BlindGroup Study Journal

[BlindGroup]

Hi BlindGroup,

This helps W fix his shape: W leans at Q12.
Probably the shared vital point is Q12.

Q12.

That's a good point. He played Q12 later but the position has changed by then. I didn't think of white playing it now. Black Q12 does look much stronger. Thanks!

[EdLee]

Hi BlindGroup,

Maybe if you jump out and split W (I'm not sure what's best, e.g. o10),
W is busy.

R9.

e.g. M10 (re: ).

Not sure this is a wrong move.

How about L8 ?

[Knotwilg]

The theme of the game:

You are on and off about large scale separation of groups. At several occasions you do make this your top priority: 29, 35, 47
At other occasions you don't: 25, 53, 61

A minor aspect is that local analyses and decisions are sometimes off: 37, 83, 123

At the upside, you win fights, like you say: the 77-79 combo and especially spotting the throw-in tactics at 147 !!! These are things that win games.

A minor thumbs up for your good peeps at 33, 129

(;GM[1]FF[4]CA[UTF-8]AP[CGoban:3]ST[2]
RU[Japanese]SZ[19]KM[0.50]TM[60]
PB[BlindGroup]WR[8k]BR[9k]DT[2017-08-23]CP[
Copyright (c) PANDANET Inc. 2017
Permission to reproduce this game is given, provided proper credit is given.
No warrantee, implied or explicit, is understood.
Use of this game is an understanding and agreement of this notice.
]EV[Internet Go Server ]PC[IGS: igs.joyjoy.net 6969]US[Brought to you by IGS PANDANET]C[I was happy with this game. I think I accomplished two things:

1. While in retrospect I missed some big opportunities at moves 35, 37, and 47, I think I did a slightly better job than usual using my strength to harass my opoonents.

2. Bigger news, though, is that I got into several fights with only one of them lost. That's very unusual for me. This includes winning an ill-advised fight that I picked at move 121. It's not that I didn't think I had a good shot at winning, but rather that I was sufficiently far ahead that I should have simplified rather than take the risk of such a large fight.

]RE[B+Resign]LT[]NB[20]NW[21]RR[Normal]
;B[pd]BL[43]
;W[eq]WL[60]
;B[pp]BL[37]
;W[ec]WL[60]
;B[gc]BL[594]LB[cc:A][cd:B]C[BG: I rarely see the 5-3 opening, and so, I haven't spent much time on it. This seemed to be a non-joseki move, but any move by white other than A or B does note secure the corner. And if white plays either, I get C. I'd be down in the exchange, but it seems like a managable loss. I decided to take what seemed to be a managable loss rather than lose even more by misplaying a joseki.]
;W[ce]WL[56]
;B[jd]BL[590]
;W[co]WL[54]
;B[jp]BL[582]LB[qm:B][qn:A]C[BG: I'm not at all familiar with the shape on the left, but this seems like a move that both takes away what would be a nice extension from white's enclosure and sets me up to later play A or B.]
;W[cj]WL[51]
;B[pj]BL[568]LB[nc:C][qf:A][qn:B][nq:D]C[BG: Looks like we are racing to build the biggest framework. I considered A or B, but this move felt bigger. It gives me a position on the right and the flexibility to play C or D with the "ideal" extension in place.

KW: surely you have the bigger framework ]
;W[hp]WL[47]
;B[mq]BL[557]TR[jp]C[BG: This seemed to both provide a base for my marked stone and serve as the start to a corner enclosure.]
;W[gj]WL[42]
;B[mc]BL[554]LB[qf:A][qg:B][qm:C]C[BG: We still seem to be in a race to build our frameworks. I also considered A, but this move serves two purposes like N3. I it starts a corner framework and works well with the stones on the top left. I didn't consider it in the game, but B is also an option. However, the matching side positions feel more balanced. As happened, I can build territory on the top or bottom by harassing white invasions in the areas of A and C.]
;W[qf]WL[37]C[KW: it seems like White realized too you have the bigger framework]
;B[qe]BL[544]TR[pj]C[BG: I think this is textbook given the marked stone. White can't get a base and I get to build a central wall while harassing the group.]
;W[pf]WL[33]
(;B[ne]BL[526]LB[od:B][qh:A]C[BG: I think this move was a mistake. I should have played A. i considered A in the game, but even with the extension white does not have a base. I was also concerned about white B if I played A. But given the variation, I think A yeilds a better result.

KW: A would have been better indeed]
;W[ng]WL[29]
(;B[qh]BL[522]LB[of:C][pg:D][oh:B][ni:A]C[BG: I get to play here anyway, and it threatens the push and cut at C and D. A is also an option, but B seems to lead to a messy fight which seems a mistake given that I can just keep pressuring this group.]
;W[nf]WL[14]
(;B[qo]BL[509]LB[ni:A][ql:B]C[BG: I don't think I need to respond to the attachment. I debated this move and A. In retrospect, I think A is stronger because it continues the pressure on the top group (although white may not have to respond yet, white would defenitely have to respond to the follow-up move) and protects the area around B.]
(;W[pl]WL[11]
;B[ql]BL[467]LB[ni:B][nj:A]TR[gj]C[BG: I wasn't sure about this move at the time. Attaching to the white stone obviously strengthens it. But getting a base for this group would help tremendously in being able to threaten these two groups by seperating them. And as I run up, I'm also facing down the marked stone. At the time, I reasoned that getting a base was worth the attachment, but I now think this was a mistake since white A now seems quite big.

KW: yes, separating at A is better]
;W[qm]WL[6]
;B[rl]BL[456]
;W[om]WL[585]
;B[nj]BL[440]LB[ni:A]C[BG: I played this rather than A because it created balanced pressure on the two white groups.]
;W[rm]WL[580]
(;B[pk]BL[428]LB[rk:A]C[BG: This seems necessary to prevent the attachment at A.

KW: the fact that you mention A as the threat is suspicious

See variation]
;W[nl]WL[575]
;B[pn]BL[404]LB[lg:B][ll:A]C[BG: This is a freebie, but too early. White should have sacrificed and played A or B.

KW: it would have been a big sacrifice, because Black gets all connected this way. And then what is the purpose of A if these stones don't cut anything?]
;W[pm]WL[572]
(;B[lj]BL[393]LB[mh:B][ll:A]C[BG: Keeping up the pressure. Right idea, wrong move. White responds with A and I can't clearly cut off the other group with one move. However, I now see that I could use a leaning attack on the upper group starting with B to set up black A.

KW: good enough]
;W[ll]WL[559]
(;B[oe]BL[389]LB[me:C][of:A][lg:D][pg:B]C[BG: I felt the need to strengthen the marked stone, and i figured that this was sente because of the push and cut at A and B. But I did not anticipate white leaning on my group. I now think that C was the better move since it threatened D. I considered playing D here during the game, but it seemed risky. After looking at the variation, it seems like a good move, but it's sufficiently complicated that I could have made a mistake.

KW: agree that C is the better move]
;W[ph]WL[553]
;B[qg]BL[350]LB[qi:A]C[BG: Considered A, but realized that White can't play A. See variation.]
(;W[rg]WL[543]
;B[rh]BL[348]
;W[re]WL[541]
;B[rd]BL[346]
;W[pg]WL[526]
;B[rj]BL[327]LB[lg:C][qi:A][qk:B]C[BG: I think this settles the group, and it is urgent because if white plays here the cuts at A and B are miai. After this move, black C is then a serious threat.]
;W[kg]WL[522]
(;B[jj]BL[291]LB[ji:A][jl:B]C[BG: Another missed opportunity for a leaning attack with A then B.

KW:seems good enough]
;W[le]WL[502]
;B[kd]BL[264]
;W[jl]WL[496]
;B[ik]BL[230]
;W[il]WL[491]
(;B[dd]BL[77]LB[ig:A]C[BG: Too early. Should have played A. White can make shape by rattling his cage, but I get a nice little wall to face down whites position on the left. Given that i was going to invade, however, this seemed like a reasonable place to start. The white left is weaker at the top than the bottom, and this splits the two white stones. I figure I'll either capture one group or settle or run to safety while trying.

KW: for me and probably any dan player out there another move inuitively stands out. See 2nd var]
;W[ed]WL[482]
;B[de]BL[595]
;W[ee]WL[478]
;B[df]BL[591]C[KW: This is good.]
;W[cf]WL[472]
;B[ef]BL[581]
;W[mj]WL[463]
(;B[ge]BL[518]LB[ih:A]TR[jj][lj][ik]C[BG: I decided that my threat here is more valuable than saving the stones in the middle for the time being. Plus, I can play A with a good shot at saving them, particularly if I live on the top left.

KW: saving the stones is not the issue. The issue is separating the White stones. See var]
;W[dc]WL[453]
;B[cd]BL[503]
;W[cc]WL[451]
(;B[be]BL[470]LB[bc:A][bd:B]C[BG: I considered A directly, but I can't prevent white from making a base because of the cut at B. See variation. So, this move gives white a choice between his two sets of stones. ]
;W[cg]WL[446]C[BG: this seems like the wrong choice.]
;B[bc]BL[469]
;W[bb]WL[441]
;B[ab]BL[468]
;W[gb]WL[435]
;B[hb]BL[464]
;W[fb]WL[433]
(;B[cb]BL[437]C[Locally sharp, globally risky]
;W[gf]WL[347]
;B[fe]BL[428]
;W[hc]WL[337]C[BG: I think white just decided to make a mess here in the hopes that something went in his favor.]
;B[hd]BL[403]
;W[ic]WL[598]
;B[ib]BL[398]
;W[jc]WL[595]
;B[jb]BL[386]
;W[kc]WL[589]
(;B[kb]BL[339]C[See var]
;W[qc]WL[548]
;B[qd]BL[331]
;W[rc]WL[546]
;B[se]BL[316]
;W[rf]WL[541]
;B[pc]BL[304]
;W[mb]WL[531]
;B[lc]BL[296]
;W[pb]WL[503]
(;B[ob]BL[294]C[BG: This is a mistake. I should have played A. I didn't see the ko.
]
;W[qa]WL[495]
;B[rb]BL[273]
;W[sb]WL[489]
;B[ra]BL[236]
;W[sd]WL[486]
;B[dp]BL[88]LB[mk:B][in:A][gq:C]C[BG: White seems to have many more ko threats than I have. So, I can't fight the ko in the upper right now. I considered A followed by B with the hope of cutting white. I also considered C, but this seems the most promising.

KW: you can take the ko once]
;W[eo]WL[479]
;B[ep]BL[82]
;W[fp]WL[478]
;B[dq]BL[81]
;W[er]WL[475]
;B[do]BL[598]
;W[dn]WL[474]
;B[cp]BL[582]
;W[cn]WL[470]
;B[bo]BL[529]
;W[bn]WL[455]
;B[bq]BL[525]
;W[ao]WL[453]
;B[cr]BL[506]
;W[bp]WL[444]
;B[dr]BL[503]
;W[fq]WL[439]
;B[in]BL[455]C[BG: I expected this to elicit A, but white tenukis.]
;W[sf]WL[434]
(;B[mk]BL[427]C[BG: The idea is to see if white let's me cut at A. However, while black has the upper hand in the fight, it is now clearly an unnecessary risk. Playing safely black wins by 20. See variation.]
;W[mi]WL[431]
;B[ml]BL[426]C[BG: White took the bait. So, I get to cut. Should not have taken this risk...]
;W[mm]WL[427]
;B[lm]BL[425]
(;W[lk]WL[418]C[KW: but what if White makes the other atari?]
;B[nk]BL[418]
;W[ln]WL[412]
;B[km]BL[416]
;W[nn]WL[597]
;B[mo]BL[409]
;W[mn]WL[590]
;B[kn]BL[394]
;W[lo]WL[586]
;B[mp]BL[374]
;W[ko]WL[576]
;B[jo]BL[372]
;W[kp]WL[575]
;B[kq]BL[355]LB[jq:A]C[BG: After determining that white can't cut at A, I decide that keeping the stones connected is the best strategy.]
;W[jq]WL[573]
;B[iq]BL[349]
;W[jr]WL[571]
;B[ir]BL[348]
;W[kr]WL[568]
;B[lq]BL[347]
;W[lr]WL[567]
;B[mr]BL[346]
;W[ip]WL[564]
(;B[js]BL[343]LB[jn:A]C[BG: This is tricky. It doesn't look like it, but with a throw in at A, the marked stones only have three liberties. See variation.

KW: very well spotted!]
;W[hn]WL[552]
;B[ls]BL[293]
;W[qi]WL[547]C[BG: White is just playing in the hope of a black mistake here.]
;B[ri]BL[286]
;W[pi]WL[540]
(;B[sk]BL[263]C[BG: Fairly sure this is necessary. See variation.]
;W[qj]WL[537]
;B[qk]BL[598]
;W[sm]WL[534]C[BG: Could the play above have been to set up this move? Maybe, but only results in one eye.]
;B[sl]BL[597]
;W[ro]WL[497]
;B[rp]BL[565]
;W[qn]WL[493]
;B[qp]BL[509]LB[qq:A]C[BG: I was afraid of white peeping at A to get a position in the corner. That could be a problem.]
;W[so]WL[487]C[BG: White got one eye. So, I need to falsify this one.]
;B[on]BL[506]
;W[op]WL[481]
;B[oq]BL[491]
;W[pq]WL[469]
;B[qq]BL[482]
;W[pr]WL[463]
(;B[qr]BL[347]C[BG: This was tight. Decending at A doesn't work, but this does.]
;W[oo]WL[457]
;B[po]BL[339]
;W[kl]WL[419]
;B[ks]BL[326]
;W[eh]WL[377]C[BG: A is stronger, but I don't think white saw that black A connects white's stones.]
;B[ig]BL[205]C[BG: At this point, the game is comfortably over I think. [End BG comments.\]

KW: correct]
;W[ie]WL[368]
;B[id]BL[198]
;W[fg]WL[596]
;B[hf]BL[191]
;W[hg]WL[579]
;B[if]BL[186]
;W[je]WL[576]
;B[ke]BL[177]
;W[jf]WL[574]
;B[jg]BL[167]
;W[kf]WL[572]
;B[he]BL[166]
;W[hh]WL[561]
;B[ih]BL[119]
;W[ii]WL[558]
;B[ji]BL[115]
;W[im]WL[557]
;B[jn]BL[107]
;W[hk]WL[548]
;B[oa]BL[69]
;W[qb]WL[543]
;B[dg]BL[44]
;W[dh]WL[539]
;B[ah]BL[28]
;W[db]WL[533]
;B[ba]BL[25]
;W[ea]WL[531]
;B[ga]BL[23]
;W[ca]WL[529]
;B[bb]BL[595]
;W[ag]WL[520]
;B[bg]BL[594]
;W[bh]WL[518]
;B[bf]BL[585]
;W[ai]WL[516]
;B[ch]BL[583]
;W[ci]WL[514]
;B[gr]BL[553]
;OS[])
(;B[or]
;W[qr]
;B[rr]
;W[oo]
;B[po]))
(;B[oo]
;W[sk]
;B[sl]
;W[qj]
;B[qk]
;W[sh]
;B[si]C[BG: Black is dead.]))
(;B[oo]
;W[hn]
;B[js]
;W[jn]
;B[jm]
;W[io]
;B[jn]
;W[im]))
(;W[nk]
;B[lk]
;W[kl]))
(;B[mm]
;W[ml]
;B[nn]
;W[lm]
;B[ln]
;W[kn]
;B[ko]
;W[jn]
;B[lo]
;W[io]
;B[iq]
;W[hq]
;B[ir]
;W[hr]
;B[eh]
;W[ej]
;B[ah]
;W[ag]
;B[bg]
;W[bf]
;B[af]
;W[bh]
;B[ag]
;W[ai]
;B[ae]
;W[bi]
;B[ig]
;W[hf]
;B[jf]
;W[gh]
;B[fi]
;W[gi]
;B[fj]
;W[fk]
;B[ro]
;W[ni]))
(;B[rb]
(;W[qb]
;B[sc]
;W[oc]
;B[nc]
;W[nb]C[BG: White is dead.])
(;W[sb]
;B[qb]
;W[sc]
;B[sd])))
(;B[lc]C[A loose ladder]
;W[kb]
;B[lb]C[White cannot escape]))
(;B[hc]
;W[ba]C[White lives, but barely and losing the initiative]
;B[mi]C[Black takes it to set the same sequence in motion as shown before]
;W[mk]
;B[ni]))
(;B[bc]
;W[bb]
;B[ab]
;W[bd]))
(;B[mi]
;W[mk]
;B[ni]LB[li:A]TR[le][nf][kg][ng]SQ[mj][mk][il][jl][ll]C[Even if the black stones are not strongly connected, White's triangled and squared stones are separated on a large scale

See what happens if White cuts at A]
;W[li]
;B[lh]
;W[ki]
;B[kh]
;W[ji]
;B[jh]
;W[ii]
;B[jg]TR[jj][lj][ik]C[Black sacrifices the marked stones, in order to kill off the White group.]))
(;B[ig]C[This is a good attack, but]
(;W[jf]
;B[if]
;W[je]
;B[ie]
;W[mi]
;B[mj])
(;W[mi]
;B[mj]
;W[ki]
;B[kj]
;W[oi]
;B[oj]
;W[of]C[White can probably live locally]
;B[if]C[and if Black wastes another move]
;W[hk]C[White connects, creating a big moyo corner]))
(;B[hk]TR[gj][il]C[The marked gap is screaming to be pushed through. The difference between Black separating here or White connecting is enormous.

Now see your var]))
(;B[ji]
;W[ig]
;B[jl]))
(;W[qi]
;B[pi]
;W[pg]
(;B[ri]LB[rf:A]C[BG: This settles the group. A seems worth considering, but it leaves some cutting points.])
(;B[rf]
;W[rg]
;B[rh]
;W[re]
;B[sg]
;W[rd]
;B[qc]
;W[ri]
;B[rj]
;W[se])))
(;B[lg]C[This is a good move!]
;W[mf]
;B[lf]
(;W[me]
;B[nd]C[BG: No where for white to go...])
(;W[oe]
;B[nd]
;W[od]
;B[oc]C[BG: This also doesn't look to good for white.])))
(;B[mh]
;W[lf]
;B[kh]LB[jf:A]C[BG: This is sente because black A would probably kill the group.]
;W[jf]
;B[ll]C[BG: Now that I have strength in the middle and bottom, I can just cap white and I've got a good shot at killing the group.]))
(;B[lj]C[suppose you play here]
(;W[rk]C[You mentioned this attachment]
;B[qk]C[But Black simply plays on top ...]
;W[sl]C[White connecting this stone is not valuable at this point]
;B[rj]C[Black gets shape making forcing moves]
;W[sk]
;B[sj]
;W[sm]C[What's the value for White?

Essentially, the move you feared was an endgame like move

Now see the other variation])
(;W[qk]C[The move you may really fear is this one]
(;B[pk]
;W[rj]
;B[qj]
;W[rk]
;B[ri])
(;B[rk]
;W[qj]
;B[rj]
;W[qi]
;B[ri]
;W[pi]C[not good for Black])
(;B[qj]
;W[rk]))))
(;W[me]TR[ne]C[KW: this may look like a small move but White is

1) making good shape for his group that has been without a base
2) building influence towards the centre
3) reducing the function of the marked stone, which we now can ask ourselves what it has been played for

In short, the situation intuitively asked to be continued from both sides.]))
(;B[me]C[The "basic instinct" is to extend when the opponent headbutts your stone.

See variation on the next white move]))
(;B[oh]
;W[qi]
;B[qj]
;W[pi]
;B[oi]
;W[oj]
;B[og]
;W[of]
;B[nf])
(;B[ni]
;W[qi]
;B[qj]
;W[pi]
;B[oi]
;W[oh]))
(;B[qh]
;W[od]
;B[oc]
;W[nd]
;B[nc]
;W[nf]
;B[nh]
;W[le]
;B[lg]))

[BlindGroup]

Knotwilg, Thank you!

Your right that my local judgement is at times off -- still working on that.

Comment and question:

Move 23: I see your point. I considered extending, and I saw the white 24 response you note. But misjudged the value of it. So, this is particularly good feedback to get.

Move 33: I thought the marked move below was slow arguing that white should sacrifice and extend at A. But you have a different take "it would have been a big sacrifice, because Black gets all connected this way. And then what is the purpose of A if these stones don't cut anything?"

What is the value of whites stones as cutting black's shape? I suspect that I might be judging these positions incorrectly or not seeing an opportunity that these stones provide. I'm looking at this and seeing the black group in the right middle as being alive. And from that, it seems that the only thing white would lose in the sacrifice is the related territory, which if I'm estimating correctly is in the range of 10. That seems to small to care about right now. What am I missing?

$$c
$$ +---------------------------------------+
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . O . X . . . . . X . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . . . X . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . O . . . . . . . . . . X . . X . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . O . O O . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . b . O . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . O , . . O . . , . . . X . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . a . O . O X X . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O . O O . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B . . . |
$$ | . . O . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . O . X . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . O . . . . . . . X . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ +---------------------------------------+

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$c
$$ +---------------------------------------+
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . O . X . . . . . X . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . . . X . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . O . . . . . . . . . . X . . X . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . O . O O . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . b . O . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . O , . . O . . , . . . X . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . a . O . O X X . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O . O O . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B . . . |
$$ | . . O . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . O . X . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . O . . . . . . . X . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ +---------------------------------------+[/go]

[BlindGroup]

Hi BlindGroup,

Maybe if you jump out and split W (I'm not sure what's best, e.g. o10),
W is busy.

R9.

e.g. M10 (re: ).

Not sure this is a wrong move.

How about L8 ?

Ed, Thanks! Very helpful!

[Knotwilg]

$$
$$ +---------------------------------------+
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . O . X . . . . . X . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . . . X . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . O . . . . . . . . . . X . . X . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . O . O O . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . b . O . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . O , . . O . . , . . . X . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . O . O X X . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O 3 O O . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . |
$$ | . . O . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . O . X . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . O . . . . . . . X . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ +---------------------------------------+

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$
$$ +---------------------------------------+
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . O . X . . . . . X . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . . . X . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . O . . . . . . . . . . X . . X . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . O . O O . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . b . O . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . O , . . O . . , . . . X . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . O . O X X . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O 3 O O . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . |
$$ | . . O . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . O . X . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . O . . . . . . . X . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ +---------------------------------------+[/go]

If you don't respond to and let him connect, by cutting of the cutting stones at , then why play at all? What's the purpose of W2?

$$
$$ +---------------------------------------+
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . O . X . . . . . X . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . . . X . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . O . . . . . . . . . 3 X . . X . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . O . O O . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . O . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . O , . . O . . , . . . X . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . 4 . O . O X X . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O 2 O O . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . |
$$ | . . O . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . O . X . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . O . . . . . . . X . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ +---------------------------------------+

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$
$$ +---------------------------------------+
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . O . X . . . . . X . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . . . X . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . O . . . . . . . . . 3 X . . X . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . O . O O . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . O . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . O , . . O . . , . . . X . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . 4 . O . O X X . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O 2 O O . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . |
$$ | . . O . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . O . X . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . O . . . . . . . X . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ +---------------------------------------+[/go]

In this diagram, :w4 has a purpose of defending a group of stones that splits off black's middle from the corner. This is large scale separation, which needn't result in a kill but which puts a burden on black.

$$
$$ +---------------------------------------+
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . O . X . . . . . X . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . . . X . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . O . . 4 . . . . . . 2 X . . X . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . O . O O . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . b . O . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . O , . . O . . , . . . X . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . O . O X X . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O 3 O O . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . |
$$ | . . O . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . O . X . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . O . . . . . . . X . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ +---------------------------------------+

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$
$$ +---------------------------------------+
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . O . X . . . . . X . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . . . X . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . O . . 4 . . . . . . 2 X . . X . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . O . O O . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . b . O . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . O , . . O . . , . . . X . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . O . O X X . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O 3 O O . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . |
$$ | . . O . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . O . X . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . O . . . . . . . X . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ +---------------------------------------+[/go]

If you think these White stones are wasted and you can allow Black to cut & connect with and , then you should play elsewhere, for example to strengthen the other group and then to take a large point.

[dfan]

I'm looking at this and seeing the black group in the right middle as being alive.

I made a similar comment in this in a recent thread, and it's something I didn't really internalize until recently: there's a huge difference between 1) a group that you can prevent your opponent from killing, and 2) a group so strong that your opponent can't really even attempt to kill it (like your right side group if it connects).

If you have a type 1 group, your opponent will have tons of sente endgame moves and you'll likely end up with 2-4 points of territory. Meanwhile, he will have made strength that will help with his future endgame moves. And before you even get to the endgame, if he makes a dual-purpose move that happens to threaten your group, you'll have to defend against it, and he'll profit from his other purpose.

If you have a type 2 group, anything your opponent tries to do against it is "just points". You can ignore endgame moves if you have bigger moves elsewhere. You never have to worry about dual-purpose moves that threaten it. You can use it as a base that you can reach back to when you make invasions or endgame tesujis, knowing that it's safe.

[BlindGroup]

I made a similar comment in this in a recent thread, and it's something I didn't really internalize until recently: there's a huge difference between 1) a group that you can prevent your opponent from killing, and 2) a group so strong that your opponent can't really even attempt to kill it (like your right side group if it connects).

Never seen or considered this distinction, but it makes a lot of sense. Thanks!

[dfan]

Ha, it turns out that my "similar comment in a recent thread" was about another one of your games. You liked that one too!

[BlindGroup]

Ha, it turns out that my "similar comment in a recent thread" was about another one of your games. You liked that one too!

Ah, my poor memory! Thanks for the repeat. Hopefully, it sinks in this time!

[Bill Spight]

Some comments on the opening and early middle game.

(;AP[GOWrite:2.3.46]ST[2]GM[1]FF[4]SZ[19]CA[UTF-8]EV[Internet Go Server]FG[259:]RE[B+Resign]DT[2017-08-23]PM[2]PW[ ]RR[Normal]NW[21]US[Brought to you by IGS PANDANET]CP[Copyright (c) PANDANET Inc. 2017 Permission to reproduce this game is given, provided proper credit is given. No warrantee, implied or explicit, is understood. Use of this game is an understanding and agreement of this notice.]GN[ ]WR[8k]C[I was happy with this game. I think I accomplished two things\:

1. While in retrospect I missed some big opportunities at moves 35, 37, and 47, I think I did a slightly better job than usual using my strength to harass my opoonents.

2. Bigger news, though, is that I got into several fights with only one of them lost. That's very unusual for me. This includes winning an ill-advised fight that I picked at move 121. It's not that I didn't think I had a good shot at winning, but rather that I was sufficiently far ahead that I should have simplified rather than take the risk of such a large fight.]NB[20]TM[60]PB[BlindGroup]BR[9k+]PC[IGS\: igs.joyjoy.net 6969]KM[0.5]
;B[pd]BL[43.0]
;WL[60.0]W[eq]
;B[pp]BL[37.0]
;WL[60.0]W[ec]
(
;B[gc]BL[594.0]LB[cc:A][cd:B]C[BG\: I rarely see the 5-3 opening, and so, I haven't spent much time on it. This seemed to be a non-joseki move, but any move by white other than A or B does note secure the corner. And if white plays either, I get C. I'd be down in the exchange, but it seems like a managable loss. I decided to take what seemed to be a managable loss rather than lose even more by misplaying a joseki.

*** Cool idea. See variation.]
;WL[56.0]W[ce]
(
;B[jd]C[*** See variation.]BL[590.0]
;WL[54.0]W[co]
;B[jp]BL[582.0]LB[qm:B][qn:A]C[BG\: I'm not at all familiar with the shape on the left, but this seems like a move that both takes away what would be a nice extension from white's enclosure and sets me up to later play A or B.]
;WL[51.0]W[cj]
;B[pj]BL[568.0]LB[nc:C][nq:D][qf:A][qn:B]C[BG\: Looks like we are racing to build the biggest framework. I considered A or B, but this move felt bigger. It gives me a position on the right and the flexibility to play C or D with the "ideal" extension in place.]
;WL[47.0]W[hp]
(
;B[mq]BL[557.0]TR[jp]C[BG\: This seemed to both provide a base for my marked stone and serve as the start to a corner enclosure.

*** See variation.]
;WL[42.0]W[gj]
(
;B[mc]BL[554.0]LB[qf:A][qg:B][qm:C]C[BG\: We still seem to be in a race to build our frameworks. I also considered A, but this move serves two purposes like N3. I it starts a corner framework and works well with the stones on the top left. I didn't consider it in the game, but B is also an option. However, the matching side positions feel more balanced. As happened, I can build territory on the top or bottom by harassing white invasions in the areas of A and C.

*** See variation.]
;WL[37.0]W[qf]
(
;B[qe]BL[544.0]TR[pj]C[BG\: I think this is textbook given the marked stone. White can't get a base and I get to build a central wall while harassing the group.

*** See variation.]
;WL[33.0]W[pf]
(
;B[ne]BL[526.0]LB[od:B][qh:A]C[BG\: I think this move was a mistake. I should have played A. i considered A in the game, but even with the extension white does not have a base. I was also concerned about white B if I played A. But given the variation, I think A yeilds a better result.

*** A would be good. ]
;WL[29.0]W[ng]
(
;B[qh]BL[522.0]LB[ni:A][of:C][oh:B][pg:D]C[BG\: I get to play here anyway, and it threatens the push and cut at C and D. A is also an option, but B seems to lead to a messy fight which seems a mistake given that I can just keep pressuring this group.

*** See variation.]
;WL[14.0]W[nf]
(
;B[qo]BL[509.0]LB[ni:A][ql:B]C[BG\: I don't think I need to respond to the attachment. I debated this move and A. In retrospect, I think A is stronger because it continues the pressure on the top group (although white may not have to respond yet, white would defenitely have to respond to the follow-up move) and protects the area around B.

*** See variation.]
;WL[11.0]W[pl]
(
;B[ql]BL[467.0]LB[ni:B][nj:A]TR[gj]C[BG\: I wasn't sure about this move at the time. Attaching to the white stone obviously strengthens it. But getting a base for this group would help tremendously in being able to threaten these two groups by seperating them. And as I run up, I'm also facing down the marked stone. At the time, I reasoned that getting a base was worth the attachment, but I now think this was a mistake since white A now seems quite big.

*** Timid. See variation.]
;WL[6.0]W[qm]
(
;B[rl]C[*** See variation.]BL[456.0]
;WL[585.0]W[om]
;B[nj]BL[440.0]LB[ni:A]C[BG\: I played this rather than A because it created balanced pressure on the two white groups.]
;WL[580.0]W[rm]
(
;B[pk]BL[428.0]LB[rk:A]C[BG\: This seems necessary to prevent the attachment at A.

*** Good move, but A is not particularly a threat. See variation.]
;WL[575.0]W[nl]
;B[pn]BL[404.0]LB[lg:B][ll:A]C[BG\: This is a freebie, but too early. White should have sacrificed and played A or B.]
;WL[572.0]W[pm]
(
;B[lj]BL[393.0]LB[ll:A][mh:B]C[BG\: Keeping up the pressure. Right idea, wrong move. White responds with A and I can't clearly cut off the other group with one move. However, I now see that I could use a leaning attack on the upper group starting with B to set up black A.]
;WL[559.0]W[ll]
(
;B[oe]BL[389.0]LB[lg:D][me:C][of:A][pg:B]C[BG\: I felt the need to strengthen the marked stone, and i figured that this was sente because of the push and cut at A and B. But I did not anticipate white leaning on my group. I now think that C was the better move since it threatened D. I considered playing D here during the game, but it seemed risky. After looking at the variation, it seems like a good move, but it's sufficiently complicated that I could have made a mistake.

*** See variation.]
;WL[553.0]W[ph]
;B[qg]BL[350.0]LB[qi:A]C[BG\: Considered A, but realized that White can't play A. See variation.

*** A looks good. This play will strengthen White. ]
(
;WL[543.0]W[rg]
;B[rh]BL[348.0]
;WL[541.0]W[re]
;B[rd]BL[346.0]
;C[*** Ouch!]W[pg]WL[526.0]
;B[rj]BL[327.0]LB[lg:C][qi:A][qk:B]C[BG\: I think this settles the group, and it is urgent because if white plays here the cuts at A and B are miai. After this move, black C is then a serious threat.

*** Good shape. Now Black is strong here.]
;WL[522.0]W[kg]
(
;B[jj]BL[291.0]LB[ji:A][jl:B]C[BG\: Another missed opportunity for a leaning attack with A then B.]
;WL[502.0]W[le]
;B[kd]BL[264.0]
;WL[496.0]W[jl]
(
;B[ik]C[*** See variation.]BL[230.0]
;WL[491.0]W[il]
(
;B[dd]BL[77.0]LB[ig:A]C[BG\: Too early. Should have played A. White can make shape by rattling his cage, but I get a nice little wall to face down whites position on the left. Given that i was going to invade, however, this seemed like a reasonable place to start. The white left is weaker at the top than the bottom, and this splits the two white stones. I figure I'll either capture one group or settle or run to safety while trying.

*** A is good.]
;WL[482.0]W[ed]
;B[de]BL[595.0]
;WL[478.0]W[ee]
;B[df]BL[591.0]
;WL[472.0]W[cf]
;B[ef]BL[581.0]
;WL[463.0]W[mj]
(
;B[ge]BL[518.0]LB[ih:A]TR[jj][lj][ik]C[BG\: I decided that my threat here is more valuable than saving the stones in the middle for the time being. Plus, I can play A with a good shot at saving them, particularly if I live on the top left.

*** See variation.]
;WL[453.0]W[dc]
;B[cd]BL[503.0]
;WL[451.0]W[cc]
(
;B[be]BL[470.0]LB[bc:A][bd:B]C[BG\: I considered A directly, but I can't prevent white from making a base because of the cut at B. See variation. So, this move gives white a choice between his two sets of stones.

*** A looks OK. See variation.

End of comments.]
;C[BG\: this seems like the wrong choice.]W[cg]WL[446.0]
;B[bc]BL[469.0]
;WL[441.0]W[bb]
;B[ab]BL[468.0]
;WL[435.0]W[gb]
;B[hb]BL[464.0]
;WL[433.0]W[fb]
;B[cb]BL[437.0]
;WL[347.0]W[gf]
;B[fe]BL[428.0]
;C[BG\: I think white just decided to make a mess here in the hopes that something went in his favor.]W[hc]WL[337.0]
;B[hd]BL[403.0]
;WL[598.0]W[ic]
;B[ib]BL[398.0]
;WL[595.0]W[jc]
;B[jb]BL[386.0]
;WL[589.0]W[kc]
;B[kb]BL[339.0]
;WL[548.0]W[qc]
;B[qd]BL[331.0]
;WL[546.0]W[rc]
;B[se]BL[316.0]
;WL[541.0]W[rf]
;B[pc]BL[304.0]
;WL[531.0]W[mb]
;B[lc]BL[296.0]
;WL[503.0]W[pb]
(
;B[ob]C[BG\: This is a mistake. I should have played A. I didn't see the ko.]BL[294.0]
;WL[495.0]W[qa]
;B[rb]BL[273.0]
;WL[489.0]W[sb]
;B[ra]BL[236.0]
;WL[486.0]W[sd]
;B[dp]BL[88.0]LB[gq:C][in:A][mk:B]C[BG\: White seems to have many more ko threats than I have. So, I can't fight the ko in the upper right now. I considered A followed by B with the hope of cutting white. I also considered C, but this seems the most promising.]
;WL[479.0]W[eo]
;B[ep]BL[82.0]
;WL[478.0]W[fp]
;B[dq]BL[81.0]
;WL[475.0]W[er]
;B[do]BL[598.0]
;WL[474.0]W[dn]
;B[cp]BL[582.0]
;WL[470.0]W[cn]
;B[bo]BL[529.0]
;WL[455.0]W[bn]
;B[bq]BL[525.0]
;WL[453.0]W[ao]
;B[cr]BL[506.0]
;WL[444.0]W[bp]
;B[dr]BL[503.0]
;WL[439.0]W[fq]
;B[in]C[BG\: I expected this to elicit A, but white tenukis.]BL[455.0]
;WL[434.0]W[sf]
(
;B[mk]C[BG\: The idea is to see if white let's me cut at A. However, while black has the upper hand in the fight, it is now clearly an unnecessary risk. Playing safely black wins by 20. See variation.]BL[427.0]
;WL[431.0]W[mi]
;B[ml]C[BG\: White took the bait. So, I get to cut. Should not have taken this risk...]BL[426.0]
;WL[427.0]W[mm]
;B[lm]BL[425.0]
;WL[418.0]W[lk]
;B[nk]BL[418.0]
;WL[412.0]W[ln]
;B[km]BL[416.0]
;WL[597.0]W[nn]
;B[mo]BL[409.0]
;WL[590.0]W[mn]
;B[kn]BL[394.0]
;WL[586.0]W[lo]
;B[mp]BL[374.0]
;WL[576.0]W[ko]
;B[jo]BL[372.0]
;WL[575.0]W[kp]
;B[kq]BL[355.0]LB[jq:A]C[BG\: After determining that white can't cut at A, I decide that keeping the stones connected is the best strategy.]
;WL[573.0]W[jq]
;B[iq]BL[349.0]
;WL[571.0]W[jr]
;B[ir]BL[348.0]
;WL[568.0]W[kr]
;B[lq]BL[347.0]
;WL[567.0]W[lr]
;B[mr]BL[346.0]
;WL[564.0]W[ip]
(
;B[js]BL[343.0]LB[jn:A]C[BG\: This is tricky. It doesn't look like it, but with a throw in at A, the marked stones only have three liberties. See variation.]
;WL[552.0]W[hn]
;B[ls]BL[293.0]
;C[BG\: White is just playing in the hope of a black mistake here.]W[qi]WL[547.0]
;B[ri]BL[286.0]
;WL[540.0]W[pi]
(
;B[sk]C[BG\: Fairly sure this is necessary. See variation.]BL[263.0]
;WL[537.0]W[qj]
;B[qk]BL[598.0]
;C[BG\: Could the play above have been to set up this move? Maybe, but only results in one eye.]W[sm]WL[534.0]
;B[sl]BL[597.0]
;WL[497.0]W[ro]
;B[rp]BL[565.0]
;WL[493.0]W[qn]
;B[qp]BL[509.0]LB[qq:A]C[BG\: I was afraid of white peeping at A to get a position in the corner. That could be a problem.]
;C[BG\: White got one eye. So, I need to falsify this one.]W[so]WL[487.0]
;B[on]BL[506.0]
;WL[481.0]W[op]
;B[oq]BL[491.0]
;WL[469.0]W[pq]
;B[qq]BL[482.0]
;WL[463.0]W[pr]
(
;B[qr]C[BG\: This was tight. Decending at A doesn't work, but this does.]BL[347.0]
;WL[457.0]W[oo]
;B[po]BL[339.0]
;WL[419.0]W[kl]
;B[ks]BL[326.0]
;C[BG\: A is stronger, but I don't think white saw that black A connects white's stones.]W[eh]WL[377.0]
;B[ig]C[BG\: At this point, the game is comfortably over I think. \[End BG comments.\]]BL[205.0]
;WL[368.0]W[ie]
;B[id]BL[198.0]
;WL[596.0]W[fg]
;B[hf]BL[191.0]
;WL[579.0]W[hg]
;B[if]BL[186.0]
;WL[576.0]W[je]
;B[ke]BL[177.0]
;WL[574.0]W[jf]
;B[jg]BL[167.0]
;WL[572.0]W[kf]
;B[he]BL[166.0]
;WL[561.0]W[hh]
;B[ih]BL[119.0]
;WL[558.0]W[ii]
;B[ji]BL[115.0]
;WL[557.0]W[im]
;B[jn]BL[107.0]
;WL[548.0]W[hk]
;B[oa]BL[69.0]
;WL[543.0]W[qb]
;B[dg]BL[44.0]
;WL[539.0]W[dh]
;B[ah]BL[28.0]
;WL[533.0]W[db]
;B[ba]BL[25.0]
;WL[531.0]W[ea]
;B[ga]BL[23.0]
;WL[529.0]W[ca]
;B[bb]BL[595.0]
;WL[520.0]W[ag]
;B[bg]BL[594.0]
;WL[518.0]W[bh]
;B[bf]BL[585.0]
;WL[516.0]W[ai]
;B[ch]BL[583.0]
;WL[514.0]W[ci]
;B[gr]BL[553.0]
;OS[]
)
(
;B[or]
;W[qr]
;B[rr]
;W[oo]
;B[po]
)

)
(
;B[oo]
;W[sk]
;B[sl]
;W[qj]
;B[qk]
;W[sh]
;C[BG\: Black is dead.]B[si]
)

)
(
;B[oo]
;W[hn]
;B[js]
;W[jn]
;B[jm]
;W[io]
;B[jn]
;W[im]
)

)
(
;B[mm]
;W[ml]
;B[nn]
;W[lm]
;B[ln]
;W[kn]
;B[ko]
;W[jn]
;B[lo]
;W[io]
;B[iq]
;W[hq]
;B[ir]
;W[hr]
;B[eh]
;W[ej]
;B[ah]
;W[ag]
;B[bg]
;W[bf]
;B[af]
;W[bh]
;B[ag]
;W[ai]
;B[ae]
;W[bi]
;B[ig]
;W[hf]
;B[jf]
;W[gh]
;B[fi]
;W[gi]
;B[fj]
;W[fk]
;B[ro]
;W[ni]
)

)
(
;B[rb]
(
;W[qb]
;B[sc]
;W[oc]
;B[nc]
;C[BG\: White is dead.]PL[W]
;W[nb]
)
(
;W[sb]
;B[qb]
;W[sc]
;B[sd]
)

)

)
(
;B[bc]
;W[bb]
;B[bd]
;W[ab]
;B[mi]
;W[mk]
;B[ni]
;W[ff]
;B[cg]
;W[bg]
;B[ch]
;W[bh]
;B[bf]
;W[ci]
;B[eh]
;W[ki]
;B[li]
;W[lh]
;B[kj]
)

)
(
;B[mi]
;W[mk]
;B[ni]
;W[li]
;B[lh]
;W[ki]
;B[kh]
;W[ji]
;B[jh]
;W[ii]
;C[*** How now, brown cow!]B[lg]
)

)
(
;B[ig]
)

)
(
;B[ig]
)

)
(
;B[lh]
;W[lg]
;B[jl]
;W[kk]
;C[*** Like before.]B[ji]
)

)
(
;W[qi]
;B[pi]
;W[pg]
(
;B[ri]C[BG\: This settles the group. A seems worth considering, but it leaves some cutting points.]LB[rf:A]
)
(
;B[rf]
;W[rg]
;B[rh]
;W[re]
;B[sg]
;W[rd]
;B[qc]
;W[ri]
;B[rj]
;W[se]
)

)

)
(
;B[kg]
)

)
(
;C[*** Like before.]B[ll]
;W[mk]
;C[*** Black wants to play here, so play the boshi first.]B[li]
;C[*** The push and cut is not good. See continuation.]W[mj]
;B[mi]
;W[ni]
;B[nh]
;W[oi]
;B[oh]
;W[pi]
;B[qi]
;W[oj]
;B[ok]
;W[nk]
;B[ph]
;W[nj]
;B[mg]
)

)
(
;W[rj]
)

)
(
;B[qk]
)

)
(
;B[nl]
;W[ok]
;C[*** You want to make this play. So play the boshi first.]B[ni]
)

)
(
;B[mi]
)

)
(
;B[mi]
)

)
(
;B[qh]
;W[ph]
;B[pi]
)

)
(
;B[re]
)

)
(
;B[ij]
)

)
(
;B[jn]
)

)
(
;B[dd]
)

)
(
;C[*** This way White cannot press you down.]B[de]
;W[cd]
;B[ce]
)

)

[BlindGroup]

Some comments on the opening and early middle game.

Thanks, Bill! These are some great ideas. I particularly like the idea of using the elephant's eye to solicit the split and in doing so providing tighter coverage of both groups. I've been focusing on shape a bit lately in my reading and have always seen the elephant's eye described as weak because it could so easily be split. Interesting to see how the split could be advantageous

[Bill Spight]

Some comments on the opening and early middle game.

Thanks, Bill! These are some great ideas. I particularly like the idea of using the elephant's eye to solicit the split and in doing so providing tighter coverage of both groups. I've been focusing on shape a bit lately in my reading and have always seen the elephant's eye described as weak because it could so easily be split. Interesting to see how the split could be advantageous

It's funny. I don't think of it as an elephant's eye -- which it is, OC --, but as a boshi. That is, the relation to the opponent's stone is more important to me than the relation to my own stone. Except for haengma ( https://senseis.xmp.net/?Haengma ), it does not make much sense to think of shape without considering the opponent's stones. A good shape against certain opponent's stones can be bad shape against others, and vice versa.

BTW, that sequence, boshi, kosumi, keima, occurs often in professional play, if not in actual games, at least in variations. Pros often avoid playing the kosumi.

[BlindGroup]

Except for haengma ( https://senseis.xmp.net/?Haengma ), it does not make much sense to think of shape without considering the opponent's stones. A good shape against certain opponent's stones can be bad shape against others, and vice versa.

BTW, that sequence, boshi, kosumi, keima, occurs often in professional play, if not in actual games, at least in variations. Pros often avoid playing the kosumi.

This reminds me of the point that I've seen EdLee make a few times about the tiger's mouth being a good move in certain circumstances. It's interesting that so many discussions about shape definitively label both as weak when clearly the value of the shapes is a little more subtle. Even the dreaded empty triangle can be a good move, depending on the circumstances!

[Bill Spight]

This reminds me of the point that I've seen EdLee make a few times about the tiger's mouth being a good move in certain circumstances. It's interesting that so many discussions about shape definitively label both as weak when clearly the value of the shapes is a little more subtle. Even the dreaded empty triangle can be a good move, depending on the circumstances!

Many discussions about shape label the tiger's mouth as weak? Hard to believe.

Fortunately, I had better books when I was starting out.