This 'n' that

[Bill Spight]

Thanks, Bill. Only so many usual suspects...

$$B
$$ ---------------------
$$ . X . . . . . . O X .
$$ . X O O 1 . O O O X .
$$ . X O X O O O . X . .
$$ . X X X X X X X . X .
$$ . . . . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

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

This is correct. A 5 pt. sente.

$$B at
$$ ---------------------
$$ . X 5 3 2 . 6 . O X .
$$ . X O O 1 4 O O O X .
$$ . X O X O O O . X . .
$$ . X X X X X X X . X .
$$ . . . . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$B at
$$ ---------------------
$$ . X 5 3 2 . 6 . O X .
$$ . X O O 1 4 O O O X .
$$ . X O X O O O . X . .
$$ . X X X X X X X . X .
$$ . . . . . . . . . . .[/go]

at 5 is slightly more accurate.

Forcing is neat, eh?

$$B seems seki; reverts to #464.1
$$ ---------------------
$$ . X . . . 3 1 . O X .
$$ . X O O 2 . O O O X .
$$ . X O X O O O . X . .
$$ . X X X X X X X . X .
$$ . . . . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$B seems seki; reverts to #464.1
$$ ---------------------
$$ . X . . . 3 1 . O X .
$$ . X O O 2 . O O O X .
$$ . X O X O O O . X . .
$$ . X X X X X X X . X .
$$ . . . . . . . . . . .[/go]

I rather like . I overlooked it, but it is still not quite good enough.

$$B Black komaster (given Black 1)
$$ ---------------------
$$ . X 4 . 3 . 1 . O X .
$$ . X O O 2 . O O O X .
$$ . X O X O O O . X . .
$$ . X X X X X X X . X .
$$ . . . . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$B Black komaster (given Black 1)
$$ ---------------------
$$ . X 4 . 3 . 1 . O X .
$$ . X O O 2 . O O O X .
$$ . X O X O O O . X . .
$$ . X X X X X X X . X .
$$ . . . . . . . . . . .[/go]

$$B White komaster (given Black 1)
$$ ---------------------
$$ . X 3 . . 4 1 . O X .
$$ . X O O 2 . O O O X .
$$ . X O X O O O . X . .
$$ . X X X X X X X . X .
$$ . . . . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$B White komaster (given Black 1)
$$ ---------------------
$$ . X 3 . . 4 1 . O X .
$$ . X O O 2 . O O O X .
$$ . X O X O O O . X . .
$$ . X X X X X X X . X .
$$ . . . . . . . . . . .[/go]

Still the same move...?

$$B
$$ ---------------------
$$ . X . . . . a . O X .
$$ . X W W 1 . O O O X .
$$ . X X X O O O . X . .
$$ . . . . X X X X . X .
$$ . . . . . . . . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$B
$$ ---------------------
$$ . X . . . . a . O X .
$$ . X W W 1 . O O O X .
$$ . X X X O O O . X . .
$$ . . . . X X X X . X .
$$ . . . . . . . . . . .[/go]

With only two stones at stake ( ) I think that it depends on the ko threat situation. As a rule, when White is komaster, Black avoids ko and plays , otherwise Black plays "a".

[Bill Spight]

lightvector has done some interesting research on semeai, and has posted his results in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=15338

I have found some interesting play in one of his semeai, and I liked it so much that I decided to post it here.

(;ST[2]AP[GOWrite:2.3.46]GM[1]CA[ISO8859-1]SZ[19]FF[4]PB[ ]C[*** In this position White has four dame, so White to play can win the semeai.

If Black plays first, Black's first move is interesting.]AW[db][eb][fb][bc][cc][bd][ce][de][cg][ci]FG[259:]PM[2]PW[ ]GN[ ]AB[bb][cb][ac][dc][dd][fc][fe][gc][gb][jc]
;C[*** Wonderful things happen on the 1-2 point!

If Black is komaster, this wins the semeai. White can play elsewhere.

]B[ba]
;C[*** This is White's next play. It is sente.]W[ab]
;C[*** If White is komaster, play continues.]B[ec]
;C[*** Threatens ko.]W[ea]
;C[*** Prevents that ko, and has another meaning. Sometimes wonderful things happen on the 1-3 point.]B[ca]
;C[*** White makes this ko, instead.]W[ga]
;C[*** The local temperature has dropped, and White can play elsewhere.]B[hb]
;C[*** It is up to Black, the koloser, to initiate the ko. The longer Black waits, the less Black gets in exchange for losing the ko, as a rule.]B[ha]
(
;C[*** This is a three move approach ko. See variation for White's approach move.]B[fa]
)
(
;W[ad]
(
;C[*** This is now a two move approach ko. See variation for White's approach move.]B[fa]
)
(
;W[ac]
(
;C[*** Still an approach ko. See variation.]B[fa]
)
(
;W[aa]
;B[fa]
;C[*** Does not work.]W[da]
;C[*** The other meaning of the Black 1-3 play. It sets up this under the stones play.]B[cb]
)

)

)

)

It is not easy to be komaster of a three move approach ko.

[Bill Spight]

I have an article in the current issue of Myosu http://www.mjubadukstudies.com/wp-conte ... -final.pdf

[EdLee]

Hi Bill, Congrats. p 20.

[Bill Spight]

On this Valentine's Day/Ash Wednesday I am writing this note in memory of my wife, Winona Adkins, who died last month. She was ill, but her death was sudden and unexpected. We both thought that she would see the spring.

Winona was very intelligent, witty, and charming. Neither of us were extraverts, but she developed an uncanny charm in midlife. In recent years she and I, following her lead, together brought joy to many people that we met. She was truly a blessing.

[tj86430]

I can only offer my sincerest condolences.

[daal]

Sorry to hear that, Bill. I'm sure many of our hearts go out to you this valentines day.

[Kirby]

I am sorry for your loss. You must be heartbroken. From my experience, nothing I say can help the situation, but nonetheless, I'm so sorry to hear about this.

[PeterHB]

Sorry for your loss. Feel strengthened by the positive memories of the way she added to your life.

[EdLee]

So sorry, Bill.

[Calvin Clark]

My condolences to you and your family.

[Uberdude]

Terribly sorry to hear this Bill.

[ez4u]

My condolences as well for you and your family.

[paK0]

Sorry to hear that Bill

[Elom]

Very sorry to hear. My condolences.