Igo Hatsuyoron 120 - Volume I

Igo Hatsuyōron is the most difficult of the classical books on tsume go. This problem collection was compiled in 1713 by Dosetsu Inseki, the third head of the Inoue Go school, and was designed for the training of the highest caliber students at the school. It was kept secret from all but a few of them, who studied the book under the direct supervision of the Inoue. 183 problems (of estimated more than 1,500) have survived to modern times. Unfortunately, all others were lost in fire. Amoung these the most difficult is #120, widely believed to be the most difficult Go problem ever created, which has still not been solved by professional Go players. The long standing collaboration of three amateurs, from Germany, and the United Kinddom, has found the answer! Volume I contains the main path of our solution, and a very wild bunch of nested variations. In addition, various overviews are included, of which we hope that they clarify the structure of the problem.