Life In 19x19

I am interested to hear from those of you who have read a number of go books what ones you consider to be underappreciated. Specifically, one or two books that you think made you stronger, and that you are suprised don't get more attention on L19 or elsewhere.

"Kage's Secret Guide to Handicap Go."

Someone was asking me the other day why I play the way I do in handicap games, and I think this book gets the credit. But I never hear it mentioned. The basic idea that I got from it (I think I was 10k when I read it) was that black's handicap stones favor a fight.

"Kage's Secret Guide to Handicap Go" was definitely a gem

I would also say "Enclosure josekis: Attacking and defending the corner" gave me a lot more confidence. I don't know whether it is an under-appreciated book though or whether i just over appreciate it.

jts wrote:"Kage's Secret Guide to Handicap Go."

Someone was asking me the other day why I play the way I do in handicap games, and I think this book gets the credit. But I never hear it mentioned. The basic idea that I got from it (I think I was 10k when I read it) was that black's handicap stones favor a fight.

Note: It's Kage's Secret Chronicles Of Handicap Go.

http://senseis.xmp.net/?200EndgameProblems
http://senseis.xmp.net/?200TesujiProblems

Well composed problem books.

Beyond Forcing Moves, see viewtopic.php?f=17&t=5150

Essential Life & Death Vols. 1-4 - best life & death series on the English market

Masterpieces of Handicap Go Vols. 1 & 2 - best collection of commented handicap games on the English market at incredible price

Although now out-of-print, Appreciating Famous Games may now be under appreciated by newer players. It's still worth your effort to locate at reasonable price.

One underappreciated book I'd recommend beginner players is A Scientific Introduction to Go from Yutopian. It covers quite a nice range of material that can be quite useful without being overly theoretical.

Almost sente (shop link)


(click image to go to “Almost sente UNLESS TENUKI” on Tumblr with a few more strips)

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I wish I was able to get a copy of Kage's Secret Chronicles of Handicap Go. I love playing handicap games, although mostly as black.

@p2501: I have often wondered about those problem books. I rarely see them recommended on L19. Does anyone know what strength they are suitable for?

I have Essential Life & Death Vol. 1 and I found it to be excellent for teaching you many different ways to live and also to kill. The only thing I don't enjoy is having a separate printout with the answers. I will have to take a look at Masterpieces of Handicap Go.

Thanks for all the interesting recommendations.

Dazz wrote:@p2501: I have often wondered about those problem books. I rarely see them recommended on L19. Does anyone know what strength they are suitable for?

I think they are good for SDKs. I read them when I was around 4-5k which was just right. I guess it might me a little harder for lower SDK, but the problems often have a neat insight when you find the solution. So its well worth it.

I wrote a rather rambling comment about Essential Life and Death on SL some time ago. http://senseis.xmp.net/?LevelUpEssentialLifeAndDeath. I've also got all 4 books now. Obviously they start in book 1 at a fairly easy level (I read through vol 1 in 1-2 hours I think and got pretty much everything right - when I was KGS 10kyu) and get harder. Yellow Mountain imports have previews of each volume so you can have a look for yourself http://www.ymimports.com/p-1414-essential-life-death-2-10-5-kyu.aspx#.UVGDkNcztjI. It's hard for me to say, but I agree (more than I disagree) with the rank suggestions YMI give (vol1 = 15-10kyu , vol2 = 10-5kyu so I can only assume vol3 = 5k-3Dan and 1Dan -5Dan might be okay - but that's not what p2501 found). I like them but I think they're not good books to puzzle over each question for long though unless you're going to make flash cards as it's too easy to see the next problem (which is often a hint or follow up question to the current problem, as you know). I think they're best for when you can do the problems fairly easily and are reviewing what you already know. Problem sets like 1001 life and Death problems are more flexible in terms of the level of the reader (since a stronger player will just do the problems quicker) but I think they're good books to buy and keep on your shelf until its the right time to do them.

CnP wrote:http://www.ymimports.com/p-1414-essential-life-death-2-10-5-kyu.aspx#.UVGDkNcztjI. It's hard for me to say, but I agree (more than I disagree) with the rank suggestions YMI give (vol1 = 15-10kyu , vol2 = 10-5kyu so I can only assume vol3 = 5k-3Dan and 1Dan -5Dan might be okay - but that's not what p2501 found).

I am pretty sure we're talking about different books?

right, sorry. I'm a bit sleep deprived. Yeh you're talking about the 200 tesuji and endgame problem books (I like them too) and I was thinking about Essential Life and Death vol 1-4 (I'm re-reading volume 2 right now).