he is probably close to my strength but i think i have chance.
you wont see me going crazy with overplay on this game.

OK, Magicwand seems like a strong fighter. Therefore the best strategy is to steer the game away from fighting and into a calm, strategic contest.

No! I reject that! I am not here to try to win a slow boring game. I want to have fun and learn. So I will walk right into his wheelhouse and fight tooth and nail. Muhahaha

Hence my 5-4 point, setting up a strong position for fighting!

intresting opening... i guess he knows that he has an advantage with 2 stone.
i know that too. but having advantage doesnt necessary decide the winning.
when i am down..i try to play more solid.

I am sticking with the fighting attitude. Plus there is a possible trap that I have seen in a pro game, setting up an early ko, maybe I will get to use it.

Is this the ko?

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$$ | . . . X a 0 . X . , . . . . . O . . . |
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i am not sure if it is optimal way to play..maybe not.
but this is way i like to play.

Yes that's the idea. White takes first so I would need to establish a ko threat or two somewhere before starting it.

The only sensible move.

Continuing my expected line.

if it was an even game i would have played a or b. since it is a 2 stone i had to to pick a variation that is more complex. i can see that he is not afraid to fight. but i am.
i have to fight correctly because if i lose the balance of moyo or points then i can not win. and also i can not be too timid. ah~~~ i hate beginning of any handycap game.

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I am reasonably happy here. maintains the potential ko, and also has a relationship with the top left. Black a would give me a good formation on the left, there would not be enough room for white to split comfortably. And if white plays a, I will play b, making outside strength to work with the top right hoshi stone.

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i went to his other games and try to assess his strength. wasnt toomuch info in that game.
little confrontatin he had in the corner tells me his reading is close to mine.
and moves he played sofar tells me he is a solid player.
i will see few more moves he makes and see if he makes any mistakes.

OK, let's give this a try

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If white plays 2, I plan to exchange 3-4 to create ko threats, then start the ko.

ok .. let's see ..

just empty hidden box that will make my opponent feel uneasy.

i am sure he explained in his hidden box that there is ko he is after..
that was something i didnt expect. i have seen them in professionals but never been played against me.
anyway..i might lose some points if something goes wrong..but i dont have any choice but to follow what he wants.
i have a feeling it is not going to be too bad. i dont really worry about outcome as of now.
if he loses ko he will lose much points as he gains out of ko threat.