classical problem sets

[entropi]

Is there an english (or german, french, dutch) book about classical problem sets like xuan xuan qijing, gokyo shumyo, etc?

The problems themselves are easy to find online (senseis library, tatsuki's page or other resources), sometimes even some solutions on senseis library.

But I could not find anywhere a thorough discussion of the problems. I think especially Xuanxuan Qijing problems which even claim to have a story each, deserve a dedicated book.
I am sure there must be some books on that topic in japanese, chinese or korean, but what about western languages?

[Adrian Ghioc]

Is there an english (or german, french, dutch) book about classical problem sets like xuan xuan qijing, gokyo shumyo, etc?

Igo Hatsuyoron
http://www.yutopian.com/go/bookeg/PAY16.html

[HermanHiddema]

John Fairbairn is working on a version on XXQJ:

http://www.gogod.co.uk/GTAM/GTAM_Contents.htm

[John Fairbairn]

John Fairbairn is working on a version on XXQJ:

Yes, but no longer on the html version. Too much work with so little interest shown.

Instead Slate & Shell will publish a work (finished but needs editing) which brings together all the problems of all the various editions, which is rather more than in any one single edition, and of course all the various solutions and corrections and pro disagreements.

I expect this will have a very small print-run (problem books sell very badly) and so may best be regarded as a collector's item. For that reason, it tends to sit on my machine looking balefully at me, and I sit at my desk looking reproachfully at it, both of us wondering when digit will be removed from orifice.

[tchan001]

Sounds like a good book. I'll certainly buy it for my collection. I can compare it with some of the Asian versions I have as well.

[entropi]

Thanks for the answers!

Yes, but no longer on the html version. Too much work with so little interest shown.

Maybe it's lack of advertising. I would be very much interested if I knew it existed. Pity that is no longer maintained.

Instead Slate & Shell will publish a work (finished but needs editing) which brings together all the problems of all the various editions, which is rather more than in any one single edition, and of course all the various solutions and corrections and pro disagreements.

Looking forward to buy.

I expect this will have a very small print-run (problem books sell very badly) and so may best be regarded as a collector's item.

I would not see it as a problem book in the usual sense. The difficulty of these problems are most likely beyond my level anyway. But I am greatly amazed of the existence of such an ancient problem set. I would spend my time reading the different variations, attempts and stories about these problems, rather than playing stupid online blitz games.

[Tsuyoku]

As someone with a whole pile of problem books, I'm always amazed that they sell so badly.

Then again, who does these repeatedly? I'm rather fond of the little rise I get when I repeat a set and do better than last time, but this seems a rare sentiment.

I'm just glad that JF has authoritis and just keeps on making these niche publications. They are most greatly appreciated.

[SoDesuNe]

Then again, who does these repeatedly?

I do ; ) But it highly depends on the book and the problems.
I worked through "Get Strong at Tesuji" at least half a dozen times and solved "1001 Life-and-Death Problems" and Graded Go Problems For Beginners Vol. 3 and 4 like three times. If "Tesuji" counts as a problem book, I completely read it also three times and solved a couple of specific problems/chapters at least five times.

But on the other hand, nowadays I mostly do problems online on GoChild. I think it's worse than going over problems in a paper book, because you can "click" your way through but well, do what's fun, eh? ; )
In the end it comes down to which part (Tesuji, Life-and-Death) I wish to stress to become stronger. GoChild just offers a wide variation of problems and has nice categories and collections.
As you can see above, some problems in my books I almost know by heart due to repetition.

Still enjoying "Rescue and Capture", though, but it has a nice format of one problem on each right page and furthermore the problems are "fresh" ^^

[CnP]

I look forward to buying XXQJ, that's something I'd be prepared to preorder - now there's an idea, SS set up a synopsis for each potential book and collect preorders (held in limbo) enough people put up the money and they do it.

[Tommie]

John Fairbairn is working on a version on XXQJ:

Yes, but no longer on the html version. Too much work with so little interest shown.

John, I second entropi (my colleague), that I didn't know.

Instead Slate & Shell will publish a work (finished but needs editing) which brings together all the problems of all the various editions, which is rather more than in any one single edition, and of course all the various solutions and corrections and pro disagreements.

I will be happy to buy this (and slowly study as well).
Until now I have bought everything you had published on Go (and I became aware of by Peter Z's & MvD's shop),
because the quality level is so high.


Indeed it also becomes a collector's item.

I will be happy when it'll be out.

[imabuddha]

I expect this will have a very small print-run (problem books sell very badly) and so may best be regarded as a collector's item.

In that case, might I suggest that it be a properly-bound hardcover? (not a "perfect-bound" cardboard article) Surely the subject is worthy of the slightly higher production cost, especially if the print run will be very small.

[clemi]

Is there an english (or german, french, dutch) book about classical problem sets like xuan xuan qijing, gokyo shumyo, etc?

Igo Hatsuyoron
http://www.yutopian.com/go/bookeg/PAY16.html

I have the first volume of Igo Hatsuyoron and i must say it's level is very hard.
The problems in there seem very likely to occur in real games but yet have so many variations too.
I've heard once that it was said to be the most difficult tsumego book ever !