Newsgroups: rec.games.go
Subject: Re: Improving One's Game
From: wft@math.canterbury.ac.nz (Bill Taylor)
Date: 9 Apr 92 16:39:03 +1200
 <MOHRI.92Apr8042445@amber.math.keio.ac.jp> <1992Apr8.114454.1719@klaava.Helsinki.FI> <1992Apr8.152918.8925@watdragon.waterloo.edu>
Distribution: world
Organization: Department of Mathematics, University of Canterbury

>Playing many games isn't so important.
>You'd better study and appreciate good professional games.

This has already been denounced by Tero Sand, as being inapplicable to 20 kyus.
I agree completely with Tero Sand about this.   I would say the best advice
for anyone down to about 6 kyu is PLAY, PLAY, PLAY; and don't worry about
strategy and theory too much, that will come later. A sound basis in reading
ability and tactical skill is far more important, in the 25-6 kyu range. This
is mainly acquired by PLAY, (though it can of course be augmented in other ways).

These are only my humble opinions, but I suspect and hope a great many dan players
would agree. I certainly don't think there's much point in studying openings
until about 7-8 kyu; and then only in the most limited way. There's little
point in studying professional games without good commentaries, and as has
been observed, these are rare in English. Even "Go World" commentaries are too
brief to be of very much use to those below, say, 1-dan.

It has also been said that replaying your own games is good, and this is true;
but for any kyu player this probably means recording as you play, which might
be a chore (but has the useful side effect of forcing you to wait momentarily
before an instant reply; good advice for all kyu players - SIT ON YOUR HANDS).

I would also strongly urge the following, which hasn't been mentioned before.
If you can find opponents to do it, play a lot of small board games.   

For players in the 25-15 kyu range I suggest 9x9 is excellent. The games are
quick, so silly mistakes don't waste most of an evening. There is no strategy
to worry about, all your learning is in the area of tactics/reading, where it
is most vital.     For players in the 15-9 kyu range I suggest a lot of 13x13
games. The beginnings of strategic thought become important, but not overwhelming.
The games require more care, but are still over reasonably soon, so several can
be played in a night.

I suggest to club organisers that you encourage your weaker players to play these
small-board games as often as may be. Most games (like chess) don't allow this
option, so make use of one of the advantages of go, and play small when learning.

Again for players in the 25-6 kyu range, don't bother with books, except for
those specifically devoted to tactics. I would recommend....

30 kyu - 10 kyu  "Graded go problems for beginners" Vols I, II, III, IV.

9 kyu - 4 kyu   "Life & Death", & "Tesuji", (co-authored by James Davies).
                 These are an absolute must !
                 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At about 6 kyu you will probably want to start reading more strategical thoughts.
Opinions will vary more about these, but  "All about thickness", 
"Breakthrough to shodan", &  "In the beginning",  all have many devotees.

Well, it's all only IMHO, and I expect a few flames, but there it is.

Bill Taylor.          wft@math.canterbury.ac.nz