A bit more about the three stones

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[go]$$Bcm9 Moves 9 to 12
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$$ | . . . O . . . . . . . . . . X . . . . |
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After the three stones are too strong for a continued close assault. The exchanges so far have strengthened them. Elf still likes approaching the top left corner for .

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[go]$$Bcm13 Variation: White sphere of influence
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$$ | . . . O . . . . . . . . . 4 X . . . . |
$$ | . . . , . 2 . . . , . . . O X , X . . |
$$ | . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . O X . . . . |
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$$ | . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
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In this case replies to with the keima extension, which allows Black to pincer with . Then makes a nice wall which, with and the D-17 stone, form a White sphere of influence on the top side. OC, with a 7 point gap it is rather thin.

The odds of winning or losing may not have changed much, but appears to refute Black's play in the top right. In the game prevents that development with the turn at 16.

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[go]$$Bcm13 Moves 13 to 17
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$$ | . . . O . . 4 . 3 . 5 . . 1 X . . . . |
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$$ | . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . O . . . . . |
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$$ | . . . , . X . . . , . . . . . O . . . |
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In fact, with - Black makes territory on the top side, countering White's influence there.

Now we come to the Black blunder, .

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[go]$$Bcm21 Moves 21 to 28
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$$ | . . . . . . . b . . . . . O X . . . . |
$$ | . . O . . . . . . . . . . O 1 . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . a 3 . . . . . |
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$$ | . . . , . . . . . , . . . . . , 2 . . |
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$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 . . |
$$ | . . . O . . e . . . . . . . . . . . . |
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$$ | . . O , . X . . c , . . . . . O . . . |
$$ | . d X X . . . . . 5 . . 7 . 6 . . . . |
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takes away a liberty from the three stones and reduces their influence on the right side. But it does not itself exert much influence on the right side. freely extends to R-10. , which appears to be a minor error, does exert more influence there, but pretty well nullifies it. The game develops normally through .

At this point Elf gives Black only a 4½% chance of winning with 7½ komi. A tewari in the top right makes Black look overconcentrated there to me. Isn't it easy now to give up those three stones?

was a counter-hane at a, and Go Seigen actually ended up saving the three stones. Elf prefers b, c, d, or e instead, by about 5% each.

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

Visualize whirled peas.

Everything with love. Stay safe.