leichtloeslich wrote:jts wrote:This is not to discourage you from tackling advanced shape theory head on
advanced shape theory
What is this even?
Excellent question! I started by just saying "shape theory", by which I meant "anything about shape that is more complex than recognizing the difference between a cross-cut and a broken shape", but I wanted to head off any misunderstanding ("No, shape is fundamental!"), so I threw in the "advanced". You're right that was an error. It makes it sound like there is Shape 101, 201, and 301.
So what I had in mind was:
* The approach of "Shape Up!" and "Making Good Shape", which take an approach to shape similar to that of a joseki dictionary to joseki.
* Memorizing professional games
* Getting tutored on shape, asking for advice on shapes in games, studying some other area of Go specifically as it relates to shape.
These are all valuable things but (if I'm understanding Akaios correctly) the logical next step is to cultivate his mastery of other areas of the game. Specifically,
*As with joseki and fuseki, studying a shape-move means evaluating whether it is good shape, bad shape, or conditionally good in light of (a) sequences that can follow from it, immediately or later and (b) sequences that can follow from alternative shapes. The closer you are to being able to read out the sequences unprompted, the less you'll be fighting with diagrams and the more you'll be absorbing the lesson.
*Similarly, a lot of shapes are ways to avoid being hit with a tesuji, so shape-concepts that seem really difficult to beginners come naturally after they are comfortable with tesuji.
*One reason "shape" is so confusing is that shapes are good or bad for specific purposes. This makes critiquing beginner's shapes a bit sisyphean. You say, "that's bad shape," and they say, "no, my 10k sensei says this is a good shape". Well, maybe it's good for attacking, but it's bad for defending. Or it's good for endgame, but it's bad for liberties. Or it's good if you add one more stone, but horrible if your goal is to take sente. So it makes sense to be aware of what strategic goals you can have before focusing on shape.