Charles Matthews wrote an excellent book on this topic, coincidentally called **Shape Up!** It is available for free on the net, if you have a Gobase.org account simply grab it [here][1], if not, Google should bring up something. To list a few of the ideas explained: [1]: http://gobase.org/studying/articles/matthews/shape_up/ Part 1 of the book, "Principles of development", covers basic terminology (table shape etc.), wedge weakness, empty triangles, eye shape, tactical aspects of connections, one point jumps and compound shapes. The second part "Principles of engagement" explains hand at the head of 2 stones, nose tesuji, bulges, the center of 3 stones, answers to attachments, open skirts and submarines. Part 3 "Practical fighting" deals with all kinds of cuts, light play, keima, peeps, several pincers, caps and sector lines. In Part 4, "Vital points and shape in the opening", 2 and 3 point extensions and invasions, 3rd and 4th line and enclosures are discussed. The final part talks about "Theory", advanced concepts like 3 instead of 123, miai, kikashi, probes and large distance jumps, haengma and sabaki. There are several sets of tsumego to reflect on the chapters. Interestingly, this book can be understood by beginners (DDK) and is still useful up to lower dan levels. All shapes explained are extremely common in actual play so studying this book is most rewarding. Sadly the amount of higher level books on advanced shape study is limited in the Western world. If you're capable of speaking Chinese, Japanese or Korean you'll find a vast amount of very high level books in Asian Go stores. Apart from joseki study and Asian books, you're pretty much out of luck regards of lecture material. Of course there are still some high level (Western) books and lectures but they are rarely focused on the idea if shape itself, so you'll have to scrape together what you find. As you grow beyond the point where the typical Western shape books are of much use, the study of joseki is the main way to learn. Joseki are carefully crafted by professionals over time, and the shapes they incorporate are often very advanced. However, once study material has become difficult to get, you'll probably have connections to several sensei that will be able to help you out. Until then, let the basics become natural, and review your games to understand and learn from your shape mistakes.