Based on 3 ratings. Author: Yoda Norimoto ISBN: 0978887409 Tags |
Vital Points and Skillful Finesse for SabakiThis book on "sabaki" (strengthening stones in difficult situations with light play) is the first book to appear in English by Yoda Norimoto, a top Japanese pro. It is published by the new Hinoki Press. Yoda analyzes particular situations, discussing both good and bad moves. This enables the reader to learn and understand the most useful techniques for handling stones that are in difficulty.
Sabaki is one of the most intriguing techniques of go in the hands of accomplished players it can seem like pure sorcery. At times the stones can appear to dance with life. While playing lightly hither and yon, the opponent's forces can end up ineffective, over-concentrated and misdirected. Yoda Norimoto has been one of the leading players on the go scene for more than ten years. In this landmark volume he uses a question and answer format to explore a variety of the aspects of go regarding sabaki from each player's point of view. 78 Model Problems, each with limited responses are posed for the reader to solve. Despite this narrow focus, finding the correct solution can be surprisingly difficult. But Yoda clearly explains all of the possibilities, so the reader can cultivate the judgment to find the key line of play in such positions. This is a book that all go players will treasure. Comments & ReviewsNecessary book on a rarely covered topic - Written by snorri on 2007-04-23 13:05:42
 Sabaki is rarely touched upon in the literature of Go books available in English. The only other treatment I know of is a small book created from the notes of a Yilun Yang workshop on the topic. I was about 6k KGS when I read this, and I didn't have much difficulty understanding it. I got some of the problems wrong, of course, but the explanations made sense to me. The author deliberately avoids going into a deep analysis of the various shapes that are common in sabaki. It is assumed the reader can and should evaluate the variations independently. Great book, lousy translation. - Written by DrOlczyk on 2007-01-10 10:33:42
 Of what I have read so far, it is a very good book filling a desperate need in English Go literature. ( As far as I have read, which is two sections completely and skiming about five more. ) The one complaint I have with the book is that it is an absolutely abysmal translation. Correctly the title should be translated as "Vital Points and Tesuji for Sabaki". Time and again the translator takes terms like Tesuji ( skillful finese ), Aji ( potential ), sente ( attacking initiative ) etc. and translates them into some English equivalent. I find it annoying translating these terms back into Japanese. The book is aimed ( by my estimation ) at people who are at least 5k KGS ( and I suspect many people would say that you have to be stronger than that ). By that time players should be familiar with basic go terms ( I actually think in them ). Terms like oiotoishi, nakade or korigatchi are understandably not understood ( though many weak player knows even these ). But if someone at least 5k is not familiar with the actual terms then there is something seriously wrong with their study habits. The book itself, seems to be aimed at players 5k and above. Lower ranked dans will still get something from it, and even high ranked dans could learn from it. Though much of what is said is meant to undo bad habits of high dans ( and their concept of sabaki ), so their ego may interfere. All of the examples ( that I have looked at ) describe mistake in high dan games, so I suspect everyone will get something from this book. Similar to "Vital Points and Skillful Finesse for Sabaki" |
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