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The Best Play: In-Depth Game
Analyses
by Feng Yun 9 Dan, Slate & Shell, 2004.
Reviewed by James Bonomo, AGA 1 kyu
May 17, 2004
This brief new book by Feng Yun contains two
extensive game reviews, exploring alternative lines
of play in over 80 diagrams. The games are between
anonymous amateurs who are about AGA 4 dans. As
such, the book is probably most useful for players
that strong or a bit weaker. Both games end by
resignation after a large loss in the middle game.
Consequently, the book covers the opening and
middle game fighting, but does not discuss even the
large end game.
Weaker players will
derive value from Ms. Yun's overt comments, as well
as from her implicit points, as well. For example,
the players do largely follow the natural flow of
their games. While they overlook important plays
that Ms. Yun points out, these games still have few
of the pointless "pass" moves common in kyu-level
games.
Of course, the overt
lessons are best developed. Ms. Yun shows very good
examples of playing urgent points before big ones.
She also shows examples of how to best exploit an
opponent's weaknesses. The challenge to readers is
to apply these lessons in their own games.
Physically, the book
is short, around 50 pages of text, and well made.
There are several unfortunate editing errors,
though - most strikingly, a diagram (on page 19) is
not mentioned. While it appears to show a good line
for Black, this should clearly have been explained
in the book.
Overall, the book is
an interesting alternative to the commented games
available on-line. Its low price and number of
alternative lines are attractive, while its 4 dan
level and lack of end game analysis limit it.
Ideally, many more such volumes will be published,
so a player could match the analyses to their own
strength.
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