Elementary Go Series; Vol 6 - The Endgame

BGJ 171 Spring 2015
Reviewer: Roger Huyshe

by Davies/Ogawa

Davies’ book sets out clearly the basic theory of endgame, including sente relationships and counting. It is clear from experiment, namely the quiz at the 2014 Shropshire Go Tournament, that even solid SDK players didn’t properly understand the theory of counting and could benefit from doing so.

One omission from the book is examples of high-value endgame moves; this would have benefited the many near-SDK players who can be observed pfaffing around with small moves in the central no-man’s land when there are still corner and edge plays worth ten or even 15 points. There is a systematic section on common endgame tesuji and problems throughout the book, both local and whole board ones.

The other endgame books all assume the basic theory from this one. You are advised to understand it as well as just reading!