CGA league game

[speedchase]

I played this game today, and I won, but I felt like I was behind most of the way. any comments are appreciated.

[mitsun]

A few comments on the opening:

Move 19 (J3) seems a bit slow. If the W extension on top was wider (L17 instead of M17), then this approach would be important, threatening a severe invasion (N17). But here this move does not really threaten W, so it is large but not vital. Completing a shimari in the upper left (E17) or approaching the lower right (C6) seem natural and larger. Still, this is only a minor point -- until you reach professional level, a slightly slack move like this will not cost you a game.

Move 25 (H4) is again a bit slow. B expends two moves here (F3 and H4) to make less than 10 points of territory, without much chance for future development. If you simply want to limit the W position, it would be more efficient to just play the single move G3, but that also feels slow. After playing F3, jumping to F5 would be a stronger continuation. Yes, W could invade and start a fight, but at least B would have a chance at getting full value for two moves.

Extending on top to C12 actually looks larger to me than any play on the bottom. This move expands from the B shimari, limits W area along the side, and leaves lots of good follow-up potential, like sliding to B10 or pressing to create a moyo with E11.

On the bottom, if W then extends all the way to H3, B will need no second invitation to steal into the corner at C3 or D3. If W holds back to E3 to secure the corner, B can still extend to G3 (although playing on top still looks bigger).

[cyclops]

can't be good. The exchange for is too good for w as it leaves a serious weakness at D17. If b wants to protect the corner he should play at E17. Giving w the ponnuki with .. can't be good either. w's mistake was , allowing the framework. at L14 would have attacked at a sufficient scale. Because of this mistake w feels compelled to invade but his shapes are not flexible so he looses the game. OC he shouldn't have allowed the capture of . This way of playing feels like resigning.

[speedchase]

Thank you both for your advice. Cyclops, I have a couple of questions about what you mean.

with through , it is true that white gets a ponuki, but it is sandwiched under blacks wall, I think that it exerts very little outward influence, it mostly just makes territory. I also don't understand your objection to . The move you advise seems to me to give the same size moyo. I agree that it is better, but it seems like a difference of a couple points (if we assume black isn't going to bother pulling out is other group anyway. I also don't understand what you mean by allowing the capture at is bad. the way I see it, playing it made me spend two turns capturing it, and gave white the chance to escape. trying to save it is just greedy in my opinion.

I am not saying that you are wrong, but I just don't understand your objections would you mind elaborating.

[cyclops]

Thank you both for your advice. Cyclops, I have a couple of questions about what you mean.

with through , it is true that white gets a ponuki, but it is sandwiched under blacks wall, I think that it exerts very little outward influence, it mostly just makes territory. I also don't understand your objection to . The move you advise seems to me to give the same size moyo. I agree that it is better, but it seems like a difference of a couple points (if we assume black isn't going to bother pulling out is other group anyway. I also don't understand what you mean by allowing the capture at is bad. the way I see it, playing it made me spend two turns capturing it, and gave white the chance to escape. trying to save it is just greedy in my opinion.

I am not saying that you are wrong, but I just don't understand your objections would you mind elaborating.

OC, I am only 7 kyu so it is quite possible my comments are nonsensical. In that case I learn something from you
40 .. 45 I see both b&w running westward starting at L14. at G13 next stops b. Now b has a bad cutting point at M13 after being prepared by the shoulder move at Q10. At the same time b needs to protect the NW corner and to protect his shape/moyo around K11. So he is quite busy. The ponnuki gives w the strength for his treaths, i think.