Life In 19x19

Thank you Celebrir. Most of what you pointed out was also pointed out by the 6k. It is good to have suggestions for better play corraborated amongst different players, especially regarding bigger moves I should have made. Unfortunately, it seems i wasn't able to put any of that sagacious counsel into my play during todays game:

http://files.gokgs.com/games/2012/2/16/Jsiegert-Ticer.sgf

I think you lost this game because you made to much moves which helped your opponent to fix his weaknesses. In a handicap game you have to use the weaknesses of your opponents shape to overtake the lead he has from the handicap. Here are some comments:

Playing to catch up is a a very foreign concept for me, as is invading. Thank you for giving me some suggestions in these areas.

I will not be playing a game today. I'm going to use my time to work in Vol. 3 and really look at reviews that have been so kindly provided. I might start up playing again tomorrow. Definitely on Monday though.

Today's game:

http://files.gokgs.com/games/2012/2/21/Rellus-Jsiegert.sgf

All in all I am not disappointed in how I play in this game. I felt that some of my endgame plays were pretty good, just not played in the correct order or with certain missing elements. I lost a small group in the bottom left which was significant and will be reviewed, but overall i didn't play too terribly. A couple days off seems to have served me well. Also my rank jumped to 16k which is peculiar. none the less the 2 day threshold starts now.

Today's game:



I will be reviewing this for areas where I got lucky (there were several including the atari neither of us noticed) and where my attention should have been.

Today's game:



Defending against corner invasions seem to be an area I need to improve on. Overall though I felt I made some prudent moves.

Today's game:

An unranked game typically has two outcomes for me. Either I get destroyed, or I destroy. Today was the latter. Obviously someone who just started playing. He did seem to recognize the vital point of a bulky five though (even though it was inconsequential at the time).

Hehe, you seem to like that opening as black . Can I ask what you think of playing your move 5 (currently at R10) one line higher - say Q10?

I have nothing against Q10, I'll try it in my next game. R10 is just what I've been using by habit. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn.

Jsiegert wrote:I have nothing against Q10, I'll try it in my next game. R10 is just what I've been using by habit. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn.

It's unusual in pro play, but nothing really wrong with it at this level. Q10 is a common opening.

Jsiegert wrote:R10 is just what I've been using by habit.

To improve it is important to leave one's habits soon and try out new things, especially in the DDK ranges.

Yeah, I suggest you try Q10 for a while. If nothing else it'll give you a feel for something a bit different. If you stuck to habits, you'd stay as 16k forever, since you'd never be doing anything new . Have you considered other moves for your move 5? What about approaching one of the opponent's corners? What about making a corner enclosure with one of your 4-4 stones? Let's hear your thoughts and make this interactive ^_^ .

Just a short comment on your last game because I'm writing a lot of exams at the university, but when one spokes of bad habits:

B13 at N16 is really one of your bad habits Even if you're strong around here it has weaknesses which might allow white to life in the corner or on the side. Q17, R17 and R16 are things to think about here.

I am ostensibly defensive in Go, preferring a secure foothold before making any aggressive advances. However, habitual play is to be avoided so I will make a point of avoiding moves such as R10 and N16 for a while, and see what comes of it.

Really, I have no signifcant thoughts on moves such as pushing into a corner other than, "That's an offensive move, his response will dictate defensive or aggressive play in this area". I will obviously be investing more thought in these moves in the near future.


I appreciate the time you have taken from your studies Celebrir.

Jsiegert wrote:I am ostensibly defensive in Go, preferring a secure foothold before making any aggressive advances. However, habitual play is to be avoided so I will make a point of avoiding moves such as R10 and N16 for a while, and see what comes of it.

Well, N16 is somehow a aggressive move, because you try to take more than you should. This provokes invasions which lead to aggressive moves.

Jsiegert wrote:I appreciate the time you have taken from your studies Celebrir.

Nothing special, nobody(or at least no human I know) can study the whole day I feel like making a full review again, but I think I have to hold back from that *sighs*