I was very close to making a move numerous times. However, I kept finding previously overlooked resources, thus delaying my response. There were several issues I tried to fathom. Firstly, I attempted to decide between the game continuation and this alternative:
- Click Here To Show Diagram Code
[go]$$Bc
$$ | . . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . O , . . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . B . 1 B O . .
$$ | . . . . . O X . O
$$ | . . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . . O O . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . . X
$$ | . . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . . .
$$ -------------------[/go]
This move links up the marked stones better than the move in the game. Yet, these stones seem to be at risk of getting separated from other Black stones in many of the variations I looked at. As such, the move in the game--which offers better access to the center--is preferable.
The question is, however, whether White can take advantage of the gap between Black stones. To this effect, White can try the following moves, for example:
- Click Here To Show Diagram Code
[go]$$Bc
$$ | . . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . O , . . . . .
$$ | . . . . . X . . .
$$ | . . X a b X O . .
$$ | . . . c . O X . O
$$ | . . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . . O O . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . . X
$$ | . . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . . .
$$ -------------------[/go]
I think I can get a reasonable result in all these cases.
Secondly, I tried to understand what happens if I try to run the G7 stone if it gets ataried. The consequences of the following variation seem disadvantageous--very risky, in the very least:
- Click Here To Show Diagram Code
[go]$$Wc
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X O . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . X . . . X O . . |
$$ | . . O , . . . . . , . . . . . X O . . |
$$ | . . . . . X 5 . . . . . . . . . O . . |
$$ | . . X . . X O 4 . . O . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . O X 2 O . X O O O . O . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . 1 3 . . O X X X O . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . X X . . . X O . . . |
$$ | . . . O O . . . . , . . . . X , . . . |
$$ | . . X X . . . . X . . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ -----------------------------------------[/go]
However, Black can play the following move, so Black should be fine in case of the immediate atari by White:
- Click Here To Show Diagram Code
[go]$$Wc
$$ | . . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . O , . . . . .
$$ | . . . . . X . . .
$$ | . . X . . X O . .
$$ | . . . . . O X . O
$$ | . . . . . . 1 . .
$$ | . . . . . 2 . . .
$$ | . . . W W . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . . X
$$ | . . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . . .
$$ -------------------[/go]
Finally, I tried to understand whether I should or should not respond to
(which threatens the corner) in the next diagram.
- Click Here To Show Diagram Code
[go]$$Wc
$$ | . . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . O , . . . . .
$$ | . . . . . X . . .
$$ | . . X . . X O . .
$$ | . . . . . O X . O
$$ | . . . . . . . . .
$$ | . 5 . . . . . . .
$$ | 7 4 1 O O . . . .
$$ | 8 . X X 3 . . . X
$$ | . 6 . . . . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . . .
$$ -------------------[/go]
As the variation shows, if Black ignores the threat of
, Black has a ko for life. This ko is risky, but maybe tenuki could prove more valuable. Currently, I'm undecided on the subject. I'll think more about it should the possibility materialize on the board.