This is my first post here, mainly cause this was a pretty good game in my opinion. I'm playing as white in this game and I lost by 2.5 points. Been having a slump where I haven't really gotten any better so I would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

Hi a Ntran,

Good. Shared vital point.

not so good. Bump your own head into Black.
Bad shape for you, good shape for B -- B hane head of your 2 stones.
( For example, just jump to K17 is better. )

now you can see the exchange of - is not good for you.

B's turn to make the same mistake as
Get a sense why this move, like , is not good.
B should drop to S2.

also not so good. Just fix the cut directly at o3.

also not good.

B is happy to reply-block at L7.

We notice a trend -- the same bad habit:
- - bumping yourself into B
- same
- same, if B replies at M3.
- same, if B replies at L7.

your shape is thin (weak) here.

mistake -- as you saw B punished you.

C13 better.

still, C13 better. (Amazing the reluctance! )

again, the same bad habit as , etc.
If B plays the B16 hane ( ) and connect first,
then B's follow-up is not to bump his own head here,
but B can keima to E18 instead.
Study this shape again, along with , etc.



See toothpaste.

See toothpaste.

100 Less important of the 2 turns: the other turn, Q9, is the big one.

101 B is happy to just block at Q9.

112...116 Both sides are fighting over peanuts here,
when C3, huge, is wide open.

I will try to point out some things that bothered me and that EdLee didn't already correct.

I really don't like this. Black has... I guess we could call it a mini-high Chinese? Anyway, the right side is more open, and you're helping black get it. Something like Q7 would be better, I think. If he enclose, then because most of his stones are high, you still can do some things to wreck the bottom.

Very good. Given the left side, this pincer (or the one space high) is natural.

Maybe hane here? If he cut, you atari at D13 then connect at C13, and so you either cut his group in two or capture the cutting stone.

Not sure if necessary. I think playing H4 or J4 would be better.

The knight move isn't the best shape to move out. Attaching to Q13 (either R13 or Q12, though I think here Q12 might be better) might be promising.

Mistake obviously, your opponent should have sealed you in.