So – I’ve been trying to get my head round the concept of probes.
I’ve read the Sensei’s Library page, and the relevant chapter in Strategic Concepts of Go by Yoshiaki Nagahara.
In the abstract, I understand the idea of a probe as a move that forces the opponent to settle his shape (i.e. choose his strategy), leaving you to adapt your strategy accordingly.
However, I’m not sure whether I actually use probes in my (3 kyu) games. Perhaps I do, but don’t mentally label them as such; or perhaps they are an advanced strategy I haven’t learnt to use yet.
I do make plays which leave an acceptable follow up however the opponent responds. This is surely a fairly basic idea (related to the miai principle). But probes are something more than this, right?
Say I approach a nearly-consolidated territory that has two possible invasion areas. My opponent protects one of the areas, so I invade the other. If that counts as a simple probe, I guess I do use them instinctively.
Or say I invade a framework, having judged that I can live or escape whatever happens. My opponent chooses to seal me in, so I make life while he builds a wall facing the centre. I then jump towards the centre from my neighbouring group, in order to reduce the effectiveness of his influence / patch up a weakness he might exploit / prevent him sealing off a big central territory, etc. Might that sequence be an example of ‘probe’ thinking?
The reason I’m asking is that, to me, it goes without saying that we constantly try to adapt our strategy to counter what our opponent has played. But probes seem to be more mysterious than this… (the professional examples given in Strategic Concepts of Go certainly seem pretty advanced to me, but hell, it’s pro go, what do I expect!)
So, 19x19 people - can you post an example of a probe you played, with an explanation of what you were thinking in terms of possible follow ups? That might help me clarify this concept. Thanks.
is a probe.
, black will extend to 
to secure a base for his group.
. Can white ignore that? Not really. If white ignores, 
through 
completely destroy white's corner. 
for 
for 
, which only helps white.
. Now, if black clamps, the descent is obviously better, because it simply captures the clamp stone. Black clearly loses points here.