Counting Liberties and Winning Capturing Races

BGJ 174 Winter 2015 - 2016

Reviewer: Roger Huyshe

by Richard Hunter
Slate and Shell SSRH003 232pp

The book starts by analysing the different types of capturing race, according to the presence of eyes or large eyes, ko, mutual liberties and seki situations, then develops guidelines for all such situations. Problems are included through the book and there are examples from professional games towards the end. There’s also a discussion of how to tilt the crude liberty count (no it’s not just ‘counting’ liberties!) in one’s favour. One reviewer found the book a tad overanalysed, another 2-dan says “This book has changed my approach to Go. Highly recommended, for anyone out of the DDK range”. There’s no denying the importance of the topic.