6k in need of outside input

[papabob]

Thanks for the heads up; I've updated the post with what should be working links.

Let me know if you're still experiencing problems.

[mitsun]

A few comments on the opening of the first game:

W normally blocks on this side only if there is already a W stone in place around D10. The reason is that B ends up with sente and can then play on the side to prevent W from making an ideal extension.

is the right idea, but too close to W thickness; B is being greedy. If W had a free extension, the right distance would be around C10. Anything B does to get W to make a shorter extension is good. B could play D10 for example to get a better result. If W approaches from the direction of the wall, the result is over-concentrated, while if W approaches from the upper side, B has room for a comfortable two-space extension toward the wall.

is good. An immediate pincer around D10 is tempting, but the weakness at G4 would make the attack difficult for W.

is a bit complacent, trusting B to answer passively. Suppose B ignored this move and pushed at H2? Pushing from behind is generally bad, but here it seems likely that B could push a few times to live in sente, then come back to D10, making a great position along the side. Capturing at C2 might not be enough compensation for W.

is perfect. The game looks fairly even now, or perhaps a bit easier for W, with good attacking possibilities.

A few comments on the fighting:

should consider blocking at J15. Reading required ....
should consider blocking at J12. Reading required ....
is aji-keshi -- not needed for defense, and later the other atari might be useful.

- is a nice capture, but unfortunately B gets more than adequate compensation in the center. Maybe this would be a good time to switch to J7, attacking the other weak B stones. If W gets strong in the center, the E13 cut starts looking better.

really must be F10 I think. W may still be able to salvage the center position. W still has a big lead in territory if the center can be settled without a big loss.

gives up too much territory. The tesuji here is J5, giving up the three lower stones on a smaller scale (J5-J4-K4-J3-H5-J2-L6. But B would still be ahead.

[papabob]

Great comments mitsun. Thanks again for your support. Couple specific responses below. I lost twice this morning due to horrid misreads, but fought back in the second game and made it close.

Mitsun - First Game
8 - My opponent's play was the example to your theory. While 13 is too close, it was the right idea, and made the wall a clunky thing to deal with the rest of the game.
14 - I was almost certain this would be another "do not headbutt into your opponent's hane," but you're right that G4 weakness would haunt any immediate attack.
20 - Black absolutely didn't have to answer here; odd move on my part.
62-72 - This was the story of the game wasn't it. As you noted, black's compensation in the center influenced every section of the board, and the game quickly slipped away from me.
74 - Guo Juan's "Important Stones" lecture is on my horizon, as it may have reinforced how important it was to hold onto those center white stones and try to settle without a big loss.
80 - Thanks for pointing out J5.