Life In 19x19

Posted: **Sat Sep 13, 2014 3:31 am**

Hi all,

I played white a game no komi against computer(black) at max level.
I managed to lose by 4, but I made my first 2 ko threat. For a beginner is a satisfaction, they are around the final moves.

Any comment on the game is welcomed.

THank you

Posted: **Sat Sep 13, 2014 6:41 am**

Here's my review (insert usual 9k disclaimer)
Btw - yes there were lots more threats - but it was well past time to fill the ko.

Also I notice that you've posted a lot of computer games. You may want to try against a live opponent online if you haven't done so already - igo win is a source of bad habits if you play it too much and playing a real person is very different in terms of style.

Posted: **Sat Sep 13, 2014 10:12 am**

W182 should be one line lower, to make two threats here. A point of technique.

Posted: **Sat Sep 13, 2014 11:52 am**

S2W wrote:

Also I notice that you've posted a lot of computer games. You may want to try against a live opponent online if you haven't done so already - igo win is a source of bad habits if you play it too much and playing a real person is very different in

I will follow your advice soon.

As I done with chess many years ago, I started playing against computer to get a feeling for the game: I will play real people maybe within a month. Actually I started playing on dragon go server against humens.

In addition: I am a teacher and now I'm preparing lessons for the incoming school year (here we start monday) and I haven't much time to play go

Posted: **Mon Sep 15, 2014 8:42 am**

18: must play P17 to break black's connection. Cutting and connecting is fundamental.
58: must play N9
64 and 70: these moves only provoke black to push through the gap which is good for him. This is called "toothpaste technique" and is not good. Both times, turning at J11 is better.
77: another example of why you should stop playing with weak computers. Black must 100% pull out of this atari.
86: is not totally useless, but is too small at this stage of the game. Good job seeing that.
88: now, this move really is useless. As just one alternative, R15 is huge. Compare black playing S14.
94: is almost a pass, connecting two groups which are already strong and safe.
98, 100: good
127: ridiculous, black can jump all the way to T7 here, and still keep sente.
196: you don't need another ko threat because you can just fill the ko. However, B15 would be a good threat if you needed it, and R18 another.

Posted: **Tue Sep 16, 2014 3:49 am**

Congrats on having your first ko fight with tangible threats

Now to the party pooper bit - you're fighting over a ko where the winner is one point better off, and it takes two turns to win (one to capture, one to fill), and is often known as a half point ko (or third point ko, but I'll ignore that for the sake of simplicity).

Instead of playing your threat at O19 for 182 (O18 is better technique as Charles said, as it leaves P19 as another threat), simply play M15 as it's worth the same number of points as winning the ko fight, in half the number of moves.

Posted: **Tue Sep 16, 2014 11:35 am**

A few comments on the endgame.

Go to move 158.

Life In 19x19

My first two ko threats. Game analysis

My first two ko threats. Game analysis

Re: My first two ko threats. Game analysis

Re: My first two ko threats. Game analysis

Re: My first two ko threats. Game analysis

Re: My first two ko threats. Game analysis

Re: My first two ko threats. Game analysis

Re: My first two ko threats. Game analysis