Hi all,

I've been told that I should invite analyses on games where I feel I did well, since I'm less likely to be aware of my mistakes. Thus, I'd like to ask for commentary on this recent game of mine:



I played black, and my opponent gave me two stones.

After reviewing it myself, I feel like moves 60 and 102 were unnecessary. I wasn't sure if there was a better way to deal with the invasion that started on move 63.


I'd appreciate any comments or critiques. Thanks in advance!

Some thoughts:

At move 3, it's more typical to respond with a small knight's move or large knight's move defense, as once white is stronger, approaching from the other side becomes severe for white to play.

Move 8: I prefer low rather than high, as white could approach from the other side without too much trouble.

Move 22: White's pincer was loose, so black has room to maneuver here. To keep this from being a disaster for black, black needs to extend from the inside stone and fight instead of damaging it with the atari.

Sequence around 54: Perhaps black should hane or tenuki? This sequence strengthens white greatly for little gain.

Move 62: This is kind of weird. You can just play a one-space jump or small knight's move along the left side from the corner, which would remove a lot more aji.

Move 85: I would much rather extend from the black stone if it is at all possible, as to C4. It looks okay to me after a cursory glance, but I may be mistaken.

Move 102 or so: If black plans to break in on a large scale from the top side, it may be better to hold off playing these moves on the outside so as to create more options on the inside. Black can always take them later, as pushing in from there should be fairly sente.

Move 159: White is quite thin here, so you can consider attaching instead. Either way it's painful, though.

Move 170: I think you can ignore the ko and just cause white bigger problems with the monkey-jump string.

Thanks very much! I definitely see your points about moves 54, 62, 102, and especially the ko at 170. I'm not sure I totally understand your advice on move 85 (white's turn?), though. Did you mean I should have extended from the handicap stone one move 84 or 86?

Thanks for your thoughts, EdLee. I suppose I was so concerned with pushing from behind that I didn't want to accept fourth line territory . . .

Hi Tyvex, you're welcome.