Elementary Problem

Sorry for the delay on this week’s problems, I’ve been sick.

The novice and elementary problems this week share a common theme; in fact, the novice problem comes from an actual game of mine from years ago and shows a real-life example of how these tesuji are applied. The intermediate problem is another from the Gokyo Shumyo.

Remember, there are new problems here every Thursday.

Novice Problem

Intermediate Problem

Intermediate Problem

Elementary Problem

You may recognize the novice problem this week, though this time roles are reversed. The intermediate problem is from section 2 of the Gokyo Shumyo.

Be sure to check back next week for more.

Novice Problem

Elementary Problem

Here are this week’s problems. The intermediate problem is yet another from the Gokyo Shumyo and the novice problem comes from the godiscussions.com forum. I composed the elementary problem to illustrate a basic life and death concept.

Be sure to check back next week for more.

Novice Problem

Intermediate Problem

Beginner Problem

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.

Intermediate Problem

Novice Problem

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.

Elementary Problem

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.

Novice Problem

Intermediate Problem

Elementary Difficulty

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.

Novice Difficulty

Intermediate Difficulty

Elementary Difficulty

Here are this week’s problems. The intermediate problem is another from the classic collection Gokyo Shumyo and the other two problems are from a collection of beginner excercises at Sensei’s Library.

Remember, new problems appear here every Thursday.

Novice Difficulty

Intermediate Difficulty

Intermediate Difficulty

Here are this week’s problems. The intermediate problem is a clever composition of Go Seigen. I composed the two easier problems; both illustrate important life and death concepts.

Be sure to check back next week for more problems.

Novice Difficulty

Elementary Difficulty

Intermediate Problem

Here are this week’s problems. The novice problem may be familiar to you if you’ve seen Hikaru no Go. Do you remember the key move?

New problems are posted here each Thursday morning, so check back again next week.

Elementary Problem

Novice Problem

Elementary Endgame

Here’s the problems for the week. This week’s easier problems focus on the endgame. The intermediate problem is another from Gokyo Shumyo. Can you get them all on the first try? There are no do-overs when you’re playing over a real board!

Remember, there will be new problems here every Thursday.

Intermediate Difficulty

Novice Endgame

I’ve posted some problems in the extended entry so you can quiz yourself.

Simple, right? Of course, these shapes don’t just appear fully formed like this. If you wait that long, your opponent will surely get to the vital point first. But instinctive knowledge of these shapes is still critical to solving many more complex life and death situations. Here’s a simple example:

Bonus problems: the Butterfly-Seven! This shape is actually unconditionally alive, but it can still be profitably attacked.

Basic Shape

Here are this week’s problems. I’ve included a fairly difficult problem adapted from a game a couple months ago that earned my 4 kyu rank on KGS. The novice problem is the first problem in the classical collection Gokyo Shumyo. Most of the problems in the collection are much more difficult, however!

Be sure to check back next Thursday for a new set of problems.

Expert Difficulty

Novice Difficulty

Elementary Difficulty

I hope you’ve had a wonderful Christmas break. Here are some problems to start off the new year.

Remember, Grand Prix points start accumulating Sunday, January 3rd. Show up for as many meetings as you can to earn the most points.

Intermediate Difficulty

Novice Difficulty

Elementary Difficulty

Three different difficulty levels this week – elementary (the easiest), novice (pretty easy) and intermediate (a little harder). The intermediate problem comes directly from a real game between myself and Rob.

How many can you get right on the first try?

Intermediate Difficulty

Novice Difficulty

Intermediate Difficulty

Novice Difficulty

Here are this week’s problems – the intermediate difficulty problem is one of my favorites. Let me know if you like them. Are they too easy? Too hard? Too lame? Post a comment.

Pinecone Problem

With the everybody doing something for the holidays, the December meeting schedule is going to have a few holes in it. There will be no meeting this Sunday (the 13th), or the Sunday after Christmas (the 27th). There will be a meeting on the 20th if you need to get your go fix, and regular meetings will resume on January 3rd of the new year.

I’m also going to try to start posting problems (like the one on the right) on a regular basis. I’d love to hear your feedback.

If I don’t see you before then, have a nice Christmas!