Life In 19x19

I like all 4-4 alright, but I don't like it when the first 9 moves are all on the star points.

Well most of my games are not quadro 4-4 but I cant say I hate it or something.

If I'm in fighting mood I play 2x 4-4 because the opening seems easier without sneaky 4-3 pincer joseki stuff and I can focus on the fighting in the middle game.

topazg wrote:My philosophy is force yourself to play anything you are uncomfortable with. If it is considered acceptable at a professional level, then any failure to make it work for you is a failure to understand what to do with it, which hints at a gap in Go knowledge.

Yeah, strong players keep saying thickness is OK, but I can't remember even one game of mine where giving up territory in exchange for thickness has been anything less than a disaster.

Fedya wrote:

topazg wrote:My philosophy is force yourself to play anything you are uncomfortable with. If it is considered acceptable at a professional level, then any failure to make it work for you is a failure to understand what to do with it, which hints at a gap in Go knowledge.

Yeah, strong players keep saying thickness is OK, but I can't remember even one game of mine where giving up territory in exchange for thickness has been anything less than a disaster.

Exchanging territory for thickness does not in itself give an advantage. You have to make use of that thickness in subsequent plays in order to profit. If you go and settle positions quickly it's difficult to profit from thickness. Keep things open and groups will start to die left and right for your opponent as the game progresses.

Yes, it's easier said than done