Feeling stuck

[Jæja]

Hi everyone,

After about 12 years of inactivity, I've finally picked up playing go again since last October. Although I feel I've improved a bit since and I feel I have a deeper understanding of the game, my progress is not as good as I would like. I've been been playing games online, at the local club, reading books, solving tsumego, watching YouTube videos... you name it. I'm now 12k on OGS and pretty stuck at that level.

I hope some of you could take a look at one my games and give me some pointers. I would really appreciate it!

[jlt]

A few ideas until move 70.

[Kirby]

I think your opening was decent here. The cap at L7 didn’t seem to have a solid plan. White got a base on the bottom easily, took more points than you on bottom, and even cut your stones for a huge lower left corner.

I’d think about the reason you played the cap. And consider if there was a better plan there.

[EdLee]

Hi Jæja,

Happy 2020.

From my experience only; your mileage may vary:

Up to ~1k, these are the most important ( for progress ):

1. reading ( fighting skills );
2. reading ( fighting skills );
3. reading ( fighting skills );

How to improve (1,2,3) ?
Example: Bruce Wilcox's e-lesson, Contact Fights.

Helped me break through DDK.

Improve your basic shapes ( many basic shape problems in your SGF here. )

Corner life-and-death.

[Jæja]

Thanks a lot for your great comments @Kirby and @EdLee and especially @jlt for taking considerable time to work through the SGF and provide suggestions for better variations

There are a lot of things I've learned from this game, which I didn't see before. I've also purchased the Bruce Wilcox's Contact Fights course, which I'm very curious about.

Thanks again and enjoy your games

[xela]

After about 12 years of inactivity, I've finally picked up playing go again since last October...I'm now 12k on OGS and pretty stuck at that level.

Are you sure you're actually stuck, and not just setting unrealistic expectations for how quickly you can get back into gear after such a long break? October is really not that long ago.

[Uberdude]

I've not had a break and I've been stuck at 4 dan for 7 years!

[Jæja]

Are you sure you're actually stuck, and not just setting unrealistic expectations for how quickly you can get back into gear after such a long break? October is really not that long ago.

You're right of course! I'm indeed being a bit impatient

I'm not really satisfied playing online and I do it mostly to improve so I can play more interesting games in real life. Last weekend I played in the Dutch national championship - luckily they allow weaker players! - and I got a really nice experience out of that. Perhaps I should find ways to play more in real life and enjoy the game

I've not had a break and I've been stuck at 4 dan for 7 years!

You reached 1d in 1.5 years time starting from my level though. That's quite impressive!