Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 65 votes)
5 stars
21(32%)
4 stars
27(42%)
3 stars
17(26%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
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65 reviews
July 15,2025
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Good for the most basic basics.

This simple phrase holds a lot of significance. It implies that something is beneficial or suitable for the fundamental aspects or essential elements.

When we talk about the most basic basics, we are referring to the core principles, skills, or knowledge that form the foundation of a particular subject or activity.

For example, in education, mastering the most basic basics such as reading, writing, and arithmetic is crucial for further learning and academic success.

In a job, having a solid understanding of the basic tasks and procedures is necessary to perform well and progress in one's career.

Moreover, focusing on the most basic basics can also help us avoid making mistakes or overlooking important details.

By ensuring that we have a good grasp of the fundamentals, we can build a stronger and more reliable structure for our endeavors.

In conclusion, being good for the most basic basics is an important quality that can have a positive impact on various aspects of our lives.
July 15,2025
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The people here are very friendly.

They always greet you with a warm smile and are ready to help you whenever you need it.

The atmosphere is so inviting that it seems like a really good place to start.

Whether you are new to the area or just passing through, you will feel welcome and at home.

There are many opportunities here to meet new people and make friends.

You can explore the local attractions, try new foods, and learn about the culture.

Overall, it is a great place with friendly people and a lot to offer.

I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new place to call home or just a place to visit.

July 15,2025
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I participated in an online tutorial that encompassed the fundamentals of this book. However, I discovered that the book was far more beneficial in terms of the practicality and elucidation of the game.

For an individual who had no prior knowledge of Go just a few months ago, I found the gameplay style to be relatively straightforward after perusing this book. Nevertheless, thus far, attempting to apply it in practice has culminated in frustrating losses.

I am contemplating retrieving the other books, but I believe that after this experience, the most valuable lesson is to engage in playing against others. This will enable me to gain more real-time experience and better understand the intricacies of the game. It will also expose me to different playing styles and strategies, which will undoubtedly enhance my skills and knowledge of Go.

Playing against others will provide me with the opportunity to learn from my mistakes and improve my decision-making abilities during the game. I look forward to this new phase of my Go learning journey and hope to make significant progress in the future.
July 15,2025
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Learn to Play Go by Janice Kim is truly an outstanding resource. It has become my essential guide whenever I am teaching the game of Go to new students. Over the years, I have purchased not just one or two, but half a dozen copies of this book. I have been so impressed with it that I have been eager to share it with people who express an interest in the game. Janice Kim's writing style is incredibly friendly and accessible, making it easy for even complete beginners to understand. She presents the game in a clear and logical fashion, starting from the very basics and gradually building up the knowledge and skills. By the end of the book, if the reader has faithfully followed along, they will find themselves transformed into a go player. They will have a solid understanding of the rules, strategies, and techniques of the game. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn how to play Go.

July 15,2025
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This book presents the rules, fundamental concepts, and shapes and structures of Go in an extremely accessible manner.

I had already familiarized myself with the rules and grasped the basic ideas such as two eyes, ko fights, and capture races through online reading. Consequently, I was concerned that the book might be overly simplistic. However, I discovered that the catalogue of various types of basic connections and dead-or-alive shapes was highly beneficial, as I had not encountered all of them explained in one location before.

There are problems related to each concept, and the authors elucidate both the incorrect and correct moves in straightforward terms.

One intriguing aspect is that the authors approach Go from a Korean perspective rather than the Western-prevalent Japanese angle.

I truly appreciate Janice Kim's laid-back and conversational writing style, which makes it much easier to understand the concepts.

I am eagerly anticipating reading the other books in the series.
July 15,2025
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This is a very gentle introduction to the game. It doesn't have a great deal of content when compared with some other "first books".

However, it serves its purpose well. It provides a basic overview of the game, introducing the key concepts and mechanics in a simple and accessible way.

The language used is clear and easy to understand, making it suitable for beginners who are new to the game.

Although it may not be as comprehensive as some other guides, it gives readers a good starting point and helps them to get a feel for the game.

Overall, it is a useful and gentle introduction that can help beginners to ease into the world of the game.
July 15,2025
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I'm still a terrible Go player. However, at least I now have a better understanding of why I'm so rubbish.

The book itself is really good. It carefully walks you through the rules of the game, presenting the basic strategies. It not only includes what to watch out for but also explains how the game ends. On its own, this book is more than enough to get anyone started playing Go. Then, all you just need is a board to put those learned skills into practice.

With the help of this book, I have begun to see the complexity and depth of the game. Although I still have a long way to go to become a good player, I am now more motivated and confident in my progress. I believe that with continuous practice and learning, I will gradually improve my Go-playing skills and maybe one day, I won't be so terrible anymore.
July 15,2025
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If you don't know anything about Go, then by all means go ahead.

However, it would be beneficial if you could first check the basics from the web. This way, you can have a fundamental understanding of the game before moving forward.

Once you have grasped the essentials, you can then move straight to the second book.

The second book may offer more in-depth knowledge and advanced strategies that will further enhance your understanding and skills in Go.

By taking this approach, you can build a solid foundation and progress more effectively in your study of Go.

So, don't be afraid to start from the beginning and use the resources available to you to learn about this fascinating game.

July 15,2025
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1 of 5 books. This particular book holds great significance for me. The exercises within it are an absolute must. They serve as a crucial means of solidifying the knowledge and skills I have acquired. Moreover, a board should always be at hand when referring to this book. It was the very book that I used to learn with back in the day. The memories associated with it are vivid and precious. It has accompanied me through countless hours of study and has played a vital role in my educational journey. I still cherish this book and often refer back to it for a refresher or to gain a deeper understanding of certain concepts.

July 15,2025
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This is an outstanding introductory book for those eager to learn the game of go.

Previously, I made attempts to understand the rules of go from books but to no avail. I firmly believed that the sole way to learn was to have someone else instruct me (a big thank you to Mark).

This is precisely the book that I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone attempting to learn the game independently. It comprehensively covers the basics, etiquette, and history of go.

The author commences in an accessible manner, introducing concepts one by one and simultaneously providing exercises to strengthen the lessons imparted.

Undoubtedly, this book should be included with everyone's first go set, as it serves as an invaluable resource for beginners to embark on their go-learning journey.

July 15,2025
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This is a good introductory book. It provides a basic understanding of the subject matter. However, it is not as good as the one available at http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/67.... That particular book offers a more comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the game.

It delves into various aspects with greater detail and precision. The content is presented in a more engaging and accessible manner, making it easier for readers to grasp the concepts.

While this introductory book has its merits, the other one stands out for its superior quality and value. It is a must-read for those who are truly interested in a complete understanding of the game.

Overall, if you are looking for a more thorough and satisfying introduction, it is advisable to check out the book at the provided link.
July 15,2025
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This seemed like a reasonably good introduction to the basics of go.

There actually wasn't much I didn't know, which is quite remarkable considering I started playing just a couple of weeks ago.

Nonetheless, I did manage to learn a few things. The most useful section for me was the chapter on different ways to connect.

In my games, I had been connecting directly without realizing that there were other possible methods.

However, some topics were rather glossed over. For instance, ko wasn't very clearly defined. Instead, it was merely described through examples.

Moreover, the section on capturing races was far inferior to the first few pages of "Counting Liberties and Winning Capturing Races" by Richard Hunter.

Despite the title, there were several sections that had no relation to learning to play go.

For example, there was a list of "go stars", which was simply a compilation of players along with information such as "Held every Korean title for many years".

I found this aspect not even slightly interesting. But I suppose it's okay since one can easily skip those sections.
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