Learn how to play the game of Go with the book "Shapes of mind. Go Course for Beginners.".
The "Shapes of mind" consists of three parts - 9x9, 13x13 and 19x19 - which are related to the size of the Go boards.
From the first part of the book you will learn the rules of the Go game and the most important information for the future Go player.
After reading the first part of the "Shapes of mind":
- You will know when a group is alive, when not.
- You will understand the importance of connecting groups.
- You will be able to count points at the end of the game.
- You will know some special techniques of capturing opponent's stones (e.g. ladders, geta, snapbacks, throw-ins).
- You will understand the idea of good and bad shapes.
In the first part of the book you will also solve some basic Go problems, which involve catching your opponent’s stones.
Everything on the 9×9 Go board.
After reading the second part of the "Shapes of mind":
- You will understand the importance of sente and gote.
- You will be able to count how many points are the last endgame moves worth.
- You will know about what to focus on in the openings.
- You will understand that some groups don't need to have two eyes to live.
- You will know what to think about while trying to create eye shapes.
In the second part of the book you will solve some basic life & death Go problems, which are connected with the creation of eyes.
Everything on the 13×13 Go board.
More space on the board – more to think about.
After reading the third part of the "Shapes of mind":
- You will understand what are the weaknesses of groups.
- You will know what a base is and what the good extensions are.
- You will be able to play the basic joseki.
- You will understand why not to play the endgame moves too early.
- You will know what to think about while choosing the direction of attack.
In the third part of the book you will also solve some extra Go problems, which involve catching your opponent’s stones and more difficult life & death Go problems, which are connected with the creation of eyes.
Everything on the 19×19 Go board.
The author of the book "Shapes of mind. Go Course for Beginners" - Mateusz Surma - is one of the strongest Go players in Europe.
Some of his achievements:
• 1st place in the European Grand Slam (2019, 2023)
• 1st place in the European Grand Prix (2019, 2023)
• 1st place in the European Grand Prix Finale (2020)
• 1st place in the European Professional Championship (2023, 2024)
He was the first European Go player who won four games in a row in the Chinese Go League (2017).
The book is also available in:
- German (Formen des Geistes. Go Kurs für Anfänger.)
- Spanish (Formas de la mente. Curso de Go para principiantes.)
- French (Formes d’esprit. Cours de Go pour débutants.)
- Italian (Forme della mente. Corso di Go per principianti.)
- Polish (Kształty umysłu. Kurs Go dla początkujących.)
- Russian (Формы разума. Курс Го для начинающих.)
- Ukrainian (Форми розуму. Курс Го для початківців.)
