This week’s beginner and novice problems are a little bit different from the usual, but the intermediate problem continues the Gokyo Shumyo series.

Be sure to check back next week for more.

Rob and I renewed our series at yesterday’s meeting after a hiatus. Rob took the game by resignation, bringing the series to a draw at six games apiece. Vicki, Josh K. and Kevin traded a number of 9×9 games, and Josh K. and Kevin played a couple of their first 19×19 handicap games against me.

We’re going to be debuting a new club ranking system for handling handicaps over the coming weeks, so be sure to show up to the meetings to establish your rank.

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photo by Steve Colburn

Sadly, just a couple days after I posted the Valentine’s day problem below, its author, Nakayama Noriyuki (6 dan professional), passed away. Nakayama is well known for his generous contributions to Western go, having been a frequent visitor to the European and American Go Congresses. He was a prolific author, publishing more than 30 books, including The Treasure Chest Enigma, which compiled a number of his essays on go and a series of beautiful ladder problems.

Nakayama followed an unusual path in his professional career. While most professional players begin studying go seriously as young children and reach the peak of their career at roughly the same age as pro athletes, Nakayama first learned go at age 15, didn’t pass the pro exam until age 30 and didn’t reach his highest rank until age 60.

Nakayama Sensei was admired by all who met him for his generosity, sense of humor and gentle teaching style. Friends, acquaintances and students are sharing personal anecdotes at godiscussions.com. Below you can see another of his wonderful ladder problems. The black stones spell out his name (中山) in Kanji.

Both the elementary and novice problems this week are from Beginner exercises at Sensei’s Library, and the intermediate problem is another from the classic collection Gokyo Shumyo.

Let me know what you think and be sure to check back next week for more problems.

Looks like most folks’ Valentine’s Day plans didn’t include go! Still, we had newcomers Vicki and Victoria in attendance so several games of 9×9 handicap go were played, as well as a round of scrabble.

Better late than never! The intermediate problem is inspired by a zipper pattern I saw in Conway’s Game of Life, and the novice problem is another from the Beginner exercises at Sensei’s Library.