Life In 19x19

Here is yet another handicap game, this time on 2 stones. For the first half of the game, I was ahead as White seems to be slow in the opening and allowed me to build 2 large moyos. As in my previously posted game, losing a semeai caused me to fall behind (perhaps an early play at O12 would have prevented this outcome, but I wanted to avoid an over-concentrated framework), but I think it was near the end of the game that I lost, as White won by 1.5 points. Much obliged in advance for your comments.

You outplayed your opponent in the opening and built up a substantial lead. Did you pause at some point to count?

One good place to count would be after . This invasion looks a little unreasonable, so it is natural to want to punish it, but would simply defending at c12 lead to an easy win? The way you played was actually better, but gave W more scope for complications. Still, the result through was superb for B, and you now have the game completely won.

Another good place to count would be after . How much of the right side territory do you need to keep in order to win? You certainly do not need to capture the W invasion stone. How about playing at Q11 for safety and territory? Is this enough to win, without allowing W any chances for an upset?

Losing the upper right group was a disaster, but at least you got a squeeze, for enough compensation to keep you in the game. Good job maintaining your composure and finding that.

The rest of the game is just engame technique. Here you need to take some time to identify the big points and make sure you get your fair share. For example, when W plays B3, could you counter with M2? If both sides ignore each other and continue their incursions, the trade seems roughly even. Letting W get both of these big moves is submissive.

B176 is probably better at A3 than at D3. The difference is a little bit difficult to count but if it is greater that 2 points Black could win.