I seem to be going forward in Go, but only a millimeter at a time

Below are 3 games in which I played as Black, taking a 1-stone handicap. (Fortunately there were no undecided-status groups in these.) In the first one I won by 16.5 points, in the second White won by 32.5 points, and in the third I won by 44.5 points. I was able to win the last one by killing a White group in the center. In all these games I go for invading White's moyo, to counter my tendency to allow White large territories.

In the first game, is my attempt to begin reducing White's territory on the left side. It is risky as there are no friendly stones nearby. Fortunately, it worked in this game, but against an SDK or dan-level player this would probably backfire, as WHite could've probably attacked it with the result of territorial profit. I would like some input on such invasions.

In the second game it appears I got the timing off and invaded too late. Also, I did not know the joseki after and a Black placement at B14 really late in the game would probably have resulted in the death of the White group at the top left of the board. If White connects with C14, Black @ A12. Afterwards, if White at A13, Black at B13, White at A11, Black at A14, then if White connects at A12, Black plays at B15 to kill. Otherwise, White must win the ko to live by preventing Black connecting at A13, for a cleaver-5 nakade will result. I think we should look at this position and see if the White group was indeed killable; B13 as a reply to Black at B14 would be more favorable for White.

Finally, I think my opening moves in the 2nd game was not aggressive enough.

In the third game, White's response to Black 198 allowed me to cut off a large White group. I was expecting White to connect at M14, after which I would play N16 and M16 consecutively. I should look a bit more closely to determine the outcome of a capturing race that did not happen.

Much obliged in advance for your comments.

Some comments on the second game:


Gnugo, at this level, is far from perfect. Don't assume that you can't take advantage of it.

I know that GNUGo is very strong, but I have not been able to find this program at SDK level for some time. Maybe I should try playing against it as White for a more challenging game, but I still have to get my OGS rank up. I want to be able to beat the program consistently, instead of winning and losing by big margins.

My suggestion is to play other people.

You could even play a malkovich and have your moves analyzed in hidden comments that slowly drive you crazy I would play you if you want.