.

Do you think i can start with the number 2? (Or should i really start with the 1?)

I've download the Cho Chikun's Encyclopedy of life and death (with no solutions) level beginner and intermediate, do you think that I can continue with it, or should I get "Graded Go Problems for Beginners series"?

Thx

[judicata]

You can probably start with Volume II.

[SoDesuNe]

I've download the Cho Chikun's Encyclopedy of life and death (with no solutions) level beginner and intermediate, do you think that I can continue with it, or should I get "Graded Go Problems for Beginners series"?

I'm more into the "Graded Go"-series, because the books offer a wider spectrum of problems, such as urgent middlegame moves, Ko, Seki, capturing races and of course life and death. You'll learn a lot of useful Tesujis aswell, especially in vol. 3 and 4 (for 10k+).
Cho Chikun's is good nonetheless, but it's really just reading for the kill or for live. Good practice, nothing bad with this, but I got heavily bored after the first 100 problems, because they are all the same somehow.

[oren]

I've download the Cho Chikun's Encyclopedy of life and death (with no solutions) level beginner and intermediate, do you think that I can continue with it, or should I get "Graded Go Problems for Beginners series"?

I think that will be pretty useless for you without solutions. Pick up Graded Go Problems or do problems from wbaduk software (http://www.wbaduk.com/).

[karaklis]

As for basic theory and exercise you could also go to 321go.org, but since you asked for books, I can say that "Learn to Play Go" for theory and "Graded Go Problems" for exercise are an excellent choice.

[Elesthor]

I've made my choice: Learn to play go vol 2 and 3 + Graded Go Problems for Beginners vol 1 and 2.
Just bought on Amazon.

Thanx for your advices!