Go Reviews

200 Endgame Problems: Winning Tactics
by Shirae Haruhiko, from the Nihon Kiin Pocket Series
Translated by Steve Bretherick
Published by Slate & Shell, http://www.slateandshell.com/
Reviewed by James Bonomo 

Focusing on tactical play, this book provides 200 endgame problems along with interesting commentary, such as linking tactics to life-and-death, endgame examples from games, and a brief discussion on counting. 

The problems focus on small-scale sequences independent of any other considerations. Many depend on a shortage of liberties, such as might occur late in a game as the dame are being filled. In some cases, the profit from the correct sequence differs by just one point.

Unfortunately, "200 Problems" does not go into the o-yose, or large endgame, omitting any discussion about how to choose between sente and gote. For this issue, "The Endgame," by Tomoko Ogawa and James Davies remains the most familiar reference. However, the sharp focus of "200 Problems" on local problems enables it to provide a more comprehensive look at problems that illustrate how to finish shapes, including many common ones. Knowing these local tesujis is a necessary part of getting stronger. As an AGA 1 kyu, I found a few sequences that I hadn't been playing correctly.

Finally, Haruhiko emphasizes a delightful view of the endgame. He poses the positions as challenges - "Find a yose that takes sente" or "How deep into White's corner can you go?" We all are familiar with the frustration of an unexpected endgame sequence that suddenly captures part of a group or creates a costly seki. These can seem like "swindles" unworthy of study but Haruhiko sees endgame sequences as just another class of go problems, smaller than those of the middle game, but still elegant in their own way. Anyone still frustrated by the endgame would gain by reading and beginning to share Haruhiko's view.

The perfect-bound small paperback is up to Slate & Shell's usual standards, although it's a bit large for a pocket book. The translation reads smoothly and persuasively. I only found two errors in the diagrams (problem 96, page 99, where one surrounding black stone should be white making an eye for white, and in problem 98, page 100, where the surrounding black wall needs a reinforcement near the edge).