Customer Reviews

Beauty and the Beast: Exquisite Play and Go Theory

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This book provides commentary on 32 games organized into 7 sections. Each of the seven sections details "Master Lessons" about some general aspect of "go theory". For example, section 1 is subtitled "The Master of Deployment Never Faces Combat", section 5 "The Master of Planning Never Faces Restrictions", etc. Each concept is further developed with illustrative games that include insightful discussions of wei qi in China and players personalities. For example, the author asks "when playing go, when should you be attacker and when should you be defender?" and provides an illustrative game with insights to help you resolve this dilemma. Early in the book we learn that Chinese rules used to require an initial placement of stones on the star points. As a result, Chinese masters did not develop joseki and fuseki theory in the same spirit as the Japanese. For the Chinese, board reading and fighting was paramount - but eventually, from these restrictions came the famous Chinese opening. The analysis of the selected games highlights innovative thinking and developments from Chinese masters who are applying new insights into the game. The exquisite play are those "Aha" insights that forever change your perception of the game. This book is higly recommended for all go fanatics, regardless of skill level.

This book treats the major facets of go theory from two perspectives: historical and practical. This book has seven chapters that teach all of essential go techiniques. You don't miss it.

This is a fine GO book --- the most enjoyable book on GO I have ever read. Good Stuff, not stuffy. Very glad to have read it.