The Chinese Opening, The Sure-Win Strategy

by Masao Kato

Because of its success rate in professional tournament go, the Chinese opening has been dubbed the ``sure-win strategy''. This book presents a complete analysis of this opening by one of its most successful practioners. Mastering and playing this opening in your games is bound to improve your winning percentage as well.

Genres: Go

145 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Liedzeit Liedzeit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never play the Chinese opening and when people play it against me I feel uncomfortable. Good reason to read the book.

Of course, it is a bit questionable to read a book written in the 70s. (Funny, when he says that a move has been tried out recently when I have been taught this move as being the only possible one.) A lot has happened in Go theory since then.

But in itself and as a kind of refreshment of knowledge the book is okay. Not more. For one thing, the longest chapter is on the Magic Sword. And that has nothing to do with Chinese opening. Probably the editor told Maso that he had to fill about 150 pages.

The problems are the best part. And there are too few and the answers not detailed enough.

[Gus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although somewhat dated and lacking more modern attempts to restrict black's development along the side with the 3-4 corner, this book gives a nice treatment of the issues surrounding the 4-4 corner, and the standard invasion of this formation. It also gives a good discussion of the variations that arise after you beat your friend 6 times with this opening and he approaches your 3-4 corner on move 4 :). (This leads to among other things, the crazy complicated magic sword joseki!). Very few books I've read on go have felt so clear or so easily applied in my games. (Another might be Attack and Defense by James Davies).

This book will give you a very good feel for this opening, however to compete at or near the Dan level in this day and age, you will also need to study pro games with modern variations, or study the lectures on Guo Juan's internet go school site.

The other down side is that it is out of print, and usually can't be found for less than $80 on amazon. If you see it for less grab it quick!

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good if somewhat dated comprehensive treatment of the famous fuseki invented by Chen Zude. And what go player could pass up a book subtitled 'The Sure-Win Strategy'?

In fact the last chapter somewhat debunks this subtitle, in which Masao reviews 4 of the 5 games from the 32nd Honinbo title match from 1977 (in which black played the Chinese fuseki).

"There is no denying that the Chinese fuseki is difficult to play properly," the author states on the last page, also admitting "I must confess to having been rather lucky in winning this game, as well as game 3."

[Sencha]

Baduk

[Honganh · Rating 5 out of 5]

i like the title this book

[Alex Delogu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reference book. Definitely improved my win rate.