Tenth Kisei Title Match

A start, but user unfriendly

SUMMARY

Go players will welcome this and it's companion volume for the coverage if Cho's remarkable style and flair.

But the interface gets in the way. Compared to the elegant Go Books series (Slate and Shell), even iPad users (who get maximum features), will be disappointed.

BEST and WORST

One feature shines: when demonstrating an alternative move, the screen animates both the game move and, sliding the stone over, the alternative move. This simple animation is a clever improvement even over Go Book's presentation.

But the interface fails on other grounds.

Playing out a sequence on any board is difficult. Readers can tap-tap-tap forward or back in the game history, but only one move at a time. Want to see 10 moves back? Tap 10 times. Want to resume? Tap away to get back to the starting point.

Turn the page to continue reading the text, you lose the board diagram. The book offers hot linked references, but click the reference and the screen reverts to the main board, perhaps pages back. Want to return to the text? Scroll-scroll-scroll. Check the diagram? Back you go. Read? Gotta scroll forward.

After 10 minutes, I was thinking I'd rather have a real life book and board. Little of the advantages of digital linking are used. Again, check out Slate and Shell and the superior implementation is clear.

Finally, there are plain navigation errors. Moves disappear, some links just fail. Frustrating...

RECOMMENDATION

Get this series if you're a strong enough player to read go diagrams with little help. The commentary (from old Go World articles) is authoritative and helpful.

The price, VERY REASONABLE, makes up for the interface. The superior Slate and Shell books cost 5 to 10 times more...

With interface improvements, I can imagine this series becoming a must have for the serious amateur player.