Life In 19x19

[I just tried posting this on GoDiscussions and got a "Database Error" - finally I found this website. Here is the original GD post:]

Hello,

I have some extra money (around $50-$70, possibly more) to spend on Go books. I am 6k on KGS, and I want to avoid buying books which are either too advanced or too simple for me.

I've read "Cho Hun-Hyun's Lectures on the Opening, Volume 1," and "Opening Theory Made Easy" by Otake Hideo. I'm working my way through "Keshi and Uchikomi: Invasion and Reduction in Go" by Iwamoto Kaoru (this last one is perhaps a little advanced for me, I find I have to reread pages many times...).

The comments I hear most often about my Go games are roughly "I know the right area to play in, but not the right move" and that my middle-game could be improved.

Here are some books I've had recommended/I'm thinking of buying:
-Lessons in The Fundamentals of Go by Kageyama Toshiro and Fundamental Principles of Go by Yilun Yang. Are these books similar? Which would be better for me?

-Elementary Go Series 5: Attack and Defence by Ishida Akira and James Davis. This was recommended by the same person who said I need to work on my middle-game. What do you think, is this book suitable?

-100 Tips for Amateur Players by Youngsun Yoon. I couldn't find much info about this book, is it good for my level? Can anyone who has read it post more details, please?

-I've also looked at "Invincible: The Games of Shusaku." This looks like an interesting book, but the price ($50) throws me off. I've heard the book is better for dan-level players, and I feel I could get more for $50 out of some other books.

Of course I'm open to other ideas too. I will probably decide and order the books sometime next week (and post reviews on my Go blog after I've read them). I have seen the other "books" thread on this forum but would prefer some individual feedback.

Thanks!

Take a look at Tesuji (Davies, Elementary Go Series). There is also Get Strong at Tesuji, and Dictionary of Basic Tesuji. I've just started Attack & Defense, so I can't comment, but I've heard great things.

These are all available at Kiseido or slateandshell.

Note that I am of a lower rank, but I feel like these are the books that are good for a wide range of ranks or are just a bit over my head .

If you need to work on your middle game, Attack and Defense is the book. Kageyama's Lessons is a good book, but maybe below your level. Fundamental Principles of Go by Yilun Yang is maybe a better fit for your particular needs (though both are good). If you don't have Tesuji, it's a real must-have.

Hear, hear. I support the votes for both Attack and Defense and Tesuji. They're both cheap enough you may have enough to spare for a problem book, like Graded Go problems for Beginners volume 4 or 1001 Life and Death Problems.

I first read Invincible when I was 5k and I didn't have a difficult time at all. The commentary is lengthy, but clear and the explanations are excellent. I would highly recommend this book. Attack and Defense is a book I started reading very, very late (at mid-dan level); found it easy to read, but still found many gems, and would also recommend this.

Attack and Defense is a must. You will find it incredibly valuable.

Do you have any problem books? If not, you should get some. For 6k KGS, I recommend Graded Go Problems for Beginners 3 (but note, some people would recommend a harder book - I personally think it is more valuable to solve easier problems that you are more likely to encounter over the board than to bust your brain).

Thanks for the advice.

Right now it looks like I will be buying Attack and Defence, Tesuji, and Fundamental Principles of Go.
I have considered buying a problem book before, but the large collections of internet tsumego have held me back (GoDiscussions, Tasuki's, and I own SmartGo...). Anyway, if I have any money leftover I will buy Graded Go Problems vol. 3.

The only thing really holding me back from Invincible right now is the price tag. I will probably buy it sometime in the summer.

So, any other suggestions? I'm still looking for more information on "100 Tips for Amateur Players," and I might throw in "How Not to Play Go" considering it is only $10 - has anyone else read these books?

Thanks.

How not to play go is a fun read, but short (I lent a friend my copy, but I think it's 30-50 pages). It's game reviews, pointing out a specific list of amature errors. Won't help a WHOLE lot, but I consider it worth the 6 bucks or whatever I paid for it.

Sounds like you've put together a good list there. I also would recommend Kageyama - Lessons in the Fundamentals of Go. I know people are split on how useful this is, but I definitely want to put in a good word for it. It may not have a lot of real depth teaching, but it does an excellent job of motivating you, and also showing things you should be focusing on (the fundamentals!).

Araban wrote:I first read Invincible when I was 5k and I didn't have a difficult time at all. The commentary is lengthy, but clear and the explanations are excellent. I would highly recommend this book. Attack and Defense is a book I started reading very, very late (at mid-dan level); found it easy to read, but still found many gems, and would also recommend this.

I've really been leaning towards getting it, but I'm some where around 8-9k or so. Think I should wait until I'm a little bit stronger? Or should it be fine for me?

Nikolas73 wrote:So, any other suggestions? I'm still looking for more information on "100 Tips for Amateur Players," and I might throw in "How Not to Play Go" considering it is only $10 - has anyone else read these books?

Thanks.

I like Yuan Zhou's writing a lot, but How Not to Play Go is really short - like 32 pages. The material in it is good, but it's only three games, plus if you're a member of the AGA you already get similar game commentaries of his in the newsletters.

I do really like his Understanding How To Play Go, which is 7 or so games of his annotated for kyu level players, and Understanding Dan Level Play looks like more of the same.

If you are looking to spend 10 extra bucks at Slate and Shell, I think Come Up to Shodan is a better choice.

-I've also looked at "Invincible: The Games of Shusaku." This looks like an interesting book, but the price ($50) throws me off. I've heard the book is better for dan-level players, and I feel I could get more for $50 out of some other books.

"invincible" is the perfect choice for every go player from ddk to dan. the games are explained very well. this book is worth every single $ (or € in my case). if you buy it now, you can read it again when you are dan and still learn a lot.

Get the two "Train Like a Pro" books. They're great.

I was working through Tesuji some more today. Some of those problems just kill me.

Kirby wrote:Get the two "Train Like a Pro" books. They're great.

For the OP's level (6k), I don't think those books are so appropriate (in my opinion, they are for shodan+).

Araban wrote:

Kirby wrote:Get the two "Train Like a Pro" books. They're great.

For the OP's level (6k), I don't think those books are so appropriate (in my opinion, they are for shodan+).

My bad... But still get them as an investment for the future