Easy Learning: Joseki offers three kinds of
chapters: josekis, theory and problems / answers. The joseki topic is
approached from the different angles of tactics, inherent strategic
choices, strategic embedding in the global positional context,
concepts of go theory and evaluation. The flexible didactics make
understanding easy regardless of the reader's preferred style of
learning.
The book uses a "one page one topic" style. Only
occasionally, a joseki or theoretical topic has two or three pages.
Fast understanding of the key ideas is encouraged, while heaps of too
many details are avoided.
Since Easy Learning: Joseki explains
also theory and offers problems, the book is much more than
a selection of josekis: it is a player's ideal first or second
joseki book. On the other hand, players overwhelmed by joseki
dictionaries or series get their chance to study josekis with
fresh motivation.
Josekis
The representative selection of 72 important
josekis offers a good balance between a too small random selection and
a too comprehensive dictionary. For every joseki, the meaning and
tactics of
difficult moves are explained. The interesting follow-ups during the
middle game or endgame are shown. Discussion includes relevant
variations, strategic choices within a joseki or in the global
environment, and sample evaluations. When a joseki occurs for the first
time as an example in a theory chapter, a subsequent chapter explains
the joseki.
Theory
General
advice, which can be accompanied by a principle, and applied examples
cover the essential aspects of go theory. The 52 topics include
everything from the basics, via evaluation and fighting, to
strategy. Without losing itself in details, the book answers all the
important questions arising during construction of a joseki, for
example, how to emphasise, use and assess influence.
Problems
Apart
from a number of problems with special tasks checking the reader's
understanding, the majority of the 102 problems trains tactical reading
ability. Thereby, players learn that strategic decisions rely on
tactical verification. There are easy problems for beginners and hard
nuts for advanced kyu players.
Conclusion
Easy Learning:
Joseki combines a thorough selection of the most important
josekis
with a broad, but not too detailed, coverage of all relevant go theory
and the necessary tactical exercise in problems. The title is the
program: learn and understand josekis easily.
* = These are the endconsumer prices in EUR according to UStG
§19 (small business exempted from VAT).
