PlaySlow

[Bill Spight]

As far as I know, Kato was right. However, in the decades since he wrote the book, his idea of the one space pincer has not caught on with other pros. Pour moi, I like thickness, but as Black I would be satisfied with the one space extension, since the R-09 stone looks well placed after that.

OTOH, I do not agree with the Q-10 shoulder blow. As Uberdude points out, Black can build up strength in the bottom right quadrant after that. Which is how you are supposed to use thickness, BTW. Each of P-08, P-09, and P-10 is superior, IMO. I like P-09, but P-08 may well be best.

As is well known, I am a proponent of studying the opening. But I regard studying specific variations of the Chinese Fuseki, or any other, as akin to studying joseki, something that is best postponed.

[PlaySlow]

Since i am back to playing lots of games, in order not to create mess in Game Analysis Forum, i decided to continue asking my questions here.

I nearly resigned in this game after my big reading mistake at bottom side. My questions can be found at the game, thanks for your help as always!

My old 4 dan KGS friend (he's 1 dan now and inactive) indicated that i read long sequences but not enough variations. Quoting his words; instead of trying to read 11-12 moves and 1 variation, just read 3-4 moves but 4-5 variations while fighting. I try to focus on that in my next games.

[EdLee]

Hi PlaySlow,

Atari o16. If B runs, you net at o14 -- B loses more.

I probably wouldn't play your 1-space jump/pincer. Either C (3-3) as you suggest (simple), or, double approach to start a fight.
The bottom is all 3rd line stones -- very little development -- seems not urgent at this point.

[Knotwilg]

Opening:

White gets ahead due to Black's mistake 19 and subsequent superfluous play 23 in the top right
Move 26 represents an interesting question on direction of play: what do the other readers think here?

Middle game:

A bad choice at 34 leads to needless fighting in the middle game. Still, there is not really a problem
45 and 47 are very good fighting moves and Black ends up catching all White's cutting stones (57). This would be decisive at about high kyu level

However, Black plays a couple of self defeating moves (73, 83, 105) and White astutely gets back into the game

Endgame:

Here White outmaneuvers Black by and large, by taking all the big points and keeping the initiative.
The end result of +14,5 is a fine display of how to win in the endgame.

Full review:

[PlaySlow]

Another game of mine with my 10k acc.
I am seriously trying to get over my ladder anxiety. Trying to play better instead of concentrating on getting the win.. I also started solving Graded Go Problems Volume 2-3 again.

My questions & review can be found in the sgf. I won pretty without any fights because my opponent played many slow moves. Also he entered my chinese area immediately, which worked well for me.

[Knotwilg]

Opening:

Black gets a comfortable opening due to White's cramped invasion but above all because Black plays very naturally.
Up to 71, Black gets a wonderful position overall, without any fighting.

Middle game:

At 74, Black wonders how to convert his influence. Several options are being discussed here.
83 is an inexplicable bad technical decision, in the light of all previous good moves.
95 Black does some damage control but seems to be more worried about the local territory than the global position.
113 is a peep to remove from the repertoire
119 indicates that Black is probably a bit too confident in victory and has become lazy
126 White wastes a chance to take advantage of Black's bad shape in the corner. All groups are safe now and Black is still 10 points ahead.

Endgame:

127 - 173: Black gets 4 of the 5 biggest endgame moves and increases the advantage to over 20.


Conclusion:

White never tried to win the game. Black won due to much better technique and direction of play.

Full review:

[PlaySlow]

Thank you very much for your comments Knotwilg, you encouraged me a lot! The comment about being ahead makes me a worse player cannot be more right though. I have lost too many games with small reading mistakes or playing very fast when fighting that it made me play like a coward when i'm ahead. I believe it will not effect me further if i try to concentrate on playing better instead of giving too much importance in winning. After all i am just 9-10 kyu player, it is funny that i think too much about my ranking, sometimes i cannot find unhandicapped opponents in KGS since my rank is too low and move to Tygem

For playing better I am trying to focus some small stuff as Dwyrin suggested in his youtube video for "ladder anxiety";

1. In Fuseki;
1.1 Do I or my opponent have weak group? If yes, try to attack it.
1.2 Where is the big move?
1.3 Can i build moyo?
2. While attacking;
2.1 Check weakness
2.2 Get the biggest benefit
2.3 Try to use severe moves
3. Do not rush without reading 4-5 moves ahead at least.
4. Try to have no weak groups.

[PlaySlow]

A rather fast game i played. Did not think much and played poorly. Got some questions about how to attack enemy stones. Questions, which made me confused can be found in the sgf, at moves;

12
20
42
44
74
76
90
108
I was Black.
Thanks for the help in advance!

[Knotwilg]

The problem in this game was, ironically, slow play. Fortunately, White tries to play even slower.

At the endgame has already begun but both players don't realize this and treat the centre as bigger than it really is.

At Black misses the last chance to take what has been the biggest move on the board since , first as a stabilizer, now as an endgame move. White grabs it and the game turns into his favor.

At 116, White takes a comfortable lead and after two rather desperate moves by Black, the game is sealed with 126.

Only at 157, Black picks the third of the 3 major moves which were lying about at move 75 when the endgame begun. But by then the game was long over.

Full review:

[PlaySlow]

Two main lessons learned at last game;

- If there are both white and black walls staring at the same center territory, there
might not be a center territory, so i should check for bigger moves.
- If there are no attacking moves i can take shimari. And also angle plays are generally for mutual reinforcement.

I did even not notice that i give much importance till i examine your review Knotwilg, thank you very much.

[PlaySlow]

Some more games tonite. I won an unexpected game with Black tonite, i feel so behind after move 40. Tried to catch up and white helped in some moves.

I keep solving Go Problems and keep playing everyday but it's getting hard since i got a new job that keeps me away from 8 am to 8 pm. But i like the game much more, maybe because my time is limited.

[Bill Spight]

Always fill the dame.

Take another look at the bottom left corner. What do you think?

[skydyr]

A few thoughts:

[PlaySlow]

Always fill the dame.

Take another look at the bottom left corner. What do you think?

Ah, i missed that:(

[Bill Spight]

Always fill the dame.

Take another look at the bottom left corner. What do you think?

Ah, i missed that:(

It is worth playing around with to find out what can happen when Black plays there first.