Go Reviews

The ABCs of Attack and Defense
By Michael Redmond 9P
Published by Slate and Shell
Translated by Steven Bretherick, Edited by William Cobb and Gordon Fraser
Reviewed by Michael Turk (Australian 10k)
April 21, 2003

This book features an all-too-rare combination, an author who not only a strong player but a good teacher, too. Based on four principles - two of attack and two of defense, "ABCs" is designed for weaker middle-level kyu players. Chapter 1 illustrates four basic principles of attack and defense in relation to the sanrensei (three star points in a row) formation. Chapter 2 applies these principles to handling the two-sided two-space-high and the two-space-high and knight's move double approaches. The basic principles are clearly reinforced and some supplementary principles are also expounded. Chapter 3 demonstrates the movement of the stones in accordance with the four basic principles when black uses a pincer within 4-stone handicap games, again reinforcing the basic principles. It also briefly looks at building a moyo. The final chapter looks at 3-stone handicap games and illustrates the use of miai. And, again, the basic principles are reinforced with examples of fighting. One of the skills that I lack at my level is the ability to fight effectively or consistently, particularly against stronger players in a handicap game. This book is a sort of fighting primer. It contains examples from illustrative games and various joseki and tesuji for attack and defense. The emphasis is on understanding rather than memorization. I am looking forward to surprising my regular opponents in the Sydney Go Club and on kgs with an improved ability to fight in the next few months as the result of applying the principles contained within this book.

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