First Kyu. A Novel
By Dr. Sung,Hwa Hong
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Details show/hide
| Title | First Kyu. A Novel |
|---|---|
| Author | Dr. Sung,Hwa Hong |
| Publishers | Samarkand, Good Move Press |
| Code | fk1a |
| Date | 1999, 2003 |
| ISBN | 0-9644796-9-9 |
| Pages | 194 |
| Dimensions | 6 3/4. x 4 1/4. - 172mm x 105mm |
| Publishers's URL | %puburl% |
Blurb show/hide
How far would you go to be first? "BEFORE WE BEGIN... Let me tell you a story. An old story, a really old story. Do you know how to play go? You do? First kyu, a player of the first rank? Really? Have you ever competed in a professional qualifying tournament? No? Then you are not, I repeat NOT first kyu! I know, I know. Nowadays all kinds of bad players call themslelves first kyu. This story is, however, not about those fake first kyus. It's a story of the real first kyus. There is a guy who runs a smoke shop near Niagara Falls. His name is Shin. On rainy days he keeps staring at the falls and mumbles something like this: "I'm sure they must all be playing for bangneki stakes happily somewhere..." Can you even guess what he is talking about? If not, just hold on and listen to what I'm going to tell you. Only about a handful of people know this story. So listen up." Thus begins a compelling, insightful, and haunting tale of love, sacrifice, the seach for excellence, and Go- the world's oldest game.
Reviews show/hide
Review by Chris Garlock (AGA) show/hide 1/10/2001
| Review Author | Chris Garlock (AGA) | Reviewer Strength | n/a |
One of the best go books has a scant handful of diagrams and very little on tactics or strategy.
"First Kyu," the novel by the late Dr. Sung-Hwa Hong, is the story of Young-Wook Kwon, a young Korean student who abandons his career and family in pursuit of the life of a professional go player. Anyone who's been even lightly bitten by the go bug will be entranced by this slim yet substantial novel, packed with fascinating details of the rocky road to professional.
Dr. Hong's premature death recently at just 51 robs us of not only a charming man and strong go player, but of a great teacher, as well, for "First Kyu" is much more than just the tale of one go player's trials and tribulations. The novel, which clearly has a strong autobiographical flavor, explores the conflicts between duty and dreams, and the difference between desire and determination.
Of most interest to go players, of course, is the window "First Kyu" provides into the game as a way of life that does not yet exist in this country. In Korea, in addition to the select group of players who earn a living as professional players, it is also possible to eke out a life as a club pro or as a gambler in go games called "bagneki" where players and spectators wager large sums based on the margin of victory.
The lure of the easier way, then, is another theme in "First Kyu," as Wook must choose between gambling and the purity and rigor of studying the masters in the quest to become a professional. Of course, it is in this study that we, along with Wook, learn the real lessons of go and life. Give up a little to gain big. Slow down, beware of speed. Greed for a win takes the win away.
"Every book will reveal its truth if read one hundred times." This Confucius quote refers to Wook's review of collections of master games, but it applies to "First Kyu" as well. Just 98 more times and I can write a better review.