How to take care of weak groups?

Toge · #1

It often happens in my game when I have memorized some complicated joseki that the opponent deviates from it and the game turns into absolute cluster****. It feels like I should at the same time defend weak groups, split opponent groups and extend into center.

Bill Spight · #2

A few comments:

Focus: Do not be afraid to sacrifice stones. In fact, it would not hurt to practice it. Look for opportunities to throw stones away.

Numsgil · #3

Quote:

The rule of thumb is one eye plus access to the center.

You've said this a few times, but it's not a rule I'm familiar with and I don't see it on sensei's at all. Is the idea that a group with one eye and access to the center is "stable" for some definition of stable?

Toge · #4

Thanks Bill. Game got awful because I clung to useless stones without thinking of their (lack of) potential. I didn't take initiative in defense. I needlessly strengthened white's groups. These are the things I need to work on.

Bill Spight · #5

Numsgil wrote:

Quote:

The rule of thumb is one eye plus access to the center.

You've said this a few times, but it's not a rule I'm familiar with and I don't see it on sensei's at all. Is the idea that a group with one eye and access to the center is "stable" for some definition of stable?

This is something I read about early in my go learning, either from Korschelt or Takagawa, I think. If your group, when attacked, can make two eyes without running, that's fine. If it cannot make an eye, and, instead of sacrificing it, you run out into the center, then your opponent can make it quite difficult for you. It is not easy to make two eyes in the center. Between these two extremes, if your group, when attacked, can make one eye and run out into the center, it is usually OK. Making only one eye in the center is normally not so hard.

So, for instance, if you are thinking about invading, but do not see how to make an eye, then you should think about playing a reduction. Or if your group is under attack, but it has an eye and access to the center, then you can think about tenuki.

If Toge had considered this rule of thumb. he would not have defended his group on the right ,but would have attacked more vigorously, and later he would not have bothered to make an eyeless group that would be subject to attack, but would have given up a stone or two.

How to take care of weak groups?

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