NOTE: The following testimonials were voluntarily written for me by my students on their own initiative. I check each one for spelling and grammar before posting them, but beyond that, I have no influence in what they write.
"I remember being nervous while I played my first game with Jon. I might've been 14 kyu and used to getting punished from each and every mistake by stronger players, although they were teaching me. Jon taught me by playing and showing my weaknesses without the "must win" attitude. The reviews were really enlightening, and sometimes it felt as if I was learning too much!
"Jon helped me realize what "ratings" were and how unimportant they are. He was always helping me to slow down my play, because most of my errors were from speed. He's very dedicated; even though I wasn't paying him for any lessons, he watched nearly all my games and talked to me as I played to offer moral support. Afterwards, if I needed it, he'd answer any questions I had about the game. He was the first person to explain an opening to me, the Chinese fuseki, and it really helped me understand the moves during fuseki and what they meant."
-- Mark H.
"When I first started playing, I was ready to quit because I knew nothing. With the aid of Jon's teachings, I have quickly moved down the ranks, only playing a month and a half and I am already 18k =]. Great teacher, great explanations, he actually tells you why you shouldn't play in a bad spot, rather than 'Just don't.'"
--Justin Tokarchuk
"Passion. It is a rarity to find such a feeling in this fast-paced life where everyone is pressured by schedules and deadlines, priorities and boundaries, rushed phone-call friendships between classes and patched-up faith. For some, passion may seem as a feeling that was long forgotten. I count myself very lucky to have the chance to meet Jon on the KGS Go Server through one of my good friends. Jon embodies a passion for go that can be easily felt once you get to know him.
When I met Jon, I still carried my six-year impression of go as a frightening game of black and white circles on a very large grid. This fear was always one I wished to dispel. Not only did I want to dispel my fear, I wanted to become good at go. After countless all-night rengos and friendly chatter, I decided to ask Jon for a lesson on one very frustrating evening when I dropped 3 stones in rank. I was a bit devastated and ready to give up on go, once again. Even though it was very late at night for Jon, he eagerly planned out a lesson for me by recalling how I played in my previous games. That lesson will always be a fond memory for me. "Black shouldn't go there because white can squish and squash that stone! Don't be afraid of your opponent!" We found out how my fear was caused by learning go the wrong way.
Slowly, Jon transformed my impression of simple black and white dots into stones that held mystical and artistic potential. The go player is the painter. The board is his canvas. He transformed my fear and frustration into smiles and laughter. This may sound very cheesy, but this really did make all the difference. Soon I found myself on KGS very frequently, undusting and flipping through old books that I had tried to read years ago, reviewing the games I had made countless mistakes in and encouraging those around me with happy Asian-inspired online smileys. The Kuro Neko Go School that Jon founded is a very special find on KGS. Never have I met so many friendly and very generous personalities in one place.
So, what happened to that girl who was so scared of go? She's currently the president of her own go club, of course. What was the lesson on?
"Nari, openings are everything.""
-- Pei-Hsuan Yang
