The Quest for Less Bad

[RegularPerson]

Q15 is better. RS, why is Q15 better for Black ?

Is it because if white plays S15, black has to play R16 whereas if black played Q15, he could just play S16 and white would have to fix at s14?

[EdLee]

Is it because if white plays S15, black has to play R16 whereas if black played Q15, he could just play S16 and white would have to fix at s14?

Very good. When connects solidly at Q15,
B's shape is stronger relative to the right edge.
If W hanes at S15, B can then resist-block with S16.
With the tiger's mouth in the real game,
B's shape is weaker relative to the right edge:
if W hanes at S15, B cannot resist and must submissively retreat to R16,
allowing W to push once more at S16.

We must read for each situation: tiger's mouth, solid connect, or something else.

[RegularPerson]

Just an update, I've been studying, doing tsumego and playing GnuGo all week. Won my game at the club where I play, but also played a lot of beginners. I feel that brings my bad habits back, so I just have to follow it up with some games against GnuGo and better players to Jeri the slack back out. Peace!

[RegularPerson]

Another boring update, continued to turn my losing streak around. I lost to my friend Eric a couple weeks ago, and tonight I beat him. I kept him on the defense through most of the game. I attribute my improvement to doing lots of tsumego. I mean LOTS of tsumego very carefully, trying to patiently read out different variations. I think that helps the most. I'll try to pick a good game to post in the next day or so.

[wineandgolover]

Another boring update, continued to turn my losing streak around. I lost to my friend Eric a couple weeks ago, and tonight I beat him. I kept him on the defense through most of the game. I attribute my improvement to doing lots of tsumego. I mean LOTS of tsumego very carefully, trying to patiently read out different variations. I think that helps the most. I'll try to pick a good game to post in the next day or so.

The tsume go will help your reading and fighting, so this is very important. Posting here will help change how you view situations, giving you ideas you can't be expected to come up with on your own. Keep it up!

[RegularPerson]

Another boring update, continued to turn my losing streak around. I lost to my friend Eric a couple weeks ago, and tonight I beat him. I kept him on the defense through most of the game. I attribute my improvement to doing lots of tsumego. I mean LOTS of tsumego very carefully, trying to patiently read out different variations. I think that helps the most. I'll try to pick a good game to post in the next day or so.

The tsume go will help your reading and fighting, so this is very important. Posting here will help change how you view situations, giving you ideas you can't be expected to come up with on your own. Keep it up!

Thanks for the awesome encouragement!

Here's a game I played. I lost it. There were a lot of blunders. I was hasty. I enjoyed the game though, and I'm sure some review will help me to be more careful in the future. Any advice including and in addition to not missing simple ataris is always appreciated.
Good night!

[EdLee]

Hi RP,

Strange shape. You are strong here, W is weak --
why are you backing up ?!

? Block o12.

Any advice including and in addition to not missing simple ataris is always appreciated.

Don't miss double ataris.

What's your plan if W cuts immediately at o11 ?

You didn't read the cut at all.

Did you think the o11 cut was not severe ?

[RegularPerson]

Thanks, EdLee. Looks like there were a lot of moments in that sequence where I could have made it better for me. I'll add your comments to the sgf so I can see them as I review the game over the next couple days.