Go Reviews

How to Play Handicap Go
by Yuan Zhou
Slate & Shell
Reviewed by Bob Barber, 1k
April 28, 2003

The main thrust of this book is teaching how to play White in a handicap game, but the analysis is so thorough (60 diagrams per game!) that Black learns as well. Beautifully designed, with two diagrams per page, some show only one move, allowing clear explanation. Think AGA 5 dans are pretty savvy? Here we see them lose their way taking three stones. Often, the reader gets a chance to play like an 8 dan and find the next move. Eight of the games show Yuan Zhou giving from three to seven stones as he exposes the mistakes of dan-level players (though 3d Haskell Small wins praise for "a good job of keeping White busy.") The final game, by two hapless kyu players, is fine example of how NOT to play as White. I am pleased to report that in a recent rematch, after reading this book, White was not bamboozled.

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