Understanding How to Play Go, Yuan Zhou

Understanding How to Play Go: An AGA 7-Dan Explains Some of His Games, by Yuan Zhou. Zhou, whose AGA rating is above 7.0, provides very thorough commentaries on several of his games. Zhou went over the games with his opponents, as well as with a professional player, and discusses what both players are trying to do at each step of the game. Game diagrams typically have only two or three moves, making it easy to follow what is happening. The commentary is aimed at both kyu and dan level players.

Comments & Reviews

I have been wary of going through pro games as the moves and ideas seem far too advanced for me to understand. However this book is an excellent introduction and keeping the number of games low, enables the author to study and explain in bite sized lumps. I started to study it on a train journey this week, and the 2 hours flew by.

---

Yuan Zhou looks through 7 pretty diverse games. The analysis is detailed, really detailed. Sometimes a figure is just discussing one move. You don’t need a board to go through this book, you can read and study on a bus or a train. The writing style is pretty dull, but the information is clear and succint. You learn ideas in the opening, the middlegame and for yose. Really this is a great allround book, probably ideal for a 10kyu, but I bought it at 2kyu and I really like it :)

---

Similar to "Understanding How to Play Go"

All About Thickness: Understanding Moyo and Influence

How to Play Handicap Go

A Way of Play for the 21st Century

Let's Play Go! A Simple Introduction to the Game of Go

The Heart of Go Discovery Series Volume 1: Perceiving the Direction of Play