hailthorn 21K vs. juanva 27K

[hailthorn011]

This is a game I played on KGS. I didn't expect to win at all, but I ended up winning in a rout. My opponent resigned after I captured that large group of stones. I know I got really sloppy at the end because I was so shocked I was actually winning for once lol. But, any comments?

[EdLee]

But, any comments?

If you have finished much less than 100 games,
try to make 100 as quickly as possible (9x9, 13x13, 19x19 don't matter).

[Dusk Eagle]

Basically what EdLee said: Play more. The best way for you to learn what is good and what is bad is to get more experience under your belt. For instace, with more experience you might have seen that a move like A4 does not help you whatsoever, as you have a huge weakness (can you spot it?). You may also be able to see that black could separate and kill some of your stones by playing R15. Basically, at this point you can improve far more on your own through experience than any of us could help you improve.

One thing I can help you with though is this shape:

$$B Bad shape
$$---------
$$ . . . .
$$ . . . .
$$ . X X .
$$ . X a .
$$ . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$B Bad shape
$$---------
$$ . . . .
$$ . . . .
$$ . X X .
$$ . X a .
$$ . . . .[/go]

When there's no white stone at 'a', this shape is called the empty triangle. It is a bad shape, as it does not maximize your liberties, does not make good eyeshape, and the middle black stone feels unnecessary/not optimally placed. Conscientiously avoid this shape in your games. (Note that with a white stone at 'a', it is a full triangle, which is good for black). What can you play instead? Here's just one idea:

$$B Good shape
$$---------
$$ . . . .
$$ . X X .
$$ . . . .
$$ . X . .
$$ . . . .

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$B Good shape
$$---------
$$ . . . .
$$ . X X .
$$ . . . .
$$ . X . .
$$ . . . .[/go]

As a side note, it's also kind of weird that black would pass rather than resign. Passing means there are no moves left to play, and clearly there are.

[hailthorn011]

That was my mistake. I had to copy the game move for move on Panda Go, which is how I save my games, but I don't know how to resign games in that yet. But thanks for the advice. Actually, I noticed more mistakes then what you've told me. That was a really sloppy game. Hey, maybe one of you could play me in a game. I'm sure I could learn from y'all.

[Li Kao]

Why don't you just save the game from kgs?

[karaklis]

Look at this: archive hailthorn

[hailthorn011]

I didn't know I could Li Kao until I asked about it lol. I know how to save directly from the website now.

[hailthorn011]

Look at this: archive hailthorn

Alright, I'll take a look at it.

[hailthorn011]

Look at this: archive hailthorn

Alright, I'll take a look at it.

Wait, nevermind. I figured that one out last night. Thanks for the help, though!