OGS Game between L19ers topazg and ethanb

[topazg]

This one of the most epic games I've played without a clear blunder that I can remember. Lots of framework / territory issues, group swapping, trades, close escapes, with lots and lots of areas that I suspect could have been sharper or better directioned.

I've done my best to self review this one, but I'd love comments from anyone that has something to offer about the game (especially magicwand and Bill, who have often made great comments on games here, but please don't feel obliged either!)

(;GM[1]FF[4]CA[UTF-8]AP[CGoban:3]ST[2]
RU[Japanese]SZ[19]KM[6.50]
GN[19x19 ladder challenge: ethanb vs topazg]PW[ethanb]PB[topazg]DT[2010-11-17,12-18]CP[Creative Commons: Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported]GC[Game ID: 249709]EV[OGS 19x19 Ladder]PC[Online Go.com: http://www.online-go.com]RE[B+Resign]
;B[pe]
;W[ec]
;B[pp]
;W[dp]
;B[kd]TR[oc]C[GP: I've played this recently as it prevents White from approaching at the triangled point and making a semi-comfortable 2 point jump extension. The idea is to build a more powerful framework from this position, and prepare the approach at C16. Is this viable?]
(;W[qn]C[GP: Wrong side? It feels like White is getting a bit greedy here perhaps. I prefer the variation]
;B[ql]
;W[nq]
;B[np]
;W[qp]
;B[oq]
;W[qq]
;B[mq]C[GP: I'm happy enough with this trade, as White cannot easily develop the lower edge.]
;W[qc]
;B[oc]
;W[re]
;B[qf]C[GP: Playing for influence and sente.]
;W[rf]
;B[cd]
;W[cg]C[GP: Ooh, interesting!]
;B[de]
;W[hc]
;B[dc]
;W[ed]
;B[db]
;W[ie]
;B[jf]C[GP: The right direction and urgency to be consistent with my top right? Or was F3 bigger? Or the pincer on the left?]
;W[pm]
;B[pl]
;W[qh]
;B[ro]
;W[rn]
;B[po]
;W[qo]
;B[om]
;W[ol]
;B[pj]
;W[nl]
;B[nj]
;W[qj]
;B[pi]
;W[qi]
;B[pn]
;W[qm]
;B[pk]
;W[nm]
;B[qg]
;W[rg]
;B[ph]C[GP: Not that happy with this trade in hindsight, but it's either sente or I may get to attack O8.]
;W[kb]
;B[if]
;W[he]
;B[lk]C[GP: 2nd line feels slow, so I ignore L18 for bigger ideas. Playing this as a dual purpose to expand the framework and to hopefully get the chance to connect at P6.]
;W[fq]
;B[dj]C[GP: Pincer with the chance to now approach the corner as well.]
;W[iq]C[GP: Should be E13?]
;B[cn]
;W[fg]
;B[dg]
;W[dh]
;B[eg]
;W[eh]
;B[fh]
;W[fi]
;B[gh]C[GP: I decided here that I could either get a big left or trade for some serious central influence.]
;W[gi]
;B[ei]
;W[di]
;B[ej]
;W[hh]
;B[gg]
;W[ff]
;B[hg]C[GP: I want my moyo!]
;W[cf]
;B[cj]
;W[df]
;B[hl]C[GP: Now Black feels ahead. P6 is now huge.]
;W[eb]
;B[be]
;W[on]C[GP: Grrrr!]
;B[lm]
;W[dm]C[GP: White decides that Black is getting too much, but Black must resist this.]
;B[dn]
;W[em]
;B[en]C[GP: I'm hoping the lower left will get too thin to cope here, but Black must be careful.]
;W[fm]
;B[cm]TR[dj][dn]C[GP: I didn't see any option other than this. Both marked groups benefit a lot from the connection. "Get strong before attacking"]
;W[fk]C[GP: Really? Wow, White is worried about Black having too many points. This feels greedy again - better to F6 first? or H7 maybe?]
(;B[gl]C[GP: Preventing the contact tesuji at H7, and threatening to cut. In hindsight, maybe G5 was better?]
;W[fn]C[GP: I realised now that the F8 cut doesn't really work - whoops!]
(;B[fo]
;W[go]
;B[ep]
;W[eq]
;B[gn]
;W[fp]
;B[eo]
;W[gm]
;B[hn]
;W[hm]C[GP: J7 doesn't quite work yet. Maybe J6 is better, but those two stones will die, and then what? Two eyes should be achievable for White.]
(;B[dq]C[GP: Now if White plays C3 Black can make good profit. Preparing a couple of viable options.]
(;W[il]C[GP: White opts to trade.]
;B[dr]C[GP: The profit here is good enough for Black, but maybe the kill was possible enough that this was soft. Either way, Black is happy with the profit.]
;W[in]
;B[gp]
;W[gq]
;B[ho]
;W[io]
;B[ji]C[GP: And sente to recover some of the moyo.]
;W[cp]
;B[bq]
;W[bp]
;B[cq]
;W[er]
;B[bo]
;W[nr]
;B[or]
;W[mr]
;B[lq]
;W[lo]
;B[lr]
;W[jr]
;B[qr]
;W[rr]
;B[qs]
;W[pq]
;B[pr]
;W[ld]C[GP: The game stakes go up. White tries hard to recover the deficit.]
;B[jc]C[GP: Threatening some fun aji against the top. This is a risky play by Black but Black cannot afford to be passive. P16 causing concern.]
;W[md]
;B[jb]C[GP: Separating, and hoping to attack the top left White group.]
;W[mf]C[GP: Threatening the push and cut at K15]
;B[ee]
;W[ef]
;B[fe]
;W[gf]
;B[gd]
;W[ic]
;B[ke]C[GP: Now I mistakenly thought the top left group was dead with sente, but White has miai for two eyes ]
;W[od]C[GP: So White attacks. Black is in trouble again...]
;B[bh]C[GP: Forcing with profit first]
;W[ib]
;B[pd]
;W[pc]
;B[nd]
;W[oe]
;B[ne]
;W[of]
;B[mc]
;W[ob]
;B[nc]
(;W[lc]C[GP: This surprised me slightly. I felt O14 was significantly better.]
;B[nf]
;W[mb]
;B[ja]C[GP: Threatening G18.]
(;W[gb]
;B[nb]
;W[na]
;B[ng]
;W[lf]
;B[lh]
;W[bb]
;B[bc]
;W[cb]
;B[cc]
;W[da]
;B[ab]
;W[ea]
;B[bg]
;W[ih]
;B[pb]C[GP: A probe, but it seems foolish. Black I think should have lost the game here perhaps...]
(;W[oa]
;B[kf]C[GP: The idea being. Q18 now sets up a squeeze if White tries to cut (see var).]
(;W[qd]
;B[og]
;W[hj]C[GP: Better at J9?]
;B[ik]
;W[jl]
;B[ii]
;W[hi]
;B[hk]
;W[fj]
;B[lg]C[GP: Now Black fixes the cut aji and sets up the squeeze at the same time. Black is now comfortably ahead (10-15 points)]
;W[jk]
;B[ma]
;W[la]
;B[pa]
;W[ma]
;B[ka]
;W[lb]
;B[le]
;W[qb]
;B[me]
;W[qa]
;B[ij]C[GP: Capturing in sente, and connecting all Black stones]
;W[ek]
;B[rs]
;W[bf]
;B[af]
;W[cl]
;B[bl]
;W[bi]
;B[ci]
;W[bk]
;B[ck]
;W[dl]
;B[bm]
;W[no]
;B[op]
;W[sr]
;B[rk]
;W[rj]
;B[kj]
;W[mk]
(;B[ml]C[GP: If bN10 instead, White cuts with M8]
;C[Result: B+R
]N[RESULT])
(;B[mj]
;W[ll]
;B[kl]
;W[ml]
;B[kk]
;W[km]))
(;W[kg]
;B[lg]
;W[jh]
;B[ma]
;W[la]
;B[pa]
;W[ma]
;B[ka]
;W[lb]
;B[le]C[GP: Black escapes]))
(;W[kg]
;B[oa]
;W[jh]
;B[ma]
;W[lb]C[GP: Now Black looks dead.]))
(;W[sa]
;B[gb]
;W[gc]
;B[ga]C[GP: Now black has miai to connect.]))
(;W[nf]
;B[lc]
;W[pg]C[GP: Better, for White, no?]))
(;W[cq]
;B[dr]
;W[cp]
;B[gp]
;W[ho]
;B[in]C[GP: G3 and J7 are both devestating for White now.]))
(;B[in]
;W[im]
;B[jn]
;W[il]C[GP: Now White has good enough forcing moves? This seemed a risky strategy, but now looks possible.]
;B[hj]C[GP: This looks pretty fatal, could White avoid this?])
(;B[im]
;W[in]
;B[ho]
;W[il]
;B[jm]
;W[ik]C[GP: It's crude, but effective. I wanted to avoid this.]))
(;B[fl]
;W[ek]
;B[el]
;W[dk]
;B[dl]
;W[ck]
;B[cl]
;W[bj]
;B[fo]C[GP: Not a great exchange.]))
(;B[go]
;W[hm]
;B[im]
;W[hn]C[GP: I couldn't see a defence against this, hence G8]))
(;W[sa]C[GP: If Black gets sente ...]
;B[cd]
;W[de]
;B[ce]
;W[df]
;B[cg]C[GP: ... I'm aiming for something like this.])
(;W[nq]
;B[pn]
;W[jp]TR[qi][qj]C[GP: This seems an ok development for both sides, or is this just the sente Black wanted? Notice that neither triangle point gives White the ability to make a two point jump extension on both sides, so the right is becoming hard to invade...]
;B[cd]
;W[de]
;B[ce]
;W[df]
;B[cg]
;W[id]
;B[kf]C[GP: Something like this maybe for Black?]))

[HermanHiddema]

Some comments:

http://www.lifein19x19.com/forum/download/file.php?id=603

[topazg]

Many thanks Herman, particularly on P6, I did wonder about that. It was one of those things that I though if I played too early I didn't have enough to chase the group for profit properly. I did wonder about playing it immediately, and decided not to until I had some more on the outside. In hindsight, I agree that it was the biggest thing on the board.

Some useful thoughts and ideas on the lower right too. I know the S5/S6 exchange was bad, but S11 for shape hadn't occurred to me. I'll have a closer look at that one.

[Shaddy]

Some of my ideas:

(;GM[1]FF[4]CA[UTF-8]AP[CGoban:3]ST[2]RU[Japanese]SZ[19]KM[6.50]GN[19x19 ladder challenge: ethanb vs topazg]PW[ethanb]PB[topazg]DT[2010-11-17,12-18]CP[Creative Commons: Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported]GC[Game ID: 249709]EV[OGS 19x19 Ladder]PC[Online Go.com: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.online-go.com">http://www.online-go.com</a><!-- m -->]RE[B+Resign];B[pe];W[ec];B[pp];W[dp]
;B[kd]TR[oc]C[GP: I've played this recently as it prevents White from approaching at the triangled point and making a semi-comfortable 2 point jump extension. The idea is to build a more powerful framework from this position, and prepare the approach at C16. Is this viable?

Shaddy: I feel it's too close. I'd prefer to q17 or c16 here, but if you want to play on top I'd go with k17 or so.]
(;W[qn]C[GP: Wrong side? It feels like White is getting a bit greedy here perhaps. I prefer the variation

Shaddy: I agree, wrong side for white];B[ql];W[nq]
(;B[np];W[qp];B[oq];W[qq]
;B[mq]L[mp][lq]C[GP: I'm happy enough with this trade, as White cannot easily develop the lower edge.

Shaddy: This is bad for black, he's missing the white A- black B exchange. It's not as thick as joseki and I feel like black's right is also a bit thin..];W[qc];B[oc];W[re]
;B[qf]C[GP: Playing for influence and sente.];W[rf];B[cd]
;W[cg]C[GP: Ooh, interesting!];B[de];W[hc];B[dc];W[ed];B[db];W[ie]
;B[jf]C[GP: The right direction and urgency to be consistent with my top right? Or was F3 bigger? Or the pincer on the left?

Shaddy: I feel like the direction is right.];W[pm];B[pl];W[qh];B[ro];W[rn];B[po];W[qo];B[om];W[ol];B[pj]
;W[nl];B[nj];W[qj];B[pi];W[qi];B[pn];W[qm];B[pk];W[nm];B[qg]
;W[rg]
;B[ph]C[GP: Not that happy with this trade in hindsight, but it's either sente or I may get to attack O8.];W[kb];B[if];W[he]
;B[lk]C[GP: 2nd line feels slow, so I ignore L18 for bigger ideas. Playing this as a dual purpose to expand the framework and to hopefully get the chance to connect at P6.

Shaddy: I'd prefer to rescue my cutting stone here. This move just doesn't feel very large, and I wouldn't consider it dual-purpose];W[fq]
;B[dj]C[GP: Pincer with the chance to now approach the corner as well.];W[iq]C[GP: Should be E13?];B[cn];W[fg];B[dg];W[dh];B[eg];W[eh];B[fh];W[fi]
;B[gh]C[GP: I decided here that I could either get a big left or trade for some serious central influence.];W[gi];B[ei];W[di];B[ej];W[hh];B[gg];W[ff]
;B[hg]C[GP: I want my moyo!];W[cf]
(;B[cj];W[df]
(;B[hl]C[GP: Now Black feels ahead. P6 is now huge.

Shaddy: I really don't like moves that just expand the moyo and do nothing else.];W[eb];B[be]
;W[on]C[GP: Grrrr!];B[lm]C[Shaddy: Seems like a waste of a move, this should be in the lower left corner somewhere];W[dm]C[GP: White decides that Black is getting too much, but Black must resist this.];B[dn];W[em]
;B[en]C[GP: I'm hoping the lower left will get too thin to cope here, but Black must be careful.

Shaddy: That corner is really thick, I don't think there's much black can force against it];W[fm]
;B[cm]TR[dj][dn]C[GP: I didn't see any option other than this. Both marked groups benefit a lot from the connection. "Get strong before attacking"];W[fk]C[GP: Really? Wow, White is worried about Black having too many points. This feels greedy again - better to F6 first? or H7 maybe?]
(;B[gl]C[GP: Preventing the contact tesuji at H7, and threatening to cut. In hindsight, maybe G5 was better?];W[fn]C[GP: I realised now that the F8 cut doesn't really work - whoops!]
(;B[fo];W[go];B[ep];W[eq];B[gn];W[fp];B[eo];W[gm];B[hn]
;W[hm]C[GP: J7 doesn't quite work yet. Maybe J6 is better, but those two stones will die, and then what? Two eyes should be achievable for White.]
(;B[dq]C[GP: Now if White plays C3 Black can make good profit. Preparing a couple of viable options.]
(;W[il]C[GP: White opts to trade.];B[dr]C[GP: The profit here is good enough for Black, but maybe the kill was possible enough that this was soft. Either way, Black is happy with the profit.

Shaddy: I think it was soft.];W[in];B[gp];W[gq];B[ho];W[io]
;B[ji]C[GP: And sente to recover some of the moyo.];W[cp];B[bq];W[bp];B[cq];W[er];B[bo];W[nr];B[or];W[mr];B[lq]
;W[lo];B[lr];W[jr]
;B[qr]C[Shaddy: Is this necessary?];W[rr];B[qs];W[pq];B[pr]
;W[ld]C[GP: The game stakes go up. White tries hard to recover the deficit.]
(;B[jc]C[GP: Threatening some fun aji against the top. This is a risky play by Black but Black cannot afford to be passive. P16 causing concern.];W[md]
;B[jb]C[GP: Separating, and hoping to attack the top left White group.];W[mf]C[GP: Threatening the push and cut at K15];B[ee];W[ef];B[fe];W[gf];B[gd];W[ic]
;B[ke]C[GP: Now I mistakenly thought the top left group was dead with sente, but White has miai for two eyes <img src="./images/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif" alt=":(" title="Sad">];W[od]C[GP: So White attacks. Black is in trouble again...];B[bh]C[GP: Forcing with profit first.];W[ib];B[pd];W[pc];B[nd]
(;W[oe];B[ne];W[of];B[mc];W[ob];B[nc]
(;W[lc]C[GP: This surprised me slightly. I felt O14 was significantly better.];B[nf];W[mb]
;B[ja]C[GP: Threatening G18.

Shaddy: Thank-you move imo, Black should n15]
(;W[gb];B[nb];W[na];B[ng];W[lf];B[lh];W[bb]
(;B[bc];W[cb];B[cc];W[da];B[ab];W[ea];B[bg];W[ih]
;B[pb]C[GP: A probe, but it seems foolish. Black I think should have lost the game here perhaps...]
(;W[oa]
;B[kf]C[GP: The idea being. Q18 now sets up a squeeze if White tries to cut (see var).]
(;W[qd];B[og]
;W[hj]C[GP: Better at J9?];B[ik];W[jl];B[ii];W[hi];B[hk];W[fj]
;B[lg]C[GP: Now Black fixes the cut aji and sets up the squeeze at the same time. Black is now comfortably ahead (10-15 points)];W[jk];B[ma];W[la];B[pa];W[ma];B[ka];W[lb];B[le];W[qb];B[me]
;W[qa]
;B[ij]C[GP: Capturing in sente, and connecting all Black stones];W[ek];B[rs];W[bf];B[af];W[cl];B[bl];W[bi];B[ci];W[bk];B[ck]
;W[dl];B[bm];W[no];B[op];W[sr];B[rk];W[rj];B[kj];W[mk]
(;B[ml]C[GP: If bN10 instead, White cuts with M8];C[Result: B R]N[RESULT])
(;B[mj];W[ll];B[kl];W[ml];B[kk];W[km]))
(;W[kg];B[lg];W[jh];B[ma];W[la];B[pa];W[ma];B[ka];W[lb]
;B[le]C[GP: Black escapes]))
(;W[kg]
(;B[oa];W[jh];B[ma]
;W[lb]C[GP: Now Black looks dead.])
(;B[jh]
(;W[jg];B[ig];W[ij];B[oa];W[kf];B[je];W[kc];B[ma];W[ka])
(;W[ig];B[jg]))))
(;B[dd]C[Shaddy: I think this is better]))
(;W[sa];B[gb];W[gc]
;B[ga]C[GP: Now black has miai to connect.]))
(;W[nf];B[lc]
;W[pg]C[GP: Better, for White, no?]))
(;W[nc];B[oe]
;W[ob]C[Shaddy: I feel it's better for white. Black can't win the ko]))
(;B[kc]C[Shaddy: Maybe this instead?]))
(;W[cq];B[dr];W[cp];B[gp];W[ho]
;B[in]C[GP: G3 and J7 are both devestating for White now.]))
(;B[in];W[im];B[jn]
;W[il]C[GP: Now White has good enough forcing moves? This seemed a risky strategy, but now looks possible.];B[hj]C[GP: This looks pretty fatal, could White avoid this?])
(;B[im];W[in];B[ho];W[il];B[jm]
;W[ik]C[GP: It's crude, but effective. I wanted to avoid this.]))
(;B[fl];W[ek];B[el];W[dk];B[dl];W[ck]
(;B[cl];W[bj]
;B[fo]C[GP: Not a great exchange.])
(;B[bk]
(;W[cl];B[bl])
(;W[bl];B[bj];W[cl];B[fj]))))
(;B[go];W[hm];B[im]
;W[hn]C[GP: I couldn't see a defence against this, hence G8])
(;B[gn]C[Shaddy: If it were me, I'd try this and go for the throat.];W[gm];B[hn];W[hm];B[in];W[il];B[hj]))
(;B[hp];W[hq];B[fp];W[gp];B[go];W[gq]
;B[in]C[Shaddy: I doubt you can get this, but something like that seems miles better. Also connecting p6 is still gigantic, and I'd probably play that over the game.]))
(;B[ee]C[Shaddy: What's wrong with this? No reason to let white connect up so easily, I think]))
(;B[pn]C[Shaddy: I prefer this]))
(;W[sa]C[GP: If Black gets sente ...];B[cd];W[de];B[ce];W[df]
;B[cg]C[GP: ... I'm aiming for something like this.])
(;W[nq];B[pn]
;W[jp]TR[qi][qj]C[GP: This seems an ok development for both sides, or is this just the sente Black wanted? Notice that neither triangle point gives White the ability to make a two point jump extension on both sides, so the right is becoming hard to invade...];B[cd];W[de];B[ce];W[df];B[cg];W[id]
;B[kf]C[GP: Something like this maybe for Black?]))

edit: on reading herman's post, perhaps I should have made every comment after black failed to connect at p6 "CONNECT AT P6"

[Joaz Banbeck]

How about move 75 at E15?

[topazg]

How about move 75 at E15?

Yes, both you and Herman feel this way, and perhaps it is better. I chose the move I did because it Forced White to kill those stones, gave my E15 as a peep to creep in later anyway (which I used), and got me some points on the edge.

I was concerned if I played E15 that White would take the point I played instead, settle on the edge, increase the aji of his cutting stones in the middle, and I would have gained nothing other than save two stones of little value. I felt most of their value as cutting stones had already been "used up", and that White would settle on both sides.

I guess I ought to read a bit more closely into the position

Thanks everyone for their comments.

[sholvar]

I think your problem here is more your approach then your play. You don't take your own goals serious enough. You say, you want to make a moyo, but when white comes and says "well let's cut out a little of your moyo" (with R6, O3) you just respond with "okay, I can be happy without it..."
Then you exchange your Corner for Influence in the upper right. That is nice, but if you then let him walk out on the right side how is your framework earning the name moyo?

An then, but this might be a mistake (I'd like to remind you at this point that I'm around 4k KGS), I think you should not forget that you can extend your moyo on the top side BEFORE you invade. If you invade first your moyo lost it's last side, meaning the top. And if you don't want to extend on the top side, then don't play a high move on L16.

You planned to make a moyo extending from the right side. Then you let him leak in from the top right corner and the bottom right corner (from the bottom right even 2 times- move 80). Plan failed. Game over. That's the downside to moyo play. If your moyo fails, you fail. There will not be a chance to recover from that (if your opponent doesn't usually makes huuuuuge mistakes).

Anyway, it's an interesting opening. I hope you post more games about that.

[Bill Spight]

The usual caveats apply. Especially in the bottom right corner. It is both interesting and confusing.

(;GM[1]AP[GOWrite:2.2.21]FF[4]CA[UTF-8]SZ[19]ST[2]GC[Game ID: 249709]RU[Japanese]GN[19x19 ladder challenge: ethanb vs topazg]PB[topazg]RE[B+Resign]PM[0]DT[2010-11-17,12-18]EV[OGS 19x19 Ladder]KM[6.5]PC[Online Go.com: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.online-go.com">http://www.online-go.com</a><!-- m -->]PW[ethanb]CP[Creative Commons: Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported]FG[259:]
;B[pe]
;W[ec]
;B[pp]
;W[dp]
(
;B[kd]TR[oc]C[GP: I've played this recently as it prevents White from approaching at the triangled point and making a semi-comfortable 2 point jump extension. The idea is to build a more powerful framework from this position, and prepare the approach at C16. Is this viable?

*** Seems too close to me. See variations.]
(
;W[qn]C[GP: Wrong side? It feels like White is getting a bit greedy here perhaps. I prefer the variation

*** What is wrong with the wedge? See last variation.]
;B[ql]
;W[nq]
;B[np]
;W[qp]
(
;B[oq]C[*** Surely this is not right. But what is better? See variation.]
;W[qq]C[*** Score one for White. Had White jumped into the 3-3 first, Black would have blocked at R-04.]
;B[mq]C[GP: I'm happy enough with this trade, as White cannot easily develop the lower edge.]
;W[qc]
(
;B[oc]C[*** Too small, I think. See variation.]
;W[re]
;B[qf]C[GP: Playing for influence and sente.]
;W[rf]
(
;B[cd]C[*** Why not follow up? See variation.]
;W[cg]C[GP: Ooh, interesting!]
(
;B[de]C[*** See variation.]
;W[hc]
;B[dc]
;W[ed]
;B[db]
;W[ie]
(
;B[jf]C[GP: The right direction and urgency to be consistent with my top right? Or was F3 bigger? Or the pincer on the left?

*** See variations.]
;W[pm]
;B[pl]C[*** Thank you very much.]
;W[qh]
(
;B[ro]C[*** Interesting idea. But see variation.]
;W[rn]
;B[po]
;W[qo]
;B[om]
;W[ol]
;B[pj]
;W[nl]
(
;B[nj]C[*** See variations.]
;W[qj]
;B[pi]
;W[qi]
;B[pn]C[*** Dubious.]
;W[qm]
(
;B[pk]C[*** See variation.]
;W[nm]C[*** The connection is a must, but the connection makes the previous atari at Q-06 bad.]
;B[qg]
;W[rg]
;B[ph]C[GP: Not that happy with this trade in hindsight, but it's either sente or I may get to attack O8.]
;W[kb]C[*** Folie a deux.]
;B[if]C[*** Big.]
;W[he]
;B[lk]C[GP: 2nd line feels slow, so I ignore L18 for bigger ideas. Playing this as a dual purpose to expand the framework and to hopefully get the chance to connect at P6.

*** You have the chance now!]
;W[fq]
(
;B[dj]C[GP: Pincer with the chance to now approach the corner as well.

*** See variation.]
;W[iq]C[GP: Should be E13?]
;B[cn]
;W[fg]
;B[dg]
;W[dh]
(
;B[eg]C[*** See variation.]
;W[eh]
;B[fh]
;W[fi]
;B[gh]C[GP: I decided here that I could either get a big left or trade for some serious central influence.]
;W[gi]
;B[ei]
;W[di]
;B[ej]
;W[hh]
;B[gg]
;W[ff]
;B[hg]C[GP: I want my moyo!]
;W[cf]
(
;B[cj]C[*** See variation. ]
;W[df]
(
;B[hl]C[GP: Now Black feels ahead. P6 is now huge.

*** This move says, I have won. See variations.]
;W[eb]
(
;B[be]C[*** See variation.]
;W[on]C[GP: Grrrr!]
(
;B[lm]C[*** See variation.]
;W[dm]C[GP: White decides that Black is getting too much, but Black must resist this.]
;B[dn]
;W[em]
;B[en]C[GP: I'm hoping the lower left will get too thin to cope here, but Black must be careful.
]
;W[fm]
(
;B[cm]TR[dn][dj]C[GP: I didn't see any option other than this. Both marked groups benefit a lot from the connection. "Get strong before attacking"

*** See variations.]
;W[fk]C[GP: Really? Wow, White is worried about Black having too many points. This feels greedy again - better to F6 first? or H7 maybe?]
(
;B[gl]C[GP: Preventing the contact tesuji at H7, and threatening to cut. In hindsight, maybe G5 was better?

*** I think so. End of comments.]
;W[fn]C[GP: I realised now that the F8 cut doesn't really work - whoops!]
(
;B[fo]
;W[go]
;B[ep]
;W[eq]
;B[gn]
;W[fp]
;B[eo]
;W[gm]
;B[hn]
;W[hm]C[GP: J7 doesn't quite work yet. Maybe J6 is better, but those two stones will die, and then what? Two eyes should be achievable for White.]
(
;B[dq]C[GP: Now if White plays C3 Black can make good profit. Preparing a couple of viable options.]
(
;W[il]C[GP: White opts to trade.]
;B[dr]C[GP: The profit here is good enough for Black, but maybe the kill was possible enough that this was soft. Either way, Black is happy with the profit.]
;W[in]
;B[gp]
;W[gq]
;B[ho]
;W[io]
;B[ji]C[GP: And sente to recover some of the moyo.]
;W[cp]
;B[bq]
;W[bp]
;B[cq]
;W[er]
;B[bo]
;W[nr]
;B[or]
;W[mr]
;B[lq]
;W[lo]
;B[lr]
;W[jr]
;B[qr]
;W[rr]
;B[qs]
;W[pq]
;B[pr]
;W[ld]C[GP: The game stakes go up. White tries hard to recover the deficit.]
;B[jc]C[GP: Threatening some fun aji against the top. This is a risky play by Black but Black cannot afford to be passive. P16 causing concern.]
;W[md]
;B[jb]C[GP: Separating, and hoping to attack the top left White group.]
;W[mf]C[GP: Threatening the push and cut at K15]
;B[ee]
;W[ef]
;B[fe]
;W[gf]
;B[gd]
;W[ic]
;B[ke]C[GP: Now I mistakenly thought the top left group was dead with sente, but White has miai for two eyes <img src="./images/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif" alt=":(" title="Sad">]
;W[od]C[GP: So White attacks. Black is in trouble again...]
;B[bh]C[GP: Forcing with profit first]
;W[ib]
;B[pd]
;W[pc]
;B[nd]
;W[oe]
;B[ne]
;W[of]
;B[mc]
;W[ob]
;B[nc]
(
;W[lc]C[GP: This surprised me slightly. I felt O14 was significantly better.]
;B[nf]
;W[mb]
;B[ja]C[GP: Threatening G18.]
(
;W[gb]
;B[nb]
;W[na]
;B[ng]
;W[lf]
;B[lh]
;W[bb]
;B[bc]
;W[cb]
;B[cc]
;W[da]
;B[ab]
;W[ea]
;B[bg]
;W[ih]
;B[pb]C[GP: A probe, but it seems foolish. Black I think should have lost the game here perhaps...]
(
;W[oa]
;B[kf]C[GP: The idea being. Q18 now sets up a squeeze if White tries to cut (see var).]
(
;W[qd]
;B[og]
;W[hj]C[GP: Better at J9?]
;B[ik]
;W[jl]
;B[ii]
;W[hi]
;B[hk]
;W[fj]
;B[lg]C[GP: Now Black fixes the cut aji and sets up the squeeze at the same time. Black is now comfortably ahead (10-15 points)]
;W[jk]
;B[ma]
;W[la]
;B[pa]
;W[ma]
;B[ka]
;W[lb]
;B[le]
;W[qb]
;B[me]
;W[qa]
;B[ij]C[GP: Capturing in sente, and connecting all Black stones]
;W[ek]
;B[rs]
;W[bf]
;B[af]
;W[cl]
;B[bl]
;W[bi]
;B[ci]
;W[bk]
;B[ck]
;W[dl]
;B[bm]
;W[no]
;B[op]
;W[sr]
;B[rk]
;W[rj]
;B[kj]
;W[mk]
(
;B[ml]C[GP: If bN10 instead, White cuts with M8]
;N[RESULT]C[Result: B R]
)
(
;B[mj]
;W[ll]
;B[kl]
;W[ml]
;B[kk]
;W[km]
)

)
(
;W[kg]
;B[lg]
;W[jh]
;B[ma]
;W[la]
;B[pa]
;W[ma]
;B[ka]
;W[lb]
;B[le]C[GP: Black escapes]
)

)
(
;W[kg]
;B[oa]
;W[jh]
;B[ma]
;W[lb]C[GP: Now Black looks dead.]
)

)
(
;W[sa]
;B[gb]
;W[gc]
;B[ga]C[GP: Now black has miai to connect.]
)

)
(
;W[nf]
;B[lc]
;W[pg]C[GP: Better, for White, no?]
)

)
(
;W[cq]
;B[dr]
;W[cp]
;B[gp]
;W[ho]
;B[in]C[GP: G3 and J7 are both devestating for White now.]
)

)
(
;B[in]
;W[im]
;B[jn]
;W[il]C[GP: Now White has good enough forcing moves? This seemed a risky strategy, but now looks possible.]
;B[hj]C[GP: This looks pretty fatal, could White avoid this?]
)

(
;B[im]
;W[in]
;B[ho]
;W[il]
;B[jm]
;W[ik]C[GP: It's crude, but effective. I wanted to avoid this.]
)

)
(
;B[fl]
;W[ek]
;B[el]
;W[dk]
;B[dl]
;W[ck]
;B[cl]
;W[bj]
;B[fo]C[GP: Not a great exchange.]
)

)
(
;B[go]
;W[hm]
(
;B[im]C[*** See variation.]
;W[hn]C[GP: I couldn't see a defence against this, hence G8]
)
(
;B[il]
)

)

)
(
;B[ep]
;W[eq]
;B[go]C[*** The group on the 10 rank can connect in two ways. Thnk big.]
)

(
;B[bl]C[*** Better connection, no?]
)

)
(
;B[kq]
)

)
(
;B[bb]C[*** Looks small, but leaves a 3 point sente on the top side.]
)

)
(
;B[gm]C[*** Not only bigger, has a better relation to the C-06 stone.]
)

(
;B[on]C[*** Still big.]
)

)
(
;B[ee]C[*** Why not? Enclose White.]
)

)
(
;B[eh]
;W[df]
;B[eg]
;W[ef]
;B[cf]
;W[ei]C[*** The ladder does not work.]
)

)
(
;B[ck]C[*** Another thought.]
)

)
(
;B[qk]C[*** Bad shape, but you have to make bad shape, anyway. The peep for White is also bad shape. This prevents the underneath connection.]
)

)
(
;B[qi]
;W[ph]
;B[nj]
)

(
;B[oi]
)

)
(
;B[po]C[*** But this play needs no preparation.]
(
;W[om]
;B[qo]
;W[ro]
;B[rp]
;W[rq]
;B[rn]
;W[sp]
;B[rm]
)
(
;W[rn]
;B[om]
)

)

)
(
;B[kf]C[*** The Jump does not strengthen White so much.]
)

(
;B[cj]C[*** But I like the pincer.]
)

)
(
;B[hc]
;W[de]
;B[qh]
)

)
(
;B[qh]
)

)
(
;B[qd]
;W[pc]
;B[od]
;W[nb]
;B[pi]
)

)
(
;B[qq]C[*** This looks right, but . . . ]
;W[pq]C[*** I have had trouble finding a good continuation for Black.]
(
;B[op]C[*** Maybe this is it.]
(
;W[pr]C[*** Maybe best?]
(
;B[qo]
;W[rp]
(
;B[ro]C[*** Probab not best.]
;W[rq]
;B[pn]
;W[mq]
)
(
;B[oq]
;W[or]
;B[nr]
(
;W[rq]
;B[pn]
;W[mq]
;B[lq]
;W[mr]
;B[mp]C[*** Good for Black, I think.]
)
(
;W[qr]C[*** Mistake.]
;B[ro]
;W[rq]
;B[pn]
;W[mq]
;B[lq]
;W[mr]
;B[mp]C[*** Very good for Black.]
)

)

)
(
;B[qr]
;W[rr]C[*** Reverts.]
;B[qo]
;W[rp]
;B[oq]
;W[or]
;B[nr]
;W[rq]
;B[pn]
;W[mq]
;B[lq]
;W[mr]
;B[mp]
)

)
(
;W[oq]
(
;B[qo]
;W[rp]
;B[qr]
;W[ro]
;B[mq]
;W[mr]
;B[lr]
;W[nr]
;B[lq]
;W[pr]
;B[om]
)
(
;B[qr]
;W[rp]
;B[mq]
;W[mr]
;B[lr]
;W[nr]
;B[lq]
;W[pr]
;B[pn]C[*** This looks good for Black.]
)

)

(
;W[rq]C[*** Mistake.]
;B[qr]
(
;W[rr]
;B[pr]
;W[oq]
;B[mq]
)
(
;W[pr]
;B[rr]
;W[mq]
;B[qo]
;W[rp]
;B[ro]
)

(
;W[oq]
;B[mq]
;W[mr]
;B[lq]
(
;W[pr]
;B[qo]
;W[rp]
;B[ro]
;W[rr]
;B[pn]C[*** Good for Black.]
)
(
;W[rr]
;B[pr]
;W[or]
;B[os]
;W[nr]
;B[qo]
;W[rp]
;B[lr]
;W[qs]
;B[pn]C[*** Good for Black.]
)

)

)

(
;W[qr]C[*** Mistake.]
;B[rq]
;W[rr]
;B[oq]
;W[pr]
;B[qo]
;W[rp]
;B[ro]
;W[sq]
;B[pn]
;W[or]
;B[mq]
;W[nr]
;B[lp]C[*** Very good for Black.]
)

)
(
;B[oq]C[*** You cannot allow the atari at P-04. But this may be an error. See variation.]
;W[pr]
(
;B[qr]C[*** And this seems good.]
;W[or]
;B[op]
;W[rr]C[*** Tesuji!]
;B[qo]
;W[rp]
(
;B[ro]C[*** Mistake?]
;W[rq]
(
;B[mq]
(
;W[pn]
;B[rn]
;W[po]
;B[qm]
;W[nn]
;B[nr]C[*** Somewhat good for White, I think.]
)
(
;W[nr]C[*** Mistake.]
;B[pn]
;W[lq]
;B[lp]
;W[mr]
;B[mp]
;W[kq]C[*** Good for Black. White is too low.]
)

)
(
;B[pn]
;W[mq]C[*** Slightly good for White. ]
)

)
(
;B[nr]
;W[rq]
;B[pn]
;W[mq]
;B[lq]C[*** Tesuji, yourself!]
(
;W[mr]
;B[mp]C[*** Looks good for Black.]
)
(
;W[mp]
;B[mr]
;W[lp]
;B[kq]C[*** Not too bad for Black, I think.]
)

)

)
(
;B[op]
;W[or]
;B[qo]
;W[rp]
;B[ro]
;W[rq]
;B[pn]
;W[mq]C[*** OK for White.]
)

)

)

)
(
;W[sa]C[GP: If Black gets sente ...]
;B[cd]
;W[de]
;B[ce]
;W[df]
;B[cg]C[GP: ... I'm aiming for something like this.]
)

(
;W[nq]
;B[pn]
;W[jp]TR[qj][qi]C[GP: This seems an ok development for both sides, or is this just the sente Black wanted? Notice that neither triangle point gives White the ability to make a two point jump extension on both sides, so the right is becoming hard to invade...]
;B[cd]
;W[de]
;B[ce]
;W[df]
;B[cg]
;W[id]
;B[kf]C[GP: Something like this maybe for Black?]
)

(
;W[qj]
)

)
(
;B[jd]
)

(
;B[je]
)

(
;B[jc]
)

)

[Joaz Banbeck]

Bill considers 1, and then ultimately rejects it because the sacrifce after 9 does not favor black:

$$c
$$ ---------------------------------------
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . . . , X . . . . , . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . . . , . . . . . , . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 . . |
$$ | . . . O . . . . . , . . . X 7 X O . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . O 3 2 1 . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 4 5 8 . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ ---------------------------------------

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$c
$$ ---------------------------------------
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . . . , X . . . . , . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . . . , . . . . . , . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 . . |
$$ | . . . O . . . . . , . . . X 7 X O . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . O 3 2 1 . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 4 5 8 . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ ---------------------------------------[/go]

But how about 9 like this:

$$c
$$ ---------------------------------------
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . . . , X . . . . , . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . . . , . . . . . , . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . O . . . . . , . . . X 7 X O 9 . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . O 3 2 1 . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 4 5 8 . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ ---------------------------------------

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$c
$$ ---------------------------------------
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . . . , X . . . . , . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . , . . . . . , . . . . . , . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ | . . . O . . . . . , . . . X 7 X O 9 . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . O 3 2 1 . . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 4 5 8 . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$$ ---------------------------------------[/go]

[PROVOK3]

The opening sequence looks so weird. I wonder if any pros have attempted an opening anywhere close as strange as the one you pulled off.

[Shaddy]

Go to http://www.gogod.co.uk/NewInGo/NewInGo.htm, number 73 on the right, last page. I think that opening trumps this one by a mile..

[topazg]

Many thanks again to all of you for your comments. As there has been so much thought and effort put into this, I've added a couple of the ideas and suggestions to my original and sent it to Jeff Chang (KGS 9d) for a paid proper game review, and will post it here when it comes back.

What a great bunch you all are

[ethanb]

Sorry I haven't responded in here - I saw this thread but didn't feel like I had time to contribute. But the probe to which topazg thinks I should tenuki...

$$B
$$ +---------------------------------------+
$$ | . . . O O . . . . X . . . O . . . . . |
$$ | X O O X O . O . O X O . O X O 1 . . . |
$$ | . X X X O . . O O X . O X X X O O . . |
$$ | . . X . O . X . . . X O O X O X . . . |
$$ | . X . X X X . O O . X . . X O X . O . |
$$ | . . O O O O O . X X . O O X O . X O . |
$$ | . X O . . O X X . . . . . X . . X O . |
$$ | . X . O O X X O O . . X . . . X O . . |
$$ | . . . O X O O . . X . . . . . X O . . |
$$ | . . X X X . . . . . . . . X . X O . . |
$$ | . . . . . O . . . . . X . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . X X O . . . . O O X X . . |
$$ | . . X O O O O O . . . X . O . O O . . |
$$ | . . X X X O X X O . . . . . O X O O . |
$$ | . X . . X X . X O . . O . . . X O X . |
$$ | . O O O X O X . . . . . . X . X O . . |
$$ | . X X X O O O . O . . X X O X O O . . |
$$ | . . . X O . . . . O . X O O X X X O . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ +---------------------------------------+

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$B
$$ +---------------------------------------+
$$ | . . . O O . . . . X . . . O . . . . . |
$$ | X O O X O . O . O X O . O X O 1 . . . |
$$ | . X X X O . . O O X . O X X X O O . . |
$$ | . . X . O . X . . . X O O X O X . . . |
$$ | . X . X X X . O O . X . . X O X . O . |
$$ | . . O O O O O . X X . O O X O . X O . |
$$ | . X O . . O X X . . . . . X . . X O . |
$$ | . X . O O X X O O . . X . . . X O . . |
$$ | . . . O X O O . . X . . . . . X O . . |
$$ | . . X X X . . . . . . . . X . X O . . |
$$ | . . . . . O . . . . . X . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . X X O . . . . O O X X . . |
$$ | . . X O O O O O . . . X . O . O O . . |
$$ | . . X X X O X X O . . . . . O X O O . |
$$ | . X . . X X . X O . . O . . . X O X . |
$$ | . O O O X O X . . . . . . X . X O . . |
$$ | . X X X O O O . O . . X X O X O O . . |
$$ | . . . X O . . . . O . X O O X X X O . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ +---------------------------------------+[/go]

I didn't think I could win this capturing race because of the weakness in my rear lines:

$$Bc This cut is pretty brutal.
$$ +---------------------------------------+
$$ | . . . O O . . . . X . . . O . . . . . |
$$ | X O O X O . O . O X O . O X O 1 . . . |
$$ | . X X X O . . O O X . O X X X O O . . |
$$ | . . X . O . X . . . X O O X O X . . . |
$$ | . X . X X X . O O 3 X . . X O X . O . |
$$ | . . O O O O O . X X 2 O O X O . X O . |
$$ | . X O . . O X X . 4 . . . X . . X O . |
$$ | . X . O O X X O O . . X . . . X O . . |
$$ | . . . O X O O 5 . X . . . . . X O . . |
$$ | . . X X X . . . . . . . . X . X O . . |
$$ | . . . . . O . . . . . X . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . X X O . . . . O O X X . . |
$$ | . . X O O O O O . . . X . O . O O . . |
$$ | . . X X X O X X O . . . . . O X O O . |
$$ | . X . . X X . X O . . O . . . X O X . |
$$ | . O O O X O X . . . . . . X . X O . . |
$$ | . X X X O O O . O . . X X O X O O . . |
$$ | . . . X O . . . . O . X O O X X X O . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ +---------------------------------------+

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$Bc This cut is pretty brutal.
$$ +---------------------------------------+
$$ | . . . O O . . . . X . . . O . . . . . |
$$ | X O O X O . O . O X O . O X O 1 . . . |
$$ | . X X X O . . O O X . O X X X O O . . |
$$ | . . X . O . X . . . X O O X O X . . . |
$$ | . X . X X X . O O 3 X . . X O X . O . |
$$ | . . O O O O O . X X 2 O O X O . X O . |
$$ | . X O . . O X X . 4 . . . X . . X O . |
$$ | . X . O O X X O O . . X . . . X O . . |
$$ | . . . O X O O 5 . X . . . . . X O . . |
$$ | . . X X X . . . . . . . . X . X O . . |
$$ | . . . . . O . . . . . X . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . X X O . . . . O O X X . . |
$$ | . . X O O O O O . . . X . O . O O . . |
$$ | . . X X X O X X O . . . . . O X O O . |
$$ | . X . . X X . X O . . O . . . X O X . |
$$ | . O O O X O X . . . . . . X . X O . . |
$$ | . X X X O O O . O . . X X O X O O . . |
$$ | . . . X O . . . . O . X O O X X X O . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ +---------------------------------------+[/go]

$$W
$$ +---------------------------------------+
$$ | . . . O O . . . . X . . . O . . . . . |
$$ | X O O X O . O . O X O . O X O X . . . |
$$ | . X X X O . . O O X . O X X X O O . . |
$$ | . . X . O . X . . . X O O X O X . . . |
$$ | . X . X X X . O O X X . . X O X . O . |
$$ | . . O O O O O . X X O O O X O . X O . |
$$ | . X O . . O X X 2 O 4 . . X . . X O . |
$$ | . X . O O X X O O 3 . X . . . X O . . |
$$ | . . . O X O O B . X . . . . . X O . . |
$$ | . . X X X . . 1 . . . . . X . X O . . |
$$ | . . . . . O . . . . . X . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . X X O . . . . O O X X . . |
$$ | . . X O O O O O . . . X . O . O O . . |
$$ | . . X X X O X X O . . . . . O X O O . |
$$ | . X . . X X . X O . . O . . . X O X . |
$$ | . O O O X O X . . . . . . X . X O . . |
$$ | . X X X O O O . O . . X X O X O O . . |
$$ | . . . X O . . . . O . X O O X X X O . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ +---------------------------------------+

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$W
$$ +---------------------------------------+
$$ | . . . O O . . . . X . . . O . . . . . |
$$ | X O O X O . O . O X O . O X O X . . . |
$$ | . X X X O . . O O X . O X X X O O . . |
$$ | . . X . O . X . . . X O O X O X . . . |
$$ | . X . X X X . O O X X . . X O X . O . |
$$ | . . O O O O O . X X O O O X O . X O . |
$$ | . X O . . O X X 2 O 4 . . X . . X O . |
$$ | . X . O O X X O O 3 . X . . . X O . . |
$$ | . . . O X O O B . X . . . . . X O . . |
$$ | . . X X X . . 1 . . . . . X . X O . . |
$$ | . . . . . O . . . . . X . . . X . . . |
$$ | . . . . . . X X O . . . . O O X X . . |
$$ | . . X O O O O O . . . X . O . O O . . |
$$ | . . X X X O X X O . . . . . O X O O . |
$$ | . X . . X X . X O . . O . . . X O X . |
$$ | . O O O X O X . . . . . . X . X O . . |
$$ | . X X X O O O . O . . X X O X O O . . |
$$ | . . . X O . . . . O . X O O X X X O . |
$$ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X . . |
$$ +---------------------------------------+[/go]

[topazg]

Interestingly, the connection was not as big as we all thought

(;GM[1]FF[4]CA[UTF-8]AP[CGoban:3]ST[2]
RU[Japanese]SZ[19]KM[6.50]
GN[19x19 ladder challenge: ethanb vs topazg]PW[ethanb]PB[topazg]DT[2010-11-17,12-18]CP[Creative Commons: Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported]GC[Game ID: 249709]EV[OGS 19x19 Ladder]PC[Online Go.com: http://www.online-go.com]RE[B+Resign]
;B[pe]
;W[ec]
;B[pp]
;W[dp]
;B[kd]TR[oc]C[GP: I've played this recently as it prevents White from approaching at the triangled point and making a semi-comfortable 2 point jump extension to M17. The idea is to build a more powerful framework from this position, and prepare the approach at C16. Is this viable?


Okay first, theoretically, if you play a corner at 4-5, 3-5 or even further away from corern spot, and then your next move around this corner is not to shimari, but extend on the side, you'll actually restrict your own choice next, and make the choice harder when the opponent enters the corner. So normally that's not recommended, and that's also why you can hardly see anyone plays like this in pro games.

Just for the case you mentioned here, yeah you may avoid w approach from P17, true. However when w invades for example just the normal Q17, you will not get much on the top side, in that case, your L16 will be inefficient. I understand your concern about influence, that's probably your preference. If so, I suggest you just tenuki elsewhere, and wait for the opponent's coming invasion to this corner, easier to reach your aim. ^^]
(;W[qn]C[GP: Wrong side? It feels like White is getting a bit greedy here perhaps. I prefer the variation

Hehe it doesn't matter in this early stage in the opening, basically there is nothing right or wrong on direction now yet. W chose R6, means he emphasizes on destroying your structure first, rather than to construct his own. So that is definitely a choice. ]
;B[ql]
;W[nq]
;B[np]C[Q6 better?

Normally Q6, yes. that's also because right side is what you concern more about. ]
;W[qp]
(;B[oq]C[This hane is too easy to w, should have given more pressure so make R8 more useful. ^^]
;W[qq]
;B[mq]C[GP: I was happy enough with this trade, as White cannot easily develop the lower edge.

Also your right side is quite open and hard to get anything, since w can invade any time. So considered you already played Q15 at the first place, this result actually benefits w. ]
;W[qc]C[And well, surely he still should have Q17, simple and best.]
;B[oc]
;W[re]
(;B[qf]C[GP: Playing for influence and sente.

This is a what we called "negative sente" though, cos this exchange helped w get rid of his weakness, and your influence is not complete, as later in this game has showed, w can any time keima to R12, so your "influence" can only affect a bit to the centre and top side, which is quite inefficient. As for w weakness, please see the move I showed. ^^]
;W[rf]C[And ok, since it's already like this, actually your next move at R12 is not neglectable.]
(;B[cd]
;W[cg]C[GP: Ooh, interesting!

Hehe, well your earlier design about w may keima at D15, is impossible, with L16 there, obviously w will not do that. This pincer is a choice to w, or w may simply just H17 2 space extension, that's an easier and actually even better choice.

So please remember, since the opponent will not do what you want, of course, in any of your design, you'll have to consider about all the possibilities, and if in any case it's good result to you, that design is a good one, otherwise you'll have to reconsider. ]
;B[de]
;W[hc]
;B[dc]
;W[ed]
;B[db]
;W[ie]
;B[jf]C[GP: The right direction and urgency to be consistent with my top right? Or was F3 bigger? Or the pincer on the left?

To be honest, at the current situation, top side is nothing big, especially since L18 is still open, R12 is open too. So all your "investment" for influence here, only means you may get something around N14 area, that's way too small. Left side or bottom side for now are both much bigger.

From this game I guess I know your preference already. However, on the Go board you have to be rational to judge. "I like it" is not your reason to decide everything. : ) Same as in real life, I like chocolate, but I will not eat it too much, cos I know too much chocolate is not healthy. ^^]
;W[pm]
;B[pl]
;W[qh]
;B[ro]C[GP: A mistake, in hindsight. I want to make Q5 forcing, but of course it already is.

Exactly.]
;W[rn]
;B[po]
;W[qo]
;B[om]
;W[ol]
;B[pj]
;W[nl]
;B[nj]
;W[qj]C[GP: This was uncomfortable, should O10 be on the right edge?

Well, again actually right side is pretty small, both bottom side and left side are much bigger. So O10 is comfortable or not, actually doesn't matter. Sente for now is the biggest. ]
;B[pi]
;W[qi]
;B[pn]
;W[qm]
;B[pk]
;W[nm]
;B[qg]
;W[rg]
;B[ph]C[GP: Not that happy with this trade, but hopefully it makes me thick enough to attack O8.


Well, all what you can be proud of now, is finally K14 values something. There is nothing about O8 group, since P7 is under atari still. Even if P7 is protected, honestly w doesn't care about those 3, if he is clear on judgement, since it's quite small. ]
;W[kb]
;B[if]
;W[he]
;B[lk]TR[kh][li]C[GP: 2nd line feels slow, so I ignore L18 for bigger ideas. Playing this as a dual purpose to expand the framework and to hopefully get the chance to connect at P6. I feel now that I should have connected at P6 instead?


Okay, let's do a simple judgement
Before your M9, I guess around the triangle spots, could be defined as the border of your centre territory, at least around that amount. So, now you are telling me, you wanna take M9 so to expand the centre, you can see now, how much more do you expect to get? I think you get me? ^^

To connect P6 is at least a more ambitious plan, so you are claiming that the w 3 stones almost doesn't exist under your influence, and so you have the whole right side influence. I'd say that's a plan, though might be a bit too ambitious. ]
;W[fq]C[Okay, not sure if this is the best, but definitely at the biggest zone. ]
;B[dj]C[GP: Pincer with the chance to now approach the corner as well.


Hehe ok, remember your logic earlier? You said you played M9, aiming to expand the centre, and to aim at P6 connect. The opponent didn't take P6, and you didn't do either, why?

So you actually, in your mind also know, that P6 is small. But you "love" M9 this kind of move, so you gave yourself a reason, to persuade you to play M9, that's my judge on your M9 mistake. : )

Whatever, D10 is back to the right track at least. ]
;W[iq]C[GP: Should be E13?


Well, at least a move to support C13 stone, that's more reasonable. For instance, C8 could be an aggressive choice, or E13 you mentioned, as a modest one. Around C13 is the biggest area for now. J3 is a very slow move, sure. ]
;B[cn]C[Huge one. ]
;W[fg]C[Well, 2 space jump when b has influence around... He'll regret to that. ]
;B[dg]C[Might be a bit too early, but nice you notice his problem here. ]
;W[dh]
;B[eg]C[GP: Better at E12?


Surely, since you have the ladder. Normally If E12 that kind of cut is possible, you will not consider E13 cut, cos it gives w too many forcing moves afterwards, and it'll be hard to attack. ]
;W[eh]
;B[fh]
;W[fi]
;B[gh]C[GP: I decided here that I could either get a big left or trade for some serious central influence.


Left side is huge, sure. Centre... Well guess I already mentioned enough earlier. : )

Anyway, here you have no choice but to cut F12, that's right. ]
;W[gi]
;B[ei]C[But this cut doesn't work.... Right?]
;W[di]
;B[ej]
;W[hh]
;B[gg]
;W[ff]
;B[hg]C[GP: I want my moyo!


But you gave up the chance to attack his left side, now he is alive. How much you may get in the centre? could you really compensate to what you gave already?

Hehe guess my earlier example is suitable too you. You'd think about to eat less chocolate, though you love it. It affects your rational judgement. ]
;W[cf]C[Strange enough... Why he doesn't capture directly?]
(;B[cj]C[Surely I don't understand your this move either. ]
;W[df]
(;B[hl]C[GP: Now Black feels ahead. However, this feels a bit soft and "making territory with thickness" - Is something like F6 better?


First, I'm not sure if b is ahead, cos in fact b doesn't have much territory, how much you may get in the centre will be decisive, sure. To me I'd choose w here, w has more solid points, and I myself is an expert on invading moyo.

2nd, F6 seems to be a wrong shape. Still, E6 is the shape here, cos you concern not only about the centre, but also about to invade his corner at C3 next. Not sure if you're familiar with that variation, I'm gonna show a bit.]
;W[eb]
;B[be]
;W[on]C[GP: Grrrr, now I really wish I had connected.]
;B[lm]
(;W[dm]C[GP: White decides that Black is getting too much, but Black must resist this.


Well, w decided to fight around b strong area, that's actually problematic.

]
;B[dn]
;W[em]
;B[en]C[GP: I'm hoping the lower left will get too thin to cope here, but Black must be careful.


You have no choice ^^

Here after those pushes, C3 invasion becomes more and more practical. ]
;W[fm]
;B[cm]TR[dj][dn]C[GP: I didn't see any option other than this. Both marked groups benefit a lot from the connection. "Get strong before attacking"


This is fine, it's w who should think about, how to deal with this mess. it's not easy to connect the 3 stones with bottom, without any payment. I'd say D7 is actually the start of w losing this game. ]
;W[fk]C[GP: Really? Wow, White is worried about Black having too many points. This feels greedy again - better to F6 first? or H7 maybe?


W is short of good options here to connect in fact. I'd guess that's why he decides to gamble here. Well so you can see, if without D7, he doesn't need to gamble at all. ]
(;B[gl]C[GP: Preventing the contact tesuji at H7, and threatening to cut. In hindsight, maybe G5 was better?


To me this move is too slow. And you gave w a chance to breathe. ]
;W[fn]C[GP: I realised now that the F8 cut doesn't really work - whoops!


Right. ]
;B[fo]
;W[go]
;B[ep]
;W[eq]
;B[gn]
;W[fp]
;B[eo]
;W[gm]
;B[hn]
;W[hm]C[GP: J7 doesn't quite work yet. Maybe J6 is better, but those two stones will die, and then what? Two eyes should be achievable for White.]
(;B[dq]C[GP: Now if White plays C3 Black can make good profit. Preparing a couple of viable options.


Well, if you wanna cut here to prepare, actually it should have been before G6 cut, now they are just sacrificed...]
(;W[il]C[GP: White opts to trade.]
;B[dr]C[GP: The profit here is good enough for Black, but maybe the kill was possible enough that this was soft?


Well, a good result, but not sure if it's good enough, at least I don't agree this is good enough.

Also, are you sure you're winning now?]
;W[in]
;B[gp]
;W[gq]
;B[ho]
;W[io]
;B[ji]C[GP: And sente to recover some of the moyo.


Is it sente?]
;W[cp]
;B[bq]
;W[bp]
;B[cq]
;W[er]
;B[bo]
;W[nr]
;B[or]
;W[mr]
;B[lq]
(;W[lo]C[This is odd...]
;B[lr]
;W[jr]
;B[qr]
;W[rr]
;B[qs]
;W[pq]
;B[pr]
;W[ld]C[GP: The game stakes go up. White tries hard to recover the deficit.]
;B[jc]C[GP: Threatening some fun aji against the top. This is a risky play by Black but Black cannot afford to be passive. P16 causing concern.


yeah it is risky. actually I'd say it doesn't work. ]
(;W[md]C[But again w played an odd move I don't understand...]
;B[jb]C[GP: Separating, and hoping to attack the top left White group.]
(;W[mf]C[GP: Threatening the push and cut at K15]
;B[ee]
;W[ef]
;B[fe]
;W[gf]
;B[gd]
;W[ic]
;B[ke]C[GP: Now I mistakenly thought the top left group was dead with sente, but White has miai for two eyes


Hehe well, you cannot kill top left group anyway. the thing is mainly, his M16 group.]
;W[od]C[GP: So White attacks. Black is in trouble again...]
;B[bh]C[GP: Forcing with profit first]
;W[ib]
;B[pd]
;W[pc]
;B[nd]
;W[oe]C[I don't think this way works...]
;B[ne]
;W[of]
;B[mc]
;W[ob]
;B[nc]
(;W[lc]C[GP: This surprised me slightly. I felt O14 was significantly better.]
(;B[nf]
;W[mb]
;B[ja]C[GP: Threatening G18.]
(;W[gb]
(;B[nb]
;W[na]
;B[ng]
;W[lf]
;B[lh]
;W[bb]
;B[bc]
;W[cb]
;B[cc]
;W[da]
;B[ab]
;W[ea]
;B[bg]
;W[ih]
;B[pb]C[GP: A probe, but it seems foolish. Black I think should have lost the game here perhaps...


Around H10 area it's quite big. Q18 there is nothing.
]
(;W[oa]
;B[kf]C[GP: Q18 now sets up a squeeze if White tries to cut (see var).]
;W[qd]
;B[og]
;W[hj]C[GP: Better at J9?

Surely J9, then I think w wins. ]
;B[ik]
;W[jl]
;B[ii]
;W[hi]
;B[hk]
;W[fj]
;B[lg]C[GP: Now Black fixes the cut aji and sets up the squeeze at the same time. Black is now comfortably ahead I think (10-15 points)


Seems so now. : )]
;W[jk]
;B[ma]
;W[la]
;B[pa]
;W[ma]
;B[ka]
;W[lb]
;B[le]
;W[qb]
;B[me]
;W[qa]
;B[ij]C[GP: Capturing in sente, and connecting all Black stones


Yeah I have no idea why he let you escape that 2 stones, it's way too big. ]
;W[ek]
;B[rs]
;W[bf]
;B[af]
;W[cl]
;B[bl]
;W[bi]
;B[ci]
;W[bk]
;B[ck]
;W[dl]
;B[bm]
;W[no]
;B[op]
;W[sr]
;B[rk]C[After this kosumi it's over, last big yose. ]
;W[rj]
;B[kj]
;W[mk]
;B[ml]C[GP: If bN10 instead, White cuts with M8]
;C[Result: B+R

]N[RESULT])
(;W[kg]
;B[oa]
;W[jh]
;B[ma]
;W[lb]C[GP: Now Black looks dead.]))
(;B[me]C[Still I believe this is bigger than your push. ]))
(;W[sa]
;B[gb]
;W[gc]
;B[ga]C[GP: Now black has miai to connect.]))
(;B[me]
;W[le]
;B[lf]C[Why not this push and cut?, obviously better right?]))
(;W[nf]
;B[lc]
;W[pg]C[GP: Better, for White, no?]))
(;W[od]C[Guess this is the must, so comes to a ko then.]
;B[pd]
;W[pc]
;B[nd]
;W[nc]
;B[oe]
;W[ob]C[And this ko will be decisive. ]))
(;W[kc]
;B[jd]
;W[jb]C[isn't this way prevent all your assault easily?]))
(;W[lr]C[Surely push back is the biggest. As my counting like this, you're not winning. ]))
(;W[cq]
;B[dr]
;W[cp]
;B[gp]
;W[ho]
;B[in]C[GP: G3 and J7 are both devastating for White now.]))
(;B[in]C[Just nobi, w is still very much in danger]
;W[im]
;B[jn]
;W[il]C[GP: Now White has good enough forcing moves? This seemed a risky strategy, but now looks possible.]
;B[hj]C[GP: This looks pretty fatal, could White avoid this?])
(;B[im]
;W[in]
;B[ho]
;W[il]
;B[jm]
;W[ik]C[GP: It's crude, but effective. I wanted to avoid this.])
(;B[gp]C[Or if you want to make sure about your own safety, this cut is good too. w cannot afford to lose J3 stone either, so if he permits your take, that's your sente. ]
;W[ho]
;B[in]C[And if not, you can see later, your K6 is another forcing move, against his 2 stones G5 H5. ]))
(;B[go]
;W[hm]
;B[im]
;W[hn]C[GP: I couldn't see a defence against this, hence G8])
(;B[hp]C[I'd suggest a grand attacking, w is actually very much in danger]
;W[hq]
;B[fp]C[Like this, so you'll stop his way to connect in sente, I don't think w will survive. ]))
(;W[fm]C[I believe w should just simple reduce]
;B[fl]
;W[dm]
;B[cm]
;W[lc]
;B[ld]
;W[bp]C[To me like this, w will gonna win this game. B all property is at centre, that's not enough...]))
(;B[en]
;W[lc]C[If w tenuki when you jump]
;B[cq]C[This sansan invasion is very serious]
;W[cp]
;B[bp]
(;W[dq]
;B[br]
;W[cr]
;B[bq]C[This is reasonable for both, you can see how much you get on the left side and the corner. ])
(;W[bo]
;B[bq]
;W[co]
;B[dq]
;W[eq]
;B[ep]C[If w dare resist, it will come to this cut, that's the function of your E6 jump earlier, w can hardly fight anymore then. ])))
(;B[ee]C[And why you didn't push here? To force him to live on the left side, you may get even stronger shape, and E15 itself already values a lot. ]))
(;B[qh]C[Honte, like this the influence is complete at least. ]))
(;B[rf]C[This is the strongest move to w this shape. That's also why in joseki dictionary, you can never find w S15 this move, but always Q16 or R15, because that's a typical bad shape, and b attach here, basically w lacks good response. ]
(;W[qf]
;B[qe]
;W[rg]
;B[rd]
;W[sf]
;B[rc]C[Like this, b corner is way too big])
(;W[qe]
;B[qf]
;W[ob]
;B[nb]
;W[pb]
;B[nc]C[Or like this, well this is influence you prefer more, right? : )])))
(;B[qq]C[And so for the same reason, here you suppose to hane, otherwise the initial pincer stone R8 will be boring. ]))
(;W[sa]C[GP: If Black gets sente ...]
;B[cd]
;W[de]
;B[ce]
;W[df]
;B[cg]C[GP: ... I'm aiming for something like this.])
(;W[nq]
;B[pn]
;W[jp]TR[qi][qj]C[GP: This seems an ok development for both sides, or is this just the sente Black wanted? Notice that neither triangle point gives White the ability to make a two point jump extension on both sides, so the right is becoming hard to invade...]
;B[cd]
;W[de]
;B[ce]
;W[df]
;B[cg]
;W[id]
;B[kf]C[GP: Something like this maybe for Black?]))

[ethanb]

Much like Shuko, I play the first 50 moves of the game very well. Then come the blunders.

Unlike Fujisawa-sensei, I don't stop at just one blunder.

Thank you very much for getting the game analyzed, Graham. And many thanks to Jeff Chang for the insightful commentary. Next one's on me.