Kirby's Study Journal

[Kirby]

Inseong said 35 at B14 was better, and makes it a bit more complicated. He said black was still OK until 43 - the shoulder hit was too good for white.

That being said, I feel that I have an attitude problem with go these days more than anything else. A lot of Inseong's comments these days are "you played this move in 2 seconds - 3 seconds - 1 second, etc.".

I'm much more apathetic toward correct play compared to before, I don't study, and I'm kind of coasting through the AYD until this month is over.

I'm probably going to take a break for awhile after March.

Still debating whether or not to even go to the US Go Congress this year. Maybe my attitude will change before then - we'll see.

Maybe I should watch Hikaru no Go again or something to get some motivation.

[Calvin Clark]

Still, in the game against yithril, to get him to 0.5 point not long ago is impressive. So that power is there. It doesn't disappear because you are not at your maximum study effort.

I went through phases where I was playing a lot of throwaway blitz games that weren't even fun. To this day I basically can't finish a turn-based game because it requires playing almost every day that makes it sound more like a job than a hobby and I can't force myself to do it. Finding the balance where go is still fun but doesn't consume me and hurt the rest of my life is challenging.

I hope you can find a balance that works for you.

[Bill Spight]

A few comments.

[Uberdude]

For move 23 how about being a cheeky bugger like AlphaGo and playing the c16 cut, b17 atari, e16 extend? If white then lives in the corner does f14 look good or bad? Maybe white tries something fancy like c12 but I think f14 means you can actually answer that and corner still ok.

[Kirby]

Still, in the game against yithril, to get him to 0.5 point not long ago is impressive. So that power is there. It doesn't disappear because you are not at your maximum study effort.

I went through phases where I was playing a lot of throwaway blitz games that weren't even fun. To this day I basically can't finish a turn-based game because it requires playing almost every day that makes it sound more like a job than a hobby and I can't force myself to do it. Finding the balance where go is still fun but doesn't consume me and hurt the rest of my life is challenging.

I hope you can find a balance that works for you.

Sounds about right. I've been thinking more that maybe my goals aren't big enough - not just in go, but in other stuff, too. At least if I have a huge goal, it seems worth devoting energy to. But if my goals are mediocre, then when I'm tired or not in the mood for studying or something, there's only mediocre motivation to stick to my plan.

I guess if I'm going to do something, I should do it big. Not really sure what that means for go. Maybe I should make a goal to jump up a few ranks or something. Or maybe win a tournament.

[Kirby]

A few comments.

I like your variation for 11.

For 19, I actually used to play this move when I studied abroad in Japan. They told me it was bad because it left bad aji for black. Then again, I never really questioned this idea, and there's aji with P17 anyway! If AlphaGo likes it, what do humans know?

For 21, C16 seems balanced.

Re: 27 - sweet move. I never considered it

55 - Re: Small scale -> Inseong agrees

[Kirby]

For move 23 how about being a cheeky bugger like AlphaGo and playing the c16 cut, b17 atari, e16 extend? If white then lives in the corner does f14 look good or bad? Maybe white tries something fancy like c12 but I think f14 means you can actually answer that and corner still ok.

I like c16 - not sure why it's cheeky, and I didn't know AlphaGo played it - not that I follow AlphaGo games

[Kirby]

This week's AYD game features another loss:



I think I'll be taking a break after this month's games are up.

[Kirby]

Lost again for this week's AYD game.



Two more games, and I'll take a break from the AYD. And from go for awhile.

[Uberdude]

Kirby, maybe you should play some games against weaker players. Even if you are in bad form, you are still stronger than a lot of people and some wins should boost your confidence.

[Kirby]

Kirby, maybe you should play some games against weaker players. Even if you are in bad form, you are still stronger than a lot of people and some wins should boost your confidence.

Thanks, Uberdude. I think that's a good idea. Seems like I forgot how to win and just overplay a lot. Not sure how low of a rank I'd have to play to accomplish this plan, but there's must be some rank between my strength and 30k, right?

[paK0]

If you feel bad about sandbagging, I'll gladly play a few no-handicap games with you, if we can find time.

[Kirby]

If you feel bad about sandbagging, I'll gladly play a few no-handicap games with you, if we can find time.

Sure.

[Ian Butler]

Kirby, maybe you should play some games against weaker players. Even if you are in bad form, you are still stronger than a lot of people and some wins should boost your confidence.

Thanks, Uberdude. I think that's a good idea. Seems like I forgot how to win and just overplay a lot. Not sure how low of a rank I'd have to play to accomplish this plan, but there's must be some rank between my strength and 30k, right?

I'd gladly play you to show you there are still huge differences to my lowly 18kyu ranking

[Kirby]

Kirby, maybe you should play some games against weaker players. Even if you are in bad form, you are still stronger than a lot of people and some wins should boost your confidence.

Thanks, Uberdude. I think that's a good idea. Seems like I forgot how to win and just overplay a lot. Not sure how low of a rank I'd have to play to accomplish this plan, but there's must be some rank between my strength and 30k, right?

I'd gladly play you to show you there are still huge differences to my lowly 18kyu ranking

Sure.