Path to 9Dan, step by step.

[hl782]

Hello all, some updates.

I am about 75 problems down in Graded Go Problems for Dan Players, Vol. 7. A bit less than the 10 a day I was aiming for but at least I'm doing something.

On KGS, the gap between 2 and 3 Dan seems to be quite large in comparison to previous levels. I just snapped a 6 game losing streak, but I really haven't played on here too often.

On Tygem, I am currently at +3 to promotion to 5D and -11 on demotion to 3D. Honestly, I feel like I'll hit the promotion very soon. I don't think there is a massive gap between the 3 and 4D levels. According to LZ for most of my losses, I usually hit around 80-90% win-rate then find ways to lose. Refinement is needed.

[Kirby]

Your improvement is really steady! I enjoyed your game against BadAtBaduk - a lot of cleverness there.

[hl782]

Hey all. It's been a while since I've updated, and I have not adhered to any of my resolution of studying baduk at all. I've began my studies to prepare for law school on top of work, so even 10 problems a day is a bit too much to ask it seems.

The only "studying" I've done is play on KGS/Tygem casually and watch Kim Sung Ryong's youtube commentaries of pro games. Overall, I'm nearing 5D on Tygem and 3D on KGS. If I do make a breakthrough on either server, I may begin to put off games for a bit and study for real.

Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy from Covid-19. God bless.

[SoDesuNe]

Ha ha ha, I started to really study go while beginning law school - good times!

Good luck for both your studies! : )

[hl782]

Update - I am 3D on KGS now. I did lose a few games after and got demoted, but then won a few more to re-promote and stabilize. Oddly enough, I am struggling rather heavily against 4Ds on Tygem. I think it's because I don't like early game conflicts, and the players on Tygem are very aggressive.

I am coming up with a somewhat of a detailed study routine as I do feel that I have lots of holes in my game still so far. I'll post that once I finalize it! It will be heavily oriented towards problem solving.

[ez4u]

Congratulations! Looking at the progress you are continuously updating in your original post, I am impressed with how long you have continued and your steady improvement.

These days how do you see your original goal of matching your father? Does it seem closer than when you started or has the mountain grown in size as you have understood what climbing it requires?

[hl782]

Congratulations! Looking at the progress you are continuously updating in your original post, I am impressed with how long you have continued and your steady improvement.

These days how do you see your original goal of matching your father? Does it seem closer than when you started or has the mountain grown in size as you have understood what climbing it requires?

Thanks! I think the beauty of go is that I can step away for a while and come back and my skillset will remain more or less the same. Since I've entered the dan ranks, it has actually been much more casual, since I expect the progress to be slow anyways.

As for matching my dad, I'm pretty sure I'm still a few years away. I'm not sure if the mountain has grown because I originally expected it to be a long long journey up. If anything, it probably has shrank a bit since then since my dad does not play or pay attention to go anymore. I think any of the newer, post alpha-go moves I play will likely catch him off guard.

[hl782]

Hi everyone. Back with some updates.

For studying - I am reading through Fujisawa Shuko's Tesuji Dictionary (4 volumes by Slate and Stone). I'm almost done with Volume 1 now and it's ideal for casual, self-paced study. I'm almost a 5D on Tygem, and going up and down at KGS at the 3D level.

I've attached some of my latest games. No self-commentary like the usual. Maybe next time on those.

W vs 2D - I lost to this guy a few nights ago after 3-4 glasses of wine, and this time beat him sober.


W vs 2D - Pretty comfortable win


L vs 2D - I beat this guy in our previous game before and I lost a capturing race here by a lib.
Unfortunately, LZ says that i was up 96% at one point.

[SoDesuNe]

Because I was interested about the invasion point in the last game: KataGo 1.4 with over half a million playouts:

hls_game.jpg (188.68 KiB) Viewed 17853 times

Opening was a bit dire though ; )

Great fighting and nice shapes in all games - to my eyes at least!

[hl782]

I am just at awe of at how good the Fujisawa tesuji dictionary is. Wow. Everyone in the Dan level should really read these.

[SoDesuNe]

Interesting to hear!

I started with them when I was a stronger SDK and didn't get much out of it. Most of the "problems" were over my head and the format with "problem" and solution on one page made figuring stuff out a bit tedious.

I'll guess second chances are in order : )

[hl782]

Hi everyone — I hope everyone has been well.

It’s been a hectic 3 years for me — Covid, breakup, finishing the LSATs, getting cold feet in law school applications, switching to product management and moving to New York. Needless to say, I haven’t played a lick of go, but did watch some pro game commentaries from time to time. I suppose taking and returning from 3 year hiatuses are my thing.

I played a few games today to see where I was. I won a game easily against a 5K and beat a couple 2Ks. Either way, I’ll be starting again as a 1D on KGS and a 3D on Tygem and see how things go.

I’ve forgotten all the common shapes and tesujis, but hopefully they’ll come back soon. Excited to continue sharing this journey with you all.

[hl782]

Also, just had a quick readthrough of some of my old posts and games… and man I was one enthusiastic 20 year old. It’s also quite amazing how I struggled back in the lower levels and yet I can come back after 3 years to just pick it up like I’ve never really left.

Really goes to show — baduk is a very intuitive game. Building familiarity with shapes and the flow of the game is so important.

[Knotwilg]

Also, just had a quick readthrough of some of my old posts and games… and man I was one enthusiastic 20 year old. It’s also quite amazing how I struggled back in the lower levels and yet I can come back after 3 years to just pick it up like I’ve never really left.

Really goes to show — baduk is a very intuitive game. Building familiarity with shapes and the flow of the game is so important.

Welcome back!

Have you beaten your dad yet?

[hl782]

Hey Knotwilg - no, and I doubt I will for a while

Anyways, played a game against a KGS 1D today. Had it won, made an incorrect read under time pressure, and died everywhere. All I am realizing is that my reading is my weakest link. Thus, I'll be focusing heavily on L&D and tesuji problems.