Review request, 17k

RichFish · Post by **RichFish** » Sat Mar 08, 2014 8:38 am

Hello, everyone! I just got out of a game for today and it's left me scratching my head for two reasons.

1) My opponent surrendered even though I was quite certain he was ahead of me. Now this could just be my inability to accurately read the board, but I certainly didn't think that a surrender was incoming.

2) My opponent played... Strangely in the beginning, leading me to be able to set up three corners. Despite this, he got to a point where I felt I was losing. That being said, I think I can learn a lot from this game by reviewing the moves that I made.

EdLee · Post by **EdLee** » Sat Mar 08, 2014 8:43 am

Hello Rich, first question: have you looked at all the shape problems, in particular all your broken shapes,
in your previous game reviews ? Your game with F733a

RichFish · Post by **RichFish** » Sat Mar 08, 2014 8:47 am

I have... I thought overall I was much better in this game with keeping my shapes connected and safe instead of being greedy on my attacks and hurting myself. I've also tried to stop forcing bad sente moves as much as possible.

Am I misreading my progress on that front?

Edit: In your review you added a comment showing me breaking up white's shape. I was trying to play this game with a more defensive mindset because offense has been getting me into trouble and it formed some bad habits. That's why on that play I chose to connect and shore up my weakness.

I also just read the chapter in "Lessons in the Fundamentals of Go" that talked about cutting and connecting, so it was fresh in my mind to go slow and steady when a cut was open to my opponent.

EdLee · Post by **EdLee** » Sat Mar 08, 2014 8:51 am

Hi Rich -- Good you looked at your shape problems in your previous games.

RichFish wrote:he got to a point where I felt I was losing.

Yes, W was way ahead when he resigned. (Multiple possible reasons: he was busy and had to leave, he was bored, etc. )

RichFish wrote:...instead of being greedy on my attacks and hurting myself.
I've also tried to stop forcing bad sente moves as much as possible.
Am I misreading my progress on that front?

Your shape problems (in particular, broken shapes and other bad shapes) and bad sente moves will speak for themselves.
In this game, and in your games to come.

Continue to play and try to improve.

RichFish · Post by **RichFish** » Sat Mar 08, 2014 9:48 am

What are some things that I can do to try and get over that bad habit, then?

I'm keeping in mind that I only have about 12 games under my belt since I've come back to the game, and I didn't study seriously at all when I played before several, several years ago. (God, like 6 or 7 years?) So I'm not beating myself up about it too much because I know a lot of things are just going to come down to experience, but at the same time I want to improve.

EdLee · Post by **EdLee** » Sat Mar 08, 2014 9:54 am

RichFish wrote:What are some things that I can do to try and get over that bad habit, then?

That's the $10M, perennial question that has been
asked on all the servers and all the forums including this one, for eternity.

The first phase is recognition -- you need to learn to see broken shapes (and other bad shapes, and bad habits),
just like you learn to see ataris. All are on-going processes.

It varies a great deal with the individual circumstances. See my pm to you.

Life In 19x19

Review request, 17k

Review request, 17k

Re: Review request, 17k

Re: Review request, 17k