Go - the oriental game of controlling territory - challenges each player to balance strategy and tactics. Each move must balance competing needs: to build your influence or weaken his, to connect your stones or to cut apart the oppoent's, and, finally, to secure your territory or to invade hers. Each player strives to find moves that work at multiple levels, and to counter their opponent's aims.

The concept of connecting stones is crucial in the game of Go. Beginners learn very quickly when stones are firmly connected and when they are cut. The Art of Connecting Stones teaches a harder concept - fashioning a connection between seemingly separated stones. As a player discovers how to connect, he or she will natually learn how to cut the opponent's stones apart as well. These two skills will better allow a player to balance those needs in his or her games. By studying this book and applying its principles, many players can become a few stones stronger.

The Art of Connecting Stones is a problem book. It alternates problems, which increase in difficulty through each chapter, with their solutions. The first four chapters each concentrate on a different technique for connecting. Chapter one concentrates on connections along the edge of the board. Chapter two considers connections made by capturing stones. Chapter three emphasizes using influence of friendly forces. Chapter four considers applications of these methods in the endgame. The final, fifth chapter consists of exercises testing all of these concepts.

Review by David Carlton show/hide