Chess Formulas

刘仲甫Jul 2024

3.6

Word count: 1.8K words
Chapters: 4

Summary

Traditional Chinese culture has a long intellectual history, marked by a high degree of originality, inventiveness, and literary quality. Early thought forms are highly distinctive: religious theology, classical texts of Chinese medicine, ancient military strategy, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism and the Hundred Schools, feng shui and metaphysics, the Twenty-Four Histories, customs and local gazetteers—these subjects are vast and profound. This series, Essential Classics of Chinese Traditional Culture: Original Texts, preserves the appearance of the original books, with a focus on conserving and transmitting traditional Chinese thought and culture. By reading the literary essence left by ancient sages, readers cultivate character and quietly absorb the classics of Chinese learning.

Editor's review

Qijue is attributed to Liu Zhongfu and appears in the Essential Classics of Chinese Traditional Culture: Original Texts series, presented in a form that preserves the original book's appearance. Unlike ordinary introductory books on board games, its value lies in bringing readers directly face to face with the original expression of an ancient Go text, so they can encounter the terminology, lines of thought, and modes of discourse of traditional Go scholarship. It is better suited to readers who already have some understanding of Go or ancient board-game arts and are willing to approach the way of Go from a documentary perspective. There is no need to strive for sentence-by-sentence mastery; begin by grasping the overall structure, then compare and reflect in light of actual play. For readers who want to understand traditional Go culture or gather materials on ancient Go theory, this book offers an entry point to a text that has not been rewritten for popular audiences; but those expecting a step-by-step beginner's course may find it less than straightforward.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in Go or ancient board-game culture who want to encounter original Go theory
People with some foundation in Go who wish to understand the way of Go from a documentary perspective
Readers who need materials on traditional Go culture for writing or teaching
Lovers of traditional culture who prefer books that preserve the original appearance and are willing to read classical Chinese slowly

Not a good fit for

Readers who do not play Go at all and are looking for a zero-foundation introductory course
Readers who want vernacular translation and detailed illustrated explanations
Competitive players seeking to master practical techniques quickly

Reading tips

First learn the basic rules of Go and common terminology; the book will then read much more smoothly.
Do not insist on understanding every sentence; read through once to grasp the overall structure, then return to key passages for close reading.
Compare what you read with your own playing experience, testing the book's statements against actual games.
Keep a reference work on classical Chinese at hand; mark unfamiliar terms first, then look them up together after finishing a passage.

版权信息
棋诀
提要
棋诀

FAQ

Can I read this book without knowing Go?

You can read it, but the benefit will be limited. The book preserves the original appearance of the text and offers no zero-foundation diagrams or step-by-step explanations, so without a grasp of basic Go rules and terminology it is hard to understand what is being discussed. It is best to learn the basic rules of Go first; the book will then read much more smoothly, and its ideas on Go will be easier to appreciate.

How is this book different from common Go primers?

Common Go primers are usually organized by topic, with diagrams and exercises, and aim to teach readers how to play. This book belongs to the category of traditional cultural source texts; it focuses on preserving the original appearance of the book and presenting ancient Go theory in its original expression, rather than serving as a step-by-step course. It is better suited to understanding the way of Go from a documentary and cultural perspective than to quickly improving practical strength.

What background do I need to read this book?

Two foundations are recommended: first, knowledge of basic Go rules and common terminology, enough to follow discussion of positions; second, patience with classical Chinese, since the book preserves the original appearance of the text and provides no sentence-by-sentence vernacular translation. With these two, reading alongside a classical Chinese reference work and comparing with actual play will deepen your understanding.

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About the author

刘仲甫 Author

Liu Zhongfu's official career, dates of birth and death, and native place are all absent from extant public records, and his nationality cannot be verified with certainty. What can be confirmed is that a single work on chess, Qijue (Chess Formulas), survives under his name. The book is a treatise on the game of go, centering on chess principles and practical essentials rather than empty generalities. Its language is concise, its organization clear, and its discussions closely tied to actual play, reflecting the author's familiarity with the craft and his pragmatic attitude. Though brief, Qijue has long been valued by students of the game and is classed among classic works, which shows its weight in go literature. Given the limited sources, little else about Liu Zhongfu can be described in detail, and his precise place in the history of chess and his personal connections await further study.