I had black in this game, and once again my opponent was able to find weaknesses in my moyo, and when I tried to do the same to him, what looked to be weaknesses turned out not to be. I ran the game through Leela, and the two moves of mine it really didn't like were (it wanted G3 instead of H2) and (it wanted me to keep running out instead of trying to make an eye). Generally, though, it just seemed like a slow loss.

Instinctive impressions on the early game:

: I'd play in the last corner.

: Not as big as approaching the upper left. White's F4 stone has so much space that I don't even really consider this to be a pincer.

: I haven't read anything out but my 5-seconds-of-thinking move is D4 and I suspect it would be my 120-seconds of thinking move too. This is your area, don't let him connect up so easily.

: I'd play C14 if I played on the left. White's wall is already overconcentrated even if he extends out to C8 from it. But honestly I'd probably treat C7 and C13 as miai and pincer the O17 stone or something.

: First instincts are D9 or D8. White's C9 stone should not be able to connect to E7 so easily.

: Overplay (and White punished you bad for it). The upper side is still the biggest area. D10 is a big shape point but maybe not urgent.

: What are you afraid of? Even if White splits you, both sides are strong. The upper side is still a huge swath of virgin territory and this move is a few points in gote or something.

I think the main takeaways are:
- Where are the big areas? (that upper side!)
- Fight where you are strong (e.g., at ), don't start fights where you are weak (e.g., at ).

Early part feels like a long doubtful combination of low stones: K3 (low and wrong direction, since LR is strong), C10 (low), D3 (low and passive), E3+G2 (low and lower, you willingly play into a position where W press you down), C7 (low), C13 (low and weak shape), H2 (low and passive).

Main point: Except for one premature invasion, excess passivity.

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

Visualize whirled peas.

Everything with love. Stay safe.

Regarding , I played where I did because I thought it was a good extension from the group in the lower right, and because I thought that's where White wanted to play. (Your opponent's best move is your best move and all that.) Plus, since the stone on the other side was on the 3-3 point, I didn't think I needed to play another stone in that corner just yet.

On , I tried to read it out and as best I could tell after the cross-cut I was going to lose the corner, which didn't seem appealing to me

On , since White already had influence in the center I wanted to make certain I got eye-space rather than getting a wall facing a bunch of my opponent's stones already there.

It's too close to your strong group.



Your opponent should want to pincer and confine your 3-3 point. Later, after the Black extension on the left side, he attached.



The danger with the 3-3 opening is being forced to make small life.



I hope it's more appealing now.



The fight after the hane on top is not easy. Still, your instinct should be to attack the single White stone rather than submissively crawling underneath.

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

Visualize whirled peas.

Everything with love. Stay safe.

Hi Bill,

Hi, Ed.

It's hard to beat Jowa's advice: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=7508

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

Visualize whirled peas.

Everything with love. Stay safe.