John S Tilley

John Tilley - lapsed Go player. Learnt to play Go in 1965 from Edward Lasker's book Go and Go Moku. Started to play seriously at Cambridge in October 1966, 5kyu in June 1967, 1 kyu in June 1968.

Spent 15 months in Japan, leaving in 1970 as 1 dan. Proof read early Ishi Press books. Worked in Overseas Department of Nihon Kiin and was editorial assistant on Go Review. Highest ranking 2 dan, current strength - no idea!

Editor/compiler of GO - International Handbook and Dictionary published by Ishi Press. I produced the rough material for Richard Bozulich who gave me a yes/no and steered its direction; after I left Japan he eventually published it.

Stopped playing around 1980, I wasn't getting stronger and other interests took over. However I continued to read a few books and played through some professional games, mainly Invincible. Interest recently rekindled due to retirement and as some friends are starting to play.

Current projects

• Reading Aiming at Shodan -- Three Faults that Hold you Back - recommended
• Playing through the games in Invincible again
• Studying tsume-go with the Segoe TsumeGo Dictionary

Memorable moments

• Getting a double headed dragon at the first British Go Congress in June 1967
• Missing an ishinoshita in Japan which Magari Reiki then 8p, who was playing a teaching game, spotted from 3 go boards away and put into one of his books
• A game of rengo in Japan - one Sunday evening Segoe suddenly arrived at Iwamoto's Go Salon in Ebisu, Tokyo. So I found myself playing with Iwamoto's daughter against Iwamoto 9 dan and Segoe 9 dan. I asked Iwamoto whether he found this an interesting game, he replied Better than televison, sometimes White win, sometimes Black.