A beginner's journal of little interest

[Boidhre]

Actually I want to break down my tsumego practice a bit more because it'll be easier for me to achieve if I have specific goals set rather than an amorphous 1-2 hours a day:

Essential block: (target do every day without fail)

15 minutes of One Move to Live problems from 1001 L&D or Beginner problems from wBaduk or Beginner Problems from Tsumego Master
15 minutes of One Move to Kill problems from 1001 L&D or Easy Life and Death Problems from EasyGo or Beginner Problems from Tsumego Master

Preferred addition: (try to do every day if possible)

15 minutes of Three Moves to Kill problems from 1001 L&D or Pre-Intermediate (Easy) problems from wBaduk or Medium Life and Death problems from EasyGo
15 minutes of Tesuji problems from EasyGo (easier ones), tesuji problems from Goproblems.com or Get Strong at Tesuji (when I get it).
15 minutes of Basics Problems from EasyGo.
15 minutes of Three Moves to Live from 1001 L&D or 15-12k problems in SmartGo Kifu/Goproblems.com

For when I'm feeling good and want to push myself: (try to do but not worry if not done)

15 minutes of 501 Opening Problems or fuseki problems from goproblems.com 20k-12k level.
15 minutes of Graded Go Problems for Beginners 3 or Pre-Intermediate (Easy) from wBaduk or Medium Life and Death from EasyGo.


I think there's a good enough mix there to keep me from getting bored with any one set of problems or style of problem.


Reading: (Optional compared to the essential tsumego section above)

15 minutes of Tesuji by Davies
15 minutes of Opening Theory made Easy (reread because I really do need to reread it)


So, on a good day 2.5 hours of study, on an off day, a half hour of study. I think this is doable and achieveable and allows for dips in mood/concentration/kids getting sick/whatever. Broken into 15 minute blocks because I find this easy enough to concentrate for and motivate myself to do. Obviously I'll have to update this list as I get new problem sets and/or finish a problem set multiple times and need to retire it for a while lest I start memorising it. I feel a lot more motivated now that I've set out specific targets.

[Boidhre]

So many books ordered! Soon the work will begin of turning Get Strong at Tesuji and Graded Go Problems 3 into sgf form!

[Boidhre]

Not hugely useful to review I suppose since it's a win by resignation but since I'm working on fighting technique I'd love to have the major fight in this game analysed. I'm sure I made many mistakes as this is pretty much the first time I've attacked like this I think.

http://www.lifein19x19.com/forum/download/file.php?id=1754

Next game I post up will be a crushing loss, I promise. I've a few in the works as they say!

In other news, tsumego practice is going very well. My new approach is proving very interesting and enjoyable and I'm finding myself more inclined to read deeper while playing which can only be a good thing I think.

[EdLee]

Basic shapes.

(;CA[Windows-1252]GM[1]OT[2 days / move]RU[Japanese]AP[MultiGo:4.4.4]SZ[19]FF[4]
GC[Game ID\: 348942]EV[OGS Minitournament\: Boidhre's mini-tournament]DT[2012-05-08,2012-05-23]
PC[Online Go.com\: http\://www.online-go.com]PB[Boidhre]BR[20 kyu]PW[panceramik]
WR[18 kyu]KM[6.5]HA[0]RE[B+R]MULTIGOGM[0]
;B[pd];W[cp];B[pq];W[dc];B[qk];W[fq];B[de];W[cg]
(;B[dg]C[See var.];W[dh];B[eg];W[dk];B[cf];W[bg];B[cc];W[cb];B[cd];W[fc];B[bb];W[db]
;B[eh];W[di]
(;B[jq]C[See var.];W[pf];B[nd];W[pi]
(;B[qn]C[See var.];W[jd]
(;B[jo]C[Tenuki? See var.];W[mo];B[ln];W[mn];B[mm];W[nm];B[nl]
(;W[om]C[See var.];B[ol]
(;W[lo]C[See var.]
(;B[lm]C[See var.];W[oq];B[op];W[oo];B[pp];W[np];B[mq]
(;W[lq]C[See var.];B[nq];W[or]
(;B[nr]C[See var.];W[po];B[pr]
(;W[pn]C[See var.];B[nn];W[qm];B[qo];W[ko];B[kn];W[jp];B[ip];W[kp];B[iq];W[kq];B[mp]
;W[pl];B[pk];W[gi];B[ei];W[ok];B[nk];W[oj];B[ql];W[pm];B[rm];C[Result\: B+R
]N[RESULT])
(;W[qo]TR[pp][qn]SQ[qo][po]C[Broken shape. End of notes.]))
(;B[pr]))
(;W[nq]TR[mq][op]SQ[nq][np]C[Broken shape.]))
(;B[kn]))
(;W[pm]))
(;W[lm];B[ml];W[kn];B[lo];W[ko];B[lp];W[kp]))
(;B[lc]))
(;B[hc]))
(;B[hc]C[This is the only W weak group -- attack.]))
(;B[ef]C[Try this next time.]))

[Boidhre]

Thanks Ed.

[Bill Spight]

A few comments more.

(;CA[Windows-1252]AP[GOWrite:2.2.21]GM[1]ST[2]FF[4]SZ[19]PC[Online Go.com\: http\://www.online-go.com]BR[20 kyu]FG[259:]WR[18 kyu]DT[2012-05-08,2012-05-23]PM[0]HA[0]KM[6.5]MULTIGOGM[0]PW[panceramik]GN[ ]GC[Game ID\: 348942]RU[Japanese]RE[B+R]EV[OGS Minitournament\: Boidhre's mini-tournament]PB[Boidhre]OT[2 days / move]
;B[pd]
;W[cp]
;B[pq]
;W[dc]
(
;C[*** See variation.]B[qk]
;W[fq]
(
;C[*** See variation.]B[de]
;W[cg]
(
;C[See var.]B[dg]
;W[dh]
;B[eg]
;W[dk]
;B[cf]
;W[bg]
(
;C[*** This strengthens White. Black is already strong. See variation.]B[cc]
;W[cb]
;B[cd]
;W[fc]
(
;C[*** Allows White to escape. See variation.]B[bb]
(
;W[db]
(
;C[*** Forces White to protect his weakness. Black is already strong. See variation.]B[eh]
;W[di]
(
;C[See var.]B[jq]
;W[pf]
;B[nd]
;W[pi]
(
;C[See var.]B[qn]
;W[jd]
(
;C[Tenuki? See var.]B[jo]
;W[mo]
(
;C[*** Strengthens White. See variations.]B[ln]
;W[mn]
;B[mm]
;W[nm]
;B[nl]
(
;C[See var.]W[om]
;B[ol]
(
;C[See var.]W[lo]
(
;C[See var.]B[lm]
;W[oq]
(
;C[*** See variation.]B[op]
;W[oo]
;B[pp]
;W[np]
;B[mq]
(
;C[See var.]W[lq]
;B[nq]
;W[or]
(
;C[See var.

*** Bad shape. See other variation.]B[nr]
;W[po]
(
;C[*** See variation.]B[pr]
(
;C[See var.]W[pn]
(
;C[*** See variation. Last c]B[nn]
;W[qm]
;B[qo]
;W[ko]
(
;C[*** Bad shape. See variation.]B[kn]
;W[jp]
;B[ip]
;W[kp]
;B[iq]
;W[kq]
;B[mp]
;W[pl]
;B[pk]
;W[gi]
;B[ei]
;W[ok]
;B[nk]
;W[oj]
;B[ql]
;W[pm]
;B[rm]
;C[Result\: B R]N[RESULT]
)
(
;B[jn]
)

)
(
;B[mp]
)

)
(
;TR[qn][pp]SQ[qo][po]C[Broken shape. End of notes.

*** This oe is bad, isn't it?]W[qo]
)

)
(
;B[qo]
;W[pr]
;B[qr]
)

)
(
;B[pr]
)

(
;B[lr]
)

)
(
;TR[mq][op]SQ[nq][np]C[Broken shape.

*** See continuation.]W[nq]
;C[*** Where is White's second eye?]B[mr]
)

)
(
;C[*** Solid. Reduces the number of variations.]B[pp]
)

)
(
;B[kn]
)

)
(
;W[pm]
)

)
(
;W[lm]
;B[ml]
;W[kn]
;B[lo]
;W[ko]
;B[lp]
;C[*** See continuation.]W[kp]
;B[kq]
;W[jp]
(
;C[*** Black cannot play more aggressively. See variation.]B[iq]
;W[ip]
;B[hq]
;C[*** Good for White.]W[go]
;
)
(
;B[ip]
;W[lq]
;B[mp]
;W[mq]
;B[np]
;W[iq]
)

)

)
(
;C[*** A bit passive, but not bad.]B[mq]
)

(
;C[*** White has room to live, but make him do it. This play also aims at the two White stones in the top right.]B[mm]
)

)
(
;C[*** See variation.]B[lc]
)

(
;C[*** If you are going to play around here, go for it!]B[nf]
)

)
(
;C[*** Yes!

*** See also.]B[hc]
)

(
;C[*** If you are going to play around here, this combines building a framework with attacking.]B[ok]
)

)
(
;C[This is the only W weak group -- attack.

*** I second the motion.]B[hc]
)

)
(
;B[hc]
;W[hd]
;B[id]
;W[gd]
;B[jc]
;W[hf]
;B[jf]
;W[hh]
;C[*** Proper timing.]B[eh]
)

)
(
;C[*** Black is overconcentrated.]W[ic]
)

)
(
;C[*** Better late than never.]B[hc]
)

)
(
;C[*** Attack!]B[fc]
)

)
(
;C[Try this next time.

*** See continuation.]B[ef]
;W[eg]
;B[fg]
;W[dg]
;B[fh]
;W[ce]
;B[dd]
;W[cd]
;B[ec]
;C[*** See continuation after pass if White cuts.]W[db]
;B[tt]
;W[ff]
;B[gf]
;W[fe]
;B[ge]
;W[fd]
;B[gd]
;W[fc]
;B[gc]
;W[fb]
)

(
;C[*** Or maybe this.]B[dd]
(
;W[ec]
;B[cc]
;W[cb]
;B[bd]
;W[bc]
;B[cd]
;W[bb]
;B[fd]
(
;W[ed]
;B[ee]
;W[fe]
(
;B[dg]
(
;W[gd]
;B[ff]
;W[ge]
;B[ci]
)
(
;W[dh]
;B[eg]
;W[gd]
;B[ch]
)

)
(
;B[dh]
)

)
(
;C[*** Not so good. ]W[cj]
;C[*** The magic of sacrifice.]B[fb]
;W[fc]
;B[gc]
;W[gb]
;B[ed]
;W[eb]
;B[hb]
;W[fa]
;B[hc]
)

)
(
;W[cc]
;B[fd]
;W[ec]
;B[fg]
;W[gc]
;B[dh]
)

)

)
(
;B[cf]
)

)
(
;B[ep]
)

)

I have added some continuations and variations to a few of Ed's variations.

[Boidhre]

Thanks Bill.

[Boidhre]

I've come to a realisation. I've barely played at all in April and May on KGS. Now April was because I was depressed for most of it but for the past two weeks I've been in good form so what gives? I think the answer is that during the depressed period I lost all confidence in myself in playing real time go. It's not been rank anxiety I don't think but more a feeling of shame for poor performance (irrational depression related thinking). I think I just need to make myself play some KGS games tomorrow to try and get over this. It's quite scary how pervasive depressive thoughts can be and how little you notice their presence.

I'll definitely be playing some over the board games tomorrow, I might record one and post it up when I get suitably crushed. But I'd like to get a ranked KGS game in as well.

Edit: In happier news I'm going to a tournament this weekend. I'm really looking forward to it!

[Boidhre]

My go order arrived. Altogether too many books bought but I'm happy.

The Speed Baduk series looks as interesting as tchan001 said it was. I might make volume 7 of that into sgf form first I think for study on the iPad. (I've decided to make sgfs of all the books I get so that I can just carry the iPad with me and have access to all my problems. Plus I figure making the sgfs can't hurt either for seeing patterns over and over again.

[Drewch]

My go order arrived. Altogether too many books bought but I'm happy.

The Speed Baduk series looks as interesting as tchan001 said it was. I might make volume 7 of that into sgf form first I think for study on the iPad. (I've decided to make sgfs of all the books I get so that I can just carry the iPad with me and have access to all my problems. Plus I figure making the sgfs can't hurt either for seeing patterns over and over again.

Which app do you use for manually loading your own SGFs? Can you do a batch import into that app? And how?


I actually just bought an android tablet for 100$ instead of spending 600$ on a Ipad because I couldn't figure out how to do it.

[Boidhre]

My go order arrived. Altogether too many books bought but I'm happy.

The Speed Baduk series looks as interesting as tchan001 said it was. I might make volume 7 of that into sgf form first I think for study on the iPad. (I've decided to make sgfs of all the books I get so that I can just carry the iPad with me and have access to all my problems. Plus I figure making the sgfs can't hurt either for seeing patterns over and over again.

Which app do you use for manually loading your own SGFs? Can you do a batch import into that app? And how?


I actually just bought an android tablet for 100$ instead of spending 600$ on a Ipad because I couldn't figure out how to do it.

For making sgfs? I use Drago.

[Boidhre]

Hehe, I was told that a bunch of 20ks would be at the tournament (i.e. giving me someone to play against around my level) but it looks like this mightn't be the case. This could be a weekend of playing EGF sdks. Well, it'll prove educational at least!


I'm looking forward to this so, so much! Now I need to figure out what EGF rank to enter the tournament at. I'm being told everything from 15k to 18k would be reasonable.

[EdLee]

Have fun at the tourney! Will you be recording all your games there?

[Boidhre]

Have fun at the tourney! Will you be recording all your games there?

Yes, I want to record them and review them afterwards. I'm sure you'll be shouting at my about broken shapes within 24 hours!

I think I'm going to have a lot of fun at this tourney. I feel under no pressure to have a good win/loss record, I'm just looking forward to meeting other go players in person and getting some good games in.

[hailthorn011]

Have fun at the tourney! Will you be recording all your games there?

Yes, I want to record them and review them afterwards. I'm sure you'll be shouting at my about broken shapes within 24 hours!

I think I'm going to have a lot of fun at this tourney. I feel under no pressure to have a good win/loss record, I'm just looking forward to meeting other go players in person and getting some good games in.

Good luck!