Life In 19x19

Here's a pic from my last game as black.



1. What do I play best here - 1,2 or 3? I did choose 1 and I think it's the worst move.

2. I think a move around 1,2 or 3 is the biggest - am I right?

Quote my post to see how to embed an SGF, it's a little better than the huge jpg

As far as an answer, I think 3 is probably best, and both atari's are terrible. ("1-2-3 principle: don't play 1 and 2, just play 3")

The "1" atari doesn't violate the 1-2-3, since B doesn't particularly need to connect, does it? (although o9 is better than n10 as a follow-up, imho) This is how the double hane usually goes, so it could hardly be a violation of go theory.

jts, good point, you can push instead of connecting (as in the game). I think I spoke too hastily, as the game didn't turn out too badly for black.

I think, though, if you want to play at 1, then maybe you shouldn't play the original atari at 62. At least, that's what I would think about during the game.

I don't like any of your options, I think O8 is best. Then W will ladder off the one stone and you can atari or get a ladder-breaker or both.

I agree with Shaddy's answer. I would have probably played "1" in a game, though. Hopefully I will consider this next time I am in this situation.

Though, when I think about it more, I guess the question of N8 vs. O8 comes down to whether N8 can be a good followup for white to black's O8. I don't think it can be. But getting the point at N8 does feel good to me.

Either way, I wouldn't mess with 2 or 3, because it seems like asking for trouble bringing that stone out.

If white's bottom right corner were weaker, I'd bring the stone out, but it's pretty thick so I don't see the value in it (and letting white have that atari). Also, don't you have bigger things to worry about than this? Like the fact that your top left corner is not alive? There might be some way to make it live by exploiting white's weakness, but that seems dangerous..

Shaddy wrote:I don't like any of your options, I think O8 is best. Then W will ladder off the one stone and you can atari or get a ladder-breaker or both.

I almost said this, but I didn't like the fact that white got a stone. But I think you're right, the ladder breaker is sufficient compensation.