A Dictionary of Modern Fuseki: The Korean Style
By Seolim Publishing (Compiled By)
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| Title | A Dictionary of Modern Fuseki: The Korean Style |
|---|---|
| Author | Seolim Publishing (Compiled By) |
| Translator | Kim Seong June |
| Publisher | Kiseido |
| Code | k81 |
| Date | Oct-04 |
| ISBN | 4-906574-81-5 |
| Pages | 290 |
| Dimensions | 10 1/8. x 7 1/8. - 25.7cm x 18.2 cm |
| Publisher's URL | http://kiseido.com/mofus.htm |
Blurb show/hide
Of the three main stages in a game of go, there is no doubt that the middle game is the most exciting. This is where most of the action of a game occurs: stones are attack and defended or captured; potential territories are invaded or erased; nerve-wracking ko fights and kill-or-be- killed capturing races that can decide the outcome of the game take place.
In contrast, there is a tendency among amateur players to downplay the opening stage, to view it just as a necessary preliminary before they can get to grips with the opponent. However, professionals regard it as the most important stage of the game. This is where the foundation is laid for the fighting that will take place in the middle game. The wisdom of your opening strategy will determine whether you start the middle game with an advantage over the opponent or whether you have an inferior position that places you at a disadvantage. Many players are happy to rely on their fighting strength to make up for a bad start, but if your opponent is an equally strong fighter, it may be the creative skill at the opening that will be decisive.
This book is unique in the English Go literature. It analyses contemporary opening strategy in depth, focusing on the new patterns recently developed by the Korean players who dominate the international Go scene. Typically, it analyses the first 30 moves or so of the most important patterns; it is the first book that makes it possible for amateurs to play a professional-level opening.
Contents show/hide
| Index of Patterns | ...iv |
| Preface | ...xi |
| Some Important Terms and Concepts | ...xi |
| Part 1: 59 Patterns | ...1 |
| Part 2: 36 Problems | ...249 |
Reviews show/hide
Review by Phil Waldron (AGA) show/hide 21/01/2005
| Review Author | Phil Waldron (AGA) | Reviewer Strength | 6d |
The phrase "opening dictionary" brings to mind massive chess tomes filled with a maze of variations for every conceivable opening. While hardly at that level, the nearly 300 pages of this book do provide some systematic analysis of several modern openings, including the mini- Chinese, full Chinese and Kobayashi fusekis. Each of the book's 59 sections a position from the very early (5-10 moves) of a common opening and provides roughly a dozen diagrams discussing possible variations. Although this cannot hope to provide an exhaustive analysis of an entire opening, it does cover the major branches. Because the analysis deals with the early stages of the game, it is hardly definitive. Variations where one player gets blown away in 20 moves are not shown. "Black has better prospects" is a typical judgment, and considerable playing strength is required to convert such an advantage into a win. For this reason the book will be most useful to dan-level players. Kyu players will likely have to grow into the book as their openings improve, although seeing a discussion of why some opening variations are not played by pros is bound to help. Given the scarcity of high-level opening theory available in English and the complete absence of any analysis of several modern openings, this book should be a welcome addition to any shelf. While unlikely to have anyone playing perfect openings by the next Go Congress, this book is very well written and I highly recommend it.