Reference for Combinatorial Game Theory

Question

I have become interested in the game of Go and have always loved mathematics. After some reading I have found the subject of combinatorial game theory. I'm looking for a book on the subject with a focus on two player sequential games. Thanks for any help.

Answer 1

Elwyn R. Berlekamp, John H. Conway, and Richard K. Guy, Winning Ways for Your Mathematical Plays.

Answer 2

Other suggestions besides Winning Ways:

For a "textbook" style introduction, see "Lessons in Play: An introduction to combinatorial game theory" by Wolfe, Albert, Nowakowski.

For a book specific to Go, see "Mathematical Go: Chilling gets the last point" by Berlekamp and Wolfe.

Answer 3

I personally like Siegel's Combinatorial game theory. It's less "fun" than Winning Ways, but by the same token the presentation in WW often feels (to me at least) pretty loose in a way that - especially where "large" infinitary constructions, and ill-founded objects (loopy games) are concerned - I'm not wild about. Siegel's book is a conventional textbook more-or-less, and that does have its advantages.