Kirby's Study Journal
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Bill Spight
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Re: Kirby's Study Journal
A few comments on the early play.
The Adkins Principle:
At some point, doesn't thinking have to go on?
— Winona Adkins
Visualize whirled peas.
Everything with love. Stay safe.
At some point, doesn't thinking have to go on?
— Winona Adkins
Visualize whirled peas.
Everything with love. Stay safe.
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Kirby
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Re: Kirby's Study Journal
Hi Bill,
Thanks for your comments.
- makes sense. I think N16 would have been good, as you suggest.
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- I considered Q17 in the game as a first instinct, but thought it was too simple for handicap game. I think the hane at N16 isn't 100% bad in all cases, because it's similar to other joseki.
For example, this is a relatively modern pattern, which was popular among pros a few years ago: Admittedly, there is a difference here - the marked black stone is hurt in this variation, so perhaps white's loss in the corner is mitigated.
In the game, if black played a similar way, the result might be this: Indeed, the situation does seem slightly different without a black stone at the marked location. Also, the presence of the marked black stone on the right would seem to be better for black than in the opening variation from the pro games I saw.
Based on this, I would probably agree that my selection was not the best choice based on the whole board. Probably your suggestion is better. However, it doesn't seem out of the range of consideration for candidate moves, especially for a handicap game.
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- I agree. Too passive.
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- I don't know much about what Wilcox says, but I agree with him (and you) in this case. I agree that L16 seems good!
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- Indeed, it does look like I am in trouble, if black plays L16. However, I like your sacrifice idea, and the similar variants:
Great idea! It's difficult for me to think of sacrificing stones at times, but I like your plan.
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Thanks very much for taking the time to look at the game. I especially liked your sacrifice ideas, once I left the top stones too weak.
Thanks for your comments.
- makes sense. I think N16 would have been good, as you suggest.---
- I considered Q17 in the game as a first instinct, but thought it was too simple for handicap game. I think the hane at N16 isn't 100% bad in all cases, because it's similar to other joseki. For example, this is a relatively modern pattern, which was popular among pros a few years ago: Admittedly, there is a difference here - the marked black stone is hurt in this variation, so perhaps white's loss in the corner is mitigated.
In the game, if black played a similar way, the result might be this: Indeed, the situation does seem slightly different without a black stone at the marked location. Also, the presence of the marked black stone on the right would seem to be better for black than in the opening variation from the pro games I saw.
Based on this, I would probably agree that my selection was not the best choice based on the whole board. Probably your suggestion is better. However, it doesn't seem out of the range of consideration for candidate moves, especially for a handicap game.
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- I agree. Too passive.---
- I don't know much about what Wilcox says, but I agree with him (and you) in this case. I agree that L16 seems good!---
- Indeed, it does look like I am in trouble, if black plays L16. However, I like your sacrifice idea, and the similar variants:Great idea! It's difficult for me to think of sacrificing stones at times, but I like your plan.
---
Thanks very much for taking the time to look at the game. I especially liked your sacrifice ideas, once I left the top stones too weak.
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Kirby
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Re: Kirby's Study Journal
I put up a challenge on KGS again today, and the same user that I played yesterday challenged me, again.
He must take a lunch break around the same time as I do.
The game was OK for me, but I created an unnecessary crisis, which could have been avoided. I could have lost the game from it.
Here's my review:
He must take a lunch break around the same time as I do.
The game was OK for me, but I created an unnecessary crisis, which could have been avoided. I could have lost the game from it.
Here's my review:
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Kirby
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Re: Kirby's Study Journal
Learning points.
Position 1 In the game, I tried to be fast, and approach the next corner.
Probably, just continuing is fine for white.
Position 2 The marked move, above, is bad. It makes my group heavy, and subject to attack. It is too greedy. Since I ignored earlier, it's hard to make something of it now, until I have more on the side. That's even hard to accomplish right now, too: So if I'm concerned about those stones, I should have responded earlier. Now he has advantage in that area, since he played there first.
Position 3 No idea why I thought this prevented the black cut. It was silly of me, and therefore, this move is stupid.
Position 4 I played this move way too quickly, without thinking much. It's clear that black can invade at the marked area, like he did in the game.
Instead, I should simply play this way, if I play on the top: Position 5 When I push through to cut here, I create three groups to worry about: This is too risky, and nearly cost me the game, since he probably could have killed me (see SGF). Instead, I should simply live on top, and play the rest of the game out.
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Learning points:
1. Do not create unnecessary crisis. In the game, I saw a potential cut (in the last position), and took it without much thought. With more thought, I could have realized that it could potentially create three weak groups - an unsafe strategy. In this scenario, I should count, and play calmly to victory.
2. Don't create heavy group when unnecessary. This kind of happened due to my cut, during the crisis from point #1. But also earlier in the game, when I created the heavy group on the left.
Position 1 In the game, I tried to be fast, and approach the next corner.
Probably, just continuing is fine for white.
Position 2 The marked move, above, is bad. It makes my group heavy, and subject to attack. It is too greedy. Since I ignored earlier, it's hard to make something of it now, until I have more on the side. That's even hard to accomplish right now, too: So if I'm concerned about those stones, I should have responded earlier. Now he has advantage in that area, since he played there first.
Position 3 No idea why I thought this prevented the black cut. It was silly of me, and therefore, this move is stupid.
Position 4 I played this move way too quickly, without thinking much. It's clear that black can invade at the marked area, like he did in the game.
Instead, I should simply play this way, if I play on the top: Position 5 When I push through to cut here, I create three groups to worry about: This is too risky, and nearly cost me the game, since he probably could have killed me (see SGF). Instead, I should simply live on top, and play the rest of the game out.
---
Learning points:
1. Do not create unnecessary crisis. In the game, I saw a potential cut (in the last position), and took it without much thought. With more thought, I could have realized that it could potentially create three weak groups - an unsafe strategy. In this scenario, I should count, and play calmly to victory.
2. Don't create heavy group when unnecessary. This kind of happened due to my cut, during the crisis from point #1. But also earlier in the game, when I created the heavy group on the left.
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Kirby
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Re: Kirby's Study Journal
Well, it's the evening of New Year's Eve. Neighbors are firing fireworks.
What a better time to do some word analysis on my study journal!
Since I started this up in December, again, here's a word map of commonly used words in posts.
Perhaps I should think about my groups more - and consider the corner!
What a better time to do some word analysis on my study journal!
Since I started this up in December, again, here's a word map of commonly used words in posts.
Perhaps I should think about my groups more - and consider the corner!
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ez4u
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Re: Kirby's Study Journal
I think that a very interesting point arises at 106 (1 below). In the game White played 'a' to the right. The problem with this is that the Black stones on the right are very strong so there is no next play in that direction. Meanwhile the Black stones in the upper left are weak. They do not clearly have eyes yet. White should be thinking about cutting them off our using the threat to do so to gain extra moves in the center. I think that 2 (or possibly 'b') is a more forceful reply. White uses the forcing move at 6 to ensure that Black can't cut here. So Black 5 is impossible here. Black has to settle for 5 at 8. Now White can push through with 'b' but with an important difference in the strength of the White stones.
Dave Sigaty
"Short-lived are both the praiser and the praised, and rememberer and the remembered..."
- Marcus Aurelius; Meditations, VIII 21
"Short-lived are both the praiser and the praised, and rememberer and the remembered..."
- Marcus Aurelius; Meditations, VIII 21
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Kirby
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Re: Kirby's Study Journal
@ez4u:
Looks like a better direction. Given the amount of space in the upper left, I never considered those white stones weak. But even so, like the sequence you gave, it has better follow-up potential.
Looks like a better direction. Given the amount of space in the upper left, I never considered those white stones weak. But even so, like the sequence you gave, it has better follow-up potential.
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ez4u
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Re: Kirby's Study Journal
It is vital to improve our ability to see the potential in different positions. An example on a smaller scale in this game was White's reply to the marked stone. White exchanged 'a' for 'b' and jumped out. However, if White had simply come out with 1 below, it leaves behind the play at 'c', threatening both to capture one stone, connecting White's stones, and cutting Black to the left.Kirby wrote:@ez4u:
Looks like a better direction. Given the amount of space in the upper left, I never considered those white stones weak. But even so, like the sequence you gave, it has better follow-up potential.
Dave Sigaty
"Short-lived are both the praiser and the praised, and rememberer and the remembered..."
- Marcus Aurelius; Meditations, VIII 21
"Short-lived are both the praiser and the praised, and rememberer and the remembered..."
- Marcus Aurelius; Meditations, VIII 21
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Kirby
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Kirby
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Re: Kirby's Study Journal
Today I lost against KGS 1d. It was a painful game, because I did spend a good amount of effort. I counted several times. I felt like I had a slight edge in the late middle game, but then threw it away with a huge endgame blunder.
I made mistakes before that, but after the endgame mistake, losing several points, I was beat psychologically. I played poor endgame after that, and ended up resigning.
Here is my review.
I made mistakes before that, but after the endgame mistake, losing several points, I was beat psychologically. I played poor endgame after that, and ended up resigning.
Here is my review.
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Kirby
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Re: Kirby's Study Journal
Learning points.
Position 1 I played the marked move. I don't feel that bad about it, but maybe it's not calm enough. Maybe it's fine to just play calmly like this: Position 2 The marked move is a little silly.
I think it makes more sense to play like this: Position 3 I invaded 3-3 here, but maybe it's too anxious. The point balance isn't that bad for black, so maybe just reinforcing is fine: Position 4 The above is a huge misread by me. It lost a lot of points.
Instead, just this is fine, I think: Position 5 I thought the marked move was a clever sente play to grab the two stones. But I think answering his play on the bottom is better, since white got so much:
Position 6 This move solidified my loss. I can't believe I didn't read just a couple of moves to see that it was terrible.
If I just play here: I'd say my prospects are OK for the game (though the loss on the bottom was great).
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Learning points
1. Don't get too nervous if score seems close in middle of game. If points are close, probably it's better to solidify than to invade, in some cases. Here, I'm referring to playing 3-3 in bottom left to fix territorial balance. I think score was similar at that point, so I should have solidified, probably.
2. Avoid big reading mistakes. The endgame blunder from the last diagram, as well as Position 4 are big misreads on my part.
*3. When I get an idea of something I want to do that seems "clever", make sure it is the right thing to do. For example, I tried to capture two of his stones, but I think ignoring his play on the bottom resulted in a greater loss for me. While the sequence may have seemed cool to me, I need to consider whether it's the biggest play.
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*Note: I think I'm often susceptible to #3. Sometimes, just if a sequence seems working and cool by my reading, then I play it, without regard to whether it's best.
Position 1 I played the marked move. I don't feel that bad about it, but maybe it's not calm enough. Maybe it's fine to just play calmly like this: Position 2 The marked move is a little silly.
I think it makes more sense to play like this: Position 3 I invaded 3-3 here, but maybe it's too anxious. The point balance isn't that bad for black, so maybe just reinforcing is fine: Position 4 The above is a huge misread by me. It lost a lot of points.
Instead, just this is fine, I think: Position 5 I thought the marked move was a clever sente play to grab the two stones. But I think answering his play on the bottom is better, since white got so much:
Position 6 This move solidified my loss. I can't believe I didn't read just a couple of moves to see that it was terrible.
If I just play here: I'd say my prospects are OK for the game (though the loss on the bottom was great).
---
Learning points
1. Don't get too nervous if score seems close in middle of game. If points are close, probably it's better to solidify than to invade, in some cases. Here, I'm referring to playing 3-3 in bottom left to fix territorial balance. I think score was similar at that point, so I should have solidified, probably.
2. Avoid big reading mistakes. The endgame blunder from the last diagram, as well as Position 4 are big misreads on my part.
*3. When I get an idea of something I want to do that seems "clever", make sure it is the right thing to do. For example, I tried to capture two of his stones, but I think ignoring his play on the bottom resulted in a greater loss for me. While the sequence may have seemed cool to me, I need to consider whether it's the biggest play.
---
*Note: I think I'm often susceptible to #3. Sometimes, just if a sequence seems working and cool by my reading, then I play it, without regard to whether it's best.
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tentano
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Re: Kirby's Study Journal
#3 hits me a lot, too.
"Hey, that would be so cool if it worked! LET'S TRY IT!"
I like to tell myself this means I'm exploring the game and learning a great deal.
I need to comfort myself with something, after all.
"Hey, that would be so cool if it worked! LET'S TRY IT!"
I like to tell myself this means I'm exploring the game and learning a great deal.
I need to comfort myself with something, after all.
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Kirby
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Re: Kirby's Study Journal
Hehe, yes, I hear you. After all, it's something I do as well.tentano wrote:#3 hits me a lot, too.
"Hey, that would be so cool if it worked! LET'S TRY IT!"
I like to tell myself this means I'm exploring the game and learning a great deal.
I need to comfort myself with something, after all.
Personally, I think that it can, in some cases mean that you're exploring the game and learning a lot. However, in my case, I suspect that I sometimes explore, make the mistake, and then make the same mistake in a future game.
Many people are probably less stubborn than me, though, so this might be only my problem. ;-p
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Kirby
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Re: Kirby's Study Journal
Kids were napping at the same time today, so I had the opportunity to play a game today (on Saturday). Tomorrow is the Jin Chen Memorial Tournament in Seattle, and I plan to attend. So, I was glad to get in a game for practice.
This game, I was too aggressive, and fell behind. Then, by luck, he killed himself. I need to be more careful.
Here is my review.
This game, I was too aggressive, and fell behind. Then, by luck, he killed himself. I need to be more careful.
Here is my review.
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Kirby
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Re: Kirby's Study Journal
Learning points...
Position 1 It seems early to move out the marked move. Perhaps I can just treat it lightly, and play like this.
Position 2
The sequence above came about in the game, but it made white heavy. Following that, I had aji problems.
Perhaps it's better to first make him heavy.
Position 4
I immediately regret the marked move, since black can peep at some point: This was very bad. I should probably push first.
Or maybe diagonal: Anyway, jumping was not good. One of my biggest regrets this game, and that's why I started the funny business here, which was too aggressive: Position 5 The marked move should only be played if I am sure that I can kill or get profit. I didn't read enough to check ( and in the end, I didn't get enough profit).
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Learning Points:
1.) If I play aggressively, make sure it works, first. (eg. In the case of the last position, I played a cut which helped black a lot locally. In order to get sufficient compensation, I'd have to get a lot of profit. That didn't happen in the game, so I lost out a bit.)
2.) Early in fuseki, don't bother making a weak group when there are bigger plays. (eg. In the case of the first position, I don't think it was biggest or necessary to bring out the single stone.
3.) Watch out for the weaknesses of my own groups.
Position 1 It seems early to move out the marked move. Perhaps I can just treat it lightly, and play like this.
Position 2
The sequence above came about in the game, but it made white heavy. Following that, I had aji problems.
Perhaps it's better to first make him heavy.
Position 4
I immediately regret the marked move, since black can peep at some point: This was very bad. I should probably push first.
Or maybe diagonal: Anyway, jumping was not good. One of my biggest regrets this game, and that's why I started the funny business here, which was too aggressive: Position 5 The marked move should only be played if I am sure that I can kill or get profit. I didn't read enough to check ( and in the end, I didn't get enough profit).
---
Learning Points:
1.) If I play aggressively, make sure it works, first. (eg. In the case of the last position, I played a cut which helped black a lot locally. In order to get sufficient compensation, I'd have to get a lot of profit. That didn't happen in the game, so I lost out a bit.)
2.) Early in fuseki, don't bother making a weak group when there are bigger plays. (eg. In the case of the first position, I don't think it was biggest or necessary to bring out the single stone.
3.) Watch out for the weaknesses of my own groups.
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