定石 Research Part 3

基本图
黑1 cuts directly without atari (R15) gives black an option to capture marked white seed with A.

If 白2 长 to 白4 this variation looks somewhat like another variation (right).

Key differences: Left variation

1. Black has more territory. Although some bad aiji marked white seed can not live right away in the corner.

2. Exterior white group feels thinner and weaker.

Therefore, 白2 is probabily not a good option.

黑1-黑5 is probabily 一本道 next white needs to prey the brain and think about how to fortify cuts outside.
黑4 is too severe thus 白1 capture is not a good option.

After 黑2 join, corner territory is quite big plus not much of aiji. Although white gains sente (original joseki white is gote) black peeks at A is a bit annoy.

For original joseki, white has a nice yose move at 白1 when white has marked seed. 黑2 is 本手. White reduces black corner's territory by tightening black group's liberties.

黑: 张亚博 白: 柁嘉熹 July 01, 2009 白+

黑37 is a bit of overplay. 白44-52 impressive sequence of tesuji moves.

白1 is the easiest to think so but white group is a bit heavy especially after black peeks at A. Corner white seed can't pull out as white doesn't have enough liberties.

白1 is an interesting move. If black carelessly responds with 黑2 then 白3 capture becomes sente. White can be satisfied with this variation.

Sequence up to 白5 is a possible variation. Personally I prefer black a bit more.

定石 Research Part 2

基本图

For this situation, 白3 is a rare experimental move. 黑 can rougly respond at A-C. On the last article, choice A is rejected because of bad corner aiji.

黑4 扳 is the first instinct. But after 白7, 黑 needs to buckle down and do some serious calculation on whether black can cut on B or not.

Black needs to consider whether to extend at A first or join directly at B. As a spoiler, extend at A does not work well for black.

Due to ko material at A, white can win the ko fight in the corner. This variation is unsuccessful for black.

黑1 join is correct. After 黑3, if white wants to continue to fight in the corner can play either A or B. Although calculation is rather tedious, both variations are not favorable for white.

白15 = A

Due to ko material at B for black, white can not win the corner ko fight. Now we can see why extension at P11 is not good for black.

白1 = A

Sequence up to 白11 is rather straight forward. 黑12 take is correct. Black should be careful with 白13.
黑1 removes ko is overly fierce. Sequence to 黑9 we have a rare seki with white group without an eye.

黑1 is correct. White group is unconditionally surroundered.

Key points:

1) White can't fight head on against black with either A or B. However, white can live in the corner with C.

2) Black doesn't have an immediate suitable ladder breaker for triangle black seed. D is not a ladder breaker.

3) White can actually defend against marked black seed from escaping with E.

Conclude: 基本图 option B variation is not favorable for black.

Even if black can escape with 黑1, black group will transform into a spectacular art piece.

定石 研究 part 1

基本图

For this fuseki, white usually responds with either A or B.

图1

Earlier this year, this 定石 variation occurred with high frequency.

黑: 李昌镐 白: 姜东润 富士通杯决赛 2009-07-06

After 白20 定石, 黑 extension at A is quite big and severe.

Since this original version, many newer variations have been experimented.

基本图2

黑13 & 白14 exchange precludes white from pressing at Q12.

黑: 金志锡 白: 李昌镐 2009-08-19

黄翊祖 commented that 白22 is a bit heavy maybe should play Q8 instead. On his game on tygem, 崔哲瀚 (showmethe) agrees with this point of view.

黑23 defends against white from settling down with 白33. 白24 good sequence before white blocks at 白26; it creates 白32 which helps white escape outward with 白34 & 白36.

基本图3

白12 presses then 白14 扳 is the latest version.

黑15 is what white hopes.

Comparsion Picture:

Compare to original version (right), triangle black seed (left) is not as well placed. Left corner has much more aiji than the original version.

To be continue.....

ふせき (Fuseki) Research

基本图


黑15 didn't complete building the wall with A because black is afraid of falling gote then white can easily reduce black's moyo with B (see pro game).




黑: 崔哲瀚 白: 洪基杓 白胜 May 26, 2009


黑11 = A


白16 & 18 are common invasion 手段. 黑19 could also consider Q18. Professional games 白20 tends to peek at A first then escape outward. I tried a few times but the result wasn't so great.

黑: 谢赫 白: 张维 November 15, 2008 黑胜

Fuseki variaton up to 白40 feels black's territory and shape are better.

白24 = A
My proposition: white can settle easily with 白20-24.

If black counters with 黑25 then white can cross or block-in black with 白32.

小林の一手

黑: 夏衔誉 白: 小林光一

小林老师 played 白58 in less than 10 seconds ><;; I instantly realized 白58 covers three areas: 黑 has no mood to play A anymore as 白 will peek at M15 to transform black seeds into an art piece, and 白58 creates two fantastic follow up moves at B and C. When I played 黑57 I totally overlooked 白58... I feel the distance of my Go level to 小林老师. I tipped my hat to 小林老师 and used a 30 seconds byomi period plus 20 seconds more to admire the move.

黑67 = A

黑61 fight back probabily is the only move. Fortunately white didn't have decent ko threats so the fight is feasible for black.

Looking back, 黑57 should forcefully 扳.

小林的一手

白先
黑: 夏衔誉 白: 小林光一

I thought 黑55 is a natural move but it is actually quite slow. After 小林老师 made his next move, I felt the instant heat on my face and admire his move for a full byomi and 20 seconds more... Can anyone guess where he play next?

围棋.我

After I won 小林老师 in a style of game that I always dreamt of, I have been feeling quite depressed. My dream is not what I imagined it would be. Instead time has wilted away much of the substance of my childhood weiqi dream. Those 5 years of everyday 10-12 hours weiqi training, swallowing my tears and sacrificing myself for the game, all of sudden I feel is totally not worth it. Going through so much emotional hoopla, I realize what I treasured the most is not those complicated things of fame or stature rather I treasure those simplest things: to be able to laugh like a carefree child completely devoid of worries or be able to love someone simply because I don't know why but I just fell all over for her. Weiqi has changed my life. I no longer can live a carefree life; I always feel the heavy shadow of expectation to achieve high level of excellence. I don't know how to break myself free from those heavy chains. I feel so tired....