Five Hundred and One Opening Problems, Richard Bozulich in collaboration with Rob van Zeijst

(from back cover)
This book provides a vast number and large variety of opening problems for the inexperienced player. Explanations are brief, with emphasis being placed on principles to give the reader a feeling of what a good opening move is. To this end each problem is presented by stating an opening principle which can be used to solve the problem. By seeing how these opening principles are used in games, your intuition in the opening will become highly developed.

Comments & Reviews

Excellent book, the best for my level - Written by kirkmc

As a DDK, I have a lot of problems with the opening. I know that if I can improve the fuseki, I’ll get my rank up a few stones, since I’m much stronger in other areas. I’ve read several books on the opening, yet never made a lot of progress.

This book, which is 500 problems and solutions, has an interesting approach. Instead of giving theory, each problem comes with a “hint” that tells you a “principle” of playing in the opening. For example, “Attack the base of your opponent’s weak stones,” or “Strengthen your weak stones before your opponent can attack them.” After about 100 problems, I’ve started grasping these principles, and I’m seeing a difference in my own games. The best way to use the book is to cover the hints and try and solve the problems; read the hints if you don’t know what to look for. At first, I needed the hints, but as I progress, I need them less and less – proof that I’m absorbing these principles.

While I don’t agree with all the moves – in many cases, these principles could lead to several moves – it all makes sense, which is more than I can say for the other fuseki books I’ve read. I’d strongly recommend this to anyone at DDK level or higher. (I don’t agree with Vincent that it’s hard to understand at 4K; I’m getting a lot out of it.)

BTW, it looks like I left off the star rating, and can’t add it when editing my comment: 5 stars without doubt.

It's good after all! - Written by VincentV

This book was recommended to me by a 3 dan when I was still 8k. I solved the first 100 problems or so and gave up because the solutions just didn’t make much sense to me.

When I was around 4k I decided to give the book another shot and this time everything appeared more logical. You’ll learn how to attack the weaknesses of your opponent as well as strengthening your own positions or developing a useful framework. This book is a must-have!

Good Teacher - Written by Javaness

The problems are designed not to be solved, but to train you how to solve them. That’s really what I like about this book. Sure, it might be a bit repetive in its language sometimes, but it’s dogmatic approach is effective. You learn to spot weakness, moyo borders, sente etc

Read this and you will surely gain strength

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