Review my game against MFOG 15k

[Milkman]

I'm 18k on KGS but I think it's wrong and I'm probably more like 20k. I think I won due to dumb moves like W34, W94(?) and W176. and things like not playing into the bottom left corner which on review, seems wide open. Like what if W64 had gone 2 down and to the right? A lot of times it felt like W was just helping me fix my defects.

I tried to play less endgame in the midgame, this time around. I won but I think it was really due to poor playing on White's fault rather than anything I did.

http://www.lifein19x19.com/forum/download/file.php?id=4095

[skydyr]

White makes a lot of dubious moves in this game, as you mentioned, but you did not always capitalize on them. For example, after move 9, Q5 is huge for both sides, but it gets ignored for a long time, and after 107, black can kill white in the corner in one move or start a ko for life until move 236.

Honestly, I'd recommend moving up to a stronger program, if you don't play against humans, as this one is no longer capitalising on your mistakes.

[Ellyster]

It's not that bad.
I will say that you are too afraid to lose any of your stones, even a single one. And you try to atari anything that is atariable. Both really hard to overcome bad habits (they will hunt you in a much softer way at least until 1d).

Also probably you shold focus in learning where to cut and how to make the cuts as clean as possible, that will increase your fighting skills a lot.

Think about what would hapend if you play your move 115 or 117 at M10 (is not the best possible alternative, but is the easiest to see).

[EdLee]

Hi Milkman, as already mentioned, when you kicked W with ,
a proper move for W is to extend up at Q5 -- this Q5 is a big
shared vital point for both B and W. Since W missed it,
you are very happy to take it yourself, but you also missed it.

When you double approached W with , W also ignored you,
and you again did not follow up -- did you consider a move like Q15
to try to kill W completely ? Why, or why not ?

is a very common bad habit at these levels: the correct local
shape is connect solidly at S4.

I think it was really due to poor playing on White's fault rather than anything I did.

Correct. For example, is a big local mistake -- do you see why ? What is W's correct local reply ?

Can you find a better local move than your 105 ?

Can you find a better local move than your 109 ?

At your level, it is tremendously beneficial for you to play, play, and play.
Experience, experiment, experience -- rinse and repeat.

Enjoy.

[tekesta]

If you are consistently beating a computer program by 20 points or more, either increase the level of difficulty therein or move on to a stronger program. Don't forget to play against humans.

At your level, I recommend playing lots of games, doing puzzles in all categories (life & death, tesuji, fuseki, middle game, endgame, and jōseki), and replaying games by professional players. You may want to obtain a collection of games by Hon'inbō Shūsaku and replay those. I've often heard that Shūsaku's games are best for those beginners seeking to develop a foundation in Go. As for puzzles, concentrate on life & death and tesuji. Do not exclude the other categories since they matter, but getting a good grasp of these two categories will help you to make more sense of the other four.

As you become stronger, you will be able to solve more difficult puzzles, have more understanding of what occurs in professional games, and play in a way that is increasingly clear and logical. However, even professionals follow the above mentioned study régime. Like the kung fu student that practices day in and day out to improve his skills and become better, the competent Go player practices his/her skills on a regular basis to make them stronger and play better.

Enjoy the journey!