Tsumego Routine for Beginners

[TofuPython]

How intensively should one complete tsumego problems as a beginner? I'm stuck at around 14k OGS and decided to start grinding tsumego. Will it even help me at this level? I really want to break ahead into the SDK range and it seems like this is a good way to accomplish that.

[skydyr]

Help? Sure.

Will it be the most effective or fastest way to get stronger? Hard to say. It may be that this is the skill that's holding you back, or it may be average or even strong for your level and you are being held back by other things. Also, some study subjects have more resonance with a few people, and some with others, but it's hard to say where you lie until you try.

If you want to post a few of your games on here, it might give us a better idea of where you are strong and where your skills could use some brushing up before you get to the next level. Either way, though, make sure you're still enjoying go at the end of the day. It's a hobby after all, no?

[TofuPython]

Help? Sure.

Will it be the most effective or fastest way to get stronger? Hard to say. It may be that this is the skill that's holding you back, or it may be average or even strong for your level and you are being held back by other things. Also, some study subjects have more resonance with a few people, and some with others, but it's hard to say where you lie until you try.

If you want to post a few of your games on here, it might give us a better idea of where you are strong and where your skills could use some brushing up before you get to the next level. Either way, though, make sure you're still enjoying go at the end of the day. It's a hobby after all, no?

Thanks for the quick reply! Do you mean that I should post them on this thread, or in the subforum specifically for reviews?

[skydyr]

In reviews would be good. As people review the games, with luck you'll see someone talk about how you need to learn to attack weak groups better, or look at how to reduce a moyo, or whatever, and then you know what to study for a bit.

[sparky314]

I'm personally a fan of tsumego/tesuji, and would recommend it at any level. It might not be what you're weakest at, but reading strength is essential in games, and starting that practice earlier will go a long way. 10 problems a day is sufficient.

That said, one should not neglect playing and reviewing games.

[dfan]

I think it is really important to do problems that are suitable for your level. When you get a problem wrong and see the solution, you want your reaction to be "Oh man, I could have found that if I concentrated a little harder, damn!", and not "OK, if you say so".

At 14k I think Graded Go Problems for Beginners vol. 2 is probably suitable. If you did vol. 1 you might find it mostly boring, although I'm sure you wouldn't get 100%.

[Bill Spight]

At the DDK level, how long should you spend on a tsumego problem? 5 minutes? 2 minutes? 1 minute?

[EdLee]

At the DDK level, how long should you spend on a tsumego problem? 5 minutes? 2 minutes? 1 minute?

Hi Bill,

At DDK level, if a problem takes more than 5 minutes and it still seems completely hopeless, it's probably too difficult.

[sparky314]

At the DDK level, how long should you spend on a tsumego problem? 5 minutes? 2 minutes? 1 minute?

My opinion? Easy problems at weak SDK/DDK. If you're spending more than a minute or two on a problem, it's too hard.

14k OGS is pretty close to 9-11k KGS, so there's quite a few other books to consider in this range.

Useful books to become stronger is a good place to start.

[TofuPython]

I think it is really important to do problems that are suitable for your level. When you get a problem wrong and see the solution, you want your reaction to be "Oh man, I could have found that if I concentrated a little harder, damn!", and not "OK, if you say so".

At 14k I think Graded Go Problems for Beginners vol. 2 is probably suitable. If you did vol. 1 you might find it mostly boring, although I'm sure you wouldn't get 100%.

I've worked my way through volume 2! Debating on trying to go through it a gain, or to start volume 3? Maybe buy another book or something. I just bought $10 worth of problem sets on my Tsumego Pro app on my phone.

[Bill Spight]

I think it is really important to do problems that are suitable for your level. . . .
At 14k I think Graded Go Problems for Beginners vol. 2 is probably suitable. If you did vol. 1 you might find it mostly boring, although I'm sure you wouldn't get 100%.

I've worked my way through volume 2! Debating on trying to go through it a gain, or to start volume 3?

What is your solve rate for volume 2?

[dfan]

Great! You could certainly move on to volume 3, although it is a step up in difficulty. Or doing v2 again is a fine idea; if you could solve all the v2 problems on sight as they occurred in games, you'd be stronger than 10k.

You are also at the start of the range where 1001 Life and Death Problems is a suitable book.

[DrStraw]

I've worked my way through volume 2! Debating on trying to go through it a gain, or to start volume 3? Maybe buy another book or something. I just bought $10 worth of problem sets on my Tsumego Pro app on my phone.

Do it againm but read this first:
http://www.swva.net/strawman/GoWritings ... Y_L&D.HTML

[DrStraw]

I've worked my way through volume 2! Debating on trying to go through it a gain, or to start volume 3? Maybe buy another book or something. I just bought $10 worth of problem sets on my Tsumego Pro app on my phone.

Do it again but read this first:
http://www.swva.net/strawman/GoWritings ... Y_L&D.HTML