Not quite mirror Go

[thirdfogie]

Here is another game from Bracknell 2013. A.N. Other12 is the polar opposite
of A.N. Other11. He is young, and plays very slowly.

A.N. Other12 entered at 2 kyu, so I expected to lose even though I was 2-0
up in the tournament and he was 0-2 down going into this game.

The comments in the game record show where I think the game was lost, but
please say what you think. I am Black.

[Bill Spight]

Courage mon vieux! Faint heart and fair lady and all that.

Some comments. I hope that my verbal descriptions are clear enough.


Attacking both stones is the right idea. Think big.

34 is my first thought, as it is an important shape point for the three White stones, and by playing a kind of avalanche Black can cut White in two.

Will White play there?

Probably better to atari the other stone first.

Relieving tension is not such a good reason to make a play. However, this is not an obvious error, as it is big and the three Black stones in the center are weak.

Giving up. Yes, Black is not happy about losing his center stones and letting White join forces. But in exchange Black is very thick on the left. After the game looks close to me. If you want to make this play, better to cut off the White stone on the left side first, and then if White secures the corner, preventing a slide from the Black group on the top, this move will be big to protect that group.

Why approach the corner? Black threatens nothing there, and the stone can be cut off.

No, the game is not over yet. Maybe better to invade on the third line.

Ponnuki is fine. Then when White connects underneath, slide in from the right. It's still a good game.

Extend on the fourth line. Then if White connects on the third line, capture the five White stones in a net. If White saves those stones by connecting, push through on the third line for a winning game. If White saves them by filling a liberty of the three Black stones on the bottom side, push through and cut, exchanging those stones for the single White stone, in sente. Then slide into the top left corner. It's still a ball game.

B101: Don't resign. Slide into the bottom side from the right. White has the lead, but the game is far from over.

Main focus: Don't give up. Don't lose heart. Fight fiercely.

[thirdfogie]

Thanks Bill.

The missed kikashi that you point out at is a particularly interesting find that I should have been able to see.
Since I cannot buy bottled flexibility or vision in pill form, I guess I need more tsume-go.