Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 65 votes)
5 stars
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27(42%)
3 stars
17(26%)
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65 reviews
July 15,2025
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This short book, which is filled with several pictures, has truly clarified a significant amount of my basic Go knowledge.

The rules of Go may seem extremely simple at first glance. However, once you start playing, you quickly realize that you won't be engaging in the exact same game as someone who has dedicated even a small amount of time to studying it.

The presentation of Go heuristics in the right order is of utmost importance. It helps to avoid confusion and enables one to trust their common sense in a manner that wouldn't occur if advanced techniques were learned prior to the basic ones.

I found the chapters on connecting and capturing techniques to be particularly valuable. They provided me with a deeper understanding and a greater appreciation for this game.

Now, I understand and appreciate this game much more than I did before. I am truly excited and can't wait to continue learning and playing more Go.

It has opened up a whole new world of possibilities and challenges for me, and I look forward to exploring it further.
July 15,2025
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So you want to play Go? This introduction is an excellent addition to beginners’ understanding.

Go is a strategic board game that has been enjoyed for centuries. It is a game of great depth and complexity, yet it is also accessible to beginners.

The rules of Go are relatively simple. The game is played on a square board with a grid of 19x19 lines. The players take turns placing black and white stones on the intersections of the lines. The goal of the game is to surround more territory than your opponent.

While the rules may be simple, the gameplay can be very challenging. Players must think several moves ahead and anticipate their opponent’s strategies. They must also be able to adapt to changing situations and make quick decisions.

If you are interested in learning Go, this introduction is a great place to start. It will give you a basic understanding of the game and help you get started on your journey to becoming a Go player.
July 15,2025
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Go is an extremely captivating and intellectually stimulating game. This book offers a truly lively introduction to Go. It carefully guides the reader through all the fundamental aspects of the game.

It explains in detail how to play the game, including the basic rules and movements. It also delves into crucial elements such as how to secure territory, which is a key aspect of Go. The concept of capturing is also thoroughly covered, teaching the reader the strategies and techniques involved. Additionally, it provides a clear understanding of how to score in the game.

At the conclusion of each chapter, there are several sample problems presented for the reader to solve. This not only helps to solidify what has been taught but also allows the reader to practice and apply the knowledge gained. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in learning the rules of Go. It is far more detailed and explicit than any of the internet tutorials I have come across. I am truly excited to pick up the second book, which will further elaborate on the strategies of Go, enabling me to deepen my understanding and proficiency in this fascinating game.

July 15,2025
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For those of you who are interested in embarking on the journey of learning to play Go, this is an absolute must-read.

Janice does an outstanding job of elucidating numerous fundamental concepts that are essential for playing Go. She delves into territory development, the art of capturing stones, the crucial aspects of life and death, the concept of ladders, and basic strategies.

To make it more accessible for beginners to understand and master these concepts, she employs several actual games for demonstration and explanation. This practical approach significantly enhances the learning experience and helps beginners improve their playing ability.

If you have the dedication to read all of Jancie Kim's books and practice diligently, you should be able to achieve a rank between 15K and 10K within a year.

So, don't hesitate to pick up this book and start your Go-playing adventure today!
July 15,2025
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This is my very first book about Go. I have long been a moderately serious amateur chess player. However, after witnessing the AlphaGo match against Lee Sedol and constantly following the always-stimulating comments and reviews of Manny Rayner here in Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...), I felt an intense itch for Go. As a result, I purchased and read this book.

It is indeed a very good book. It is extremely easy to follow and highly introductory, which is not a bad thing at all. It is of utmost importance to have the basics clear before moving on to more difficult aspects. In this book, you can find the rules, the connecting techniques, the captures, and also a bit of the history of the game. There are "try yourself" exercises at the end of each chapter. The exposition and the explanations, by the way, are simply superb.

I firmly believe that I am going to continue reading the rest of the series because now I have been completely hooked by the game! It has opened up a whole new world of strategic thinking and intellectual challenge for me. I can't wait to explore more and improve my skills in this fascinating game of Go.
July 15,2025
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One can only read so many introductory go books, but this particular one is indeed a great place to commence.

I, unfortunately, did not have the opportunity to read it as one of my very first go books. As a result, I feel that I did not extract as much value from it as I potentially could have.

However, that does not undermine the fact that it still holds significant merit for those who are new to the game of go. It likely presents fundamental concepts and strategies in a clear and accessible manner, which is essential for beginners.

If I were to go back in time, I would definitely consider starting with this book to build a stronger foundation in the game of go.

Overall, it is a valuable resource that should not be overlooked by those interested in learning go.
July 15,2025
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Likely the very best Go book for the uninitiated. This book serves as an excellent introduction to the captivating world of Go. It presents the fundamental concepts and rules of the game in a clear and accessible manner. Even those with no prior knowledge of Go can easily understand and follow along. The author has done a remarkable job of breaking down the complex strategies and techniques into simple and digestible explanations. With its engaging writing style and numerous examples, this book makes learning Go a truly enjoyable experience. Whether you are looking to pick up a new hobby or simply expand your knowledge, this is the perfect Go book for you.

July 15,2025
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I thought this was an extremely good introduction to Go (\\"Weiqi\\", in China, the country of its origin).

I've come across complaints stating that this book is a bit overly simplistic, yet that is precisely its objective; it is designed for beginners! It does an excellent job of highlighting the key elements of both the rules and the strategy. I've also perused the second book in the series, and I believe they both do a great job of elucidating, presenting a good variety of practice problems, and building upon what has already been learned.

This book will not transform you into a master, but it does an outstanding job of explaining the fundamental aspects you require and some of the crucial elements to留意 and contemplate as you engage in playing Weiqi. Without it (or something similar), I would be floundering to a much greater extent, attempting to guess what functions and what doesn't. Perhaps if you were learning in the company of someone who knows how to play, the book might be redundant, but I'm endeavoring to learn on my own. I think it is also written at a level and in a style that would be suitable for both young beginners and relatively older individuals, like myself.

If I were to lodge a complaint about anything, it does leave the reader in a state of uncertainty regarding a couple of concepts. False eyes are discussed with examples and warnings, but they are not well-defined. Some that seem as if they could be a \\"false eye\\" actually function as a good eye. (One strategic concept is that if a player can possess two connected \\"eyes\\", the territory encircled can never be captured. However, the player must be vigilant for areas that appear to have two connected eyes but do not actually have them.)
July 15,2025
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The concept presented is truly very good.

It shows great potential and innovation. However, when it comes to the editing and design aspects, there are some areas that need improvement.

The editing might be a bit rough around the edges, perhaps lacking in polish and refinement. There could be issues with grammar, spelling, or the overall flow of the text.

Similarly, the design might not be as sleek and intuitive as it could be. The layout might seem a bit cluttered or unappealing, making it difficult for the user to navigate and engage with the content.

With some additional attention and effort in these areas, the overall quality of the work could be significantly enhanced, making it even more impactful and successful.
July 15,2025
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This article covers the very basics of the game.

It begins with an introduction to the rules, which are the foundation of understanding Go.

Then it progresses to the topic of counting, an essential skill in determining the outcome of a game.

Some fundamental life and death positions are also explored, providing valuable insights into the strategic aspects of the game.

The chapter on capturing moves is particularly interesting as it introduces the concepts of ladders, nets, and snapbacks.

These are all crucial for any beginner to learn as they form the basis of more advanced tactics.

Kim's writing style is clear and simple, making the content accessible to readers of all levels.

Overall, this book and "The Second Book of Go" are highly recommended for anyone who is just starting their journey in the world of Go.

They provide a solid foundation and a great starting point for further exploration and learning.
July 15,2025
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This was the very first go book that I had the pleasure of reading.

With great determination, I completely taught myself to play the game using this wonderful resource.

The book comprehensively covers a wide range of aspects, starting from the fundamental rules of the game. It then progresses to detailed instructions on how to hold a stone correctly, which is crucial for a proper start.

Moreover, it delves into basic tactics that are essential for beginners to understand and master.

I have had the opportunity to lend this book to two individuals who expressed a keen interest in learning to play go.

Both of them found the book extremely helpful in their learning journey.

Without a doubt, if the situation arises again, I would毫不犹豫地 lend this book to anyone else who wishes to embark on the exciting adventure of learning go.

It truly is an excellent guide for anyone interested in this ancient and fascinating game.

July 15,2025
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A good introduction to the game is of great significance. It should be easy to read, which allows beginners to quickly understand the basic concepts and rules of the game. And more importantly, it contains things that most Go tutorials don't. This unique feature makes it stand out from the crowd. Even though I already knew the rules and played a couple of games (and went through some Go problems), it was still an interesting read for me. I found that I've learned some new things that I haven't known before. It broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of the game. This kind of introduction not only helps beginners get started, but also provides valuable inspiration and reference for those who have already had some experience in playing Go.

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