Play Like the Hammer Princess

Lessons and Games of Ueno Asami

Ueno Asami

Go Big. Capture Boldly. Change Your Game.

Few moments in Go are as thrilling as capturing a huge group of stones. A single successful attack can completely change the course of a game — sometimes even turning around a position that AI already considers lost. In Play Like the Hammer Princess, Ueno Asami explores exactly this exciting style of play.

Known for her fearless “hammer-like” approach to Go, Ueno shows how to fight boldly, create attacking opportunities, and put constant pressure on your opponent. Rather than focusing only on strict AI-approved moves, this book emphasizes practical fighting Go: building positions where active play, sharp judgment, and the courage to attack can lead to dramatic victories.

The book is divided into three chapters. The opening section introduces fighting-oriented fuseki choices designed to create rich and dynamic games. The later chapters draw from Ueno Asami’s own tournament games, illustrating how battles begin, how large-scale attacks develop, and how daring decisions can lead to spectacular turnarounds.

Whether you are an ambitious tournament player or an enthusiastic club player, this book will inspire you to play with greater confidence, embrace risk, and enjoy the most exciting side of Go.

Pick up the hammer — and learn to swing it like the Hammer Princess.

ISBN 978-3-98794-025-5, 240 pages
BOARD N'STONES, 2026
Art.No. BNS025

Cover: Sho Ishinoshita

Available for order in your favorite book shop or in various online stores: