haengma for dummies

[entropi]

After a recent discussion about the concept of haengma, I read somewhere (probably on a senseis library page) that ones strength comes from two basic skills : reading and haengma.

Reading is more or less clear. If I do this, he does that, then this, etc... For improving it solve problems. That's clear enough.

But it is not precise what is meant by haengma.
My interpretation is that the concept of haengma tries to answer the following example questions:
- After having decided to invade/reduce a moyo, where to start?
- Which direction and which point is the biggest (but not urgent) move?
- If I play this I get bad shape but sente, if I play that I get good shape in gote. Which one to chose?
- Should I go for a running fight, are my surrounding groups strong enough to support that, or not?
-...

The answers to that kind of questions surely involve some reading but they cannot be answered only by reading, because there are usually too many variations to read out. I guess, then the concept of haengma comes into question. Is it correct what I understand from the definition of haengma?

I know that it roughly means "movement of stones", it's a dynamical concept, etc etc etc. But I am trying to understand how to make use of this concept.

Is it something to be learned / trained, or is actually playing the only way to improve this aspect of game?
(How) D(d)o you train it (at all)?

[xyzer]

Haengma has to do with the development of stones. That is, given that you have a stone in place how should you develop it--two-space jump, knight's move, etc. There are several English language books from Korea about haengma now.

[entropi]

Haengma has to do with the development of stones. That is, given that you have a stone in place how should you develop it--two-space jump, knight's move, etc. There are several English language books from Korea about haengma now.

Thanks. As a matter of fact I know that, but there must be a reason why somebody says that a players strength comes from reading and his understanding of haengma.

I tried to discuss it the by putting some questions in my original post. I know that at first glance these questions seem that they have nothing to do with the "development of stones". But maybe a good understanding of this concept is the answer for at least some of these questions. Like for example the concept of shape, but approaching from a different perspective.

Or if it's not the answer for such questions, then for what is it the answer?
I mean, I roughly know what it is but I am just trying to understand what can be gained from it practically.

[gaius]

As I understand it, haengma is indeed "how stones develop"; as such, it is strongly related to making good shape. There can be many contexts for this, including, but not limited to:

- How to attack?
- How to make sabaki?
- How to run away?
- How to cut?
- How to defend against a cut?
- How to extend along a side? How far? High? Low?

Given all these different possible contexts, I think it becomes obvious that being good in finding the proper haengma to fit the situation is an important aspect of one's strength.

By the way, finding the right haengma often requires precise reading as well, so "reading" and "haengma" are not necessarily seperate things.

[entropi]

As I understand it, haengma is indeed "how stones develop"; as such, it is strongly related to making good shape. There can be many contexts for this, including, but not limited to:

- How to attack?
- How to make sabaki?
- How to run away?
- How to cut?
- How to defend against a cut?
- How to extend along a side? How far? High? Low?

Given all these different possible contexts, I think it becomes obvious that being good in finding the proper haengma to fit the situation is an important aspect of one's strength.

By the way, finding the right haengma often requires precise reading as well, so "reading" and "haengma" are not necessarily seperate things.

Thanks gaius. It seems indeed like a very broad concept.
After having read many things about it here and there, I roughly interpret it as "try to make good shape which will remain good when the game further develops". Nice advice but without further guidelines difficult (if possible at all) to use. Apparently there is no easy shortcut to learn more about it. Need to read some books.

[gaius]

(...) Apparently there is no easy shortcut to learn more about it. (...)

If there would be easy shortcuts to mastering go, we'd all have been nine dan long ago, wouldn't we?

Though, on second thought, if there would be an easy shortcut to mastering go, I'd probably get bored and start playing chess instead. Maybe it's a good thing that go is hard .

[DrStraw]

Think of it as "going with the flow". In a well played game a move which is bad often jumps out and being against the flow, not fitting in naturally with the way the game is going and not optimally taking account of all the stones on the board. The way I understand haengma (and I have to admit I learned Japanese terms, not Korean ones) it corresponds very well with this idea.