Life In 19x19

Here's a game with a 7 dan player who was no doubt going easy on me, but some interesting positions came up before I resigned so I thought I would post it for review. I'm white.

I've included comments/thoughts in the sgf. Any advice welcome!

4: As he played a facing 3-4, whoever approaches first gets an advantage so I might approach instead of taking the corner.
6: This is old joseki, not many points.
12: No, c10 would be slow. Your approach group ended up rather a liability. Maybe o3 approach to reduce severity of pincer, or choose something other than p5 jump which aims to settle fast (n3 perhaps?).
22: maybe just try to live at r3?
32: Very slow, that group is already alive, you need to come out at j9. That's about the only good thing one can say about that old joseki: it is a strong shape so you don't need to help it. But you did.
45: Game over already IMO.
97: He's ahead so doesn't need to play optimally. Also by avoiding a semedori he can save a few points.
124: Should capture, then monkey jump is your sente like normal, instead you gave him sente as he doesn't have to defend a cut at f2.

Some comments on the opening.

Great, thanks very much for these comments.

At least in traditional Japanese Go theory, I think (P3 approach) would be regarded as a bad move, inviting an attack where B is stronger and likely to profit. The wider approach (O3) suggested by other reviewers is certainly better -- it leaves room to settle on either side, so it should succeed in breaking up the lower B area without suffering a severe attack. However, I would prefer to play somewhere in the upper right corner, which is much more open. If B gets to play first in the lower right he can secure the corner, but he is not threatening to make a big moyo, so W does not need to take immediate action to prevent this.

was fine, making your group totally connected and secure with reasonably good shape. I think B was taking it a bit easy on you, resolving all the bad aji here. The resulting position is about as much as W should expect from the original P3 approach move within B sphere of influence.

(K4 attack) is dangerous but gives W fighting chances, so it is a great move in this position -- congratulations for finding it and for having the courage to play it. For the only move I would consider is H4, leaning against the strong B group to the left in order to strengthen your weak stone.

In the running fight from moves 25-32, you played on the wrong side a few times, extending from the stronger group, ignoring the weaker group. in particular must be used to save your center stones.

Your evaluation after is quite optimistic The game is over -- B has superior center thickness and at least 30 points more territory.

mitsun wrote: Your evaluation after is quite optimistic The game is over

Well, he is 7 dan...I think optimism is the only weapon I have against him.

Thanks for the comments, studying them now.

What struck me about playing a strong player (first time I've played someone this strength on 19x19) is how normal and pedestrian most of his moves seem...and then before I know it I am miles behind, almost before the middle game has begun.

Probably more to do with the strength differential I suppose.