Useful books to become stronger

[tchan001]

I just reread it. For some reason it sounded different the first time, sorry for the confusion!

Try rereading go books as well. Good ones seem different upon rereading as you gain strength.

[xed_over]

Why am I sensing condescension...? I'm asking for help, not any sort of criticism.

It's not criticism. He's trying to help.

I just reread it. For some reason it sounded different the first time, sorry for the confusion!

when I was your level, I bought lots of books that were really aimed at stronger players. I ending up not really reading them. They didn't help me.

Would I recommend other beginners buying those books? Probably not.
Would I buy them again if I were still at that beginner level? Probably

I like books

The best way to get stronger is to play games, not reading books (with some exceptions).

[Boidhre]

when I was your level, I bought lots of books that were really aimed at stronger players. I ending up not really reading them. They didn't help me.

Would I recommend other beginners buying those books? Probably not.
Would I buy them again if I were still at that beginner level? Probably

I like books

The best way to get stronger is to play games, not reading books (with some exceptions).

This. A thousand times, this.

[otenki]

when I was your level, I bought lots of books that were really aimed at stronger players. I ending up not really reading them. They didn't help me.

Would I recommend other beginners buying those books? Probably not.
Would I buy them again if I were still at that beginner level? Probably

I like books

The best way to get stronger is to play games, not reading books (with some exceptions).

This. A thousand times, this.

I dont't agree, when i was 20kyu kgs I got tesuji by james davies and read it through in like 2 weeks.
I tried to read all sequences even if I really could not.

After I did this I was 16 kyu kgs.

So it does not really matter if you get experience in books or on a board. But you are going to need reading experience. And some experience of the "flow" of the game.

Enjoy
Otenki

[Abyssinica]

Books I own:

Korean Style of Baduk I
Opening Theory made easy
The second book of go
Endgame
Attack and Defence
The Direction of play
Get Strong at Tesuji (Shipping)
Get Strong at invading (Shipping)

I've read all of these books at least once through (Except for Korean Style of Baduk), and reread them equally as much. Of course, I'm going to continue to do that, but does anyone have suggestions for what an 8-9k could buy in addition to these? I'd like to start a book collection.

Also, would anyone suggest Yilun Yang's fundamentals of go?

[oren]

Also, would anyone suggest Yilun Yang's fundamentals of go?

Yes, it's a very good book.

[moyoaji]

Of course, I'm going to continue to do that, but does anyone have suggestions for what an 8-9k could buy in addition to these? I'd like to start a book collection.

I must recommend Kageyama Toshiro's Lessons in the Fundamentals of Go - I love that book and I truly believe it has made me a stronger player. I don't think any SDK collection would be complete without it.

Our university club is buying two books with school funds to begin building a club collection. The two books we are getting are: The Second Book of Go and Lessons in the Fundamentals of Go. We wanted to start with these because they are widely recommended and both cover the entire game of go. You already have the former, so I recommend the latter.

Also, would anyone suggest Yilun Yang's fundamentals of go?

A 2k member of the West Michigan Go Club has been going through that book for a second time recently. He says it is very good, and he must believe that if he is taking the time to read it again.

Those two books have some commonalities. I haven't personally read Yilun Yang's book - although I've looked at the section on joseki. It has some similarities to Kageyama's book, but emphasizes the whole board thinking aspect of joseki to a greater degree, while Kageyama emphasizes the importance of not memorizing joseki. Both discussed both, of course. It is just a matter of how many pages they devoted to each idea.

Perhaps you should read both? The fundamentals of go are truly important. I don't see how it could hurt to have it hammered home by both of these books.

[Abyssinica]

I have two books from the heart of Go Discovery series and I'm wondering what you guys would rate them on Content + skill level. I'm thinking I should get the rest of them eventually.

[skydyr]

I have two books from the heart of Go Discovery series and I'm wondering what you guys would rate them on Content + skill level. I'm thinking I should get the rest of them eventually.

My impression was that they tend towards strong SDK to maybe mid-dan level. Which ones are they?

[Abyssinica]

I have two books from the heart of Go Discovery series and I'm wondering what you guys would rate them on Content + skill level. I'm thinking I should get the rest of them eventually.

My impression was that they tend towards strong SDK to maybe mid-dan level. Which ones are they?

The art of creating a thick and strong game + Vital points and skillfull finesse for sabaki.

[RobertJasiek]

Go Discovery series and I'm wondering what you guys would rate them on Content + skill level.

Little theory contents; it is mainly showing games. Therefore, I have not been motivated to buy one of the books and have not looked closely enough to suggest a skill level more precise than "probably for SDK". If you want to learn go theory, read other books.

[Darsey]

Hi.

One friend borught me two books of tsumego of "Step by Step Weiqi Classroom" from China.
I am checking the first that it is "From Beginner to Amateur Shodan", it can be good for 5ºkyu until 1ºdan. It is a pite that I don't know more chinese than "play black/white, tesuji, miai... words to know only what to do

[Alexfrog]

The three books that I feel have helped me the most in progressing from 15k to 7k are:

Tesuji by James Davies
Attack and Defense by Ishida Akira
Opening Theory Made Easy by Otake Hideo

[tekesta]

These can help anyone get stronger. http://www.lifein19x19.com/forum/viewto ... 17&t=10643

Now, if someone would just put out a collection of Dosaku's games in PDF format, I would smile from ear to ear. I like Doteki's games, but I have only 12 games in my possession.

Theory books are beneficial for getting stronger after a few lost games and replaying of game records of historical and, to a greater extent, modern pros (since a good number of diagrams in Go theory books are taken from pro games). Otherwise, the contents will not be easy to assimilate.

[Vio]

... but Lessons in the Fundamentals has turned out to be the textbook that's given me the least new insight on re-reads.

It's not always about quantity but quality. That book did help me to get in crisis with myself and that was so valuable. A book which can point you how badly you play, especially when you get stuck at some level (for me at 10k) is a precious tool. With it you don't learn that much more things, instead you go to think on what you learned and check it.