I was just recently promoted to 3k on kgs this is the first game I played there. I've included some comments at various points throughout the game to explain my thoughts. Please tell me your thoughts on the game. Also feel free to post even if you are weaker than me in strength. I've been playing go for a relatively short while, so it would not be surprising if I was making mistakes that were readily apparent to players significantly below my rank.



On an unrelated note, I would be quite interested in playing a malkovitch game. If someone of similar skill is interested in playing, message me or post in the malkovitch registration thread that I've already posted in.

is too submissive and small. Cutting at K4 is necessary. If you are not sure this works, better leave for later. Block at N2 or L2 only when you are prepared to fight strongly.

As you noted, misses the mark. Capturing one stone at H4 only enlarges your strongest group by a few points. Strengthening the lower right group is much more important.

Fortunately W caused himself problems here by playing moves 34-38 on the wrong side, trying to protect an unimportant stone. The end result was good for B -- the B stones up to J7 significantly weaken the W lower center group, while the W stones up to H7 have no effect on the B stones below.

is a good idea, but does not quite work, as you found out. It would be really nice if B was a bit stronger in the center before attacking like this. How about hane at H8, leaning against the weak group W was nice enough to create for you? If W cuts at J8, you have a natural reason to play the move you played next anyway, so the flow is good. After your center group gets a bit stronger, come back to attack W strongly, confident that you have already prepared against his counter-attack.

The move sequence 89-109 was terrible for B. Pressing against two weak W stones to make eyes for a much stronger B group was a bad plan to begin with. B had a thick group which should have been used to attack, but instead B was worried about defense and ended up giving W strong positions with territory on both sides. If you were really worried about the security of this group, simply playing R2 would have been good. W has to live on the left, forcing B to take all the corner territory.

:b117: is again much too small and submissive. This is a desperation survival move, since it hurts the upper left corner so much, but B is not that weak yet. Extend calmly to N17 and see how things develop.

:b131: only seeks to reduce W territory a bit here, without doing anything positive for B. I would think about attaching at R15 or S16 to make a bigger dent in the W side. It seems like there is enough aji around here for B to make sabaki if W attacks strongly.

A few comments on the opening.




Edits:

Better at P-09.

B 117. Your comment: "I can't afford to let this group before weak so I live as quickly as possible, even if it means hurting my corner."

It is good that you understand that go is a game of trade-offs. But you are too willing to accept losses. Mitsun's suggestion of N-17 is good. You might also consider the side attachment at O-17, to build strength.

_________________
The Adkins Principle:
At some point, doesn't thinking have to go on?
— Winona Adkins

Visualize whirled peas.

Everything with love. Stay safe.