Paolo Zanon, Qijing Shisanpian (The Classic of Weiqi in Thirteen Chapters), 1996
Contents
CHAPTER ONE: ON THE PIECES AND THE BOARD
Ever since ancient times, no player has ever happened to place the pieces on the board in exactly the same way as he did during a preceding game.
CHAPTER TWO: ON CALCULATIONS
If he is able to work out who will win while the game is still being played, he has calculated well. If he is not able to work this out, he has calculated badly . If he does not know who is the winner and who is the loser at the end of the game, he has made no calculations at all!
CHAPTER THREE: ON CONTROL OF TERRITORY
Before attacking to the left, observe the right; before invading the space behind your opponent’s lines, observe what is in front of them.
CHAPTER FOUR: ON ENGAGING CONFLICT
Rather than keeping endangered pieces alive, it is better to abandon them and acquire new positions.
CHAPTER FIVE: ON EMPTINESS AND FULLNESS
Do not play your pieces too close to those of your opponent, for if you do, you will make him “full” but you will “empty” yourself.
CHAPTER SIX: ON KNOWING ONESELF
The wise man is able to foresee even things which are not yet visible. The foolish man is blind even when the evidence is placed in front of his eyes.
CHAPTER SEVEN: ON OBSERVING THE GAME
If your advance along the sides only allows you to survive, you will be defeated.
CHAPTER EIGHT: ON EXAMINING FEELINGS
Generally, if you are sure of yourself yet modest, you will often win; if you are uncertain and proud, you will often lose .
CHAPTER NINE: ON CORRECTNESS AND INCORRECTNESS
Thus, there are many levels of play and not all players are equal: those who are at a low level play without thinking or reflecting, and simply act in order to deceive.
CHAPTER TEN: ON OBSERVING DETAILS
During play, there sometimes appears to be an advantage where in fact there is not; at other times, the opposite is the case.
CHAPTER ELEVEN: ON TERMINOLOGY
Weiqi players have given precise names to all dispositions.
CHAPTER TWELVE: ON MENTAL LEVELS
There are nine mental levels into which players are distinguished.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: MISCELLANEOUS
On the game-board, the sides are not as important as the corners, and the corners are not as important as the centre.