American Go E-Journal » Tools: books, software & hardware

SmartGo Kifu and the upgrade package are on sale for one week. For the next week, the go apps’ upgrade bundle will be $16 — if you bought Pro at $13, you can upgrade for just $3. And SmartGo Kifu (right) will be on sale for $15 (25% off). “Grab this chance before it’s gone,” says SmartGo author Anders Kierulf. “This is a rare opportunity, as SmartGo Kifu has only ever been on sale once before in its 4.5 years.” Kierulf revived the iPhone-only SmartGo Pro earlier this year to get users up-to-date, “and as soon as Apple allowed it, I added an upgrade package to give users a way to upgrade from Pro to Kifu. However, the numbers are in, and having multiple versions of essentially the same app is proving to be too confusing.” After next week, Kierulf will remove SmartGo Pro from the App Store; “SmartGo Kifu, which works on both iPad and iPhone, is the way forward,” he says. Read more about it here.

Out of print go books from OroMedia are available at steep discounts but they’re going fast. Go Game Guru is currently selling out of print gobooks from OroMedia at discounts of more than 50% off. OroMedia, based in Korea, was the publisher of more than 20 go books in English, as well as other Korean language books and magazines. The company went out of business in 2013, and Go Game Guru has purchased their remaining stock. “Because we were able to buy these books at a discounted price, we can offer much lower prices to customers than usual,” says Go Game Guru’s David Ormerod. The majority of the books are priced at $10 or less, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Seven of the books are already out of stock; click here for an up-to-date list of all the books on sale.

Kiseido has released a new series of go books for the kyu-level player. “The Road Map to Shodan” by Rob van Zeijst and Richard Bozulichis is a new series of go books “whose aim is to provide the kyu-level player with the strategic principles and tactical skills needed to rise to the level of an expert player,” says Kiseido. The series includes “Handicap-Go Strategy and the Sanrensei Opening,” “The Basic Principles of the Opening and the Middle Game,” “The Basic Life and Death Position” and “A Survey of the Basic Tesujis.”  Other volumes are in preparation. Click here for further information and to order.

Just a few weeks after the conclusion of the historic jubango between Gu Li 9P and Lee Sedol 9P, Kiseido is releasing its latest book, which provides an in-depth analysis of the first five games of the historic ‘Death Match’ between two of the strongest go players of the modern era. Having been rivals for many years, with an almost even score of games won against each other in international tournaments, the ten-game match between Korea’s Lee Sedol 9p and China’s Gu Li 9p would definitively decide the ‘best player’ amongst these titans. “Modern Master Games Volume 2: The 2014 Ten-Game Match Between Gu Li and Lee Sedol Part 1: Games One to Five” is compiled and written by Rob van Zeijst, and co-edited by Michael Redmond 9P. Both players are famous for their severe attacks and their fighting skills. Gu has a thick style accompanied by an exquisite feeling for the opening, while Lee plays a fast, profit-oriented game, leaving behind thin positions. This contrast between styles is what made for the innovative and exciting games this year that would decide who will be crowned as the ‘strongest player of the 21st century’. Available ($ 25.00/ € 20.00) on October 15.

Guo Juan’s Online Go School Fall semester group class starts up on September 27th. “If you want to study go with experienced pro teachers for a good price, we have a fun place for you” Guo Juan promises. “Make friends, meet pros and improve your play.” Teaching pros include Mingjiu Jiang 7P and Jennie Shen 2P. Register here.