Project Shodan, KGS nick - Vladimir

[vpopovic]

In a last couple of days, I'm pretty happy with my win/lose record, but terribly unhappy with my Go.
I still make tremendous mistakes and I win only because my opponents make even worse.
Constantly, I've got a feeling that I cheat on my rank graph, since I was supposed to be crushed in numerous games I won if only my opponents were a little bit better.
I don't know if it's bad because I've got the feeling that I'm worse that graph shows or good because I'm aware of my weakneses.

[Bill Spight]

In a last couple of days, I'm pretty happy with my win/lose record, but terribly unhappy with my Go.
I still make tremendous mistakes and I win only because my opponents make even worse.

If your opponents play perfectly, you will lose every game.

Constantly, I've got a feeling that I cheat on my rank graph, since I was supposed to be crushed in numerous games I won if only my opponents were a little bit better.
I don't know if it's bad because I've got the feeling that I'm worse that graph shows or good because I'm aware of my weakneses.

Given your program of rapid advancement, it is best to consider ranks as milestones along the way. Any attempt to identify yourself as actually being this or that rank will only be a hindrance. If you actually play below your rank, you will lose, if not this game, then the next, don't worry about that.

Edit: And besides, what are you doing playing weak opponents?

[vpopovic]

Edit: And besides, what are you doing playing weak opponents?

Everyday I, for some reason, postpone my handicap study. Without that, I simply fear to face stronger opponents.

And, to be perfectly honest, I'm also afraid what is certain losing strike with stronger opponents going to do to my rank graph. There, I said it. I know it's wrong but I'm so fond of that graph going up, up and up.
Stupid, isn't it?

[loganmhb]

Everyday I, for some reason, postpone my handicap study. Without that, I simply fear to face stronger opponents.

Do you mean that you postpone studying how to play handicap games, or that you postpone playing handicap games (or both)?

Based on my (brief) experience as someone around your level, I wouldn't worry as much about studying handicap-specific strategies before playing some handicap games--that will help you get over the fear factor, and once you do, playing stronger opponents is great! Nothing like it for learning that what you thought was your territory is actually 90% reduceable and still having a game you've got a chance of winning.

[vpopovic]

Ok. I promise to myself now to play at least one game per day with much stronger opponent, if I manage to find one willing to play with me.
This strategy of public promises seems to work

[Bill Spight]

Edit: And besides, what are you doing playing weak opponents?

Everyday I, for some reason, postpone my handicap study. Without that, I simply fear to face stronger opponents.

No problem. Don't take a handicap.

And, to be perfectly honest, I'm also afraid what is certain losing strike with stronger opponents going to do to my rank graph. There, I said it. I know it's wrong but I'm so fond of that graph going up, up and up.
Stupid, isn't it?

No, it's not stupid. But when you are shodan will you care what your rank graph looked like when you were 7 kyu? Let ranks be stepping stones, not stumbling blocks.

[Splatted]

Well you can always play unrated games if you don't want to risk your rating an unfamiliar way of playing. I stopped playing rated games after becoming a 4k, and after 19 losses in a row I'm glad I did.

P.s. Try not to think of handicap games as strong player vs weak player, but rather strong position vs weak position.

[vpopovic]

No, it's not stupid. But when you are shodan will you care what your rank graph looked like when you were 7 kyu? Let ranks be stepping stones, not stumbling blocks.

Mr Spight, u're one in million

[vpopovic]

Well you can always play unrated games if you don't want to risk your rating an unfamiliar way of playing. I stopped playing rated games after becoming a 4k, and after 19 losses in a row I'm glad I did.

P.s. Try not to think of handicap games as strong player vs weak player, but rather strong position vs weak position.

Good idea. Unrated games till I get used to be force demonstration poligon

[solomonko]

I'm KGS 2d, sometimes 1d, sometimes 3d, never 4d.

If you find me, don't hesitate to challenge me, I'LL accept gladly.

I also play turn-based go (correspondent go) at OGS.
(OGS rating is much harder than KGS.)

This is a very good way for a busy person who cannot take a long time for go at one time.

[vpopovic]

Thank you. I'll check turn based servers.

[vpopovic]

I'm doing 30-50 tsumegos per day and playing 1-5 games per day.
But progress is soooo slow.

I think I can feel that my reading is slightly better then before (of course, when I manage to be undistracted), but I still make stupid mistakes in fuseki.

I try to follow principles from Opening Theory Made Easy, but opponents still make successful invasions and huge reductions.

I definitely need to look at 4-4 and 3-4 common josekis.

[wineandgolover]

I'm doing 30-50 tsumegos per day and playing 1-5 games per day.
But progress is soooo slow.

All this in 30-60 minutes per day? Impressive!

In all seriousness, you've clearly caught the bug, great!

In my humble opinion if you are playing up to five games per day, you are probably playing too fast.

Slower games give you the ability to think about every move. Replaying them gives you the ability to see what worked and what did not. This immediate feedback helps you avoid making the same mistake over and over.

That said in my last game, my opponent did an unreasonable peep against my corner, from the inside. I spent 15 minutes working through variations, and played hane on the outside. He cut, and I died. If I was playing faster, I would have just connected. Oh well, the review process described above hopefully means I learned my lesson and don't make that mistake again.

[vpopovic]

Well, I spend more than 60 mins with go per day. I just can't resist. Like with Borgs. Resistance is futile

Regarding your example, I have exactly the same one. Toge saw it a month ago

[vpopovic]

Just played with LeoLeo. Just after the counting, my android client broke, didn't have chance to say "thank you".
Mate, if u're reading this, sorry.