The mistakes I make

[aiichigo]

Move 4: Playing this move invites white to play K17 or J16, neither of which are great for black, the play at J17 is a little close to white and gives white a chance to get stronger.

This kind of loose pincer by white usually has two responses to think about, either black jumps into the corner, for a standard corner joseki, or does a double approach joseki, because black has handicap stones the result of either is fine really. Though the double approach gives black sente.

Move 16: Nice move, 10 /10

Move 20: Playing low here is not great because it doesn't work well with the other two stones on the fourth line, it would be more normal for this stone to be on the fourth line as well.

Move 22: This attach is a little too much for black, R 5 helps protect the corner, but this attach invites moves like Q7, helping white move out into the board, or a hane at Q or S6.

Move 23: White's move 23 is meaningless, Black's corner is fine, this doesn't attack the corner, or make any territory, it can be ignored and black can play a bigger place.

Move 24: when white doesn't respond to your attach here, black should take advantage and play Q7, this is really bad for white. Playing at O13 is poor, Black's corner is already alive, this doesn't really attack white's two groups which are both alive, and it doesn't gain anything for Black, this is where black should be playing a big move, maybe an approach on the top left?

Move 28: Jumping out to the middle like this isn't great, black can still try and move towards white's corner, perhaps with an attach at D17, if the group is unable to make life on the edge then it can run to the centre. This move doesn't attack anything or make any territory for black and it isn't saving Black's group here, so it isn't very efficient play.

Move 66: A good move, white's shape is bad and is being denied eyes at the edge by this move.

Move 68: Trying to deny the eye just pushing at F2 is fine. It won't be easy for white to make a second eye here anyway, so one eye (in gote) is fine to give white.

[mongus]

Have been looking into nets a lot lately. Becoming familiar with them has really helped my game play a lot. Figured it would be worth quickly jotting down my initial notes on them. I'm sure there are still a lot of subtleties I am missing still.

This is a net :

$$B
$$ +-----------------
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . , .
$$ | . X . X . . . .
$$ | . . . . , . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$B
$$ +-----------------
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . , .
$$ | . X . X . . . .
$$ | . . . . , . . .[/go]

An easy kill.

$$W
$$ +-----------------
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O 3 4 . , .
$$ | . X 1 X . . . .
$$ | . . 2 . , . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$W
$$ +-----------------
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O 3 4 . , .
$$ | . X 1 X . . . .
$$ | . . 2 . , . . .[/go]

You can trap two stones in a net.

$$B
$$ +-----------------
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . X . X . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . , .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X X X , . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$B
$$ +-----------------
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . X . X . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . , .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X X X , . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .[/go]

$$W
$$ | . . 2 . . . . .
$$ | . X 1 X . . . .
$$ | . X O 3 4 . . .
$$ | . X O 5 6 . . .
$$ | . X X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$W
$$ | . . 2 . . . . .
$$ | . X 1 X . . . .
$$ | . X O 3 4 . . .
$$ | . X O 5 6 . . .
$$ | . X X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .[/go]

You cannot trap 3 stones in a net - if your opponent plays it right.

$$W
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . X . X . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$W
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . X . X . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .[/go]

White can play the following to escape :

$$W
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . X . X . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X O . 1 . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$W
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . X . X . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X O . 1 . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .[/go]

$$W
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . X . X . . . .
$$ | . X O 4 . . . .
$$ | . X O 2 O . . .
$$ | . X O 3 5 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$W
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . X . X . . . .
$$ | . X O 4 . . . .
$$ | . X O 2 O . . .
$$ | . X O 3 5 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .[/go]

White has escaped.


Of course if your opponent plays it wrong, he can be killed. The escape move wasn't intuitive for me.

Here's an example from a game where the net worked for me, but should not have done. I was White :

$$B
$$ . . . . . . . . .
$$ . Q . . . O . . .
$$ . . X X . X O . .
$$ . O O X X X O . .
$$ . O X X X X O . .
$$ . O X X O O O . .
$$ . O O O O . , . .
$$ . . . . . . . . .
$$ . . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$B
$$ . . . . . . . . .
$$ . Q . . . O . . .
$$ . . X X . X O . .
$$ . O O X X X O . .
$$ . O X X X X O . .
$$ . O X X O O O . .
$$ . O O O O . , . .
$$ . . . . . . . . .
$$ . . . . . . . . .[/go]

How it played out :

$$B
$$ . . . . . . . . .
$$ . . 2 . . . . . .
$$ 7 O 1 4 . O . . .
$$ 6 5 X X 8 X O . .
$$ . O O X X X O . .
$$ . O X X X X O . .
$$ . O X X O O O . .
$$ . O O O O . , . .
$$ . . . . . . . . .
$$ . . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$B
$$ . . . . . . . . .
$$ . . 2 . . . . . .
$$ 7 O 1 4 . O . . .
$$ 6 5 X X 8 X O . .
$$ . O O X X X O . .
$$ . O X X X X O . .
$$ . O X X O O O . .
$$ . O O O O . , . .
$$ . . . . . . . . .
$$ . . . . . . . . .[/go]

What Black should have done, of course :

$$B
$$ . . . 1 . . . . .
$$ . O . . . O . . .
$$ . . X X . X O . .
$$ . O O X X X O . .
$$ . O X X X X O . .
$$ . O X X O O O . .
$$ . O O O O . , . .
$$ . . . . . . . . .
$$ . . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$B
$$ . . . 1 . . . . .
$$ . O . . . O . . .
$$ . . X X . X O . .
$$ . O O X X X O . .
$$ . O X X X X O . .
$$ . O X X O O O . .
$$ . O O O O . , . .
$$ . . . . . . . . .
$$ . . . . . . . . .[/go]

I would have been powerless to trap him.

[Bill Spight]

$$W
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$W
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .[/go]

What about this shape?

[mongus]

Interesting.

$$B
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O 4 5 . . .
$$ | . X O 1 O . . .
$$ | . X O 2 3 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$B
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O 4 5 . . .
$$ | . X O 1 O . . .
$$ | . X O 2 3 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .[/go]

As far as I can see, that throw in at is essential to prevent White playing there.

$$B
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O 4 5 . . .
$$ | . X O a O b . .
$$ | . X O 2 3 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$B
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O 4 5 . . .
$$ | . X O a O b . .
$$ | . X O 2 3 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .[/go]

Now White cannot play a because Black can just play b to kill the whole group.

Having that one extra liberty makes a big difference :

$$X
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . X . X . . . .
$$ | . X O 4 5 . . .
$$ | . X O 1 O 6 . .
$$ | . X O 2 3 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$X
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . X . X . . . .
$$ | . X O 4 5 . . .
$$ | . X O 1 O 6 . .
$$ | . X O 2 3 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .[/go]

White is safe..

[Bill Spight]

Congratulations!

Interesting.

$$B
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O 4 5 . . .
$$ | . X O 1 O . . .
$$ | . X O 2 3 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$B
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O 4 5 . . .
$$ | . X O 1 O . . .
$$ | . X O 2 3 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .[/go]

As far as I can see, that throw in at is essential to prevent White playing there.

Small point. A bamboo connection is generally better than 1. E. g.,

$$B
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O 1 . . . .
$$ | . X O . O . . .
$$ | . X O . 2 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$B
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O 1 . . . .
$$ | . X O . O . . .
$$ | . X O . 2 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .[/go]

Having that one extra liberty makes a big difference :

$$X
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . X . X . . . .
$$ | . X O 4 5 . . .
$$ | . X O 1 O 6 . .
$$ | . X O 2 3 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$X
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . X . X . . . .
$$ | . X O 4 5 . . .
$$ | . X O 1 O 6 . .
$$ | . X O 2 3 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .[/go]

White is safe..

Good! You are exploring go on your own. Keep it up.

[mongus]

Thanks.

I'm not sure I understand what you are saying here :

Small point. A bamboo connection is generally better than 1. E. g.,

$$B
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O 1 . . . .
$$ | . X O . O . . .
$$ | . X O . 2 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$B
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O 1 . . . .
$$ | . X O . O . . .
$$ | . X O . 2 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .[/go]

This seems much better for White. Why would black play ?

[EdLee]

Hi mongus,

Why would black play ?

( This is my guess to the flow of the discussion. )

$$B
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O 4 5 . . .
$$ | . X O 1 O . . .
$$ | . X O 2 3 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$B
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O 4 5 . . .
$$ | . X O 1 O . . .
$$ | . X O 2 3 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .[/go]

As far as I can see, that throw in at is essential to prevent White playing there.

( my emphasis )

"W playing there" results in this shape (double empty triangle):

$$W
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X O 1 O . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$W
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X O 1 O . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .[/go]

Bill is saying, for this shape, usually the bamboo is better:

$$W
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X O . O . . .
$$ | . X O . 1 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$W
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X O . O . . .
$$ | . X O . 1 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .[/go]

The focus is not on B's peep, but on how W makes good shape.

[Uberdude]

To see why the bamboo is more efficient, consider the follow next moves for white. How connected are they?

$$W
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X O 1 O . 3 .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$W
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X O 1 O . 3 .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .[/go]

vs

$$W
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X O . O . 3 .
$$ | . X O . 1 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$W
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X O . O . 3 .
$$ | . X O . 1 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . . . .[/go]

And

$$W
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X O 1 O . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . 3 . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$W
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X O 1 O . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . 3 . .[/go]

versus

$$W
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X O . O . . .
$$ | . X O . 1 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . 3 . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$W
$$ | . . . . . . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . X O . . . . .
$$ | . X O . O . . .
$$ | . X O . 1 . . .
$$ | . . X X . . . .
$$ | . . . . . 3 . .[/go]

[mongus]

Ah yes, thanks. That makes a lot of sense.

[mongus]

Had an interesting game. I think I was doing Ok until I got stuck in a Ko fight I didn't need to fight. I got distracted by trying to make the game interesting rather than focusing on what I needed to do to keep my positions strong. I lost the Ko fight and then everything crumbled.

The fight starts around Move 123.

Lesson learned - always look out for weak groups.

(;FF[4]GM[1]AP[Sabaki:0.12.0]PC[Dragon Go Server: http://www.dragongoserver.net/]DT[2016-07-20,2016-08-02]GN[noonjinx-Mongus-1101734-20160802]SO[http://www.dragongoserver.net/game.php?gid=1101734]PB[Mongus Pong (Mongus)]PW[Jon Nixon (noonjinx)]BR[19k]WR[16k]XM[211]GC[Game ID: 1101734
Game Type: GO (1:1)
Rated: Y

White Start Rating: 17k (+39%) - ELO 438
Black Start Rating: 19k (-19%) - ELO 181
White End Rating: 16k (+7%) - ELO 506
Black End Rating: 19k (+9%) - ELO 208]OT[30 days with 1 day extra per move]RU[Japanese]SZ[19]KM[0.5]HA[3]RE[W+Resign]AB[pp][dp][pd]PL[W]
;MN[1]W[dd]
;B[fc]
;W[dj]
;B[cf]
;W[df]
;B[cd]
;W[dc]
;B[cc]
;W[ce]
;B[be]
;W[de]
;B[cg]
;W[qn]
;B[qk]
;W[on]
;B[np]
;W[nl]
;B[qh]
;W[qq]
;B[pq]
;W[qp]
;B[jd]
;W[jq]
(;B[lq]
(;W[hq]
;B[fq]
;W[ko]
;B[cm]
;W[qc]
;B[qd]
;W[pc]
;B[oc]
;W[ob]
;B[nc]
;W[nb]
;B[mc]
;W[rd]
;B[re]
;W[rc]
;B[qf]C[I am grateful for the wall Whites 3-3 invasion has allowed me to build. I think I have a nice moyo in the top right now? ]
;W[go]
;B[jh]C[Solidifying my influence on the top right.]
;W[jj]
;B[lj]
;W[nj]
;B[nh]
;W[mi]
;B[lh]
;W[mh]
;B[mg]
;W[li]
;B[kh]
;W[kj]
;B[ll]
;W[lk]
;B[mk]
;W[kk]
;B[ml]
;W[nk]
;B[mn]
;W[mj]
;B[kn]
;W[jn]
;B[km]
;W[jm]
(;B[eh]TR[mk][ll][ml][km][kn][mn][np][pp][lq][pq]C[This group is weak and proved to be my ultimate downfall. I think I should have noticed at this point and done something to make it stronger rather than playing in the top left.]
;W[fg]
;B[fh]
;W[fd]
;B[gc]
;W[gg]
;B[gh]
;W[hh]
;B[hg]
;W[hf]
;B[ig]
;W[if]
;B[hi]
;W[jg]
;B[ih]
;W[je]
;B[ke]
;W[gd]
;B[ie]
;W[he]
;B[jf]
;W[hc]
;B[ic]
;W[hb]
;B[ec]
;W[ed]
;B[db]
;W[fe]
;B[ib]
;W[fb]
;B[eb]
;W[gb]
;B[hk]
;W[fm]
;B[fk]
;W[dl]
;B[el]
;W[dm]
(;B[hm]C[Don't know why I played this when the marked stone was so obviously in peril. This could be my losing move.]TR[cm]
;W[cn]
;B[bn]
;W[bm]
;B[dn]
;W[cl]
;B[co]
;W[en]
;B[do]
;W[fp]
;B[eo]
;W[bo]
;B[cm]
;W[kl]
;B[lm]
;W[mo]
;B[no]
;W[lo]
;B[nn]
;W[cn]C[This is the Ko that I really should not have fought. I had tothing to gain from winning it.]
(;B[an]
;W[ao]
;B[cm]
;W[ln]
;B[mm]
;W[cn]
;B[hd]C[This was a bad Ko to play, I didn't read it properly, it just put the marked stones into peril and I had to crumble.]TR[jd][ke]
;W[id]
;B[cm]
;W[je]
(;B[kf]
;W[ie]
;B[kc]
;W[cn]
;B[jo]
;W[io]
;B[cm]
;W[bd]
;B[bc]
;W[cn]
;B[em]
;W[am]
(;B[fo]C[Silly move, don't know why I played this.]
;W[cq]
;B[bp]
;W[gn]
;B[fn]
;W[om]C[Jaws of doom closing in on me.













]
;B[ci]
;W[dh]
;B[di]
;W[dg]
;B[cj]
;W[ck]
;B[bk]
;W[bl]
;B[ak]
;W[dq]
;B[ep]
;W[gp]
;B[bq]
;W[eq]
;B[fr]
;W[cp]
;B[en]
;W[br]
;B[kp]
;W[jp]
;B[kr]
;W[jr]
;B[gm]
;W[pi]
;B[oi]
;W[oj]
;B[qi]
;W[ql]
;B[pj]
;W[pk]
;B[qj]
;W[rk]
;B[rj]
;W[sk]
;B[ni]C[Wasted move.]
;W[kq]
;B[lr]
;W[mp]
;B[mq]
;W[nr]
;B[pl]C[This is move a "I give up" move rather than anything tactical. Just hoping something clever would emanate from me accidentally!]
;W[pr]
;B[rl]
;W[qm]
;B[qo]
;W[po]
;B[ro]
;W[op]
;B[oq]
;W[or]
;B[oo]
;W[pn]
;B[sl]
;W[rm]
;B[sj]
;W[sm]
;B[]C[Result: W+Resign]
)(;B[bp]
))(;B[cn]
;W[kd]
;B[jc]
;W[kf]
;B[le]
;W[kc]C[Bad things would have happened.]
))(;B[bp]
;W[an]
;B[gq]C[I lose a stone but it least the bottom left is secure.]
;W[nm]
;B[mq]
;W[kr]
;B[lr]C[I can then focus on saving this group.]
))(;B[dn]
))(;B[nm]
;W[om]
;B[po]
;W[pn]
;B[qo]
;W[ro]
;B[kp]
;W[jp]
;B[lo]
;W[jo]
;B[lm]C[Not sure if this is better. White has a nice influence across the entire bottom half, but at least my group is safe.]
))(;W[gq]C[Pretty sure White should have made a two space jump here..]
))(;B[hq]C[Possibly should have pincered this.]
;W[mq]
;B[mp]C[But then I would have been pretty week in the bottom right. I think I made the right decision.]
))

[Bill Spight]

Why did you give up at move 192?

[mongus]

I think it was largely psychological, I felt ashamed of myself for having lost the Ko that should not have been fought. I felt outplayed and figured if I played standard moves I would just lose. So in desperation I tried a clever move instead.

Annoyingly this was a correspondence game, so I had plenty of time to thing thinks through calmly..

[mongus]

Suffered a devastating defeat today.

I thought I had managed to capture a large group and it looked like I was set for an easy win. Whilst I was sitting there dreaming of reaching shodan my opponent turned the tables and with a couple of trick moves managed to reconnect his large group. He then tore my position to pieces to go on and claim a huge victory over me.

Looking at my position I think the problem was I allowed a number of my groups near to each other to get down to two liberties each. By threatening to capture one of the groups I had to decide which group to lose. I chose poorly.

The devastating move is move 218.

(;FF[4]GM[1]AP[Sabaki:0.12.0]PC[Dragon Go Server: http://www.dragongoserver.net/]DT[2016-08-22,2016-09-08]GN[Mongus-noonjinx-1108943-20160908]SO[http://www.dragongoserver.net/game.php?gid=1108943]PB[Jon Nixon (noonjinx)]PW[Mongus Pong (Mongus)]BR[17k]WR[16k]XM[268]GC[Game ID: 1108943
Game Type: GO (1:1)
Rated: Y

White Start Rating: 16k (+46%) - ELO 546
Black Start Rating: 18k (+50%) - ELO 349
White End Rating: 16k (+1%) - ELO 500
Black End Rating: 17k (+35%) - ELO 434]OT[30 days with 1 day extra per move]RU[Japanese]SZ[19]KM[0.5]HA[2]RE[B+48.5]AB[dp][pd]PL[W]
;MN[1]W[pp]
;B[dd]
;W[fc]
;B[cf]
;W[nc]
;B[qf]
;W[jd]
;B[kq]
;W[fq]
;B[cn]
;W[iq]
;B[nq]
;W[pm]
;B[cj]
;W[qi]
;B[od]
;W[pb]
;B[qc]
(;W[me]
;B[jp]
;W[ip]
;B[jo]
;W[io]
;B[in]
;W[hn]
;B[im]
;W[fl]
;B[nm]
;W[lk]
;B[hk]
;W[lm]
;B[mo]
;W[dl]
;B[fe]
;W[ej]
;B[dh]
;W[eh]
;B[eg]
;W[fh]
;B[gf]
;W[hh]
;B[if]
;W[hd]
;B[ih]
;W[hg]
;B[ii]
;W[hf]
;B[ig]
;W[he]
;B[mg]
;W[ni]
;B[of]
;W[nf]
;B[mf]
;W[ng]
;B[kj]
;W[lj]
;B[li]
;W[mi]
;B[lh]
;W[or]
;B[qq]
;W[qp]
;B[pq]
;W[oq]
;B[rq]
;W[rp]
;B[rs]
;W[nr]
;B[mq]
;W[np]
;B[mp]
;W[no]
;B[mn]
;W[kr]
;B[lq]
;W[lr]
;B[sr]
;W[nk]
;B[mr]
;W[ms]
;B[jr]
;W[ls]
;B[dc]
;W[dq]
;B[cq]
;W[dr]
;B[cr]
;W[jn]C[Up to this point the game feels fairly even. This is my "killer move" that I think will kill the marked stones. The game should now be heavily in my favour.]TR[mn][jo][mo][jp][mp][kq][lq][mq][nq][jr][mr]
;B[jm]
;W[kn]
;B[ln]
;W[km]
;B[ko]
;W[lp]C[Time to celebrate!]
;B[kk]
;W[kl]
;B[jl]
;W[mm]C[These marked stones are fundamentally weak. Should I have spotted that weakness at this point and taken steps to correct?]TR[mi][ni][lj][lk][kl][km][lm][mm][jn][kn]
(;B[oh]
;W[nh]
;B[og]
;W[nn]
;B[qh]
;W[pi]
;B[oi]
;W[oj]
;B[ri]
;W[ph]
;B[qg]
;W[rj]
;B[sh]
;W[hl]
;B[hm]
;W[gm]
;B[gn]
;W[ho]
;B[fm]
;W[gl]
;B[il]
;W[fn]
;B[go]
;W[fo]
;B[gp]
(;W[gq]C[These stones were dead any way. I shouldn't have tried to kill them here. The square stone was more important.]SQ[fm]TR[gn][go][gp]
;B[em]
;W[do]
;B[co]
;W[dn]
;B[dm]
;W[ep]
;B[en]
;W[eo]
;B[cm]
;W[cp]
;B[bp]
;W[cs]
;B[el]
;W[fk]
;B[ek]
;W[gj]
;B[md]
;W[le]
;B[nd]C[Instead of toothpaste squeezing, I should have focused on saving my group at the top. I was trying to stop the top right black group from connecting up with his centre group. It was a pointless endevour, since both groups were fundamentally alive anyway, there was nothing else to be lost by having them connected.

Really I should have played in the marked position earlier in the game.

I paid the price.]SQ[nd]
(;W[lc]
;B[mc]
;W[mb]
;B[nb]
;W[ob]
;B[na]
;W[ma]
;B[oc]
;W[kb]
;B[ld]
;W[kd]
;B[ke]
;W[ne]
;B[fd]
;W[je]
;B[kf]
;W[jf]C[This was a pointless move. Only served to strengthen Black.]
;B[jg]
;W[eb]
;B[gc]SQ[gc]C[There was a weakness here that I should have covered before heading for the corner. However if I had played here, it would have given Black an extra move to protect the corner.

Not really sure what the best play should have been..]
;W[gd]
;B[fb]
;W[ec]
;B[gb]
;W[db]
;B[cb]
;W[ca]
;B[bb]
;W[ba]
;B[hb]
;W[ab]
;B[cc]
;W[ib]
(;B[hj]C[Blacks tenuki here was a mistake. The top left group was not fully resolved.

I would have been dead otherwise.]
;W[hc]
;B[ed]
;W[fa]
;B[ac]
;W[ha]
;B[aa]
;W[ga]
;B[da]
;W[di]
;B[dg]
;W[ci]
;B[dj]
;W[bj]
;B[bk]
;W[ck]C[Pointless move.]
;B[dk]
;W[ak]
;B[bl]
;W[ai]
;B[al]
;W[aj]
;B[bh]
;W[bi]
;B[ah]
;W[oe]
;B[pe]
;W[pg]C[Pointless move.]
;B[pf]
;W[pr]C[Pointless move.]
;B[qr]
;W[ie]C[Pointless move. There are lots of pointless moves lately. This is because I erroneously thing we are entering the end game and am trying to squeeze out points.]
;B[hi]
;W[gi]
;B[lf]
;W[br]
;B[bq]
;W[bs]
;B[mh]TR[le][me][ne][oe][nf][ng][nh][mi][ni]SQ[kl][km][lm][mm][jn][kn]C[Two groups close to eachother are now down to two liberties.]
;W[gk]
;B[mj]
(;W[nj]
;B[ml]
;W[nl]
;B[ll]C[The devastating blow.]
;W[om]
;B[ir]
;W[hp]
;B[hr]
;W[fp]
;B[jq]
;W[gr]
;B[mk]
;W[gg]
;B[mm]
;W[fg]
;B[pj]
(;W[pk]
;B[qj]
;W[qk]
;B[rk]
;W[rl]
;B[sk]
;W[sl]
;B[sj]
;W[ff]
;B[ef]
;W[ge]
;B[ar]
;W[oa]C[Just clutching at straws..]
;B[nc]
;W[sp]
;B[gs]
;W[fs]
;B[hs]
;W[ps]
;B[qs]
;W[ds]
;B[aq]
;W[ea]
;B[ca]
;W[ns]
;B[ch]
;W[ei]
;B[js]
;W[]
;B[]
;W[]TB[re][rf][is][ik][rd][jh][jk][jj][ji][ij][rg][rr][sa][sb][qa][ph][rh][rj][pg][jn][rc][lk][lj][lg][lm][lo][qe][pa][pc][ra][rb][kh][kg][lp][ki][kl][kp][kn][km][sc][sd][ao][an][am][ap][ba][be][bd][bc][ag][af][pb][dl][ck][ob][oa][ae][ad][ab][bf][bg][qd][qb][ee][pi][si][se][sf][sg][ss][df][bo][bn][bm][cd][ce][de][cl][cg][qi]TW[ro][sm][sn][so][rn][rm][qm][qn][qo][ql][kc][gh][gf][gc][gn][go][hb][gp][gb][fr][er][eq][dp][es][fb][fj][fi][ia][ic][oo][on][ol][op][os][pn][pl][ok][lb][ja][id][jb][jc][la][ka][po]C[White: 45 territories + 2*0 dead stones(B) + 9 prisoners + 0.5 komi = 54.5
Black: 74 territories + 2*6 dead stones(W) + 17 prisoners = 103
Result: B+48.5]
)(;W[qj]
;B[pk]
(;W[ol]
;B[qk]
;W[rk]
;B[rl]
;W[ql]
;B[sk]
;W[rm]
;B[sj]C[Group could not be saved.]
)(;W[qk]
;B[ol]
;W[pl]
;B[ok]C[Even worse.]
)))(;W[mk]
;B[nj]C[I think this would have been better.]
))(;B[ed]
;W[fa]
;B[da]
;W[ea]
;B[ga]
;W[hc]
;B[da]
))(;W[mc]
;B[ld]
;W[lc]
;B[kd]
;W[kc]
;B[ke]
;W[ie]
;B[je]
))(;W[em]
;B[gq]
;W[ir]
;B[gr]
;W[js]
))(;B[ok]
;W[oi]
;B[ml]
;W[ll]
;B[mj]
;W[mk]
;B[nj]
;W[nl]
;B[ol]C[There is a definite weakness here, I can only save it by playing at the marked spot, but this could easily change as the game progresses. I should have noticed it.]TR[oj]
))(;W[nd]C[I think this would have been a better move. The move I actually played failed me later on in the game.]
))

[EdLee]

Hi mongus,

Can you identify any weak groups or weak spots on the whole board ?

Here are a few:

• F3+J3 not settled; if W gets D2 first, it helps W a lot. Conversely, B E3 direction hurts W.
• L3+o3 not settled; if B gets Q2 first, it helps B a lot. Conversely, W P3 direction hurts B.
• H17 weak spot for W.
• M17 weak spot for W.
• Q4+Q7 a little thin.
• ( Q4+Q7 ) wants another move to help its shape, e.g. R9 or R10.

With , B didn't consider any of the above; did you ?

Very strange. See above.

Slow. H5.

Slow. H6.

Strange shape.

Floater. ( Doesn't really do anything. )

What's the status of this corner ?
Same question as above.

T2 kills.

Locally, M2.
Your note here: a good lesson.
Your question here: it's a good lesson --
If you're sure you're very ahead, just fix all your bad aji --
empty triangle could be suspect right away...

[mongus]

Hi,

Many thanks for the feedback. Incredibly useful as ever.

Can you identify any weak groups or weak spots on the whole board ?

Here are a few:

• F3+J3 not settled; if W gets D2 first, it helps W a lot. Conversely, B E3 direction hurts W.
• L3+o3 not settled; if B gets Q2 first, it helps B a lot. Conversely, W P3 direction hurts B.
• H17 weak spot for W.
• M17 weak spot for W.
• Q4+Q7 a little thin.
• ( Q4+Q7 ) wants another move to help its shape, e.g. R9 or R10.

With , B didn't consider any of the above; did you ?

At this stage of the game there are bound to be weaknesses all over the board? The way I have been playing the start is to consider it as more of a land grab - trying to get influence over as many spots around the edge of the board. Then it is time to probe and push at weaknesses / build up strength.

I have recently been playing a teaching game where it has been pointed out that I need to consider weak and strong groups a lot more. Is it generally considered better form to strengthen the groups around the corners before moving for more territory along the sides?

What's the status of this corner ?
Same question as above.

T2 kills.

Interesting. I couldn't see T2 at the time, and I did spend a lot of time looking.

$$W
$$ . . . . . . |
$$ . . O O O . |
$$ . O X X X 2 |
$$ . O 3 4 5 1 |
$$ . . . . X . |
$$ ------------+

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$W
$$ . . . . . . |
$$ . . O O O . |
$$ . O X X X 2 |
$$ . O 3 4 5 1 |
$$ . . . . X . |
$$ ------------+[/go]

I need to work on my life and death a lot harder.

Your question here: it's a good lesson --
If you're sure you're very ahead, just fix all your bad aji --

A very good point. I also need to learn to recognise when aji is bad. I also have a bad attitude in that I tend strive for total annihilation as opposed to just winning the game. I need to correct this.