Go Reviews

The Second Book of Go
Reviewed by Peter Whittaker

    This was, after Volume II of Janice Kim’s Learn to Play Go series, indeed my second Go book, recommended by a sales person at “het Paard” in Amsterdam.  It proved an excellent suggestion for a novice keen to learn, because what had seemed simple now revealed significant complexity.  Eleven chapters cover the same ground as the 7 book Elementary Go Series, although obviously not in as much depth.  Thus, the beginner is made aware of the existence of tesuji, joseki, and introduced to the concepts of shape and ko strategy.  Two additional chapters on counting liberties and capturing races appear disproportionately long; however, if persisted with, they do provide a sound basis for dealing with life and death situations.  The book is aimed at a similar level of experience as the previously mentioned Learn to Play Go – Volume II; however, it’s more thorough approach is underscored by greater density of text and diagrams.  On the other hand, the book, first published in 1987and reprinted in 1998 with two added chapters, could be considered old-fashioned versus the funky graphics, minimal text, and large diagrams of Kim’s book.  Personally, I prefer Bozulich’s comprehensive style to Kim’s more simplistic manner; nevertheless, I can see that the latter method will also have fans.
    The lack of a Go club within 40 miles meant that before I started internet play, all of my early efforts were high handicap games against the Many Faces of Go program; therefore, the20-page chapter on handicap strategy was particularly helpful to a beginner.  In contrast, I found the first chapter on opening moves to be the weakest.  To devote only 12 pages to such an important facet of the game seems inadequate (perhaps this explains my poor opening skills?).  Of course, this criticism is made in hindsight and from the perspective of several months of experience and should not detract from the book’s intent: specifically, to make the novice aware of the crucial aspects of the game that will require future examination.
    In conclusion, neither the title nor the subtitle (“what you need to know after you’ve learned the rules” ) are false advertising; this remains an ideal second book for all Go players and provides the necessary stepping stone to more advanced study. Furthermore, even at 18-kyu, I still find it worth rereading.


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