how to play against stronger players- vol 1

8/15/2019 How To Play Against Stronger Players- Vol 1

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Version 1.2 jcs 04-Mar-2001

How ToPlay Against

Stronger Players

Vol. 1: Local Positions

SAKAI MichiharuProfessional 8-Dan

English LanguageGo Super Book


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2001 American Go AssociationAll rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or part is forbidden without explicit written permission.

Original Japanese language edition published as Go Super Book No. 7,first printing Showa 44 (1969), copyright Nihon Ki-in.

Deep thanks to the Nihon Ki-in for granting permission to translate and publish this book for the benefit of English speaking Goplayers.

Printed in USAFirst Distribution February, 2001

Translation Steven BretherickEditing and Layout John C. StephensonProofreaders Roy Laird, Andreas Balser

For general information about American Go Association activities, visitwww.usgo.org

For obtaining this book on-line, visit the Wings Across Calm Water Go Club website atwww.wingsgoclub.org

A single copy of this book may be downloaded for personal use.Reposting to the Internet, retransmission, selling or distributing is expressly prohibited without explicit written permission.
http://www.usgo.org/http://www.wingsgoclub.org/http://www.usgo.org/http://www.wingsgoclub.org/


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Preface To the AGA Edition

In the 1960s, the Japan Go Association (Nihon Kiin) published the popular Go Super Books, a series oftheme-oriented instructional volumes for mid-level players. Immensely popular in Japan, they became legendaryamong the small, newly formed, rising American go community. Many Western players owned Super Books eventhough we spoke no Japanese, just to derive what benefit we could from studying the diagrams.

Now for the first time, we can study the diagrams and read about them too. When former AGA President JohnStephenson and translator Stephen Bretherick decided to produce translations of Japanese material for the AGA,they chose well for this wonderful first effort. With more and more serious beginners entering the US go scene,there is a growing need for material that will help up-and-coming players to climb the ladder of success bydefeating those above. The AGA is extremely grateful to the Wings Across Calm Water go club for producing anddistributing this book on the AGAs behalf. In a wonderful irony of life in the 21st century, an AGA Chapter that existsonly in cyberspace has placed this book in your hands.

This is a book that goes beyond the usual review of moves and sequences, suggesting productive goals andattitudes and then showing how to back them up. Most English-language writing on handicap go counsels patienceand restraint for the weaker player. Take your time, we are told, and let the handicap stones assert their power.

This book, in contrast, advocates a more aggressive stance. The first four words of commentary on Basic Position1: Dont be too respectful. Learn to refute these White overplays, and suddenly shodan may not seem so faraway.Roy Laird, President, The American Go Association, New York, January 2001

Introduction

In my many years of working with amateur players, one thing Ive felt most acutely is their exaggerated fear ofthe stronger player. They add a move where none is needed, avoid fights they could easily profit from and in

general react in fear to shapeless shadows.Based on these observations, Ive written this book in the hopes that you can cast off your needless fears of

stronger players.The book is divided into two volumes. Volume one treats 25 local positions that frequently arise in handicap

games. I expect working through these positions to help build up your fundamental strength. In Volume two, Iveexamined amateur weaknesses using as source material actual handicap games Ive played with students. Imsure many of these games contain moves not too dissimilar from moves youve played yourself, which should giveyou a greater appreciation for the lessons they contain.

In general, Ive tried to select problems at about the 4-5 kyu to shodan level. I hope that reading it will nurture inyou a confidence that helps you say Stronger players dont scare me.

SAKAI Michiharu, Professional 8-dan, Autumn 1969


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Contents

1

page 1

1

page 4

a 1

page 8

1

page 13

1

page 17

1

page 21

page 27

3

2

1

page 31

1

page 35

3 2

1

page 40

b

a

1

page 44

1

page 48


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1

page 52

1

page 57

1

a

page 61

1

page 66

1

page 71

a

b

1

page 77

page 85

1

page 89

3 2

1

page 93

page97

1

page 101

2 1

page 105

a

page 109


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B a s i c P o s i t i o n 11

W H A T I S T H E B E S T R E S P O N S E T O W H I T E 1 ?

Dont WaverWhite 1 is an unsound bluff hoping for an error by Black. If Black doesnt know the correct response, he can get ina lot of trouble.

Proper Black AttitudeFirmly taking away liberties is the best way

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.

6

5

2

3

4

1

Diagram 1 (Proper play by White)Instead of 1 in the Basic Position, proper play consistsof cutting at 1 and extending to 3. Black grips a stonewith 4 and jumps to 6 to complete the joseki. Whiteshope in playing the unsound bluff of 1 in the Basic

Position is

1

3 4

2

Diagram 2 (Black is snared by the trap)that Black will extend to 1. Then White cuts at 2 andcatches two stones by extending to 4. The markedstone is in just the right position to get the job done.

Therefore, instead of Black 1 here

42

5 1

6 3

Diagram 3 (Correct resistance by Black)Black 1 is absolutely necessary. Although the shape isbad, this move takes away a liberty. The best Whitecan manage is to hane at 2. If the ladder is favorable,

the descent to 3 is a great move. White has nothing

better than to give atari with 4 and save the twostones with 6. Black can now turn his attention toattacking the two marked stones

8

7

9

a

10

c

b

11

Diagram 4 (A huge success for Black)Black can give atariwith 7, then with 9. If White triesto escape with 10, then Black 11 is a brilliant movethat stops White cold. Whites cut at a is a trifleworrying, but Black can squeeze at b, then give atariat c. White is caught in a ladder.

21

5 4

3

Diagram 5 (Watch for the ladder)As we mentioned in Diagram 3, the successful resultin Diagram 4 is predicated on a ladder beingfavorable to Black. If the ladder favors White, then itspossible to answer the marked stone with White 1 and

3. Now it is Black whose position crumbles, so youneed to watch for this ladder.

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4

1

2

5

3

6

7

Diagram 6 (Black is fine)If the ladder is bad Black can solidly connect with 1.White gets some extra space by forcing with 2, but asin Diagram 4, Black can still capture with 5 and 7, witha fine position.

6 4

5

1

3

2

7

Diagram 7 (White can breathe)When White plays the marked stone (returning to theBasic Diagram), Black can start by giving atariwith 1(although this is less preferable than the course ofplay in diagrams 3-6). Blacks connection at 3 makesa miaiof the extension at 6 and the net at 7. White willpush out with 4 and play will follow the course up toBlack 7. This final position is playable for Black.

4 a

1 2

3

Diagram 8 (If White gets greedy )If White skips 4 in the previous diagram, and hopes touse the push at 1 as a forcing move, hes wishing foran early Christmas. Black can force with 2, then play

the extension at 4. Black has absolutely nothing tofear from this fight since Black a is forcing. But if

Black misses the chance to play at 2

1

3

2

5

4 6

Diagram 9 (White gets his wish)Hurrying to play the extension at Black 1 gives Whitehis wish after the push and cut of 2 and 4. Blacksonly option is to give atari from below with 5, but theloss of the marked stone leaves his position lifeless

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B a s i c P o s i t i o n 2 .

1

H O W S H O U L D B L A C K A T T A C KT H E H I G H - H A N D E D I N V A S I O N O F W H I T E 1 ?

Capture Them AllCommon sense should tell us that Whites invasion at 1 is unreasonable, but if Black doesnt know the correctresponse he can easily find himself getting swindled.

Proper Black AttitudeIf Black attacks correctly there is no way that White can live. Black should look to swallow the invasion whole.

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9

8

4 2

3

6

5

1

7

Diagram 1(Preceding moves)For reference, here are the moves leading up to theBasic Position. White approaches at 1 and Blackresponds with the attach-and-extend joseki. AfterWhite and Black each protect with 7 and 8respectively, White suddenly invades at 9.

1

57

43

62 8

Diagram 2 (Black 1 is an absolute must)Black 1 is an absolute must. One possible try for

White is the peep at 2. For Black to block at 3 and 5isnt quite right. The problem is that after connectingat 6, White can jump all the way to 8. Now this Whitegroup is very unlikely to die.

b

11

12

10

a

9

Diagram 3 (White lives)Continuing from the previous diagram, if Black blocksat 9, White makes shape with 10. This is a greatmove. When Black connects at 11, White protectswith 12. This shape is absolutely alive. Letting Whitelive this brazenly is no good for Black. (If Whatdoesnt play 12, Black a followed by the hane at b willkill the group.)

7

4

3

1

2

5

6

Diagram 4 (Black can resist more vigorously, but)Instead of Black 9 in the previous diagram, jumping inat 1 is more powerful. Of course White responds with2 and 4. Now Black 5 is effective. When Whiteconnects with 6, Black takes away a liberty with 7.

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5 3 4 2

1

Diagram 5 (Ko)Continuing from the previous diagram, White musthane at 1. Black in turn must bend at 2. Now White 3is a superb move. Even if Black tries to avoid a kowith 4, the hane at 5 brings one about. Getting a ko inthis position is a success for White.

6

4

1

23

5

Diagram 6 (Blacks correct line of play)Instead of 5 in Diagram 2, Black should play 1 in this

diagram, connecting with good aji. The sequencefrom Whites kosumiat 2 through the block at Black 5is forced. Then perhaps White can try to push out with6. Blacks response to this move is the key point.

1

5

2

3 4

Diagram 7 (Black forcefully captures)Blacks kosumiat 1 is the right move. If White blocksat 2, Black blocks at 3 and connects at 5. The entireWhite group is captured. If instead of 2, White fleeswith 3, then Black just snips off the tail with 2.

3

5

2 4

1

6

Diagram 8 (A slip by Black)If Black leaves out 1 in the previous diagram, then theattachment at White 1 succeeds. White responds to 3

and 5 with 4 and 6 and lives. As you can see, Black 1in Diagram 7 is a vital point.

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5

3

4

1 2

Diagram 9 (Another White success)(Going back to Diagram 2) White can also attach at 1.This offers formidable resistance. If Black blocks at 2,White makes shape with 3 and sets up a ko with 5.White should be able to get a good result here.

Therefore, instead of Black 2

5 4 6

1

23

Diagram 10 (A fierce attack)Extending with Black 1 is an effective attack. If White

extends with 2, Black jumps with 3. After attachingand extending with 4 and 6, it looks as if White has

gotten some breathing room, but

1

5

6

4

2

7

3

Diagram 11(A crushing placement)After Black connects with 1, White cant quite find aneasy way to live; that is, when White blocks at 4,Blacks placement at 5 is crushing. If Black skips 5and just connects at 7, White 5 lives. But continuing

after 7

8 11 9 10

Diagram 12 (5 stone nakade)Even if White tries to make more space with 8, Black

plays the kosumi at 9 and again at 11 creating a 5stone nakade. White dies. The move order isimportant. If instead of 9 Black plays at 11 first, thenWhite plays at 9 and doesnt die.

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a 1

H O W S H O U L D B L A C K C O N T R O L

T H E I N V A S I O N O F W H I T E 1 ?

Enclosure comes firstIn handicap go, White frequently must dive in with moves knowing that they are unreasonable. White 1 in the BasicPosition is a case in point.

Proper Black AttitudeWhatever happens, Black should make sure that this White group couldnt get to the outside easily. Therefore, thefirst Black move should be an enclosure. You should also study the variations that follow.

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a 2

1

b

Diagram 1 (Attachment)No matter what, Black shouldbegin with 1 to prevent Whitefrom sticking his head out. Thiscant be bad. White naturallyresponds by wedging at 2,looking to separate Blacksstones. Now Black has a choicebetween aor b; which choice iscorrect?

9

4

7

8

2

1

6

5

3

Diagram 2 (Cutting below)Cutting below at 3 is correct. Andwhen White extends to 4,connecting at 5 is a good move.At first glance, it seems that whenWhite moves out with 6 and 8that Blacks position is getting

split, but

16

17

11

15

12

14

10

13

Diagram 3 (Black is secure)Although Whites hane at 10makes a good shape, Black 11and 13 are a good sequence.Black can force with theattachment at 15 to make Whiteheavy, then capture with 17 toobtain a fully secure position.

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1

3

5

2

4

6

Diagram 4 (White gobbles upBlacks territory)What happens if Black ataris fromabove at 1, instead of frombelow? When White connects at2 and Black connects at 3, Whitecan run out with 4 and 6 and liveeasily. White has gobbled upBlacks territory.

2

3

4

1

Diagram 5 (Black tries a moreviolent approach)The result in the previousdiagram is just too bad totolerate. Instead of 3 in theprevious Diagram, 1 in thisdiagram is more severe. Whiteseemingly has no choice but tocut at 2. After Blacks connectionat 3, White 4 is a natural try.

12 6

5

8

7

11

9

10

Diagram 6 (Even)Black 5, escaping, is the onlymoveif Black tries to cut at 12instead, things dont work out.Play continues with White givingatariat 6 through the connectionat 12. The final result gives Blackthickness in return for territory forWhite, an even exchange.

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2

3

1

Diagram 7 (White dodges)The previous diagram ended inan even result, but this is due to aproblem in Whites play. That is,White should avoid the seeminglynatural cut at 2 in Diagram 5,which is too direct.Instead, White should first run outwith 1 in the current diagram.Black has to be patient and

connect with 2. But then Whitegrabs the vital 3-3 point with 3,and has skillfully dodged Blacksattack.

7

8

6

4

5

Diagram 8 (White developsquickly)Continuing from the previousdiagram, disrupting the Whiteconnection with 4 and 6 is aboutthe best Black can do. White canjump out to 7, developing quickly.Black pretty much needs to repairthe cutting point with 8, so notonly does White get 7 in, but

Black ends in gote. This is nogood for Black.

2

3

4

1

Diagram 9 (Unreasonable forBlack)In Diagram 7, we saw Whitegetting the vital 3-3 point. Whathappens if Black tries to get therefirst with 1 in the currentdiagram? White answers with 2and 4, exposing Blacks play asunreasonable.

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3

5 2

1

46

a

Diagram 10 (Black goes for acapture)Blacks descent to 1, blocking theknights move at a, is an attemptto capture White. However, Whitecan secure life by playing atariat2 and calmly extending to 6.

a

7

11

b

10

13

12

8

9

14

Diagram 11 (Black is left withcutting points)If Black extends to 7, White 8-14give a completely living shape.Whats more, theres not much toadmire in Blacks final position,which has cutting points at a andb.

1

3

4

2

Diagram 12 (Sabaki for White)In the initial position, the knightsmove at 1 is too loose for Black.This lets White look for complications with theattachment at 2. If Black plays 3,then White plays 4 to makesabaki.

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1

F R O M W H I C H D I R E C T I O N S H O U L D B L A C K B L O C K ,A N D W H A T I S T H E P R O P E R F O L L O W - U P ?

Which direction?This position is important for developing a basic understanding of go. The key point is learning how to proceed todevelop a moyo.

Proper Black AttitudeBlack needs to consider which direction to block in order to make sure the triangled stone is not wasted.

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1

2

3 4

5

Diagram 1 (Correct move)Blocking with 1 is the correct direction. And then Blackshould follow with the double hane at 3 and 5, whichis a good, severe sequence. What follows isjoseki.

7

6

11

9

8

10

Diagram 2 (Joseki)

Gripping a single stone with 6 and 8 is the mostreasonable response for White, but then Black cancut off the two White stones with 9 and 11. Thisshould be considered a nice profit for Black.

2

3

1

4

Diagram 3 (A try for White)In the previous diagram, instead of cutting with 6,White can try the hane at 1 and the cut at 3. Blacksbest response is to calmly connect at 4.

9

5

7

6 8

Diagram 4 (Black is playable)

White has no choice but to grip the stone with 5.Black can grab the corner with 6 and 8, and hassente after White settles with 9. This is eminentlyplayable for Black.

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9

4

7

8

3

5

6

a

1

2

Diagram 5 (Reading the ladder)What Black really needs to be careful about inDiagram 1 is a ladder. That is, White can connect at 1if the ladder is favorable. Black cant grip with a, butneeds to improvise with something like 2. Then Blackneeds to worry about a splitting attack such as 3.Black can resist with 4 and 6, but when White pokes

his head out with 9

17

14

16

12 11

15

13

10

Diagram 6 (Split)The sequence from 10 through 16 is necessary, butwhen White jumps to 17 the position is uncomfortable

for Black. Therefore, instead of 2 in Diagram 5

7

5

1 3 2

6

4

Diagram 7 (Black is thick)Instead of going all out to capture the triangled Whitestone, Black 1 is a good move. If White grips at 2 thenBlack can force with both 3 and 5 before completinghis position with 7. Black has great thickness.

6

4 3

1

5

2

Diagram 8 (An overplay for White)Suppose White cuts with 1? Drawing back with 2 is acalm move for Black. After White 3, Black blocks andguards the cutting point with 4 and 6, and theunreasonableness of Whites play is exposed.

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10

9

7

8

Diagram 9 (White is in trouble)White needs to play 7 and 9 to prevent the cornerfrom dying. When Black controls the single Whitestone with 10, it is clear that White is worse.

5

4

3 2

1

Diagram 10 (How not to play for Black)

Back in the original position, blocking in the otherdirection with Black 1 is not good. When White hanes

with 4, even if Black extends with 5

9

8

7

6

10

Diagram 11 (Blacks wall accomplishes nothing)White crawls with 6, and again with 8. When Whitegets in the 2 line extension with 10, one has towonder what in the world Black is doing. The twoWhite stones neatly erase all of the Black thicknesson the right side.

8

4

6

1

2

3

5 7

Diagram 12 (Split)

Instead of the extension at 5 in Diagram 10, if Blacktries the double hane, then White takes a stone with 2and 4. When Black finishes the exchange with 7,White moves to the upper left corner with 8 andBlacks stone on the top gets isolated

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1

W H E N W H I T E M O V E S O U T W I T H 1 ,H O W S H O U L D B L A C K A T T A C K ?

Moving Out

White cant just allow the right side to become Black territory. Therefore, White moves out with 1. What is the bestway for Black to attack?

Proper Black AttitudeWorking directly against White 1 wont work out well. The secret is to attack on a large scale.

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2 8

3

6

9

4

5

1

10

7

11

Diagram 1 (Preceding moves)Lets look at the moves leading up to the BasicPosition. Black pincers at 1 and White counter pincersat 2. Youve probably seen the position after 11 in oneof your own games.

1

2

3

4

Diagram 2 (Black attacks directly)First, lets look at a bad line for Black. Cutting at 1 isradically bad. Why? Because, White can easilysacrifice the stone with 2 and 4.

9 5

8 6

10

7

Diagram 3 (Black is cut to pieces)About the best Black can do is to give atariat 5 andthen grip with 7. White gains thickness with 8 then

invades with 10 a big success.

1

3

2

5

4

6

Diagram 4 (White gets sabaki)The hane at 1 is the first move that springs to mind,but Black deserves no credit for this move either.White can jump lightly to 2, a nice sabakimaneuver. IfBlack tries the atari at 3, White plays 4 knowinglysacrificing 2 stones. Then White answers 5 with 6,completing the initial objective.

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a

1

3

4

2

5

6

Diagram 5 (Whites tesuji)In Diagram 3, if Black gives atari from below insteadof above, roughly the same result as Diagram 4 isreached. White counterataris at 2, a nice tesuji, andgets a fine result after 6. If White skips 2 andconnects at a, then Black plays 5 and White is introuble.

b

a

6

1

5

4

3

2

Diagram 6 (White comes under attack)Of course, if White responds to the hane representedby the triangled stone with the obedient extension at1, this just gives Black the opportunity to attack. Blackpeeps at 2 and continues through to the jump at 6. IfWhite pushes out at a, Black b continues the attack ingood form.

4

5

2

3 1

Diagram 7 (Attacking on a large scale)Returning to the Basic Position, in this sort of position,Black should lean against the top with 1 instead ofattacking directly. If White extends, Black should just

keep pushing. Continuing

6

11 10

9

8

7

Diagram 8 (White is captured)If White extends to 6, then Black can go all out tocapture with 7 and 9. Black can meet 10 with 11 andWhite absolutely cant escape. It follows therefore thatWhite cant afford to extend at 6 and must insteadmake shape with 7, holding off the attack for now.Black plays the hane at 6 and has an easy position.

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3

1

2

4

Diagram 9 (Proper play by White)Given the result in the previous diagrams, White reallycant afford to play the hane at 1 in the BasicDiagram. The best course is to give up on thetriangled stone and bend around at 1 and 3.

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1

W H I T E 1 L O O K S T O M A K E S A B A K I .B L A C K W O U L D L I K E T O C R E A T E O U T S I D E I N F L U E N C E T H A T

P U T S T H E T R I A N G L E D S T O N E T O G O O D U S E , B U T

Seal InThis is a position that frequently appears in handicap go. Black needs to block from one side or the other; in thiscase the best approach is to seal White in the corner.

Proper Black AttitudeThis is a basic position, so the variations that develop need to be learned so thoroughly they become second

nature.

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4

2

1

3

Diagram 1 (White is cramped)In the Basic Position, White plays the attachment at 1looking to make sabaki, but suppose he had playedthe meek kakariat 1 instead? When Black plays thesequence through 4, White is cramped.

5

4

1

2

6

3

Diagram 2 (White gets his wish)After White attaches as in the Basic Position, blockingfrom the inside with Black 1 grants Whites wish.White pulls back with 2 and Blacks descent to 3 is asevere attack, but White settles by forcing with 4 andjumping to 6. White can also be satisfied. When thetriangled stone is not on the board, this is the best

course for Black, but

4

2

3

5

1

Diagram 3 (Whites shape collapses)In the previous diagram, if White does not force at 4but jumps to 1 in the current diagram, Black can pushat 2 and Whites shape collapses.

1

3

2

4

Diagram 4 (Black is stretched thin)

In Diagram 2, if Black omits the descent with 3 andpushes with 2 in the current diagram, his position getsstretched thin. Of course white hanes at 2. Black hasnothing better than to continue with the hane at 3, but

when White hanes back with 4

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9 8

10

7

6

5

Diagram 5 (White lives comfortably)Black barrels along with the double hane at 5, butWhite simply connects with 6 and continues throughto theponnnukiat 10 and lives comfortably.

4

5

2

1

6

3

Diagram 6 (Black emphasizes the outside)

When White attaches with the triangled stone, Blackshould block from the outside with 1. If White pullsback with 2, then the descent with 3 is severe. Whitecan jump to 4, but then Black firmly connects theoutside with 5 and White needs to add another movewith 6 in order to live.

7

9

8

11

10

Diagram 7 (Black completes the outside)Continuing from the previous diagram, Black canforce with the diagonal attachment at 7. White needsto live with 8 and 10, and when Black jumps to 11 hecompletes his outside position.

2

1

4

3

Diagram 8 (More of the same)If White wants to prevent the diagonal attachment of 7in the previous diagram, the attachment at 1 isforcing, allowing White to live with 3. But after Blackresponds with 2 and the jump at 4, Blacks outsideposition is no less imposing than in the previousdiagram.

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3

2

1

7

6

4

5

Diagram 9 (A slack move by Black)Going back to Diagram 6, suppose Black leaves outthe descent to 3 and instead firmly connects with 1 inthe current diagram? This is a bit slack. When Whiteplays the knights move at 2, Black needs to take adefensive posture with 3 if Black omits this move,White jumps out to 3 and after the sequence to 7,Blacks position is over concentrated.

6

7

5

2

3

1

4

Diagram 10 (Whites best continuation)White cannot bear to be sealed in as in Diagram 7. Itfollows that when Black blocks with the triangledstone that White should resist with the hane at 1. Theusual continuation is for Black to connect at 2 andWhite at 3. With the sequence up to 7 Whiteestablishes a home in the corner.

10

12

9

11

8

13

Diagram 11 (An even result)Continuing from the previous diagram, playing solidlywith 8 is a good move for Black. White plays 9through 13 to erase any bad aji in the corner, settlingthe situation with an even result. But if White leavesout 13

3

2

4

1

5

Diagram 12 (Bad aji for White)Black can make the placement at 1 and White hasbad aji. White defends with 2 and Black hanes at 3and when White hanes at 4, Black bumps up against

White with 5. As a result

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11 8

6

7

9

10

Diagram 13 (A one step yose ko)White must connect with 6 and Black bends at 7,leading to complications. White must block with 8.After first playing the hane at 9, just connecting with11 is a good move, resulting in a one step yose ko.Therefore, in Diagram 11, White cant leave out 13.

1

3

2

Diagram 14 (Black destroys aji)If Black plays 1 to begin with this just destroys hisown aji. White is happy to defend at 2 and now Blackhas little choice but to connect at 3. Black has lost amove.

5

4 2 3

1

Diagram 15 (A forceful continuation for Black)Black can respond forcefully to the hane at thetriangled stone with 1 and 3, but there are ladder-related considerations. These are good variations tolearn by heart.

9 8

c b

7 a

6

Diagram 16 (The related ladder)Instead of 6, White can play at a and live, but this isunsatisfactory. If White plays 6 and the ladder favorsBlack, then the hane at 7 and the block at 9 areviolently forceful. The ladder arises when White cutsat b then forces with the atariat c.

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1

5 4

2

7

3

6

Diagram 17 (When the ladder doesnt favor Black)If the ladder doesnt favor Black, then drawing back at1 is about the best thats available. However, thatgives White the tesuji that arises after the cut at 2.Black 8 throws in at white 2, then black 9 captures at

white 4. After Black 9

13 15

11

10

18

16

a 14

12

Diagram 18 (Eminently playable for White)The sequence from the atariat White 10 through the jump to 18 is forced. Black 17 retakes at a. Thisposition is eminently playable for White. It followstherefore, that if the ladder is not favorable, Blackshould not attempt 1 and 3 in Diagram 15

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W I T H T H E T R I A N G L E D S T O N E O N T H E B O A R D ,T H E R E O U G H T T O B E A N I N V A S I O N I N T O W H I T E S P O S I T I O N

A challenge from the weaker playerEven as the supposedly weaker player, if Whites position has weaknesses, Black must resolutely attack. This is a

familiar position, but

Proper Black AttitudeThe first move is pretty easy to find, but try to find the most severe possible follow-up.

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3

2

1

Diagram 1 (The most vigorous followup)Black 1 is the location most people would look first.White 2 follows as a matter of course.After that, the push at Black 3, even though it seemsto be going in the wrong direction, is the mostvigorous followup.

6

4

5

7

Diagram 2 (A success for Black)Continuing from the previous diagram, if White hanesat 4, Black resists by bending at 5.When White connects at 6, Black 7 brings the singleWhite stone under control, and Blacks invasion is abig success. Whites large group still does not haveeyes.

1

2

Diagram 3 (More of the same)Instead of 4 in the previous diagram, if White justmoves out with 1, Black attaches at 2, once morebringing the single White stone under control. Thisresult is essentially the same as the previousdiagram.

7 6

5

2

1

3

4

Diagram 4 (An old position)Instead of the push at 3 in Diagram 1, bumping upagainst White with 1 in this diagram is also a well-known move.In response to White 2, Black can force with the hane

at 3, then net with 5. After Black 7

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12

10

11

8

9

13

Diagram 5 (A success for Black, but )When White pushes out at 8 and cuts at 10, Blackplays the cut at 11 and continues with 13. Eventhough White is allowed the ponnuki at 12, capturingthe 3 White stones gives Black an advantageous

position. However

3

5

2

1 4

Diagram 6 (White resists)Before capturing with 12 in the previous diagram,White can first put the question to Black with the cutat 1. Of course Black plays 2. Now White captureswith 3.Black has little choice but to play 4, but when Whiteconnects at 5, Black is left with a burdensome

position. Continuing

8

9

6

7

Diagram 7 (Black is half crushed)If Black resists by pulling back to 6, White has a goodmove with the bend at 7. Black needs to play 8 inorder to live, and when White plays 9 Black mustwonder what in the world hes been doing.

6

3

5

4

2

1

Diagram 8 (Black improvises)However, if Black wants to avoid the disaster in theprevious diagram, the connection at Black 1succeeds.If White resists by connecting at 2, jumping at Black 3is the correct move order.

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8

7

10

9

11

Diagram 9 (Black can capture, but )Black cuts with 7 and creates an eye with 9 and 11,winning the race and capturing 5 stones. However,even with the capture of 5 stones its unclear thatBlacks position is superior. And if we go back a few

moves

4

2

3

5

1

Diagram 10 (White tosses a curve)When Black bumps up against White, White can varywith 1.If Black jumps to 2, White can force with 3 and thenconnect underneath with 5. In this final position,Blacks marked stone is not usefully placed andBlacks position is unsatisfactory.

5

1

2

3 4

Diagram 11 (Resistance by Black)When White descends with the triangled stone,Blacks hane at 1 offers much stiffer resistance. AfterWhite connects underneath with 2, when Blackconnects with 5 Black has a quite playable position.

13

12

7

3

4

2

1

8

9

10

5

11

Diagram 12 (A sharp cut by White)However, (instead of 4 in the previous diagram) Whitecan cut inside with 1, a sharp move. After Black givesatari with 2 the sequence that follows is forced, andafter the jump to 13 White has a fine position. Theconclusion, then, is that Blacks strongest line is 1 and3 in Diagram 1

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3

2

1

W H I T E I S A T T E M P T I N G S A B A K I W I T H 1 A N D 3 .

H O W S H O U L D B L A C K R E S P O N D?

Keep the attack goingBlack has a number of ways to respond. (In order to choose the correct way), Black has to remember that Whitehas come into his area to make sabaki.

Proper Black AttitudeMaking use of the triangled stone, do whatever it takes to keep White from settling. Keep the option to attack going.

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1

Diagram 1 (The case where Black attacks first)For reference, lets suppose that White does not play1 and 3 in the Basic Position. In that case, Black getsto attack first at 1, which is a good move. In that case,trying to live with the triangled stone will be extremelypainful for White.

4

3

a

1

2

Diagram 2 (Putting wind in Whites sails)

The knights move at 1 is often seen, but thesequence of 2 through 4 puts wind in Whites sails.Whats more, it leaves open the possibility of a Whiteinvasion in the corner at a.

1

2

Diagram 3 (White is heavy)Again going back to the Basic Position, Whites haneat 3 is an important tesuji to make sabaki. If insteadWhite pulls back at 1 in the current diagram, White isleft with a heavy shape when Black descends to 2.

1

a

3

2

Diagram 4 (Blacks correct attacking method)White has come into Blacks area to make sabaki, so

Black needs to prevent this. Making a strong barshape with the connection at 1 is a forceful way toplay. Making the hanging connection with 2 is thecorrect shape move for White, and then descendingat 3 to continue the attack is the right method forBlack. After this, Black can look forward to attackingwith the peep at a.

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1

2

Diagram 5 (White is heavy)In the previous diagram instead of the hangingconnection at 2, if White plays the solid connection at1 in the current diagram, then Black plays the descentat 2 anyway. Whites position is a bit heavy.

1

4

3

2

Diagram 6 (Taking sente)Diagram 4 shows a sequence that defends with an

option to attack later. Of course, there will also becases where Black wants sente to play somewhereelse. In those cases, solidly connecting with 1 is wise.Whites best is still the hanging connection at 2, sonow Black can exchange 3 for 4. Then Black can

tennuki and play elsewhere. However, if Black errs

1

4

a

5

3

2

Diagram 7 (Blacks position is strange)If Black plays the connection at 1 first, then gives atariwith 3, this doesnt help at all. Even if Black connectsat 5, after Whites connection at 4, the peep at a isgone, and Blacks attacking potential evaporates aswell.And if Black leaves out the connection at 5 and

tries to take sente

4 2

1

3

Diagram 8 (White captures in sente)When White captures a stone with 1 and 3, Blackcant avoid responding with 4. In other words, White isable to capture this stone in sente. To see how badthis is for Black, compare this position with the one in

Diagram 6. Further

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b

a

1 3

2

Diagram 9 (Blacks stones arent effective)Playing the connection at 1 followed by the descent at3 isnt effective for Black. It goes without saying that astone at a would be more useful in attacking White.For example, after the connection at 1, it is mucheasier for White to continue to try to settle with theattachment at b (than it would be with a stone at a).

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1

H O W S H O U L D B L A C K R E S P O N DT O T H E R O U N D H O U S E P U N C H A T W H I T E 1 ?

Aiming to bankrupt Black

This is a position that frequently arises in handicap games of 6 stones or more. In desperation, White attaches at 1.In a handicap game, this sort of situation can frequently lead to a bankruptcy on Blacks part.

Proper Black AttitudeThis action is occurring deep in Blacks territory, so, no matter what, Black has to be determined to cause damageto White.

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7

3

1

2

4

9

5 6

10

8

Diagram 1 (Preceding moves)Here are the moves leading up to the Basic Position.White plays the approach at 1, and Black responds

with the attach and extend joseki. Then when Whiteapproaches with 9, Black defends with 10.

3

1

2

4

Diagram 2 (A standard defense)First lets look at a commonsensical defense in whichBlack extends to 1. When White responds at 2 Blackmust block at 3. Then White will hane at 4.

7

8

5

6

Diagram 3 (White makes sabaki)If Black blocks with 5 and submissively connects with7, then White can jump to 8 and make a sabaki.Rather than saying that Blacks upper right corner hasbeen thickened, its more accurate to say that itsbeen made overconcentrated.

5

4 6

2

3

1

Diagram 4 (Black resists)

Rather than submit with the connection at 7 in theprevious diagram, Black should at least try resistingby jumping to 1. White cuts with 2 and pushes out

with the sequence through 6, but

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10

12

8

11

9

7

13

Diagram 5 (Black grabs territory)Black plays 7 through 13, grabbing territory andgetting a fine position.

3

1

2

5

4

6

7

Diagram 6 (Black tries to capture)What happens if, instead of 3 in Diagram 4, Blackforcefully tries to capture the White group with 1?

Black attaches with 7 and

14 13

10

11

8

12

9

Diagram 7 (Black is crushed)White pushes out with 8 through 13 and Black fallsapart.

3 6

1

2

5

4

Diagram 8 (White aims for ko)However (going back to Diagram 2), there remainsthe possibility that White will aim for a ko with theattachment at 1. Black takes up the challenge with 4

and 6, but

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8

7

9

Diagram 9 (White gets a playable position)White has a good ko threat at 7. If Black resolves theko with 8, White destroys the corner with 9 and has

an eminently playable position. Therefore

3

a

2

1

b

Diagram 10 (A pragmatic good move for Black)In order to avoid the ko shown in Diagram 8, Blackcan play the diagonal attachment at 1. This is apragmatic, good move.If White responds at a, Black plays b with a goodposition. Therefore, White should play the clamp at 2,aiming for complications. Extending at 3 is theclearest course for Black.

8

9

5

10

4

6

7

Diagram 11 (Capturing race)White is aiming at the push and cut starting with 8.However, Black is okay after responding to 4 bysimply extending to 5. The only trick is that after the

cut with 8 and 10

b

17 15

16

a

14

11 13

12

Diagram 12 (Black wins)Black 11 is the key point in the capturing race. White

has no choice but to force with 12, then push and cutwith 14 and 16.Bending at Black 17 wins the capturing race. Afterthat, even if White forces with a and surrounds Blackwith b, White has only 3 liberties, so Black will win therace.

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2

1

4

3

Diagram 13 (Black goes astray)Instead of the extension at 3 in Diagram 10, grippingthe stone with Black 1 gives White something to playfor.White plays atari at 2, then again at 4, complicatingthe position.

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B a s i c P o s i t i o n 1 0

3 2

1

T H E A T T A C H A N D C U T W I T H W H I T E 1 A N D 3A R E A N A T T E M P T T O D I S T R A C T B L A C K W I T H C O M P L I C A T I O N S .

H O W S H O U L D B L A C K R E S P O N D?

Looking for simplicityWhen White invades with the triangled stone, and Black plays the marked diagonal stone, White has attached andcut with 1 and 3. Black should look for a simple response.

Proper Black AttitudeThere are many ways to respond, but Black should look to avoid complication

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2

4 3

1

5

6

Diagram 1 (Black falls into thetrap)Extending with 1 grants Whiteswishes. White gives atari with 2and 4, skillfully sacrificing a singlestone. After White gives atari

again with 6

10

a 7

8

Diagram 2 (Black is thin)If Black captures with 7, Whitegives atari with 8, then connectswith 10. Blacks lower group hasbecome extremely thin. Whatsmore, the upper group has anugly dumpling shape.

4

6

3

a

7

5

1

2

Diagram 3 (White is thick)Extending to 1 is probably a bitbetter for Black than the previousdiagram, but the sequence 2through 6 still gives White a goodthick position. Black 7 is anattempt to prevent a White moveat a, but the Black stones on thebottom are so thin that Blackprobably cant really afford to playthis.

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3

c

a

1

2

b

Diagram 4 (Correct response 1)Giving atari with 1 thenconnecting with 3 is a good, calmresponse. Black is willing to giveup the triangled stone. If Whitegrips the stone with a; Black canblock at b then jump to c,surrounding a nice piece ofterritory in good form. Therefore,

of course

d

a

8

9

c

5

b

4

6

7

Diagram 5 (A simple line forBlack)White will crawl with 4 and 6.Black responds patiently with 5and 7. When White responds with8, the diagonal contact at 9 isperfectly timed.Even if White extends to a, thisgroup still has extremely bad ajibecause Black has a placementat b. This line is one simplecontinuation for Black. If Whitehad played at c instead of 8,Black has a nice move at d.

2

4

1

6

3

5

7

Diagram 6 (Correct response 2)Giving atari with 1 andconnecting with 3 is anothergood, simple response. WhenWhite grips the stone with 4,Blacks plan is to give up thestone with 5 and 7.

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b

2

a

4

1

3

5

Diagarm 7 (Ponnuki)Trying the same sacrifice strategybut skipping 1 and 2 in theprevious diagram isnt good. Inthis diagram (where White has aponnuki), if Black now pusheswith a, White will resist with thehane at b.

6

1

5

4

2

3

Diagram 8 (Playable for Black)If White skips 4 in the previousdiagram and extends to 1, Blackcan play forcing moves at 2 and 4to get a playable shape (therebygaining time to play 6)

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b

a

1

W H I T E 1 I S A K I N D O F S U R P R I S E A T T A C K .H O W S H O U L D B L A C K A N S W E R ?

Surprise AttackInstead of peeping at White 1,josekiis jumping to a followed by Black jumping to b. But its not enough just to knowjoseki. Take this opportunity to learn about the surprise attack of White 1.

Proper Black AttitudeTrying too hard to cut 1 off will fail.

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4

3

5

1

2

Diagram 1 (A quiet response)Blocking with 1 is a commonsensical response forBlack. When White pulls back with 2, the diagonalattachment at 3 and the attachment at 5 are the right

timing. Continuing

9

6 8 7

Diagram 2 (Looking to attack)For White, expanding with 6 is the only move. If Whiteallows Black to extend to 6, Whites shape willcollapse. But Black can force with the peep at 7, thenjump out to 9, eyeing attacks on both the two stoneson top and the White group on the right side.

4

2

3 1

Diagram 3 (White is suffering)Instead of 8 in the previous diagram, it is impossiblefor White to try to resist with 1. Black can hane at 2and Black has to defend with 3. When Black attacksthe top with 4, Whites position is painful.

2

4

3

1

Diagram 4 (White varies)White wont necessarily defend quietly as in Diagram1. White can vary with the diagonal move at 1 of thepresent diagram. Blacks connection at 2 and Whiteshane at 3 follow as a matter of course, but now forBlack to block at 4 falls right into Whites plans.

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11

10

9

5

7

6

8

Diagram 5 (Nice shape for White)The sequence from the peep at 5 through the jump at9 puts wind in Whites sails. White responds to Black10 with 11, making good shape while attacking.

21

3

b 6

54

a

Diagram 6 (Painful for Black)

Suppose Black tries to force with the diagonalattachment at 1 before connecting and blocking. AfterWhite 6, Blacks position is still painful. Black has achoice between descending with a or defending with b

3

6

2

4 5

1

Diagram 7 (No eyes)If Black tries to descent to 1, White can jump to 2 andwatch for Blacks response. If Black jumps to 3, Whiteplays 4, then pulls back to 6. Black cannot makeeyes.

6

5

4

13 2

Diagram 8 (Painful shape)If Black defends with 1, White gives atariwith 2, then jumps to 4. When Black jumps to 5, White protectsthe top with 6 and has an easy game.

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3

5

7

1

4

6

2

Diagram 9 (A resolute move)Black should not play the block of 4 in Diagram 4. Theright course of action is to resolutely build outsideinfluence with the sequence from 1 through 5. This isa good, large-scale way to play. Back answers White

6 with the block at 7 and

11

1013

12

8

9

Diagram 10 (Blacks outer influence is superior)When White hanes at 8, of course, Back resists withthe double hane at 9. The outside influence Blackgets after gripping the single stone with 13 is huge.White has gathered a little territory, but this is not aproblem at all for Black.

6

5

2

3

1

4

Diagram 11 (Black is good)If White dislikes the outer influence Black gets in theprevious diagram, he can try 1 in the present diagraminstead of 6 in Diagram 9. But after first forcing with 2,Black can play a very good move at 4. This allowsWhite to connect with 5, but Black 6 shows goodjudgement. Blacks outer influence in this diagram is

just as good as in Diagram 10.

8

7 6

1

5

4

2

3

Diagram 12 (A failure for Black)Immediately trying to cut the White stone off withBlack 1 is a bit unreasonable. White plays the haneand connect with 2 and 4, then pushes and cuts with6 and 8. Both sides have cut off a single opponentstone, but Whites corner territory is big.

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1

W H I T E H A S P U S H E D O U T W I T H 1 .

N O W W H A T S H O U L D B L A C K D O ?

ExchangePushing out with White 1 really isnt very good. However, if Black replies incorrectly, White can reap a hugedividend.

Proper Black AttitudeBlack should consider the two triangled Black stones as light, and look to exchange them for the triangled Whitestone. This is the simplest way to proceed.

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5

3

4

6

7

9

8

a

1

2

Diagram 1 (Preceding moves)This position arises when White approaches with 1and Black pincers with 2. White plays the doubleapproach at 3, Black attaches and extends with 4 and6, then blocks with 8.Instead of White 9, its usual to start fighting with thediagonal move at a.

2

4

1

3

5

Diagram 2 (Calm play for Black)Blacks best move is to pull back with 1. If Whitekeeps coming out with 2 and 4, Black can quietlyrespond with 3 and 5, with an excellent position.Comparing Blacks territory with Whites outsidethickness, Black is clearly better. However, instead of

Black 1

3

6

1

4

2

5

Diagram 3 (Unnecessary resistance by Black)Blocking with 1 is unnecessary resistance by Black.Whites cut at 2 leads to a burdensome fight for Black.If Black cuts with 3, White plays the hane and connect

with 4 and 6, and then

7

8

9

10

Diagram 4 (Black collapses)If Blacks descent at 7 worked, it would be a greatmove, but when White cuts at 8, Black is crushed.


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6

4

8

5

7

2

1 3

Diagram 5 (A different approach for Black)Black has no choice but to give atari with 1 andprotect the corner with 3. However, capturing thestone with 4 is great for White. Black forces with 5

and 7, but

10

12

11

16

9

14

13

15

Diagram 6 (Painful for Black)Black gets to play 13 and 15, but White gets to jumpto 16, reinforcing his group. In this sequence, Whitehas gotten clearly stronger on the top, while Blacks 4stones in the center lack stability. Black has clearlygotten the worst of the bargain.There is one more

thing Black can try instead of 13

1

6

3

5

2

4

Diagram 7 (Advantage for White)Black can try to set up a net with 1, but now the blockat White 2 is sente.Black cant leave out 3, so White gets a chance topoke out with 6. Blacks triangled stone is in anawkward position.

4

2

5

6

1

3

Diagram 8 (Black rushes to capture)For reference, in Diagram 2 when Black played 5,rushing to capture the single White stone with 1 wasnot an option.After White cuts with 2, 4 and 6 are a nice tesuji.

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11

7

8

a

9

10

14

Diagram 9 (Black is squeezed)If black cuts with 7, Whites descent to 8 starts thesequence through 14, and Black is neatly squeezed.(note: 12 throws in at a, 13 captures and 15 connectsat a)

3

2

14

7

56

Diagram 10 (Black is captured)Whites block at 1 starts a capturing race.Black 2 is an uninspired move, and after White blocksat 3, Black loses the race. When Black cuts at 4,Whites descent to 5 works.


5

1

2

3

4

Diagram 11 (Ko)Blacks cut at 1 is a clever move. White grips a singlestone with 2, and Black crawls along with 3 and 5,getting a ko. But at any rate, ko is not a good resultfor Black in this position.

1

2

a

Diagram 12 (A big loss for Black)To avoid the preceding, Black can replace 7 inDiagram 9 with the circumspect 1 in the presentdiagram. However, allowing White to play 2 is a bigloss for Black. Whats more, later in the game Whitecan squeeze Black with a sequence starting with a.This is more than Black can stand.

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1

W H A T S T A N C E S H O U L D B L A C K A D O P TI N R E A C T I O N T O T H E U N O R T H O D O X A T T A C K A T W H I T E 1 ?

Solid and Thick

The attachment at White 1 seems unreasonable, but how it turns out depends on Blacks answer. Take thisopportunity to master the proper response.

Proper Black AttitudeWhite has an invaded Blacks area of influence. Capturing the invading stone is unrealistic. Instead, answer withsolid, thick move.

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a

3

2

1

4

Diagram 1 (Preceding moves)However you think about thisposition, it is out of the questionfor Black to start with anythingother than the block at 1 (or 2,which is the same thing). WhenWhite pulls back with 2, solidlyconnecting with 3 is a goodmove.White will run out to 4, looking togobble up as much Black territory

as possible. But Black needs toput up with this.Of course, if Black had a stone ata, it would be necessary to haveblocked at 2 instead of 1.

9

7

5

6

8

Diagram 2 (Turning to attack)Continuing from the previousdiagram, the diagonal move atBlack 5 is an absolute necessity.For White, about the best thatcan be managed is to live with 6and 8, so Black gets a chance toturn to attack with 9.This Black 9 not only attacksWhite, but plays a big role incompleting Blacks corner

territory. In other words, thisfollows the ideal pattern ofsurrounding territory whileattacking.

1

3

2

4

5

Diagram 3 (Half-hearted)Playing 1 in this diagram insteadof the solid connection of 3 inDiagram 1 lacks conviction. AfterWhite hanes with 2 and crawlswith 4, blocking with Black 5leaves behind bad potential.

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11

9 8

7

10

6

Diagram 4 (Sealed in, but)Again, White runs out with 6.Black responds with 7 through 11and appears to sealed White in,

but

b

a

16

c

14

15

d

13

12

Diagram 5 (Cutting pointsremain)White can develop quickly with12 through 16. After this, even ifBlack turns to attack with a, thecutting points at b, c and d areterrible.

5

3

1

4

2

Diagram 6 (A better attempt forBlack)Instead of the diagonal move of 7in Diagram 4, Black probablydoes better by decisively forcingwith 1.White needs to live with 2 and 4,and now when Black plays thediagonal move at 5, there arefewer cutting points left behind.But this result is still not

particularly good for Black. Thatis because

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10

a

8

b

7

9

6

Diagram 7 (White is secure)After forcing once with 6, Whitegets to play first on the bottom.After White settles and makesprofit with 8 and 10, the value ofBlacks thickness has beenreduced by half.On the other hand, if Black skips7 and turns to attack the bottomfirst, then White 7, Black a andWhite b put Black in a territorial

hole for the contest that follows.Its hard to expect a satisfyingresult.

5

2

4

3

1

Diagram 8 (Complications fromWhite)Playing conventionally as inDiagram 1 is not very attractivefor White, so complicatingmatters by answering Blacksblock at the triangled stone with 1is a strong possibility.Giving atariwith 2 and extendingto 4 is a good, practical responsefor Black. White can try to settle

with 5, but

10 9

6

8

7

Diagram 9 (A strong responsefrom Black)Black connects with 6. Thenwhen White links up with 7, Blackcan rough White up a bit with 8and 10.

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12

14

11

13

15

16

Diagram 10 (White is captured)Even if White tries to squirmaway with 11, its too late. AfterBlack 16, White is obliterated. Itfollows then that White 1 inDiagram 8 was a bitunreasonable

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1

W H A T S T A N C E S H O U L D B L A C K A D O P TI N R E A C T I O N T O T H E U N O R T H O D O X A T T A C K A T W H I T E 1 ?

A Desperate StabWhite 1 is a desperate stab. There are a number of ways to play the best choice probably depends on your style.

Proper Black AttitudeIn general, its best to play straightforwardly without straining. However, its sometimes hard to play

straightforwardly

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2

6

1

3

4

8

7

5

9

Diagram 1 (Normal play by White)First lets look at how White really should play.Instead of 1 in the Basic Position, its normal to cutwith 1 in the present diagram and try to make asabaki. After this, there are a number of ways to play,but the simplest is for Black to play the atari at 2followed by 4 and 6. When White grips the stone with9, the situation is settled for now.

4

2

5

6

1

3

Diagram 2 (Vigorous resistance)Coming back to the current problem, cutting with

Black 1 puts up strong resistance.Black responds to 2 by gripping a stone with 3, butafter White 4 and 6, Black has to worry about the fight

becoming complicated. That is, to continue

12

10

8

a

11

9

7

Diagram 3 (Black falls into a trap)Capturing a stone with 7 is exactly what White wants.The sequence from White through 12 follows, whichis a huge failure for Black. Instead of extending with 9Black should at least play at a and squeeze, whichlessens the damage.But at any rate, after Black 7 it is clear that Black has

been outwitted. Instead of 7

3

2

4 1

a

5

Diagram 4 (Black 1 is good)Giving atariwith Black 1 is the correct move. If White

captures at a instead of defending at 2, then Blackcaptures at 2 and its clear who has the advantage.Therefore, White has to resist with 2 and 4, but whenBlack captures with 5, White has no good response.

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9

7 6

10

8

11

Diagram 5 (Black gets a big advantage)White can save the corner with 6 and 8, but thediagonal move at 9 is good, combining attack anddefense. White makes the hanging connection at 10and Black defends with 11, with a fine position.Whites corner is not yet completely alive and thecenter group is thin. White will have a hard timesurviving.

1

2

3

4

a

Diagram 6 (Black is better)

Therefore, instead of blocking at a, White has nochoice but to give atariwith 1. Cutting at Black 2 is thestrongest response and White must capture at 3.Black splits with 4. This, too, is a great result forBlack. However, Black must not play at 3 instead of 2.

5

6

2 3

1

4

Diagram 7 (Straightforward play by Black)Extending to Black 1 is a straightforward response toWhites hane at the triangled stone lets see howthat works out. Whites hane at 2 is a tesujilooking tosee what Blacks response will be. Black 3 and 5seem like a natural response, but White descends

with 6. After this

9

8

10

7

12

11

Diagram 8 (Even)Black must block with 7.

If White wants to play for outside influence, cutting at8 and capturing 2 stones with 10 is the way. Black canforce at 11, and the position is settled for now afterWhite grips the 2 stones with 12. Compared to thevariations after Diagram 4, White is in somewhat

better shape. Whats more

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4 3

6

2

1

5

Diagram 9 (White goes for territory)If White wants to play for territory, then instead of 10in the previous diagram, the sequence from 1 through5 in the current diagram is possible. However, Blackcan take up a thick position with 6 and doesnt standbadly.But it would be wrong for Black to answer White 1 at3, capturing the two triangled stones but allowingWhite to force with 5 then play 2.

1

a

2

Diagram 10 (Black gets outside influence)Instead of 3 in Diagram 7, its probably better toconnect at 1 in the current diagram.White has no choice but to play the hangingconnection at 2, after which Black can either takesente and play elsewhere, or play thickly at a.Either way, Black gets outside influence.

3

1 5

2

4

Diagram 11 (A firm response)Blacks firmest defense consists of giving atariwith 1and then connecting at 3. If White pulls back with 4,then blocking with 5 gives Black a nice, safe position.It follows, therefore, that White should try something

else instead of 4

4

2

3

1

Diagram 12 (Black gets an excellent position)White can also try forcing at 1 and then playing at 3.But then Black gets a great position by extending to 4.

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1

a

T H E W E D G E A T W H I T E 1 I S A N E X T R E M E L Y C O M P L I C A T E D M O V E .

W H A T S T H E S T R O N G E S T R E P L Y F O R B L A C K ?

A Complicated MoveInstead of White 1, the hane at a isjoseki, but Black must know how to reply to 1 as well. There are ladders thatmust be considered.

Proper Black AttitudeResponding with the most forceful move can gain Black a big profit. But there is also a safe alternative.

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2

4

3

1

Diagram 1 (A safe approach)If Black wants to play it safe, cutting underneath with1 is fine. When White extends to 2, Black connectswith 3. What happens next depends on whether or not

the ladder works after White 4. If it works

a

7 5

6

Diagram 2 (Position is settled)When Black plays 5 and 7 the position is settled fornow. However, White can tickle Blacks position witha later, so its hard to think that this is the very bestthat Black can do.

4

2

3

6

5 1

Diagram 3 (If the ladder is bad for White)If the ladder is bad for White, then pulling back withWhite 1 is the only move. Black 2 and 4 are nicemoves and the result after 6 is overwhelmingly goodfor Black.

5

6

3

4

2

1

Diagram 4 (White resistance fails)If White answers the triangled stone with 1 and 3,Black continues with the sequence up to 6 and Whiteaccomplishes nothing.

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3

1

5

4

6

2

Diagram 5 (Correct answer)If the ladder does not favor Black, the most forcefulresponse is to give atari from the outside with 1 andthen connect with 3. White gives atari with 4, thengrabs the key spot in the corner with 6.

11

10

7

13

9

8

a

12

Diagram 6 (Double hane)Black then plays the double hane with 7 and 9, goodmoves that dont give an inch. When White grips astone with 12, the cut at 13 is vital. Of course, if Whiteskips 12 and connects at a instead, Black plays the

descent at 12.

21

20 18

14

17

15

19

Diagram 7 (Black can fight)Continuing from the previous diagram, the fightingsequence from 14 through 21 follows as a matter ofcourse. In the final position, Whites central stones area bit thin, so Black has good prospects for the fightthat will follow.

53

42

6

1

Diagram 8 (Unreasonable for Black)Instead of the connection at 3 in Diagram 5, it isunreasonable for Black to try to block at 1 in the

current diagram. When White cuts at 2, Black is stuckfor a move. Giving atarifrom the outside with 3 leads

to a dead end after White 6, and

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6

5

4

3

2

1

Diagram 9 (Weak-spirited play by Black)Giving atari underneath with Black 1 avoids beingcrushed as in the previous diagram, but is a spinelessway to proceed.

10

9

7

11

12

8

Diagram 10 (Good shape for White)Black will probably connect at 7 and try to save thecenter. White plays the sequence starting with 8,getting good shape while attacking Black.

6

2

1

7

5

4

8

3

Diagram 11 (Blacks group floats)Finally, instead of giving atari with 3 in Diagram 8,Black can try 1 and 3 in the current diagram, but Blacks corner isnt fully alive, and if White follows thesequence through 8, Blacks 4 central stones are

floating without a base. White 8 is important

b

e

3

1

4

2

c

a

d

f

Diagram 12 ( A misstep by White)If White plays a knights move (instead of 8 in theprevious diagram), a pitfall awaits. Black hits at thewaist of the knights move with 2, then wedges in with

4, a good move thats hard to find. No matter whatWhite tries, the three stones will be captured. Forexample, if White tries to go underneath with a, Blackresponds with b and play follows the letters through f.White loses the capturing race.

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2

1

4

3

Diagram 13 (Another try for Black)Returning to Diagram 1, Black can sometimes inspecial circumstances consider counterattacking with1 in the current diagram instead of the connection at 3

in Diagram 1. White replies energetically at 2, and

8

6

5

9

7

Diagram 14 (An even result)Black must connect at 5. White grips a stone at 6.Black cuts at 7 and extends to 9. This position is finefor Black , but White has no reason to be unhappyeither. At any rate, in most cases the variations from

Black 1 in Diagram 5 through 21 in Diagram 7represent Blacks best continuation

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1

B L A C K S I N V A S I O N A T 1 S H O U L D S U C C E E D ,B U T W H A T A R E T H E F O L L O W U P S T O S E T T L E T H E P O S I T I O N ?

Dont be too respectfulJust because its a handicap game, Black cant afford to be too respectful and hold back from every fight. Fromtime to time, you should work up the spirit to invade Whites area as with 1.Proper Black AttitudeUnless you know the proper follow up to the invasion at 1, you may cause more harm than good.

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3

1

2 4

Diagram 1 (Black 2 is a good

move)The most common way for Whiteto respond is with the attachmentat 1. If you can play the wedge at2 in response, you deserve fullpoints.White has no choice but to giveatari from the top with 3, andwhen Black connects with 4White is left with 2 big cutting

points. If Black had just extendedto 4 instead of wedging at 2,White would just connect at 2 andhave no cutting points to worryabout.

5

7

6

8

Diagram 2 (Black lives)

Continuing from the previousdiagram, pulling back with White5 is forced. Black plays 6 thenjumps to 8, living without difficulty.Black should be greatly satisfiedwith slicing this large chunk out ofWhites area. However, whilemaking this profit, Black has alsoallowed White to create plenty ofthickness. Therefore, if the whole

board position lets White exploitthis thickness, Black should thinktwice before invading.

4

6

1

3

2

5

Diagram 3 (A classic non-

tesuji)Instead of the Black wedge at 2in Diagram 1, playing first at 1and then 3 in the current diagramis absolutely clumsy, a vulgarsequence. After White blocks at6, Black runs short of liberties.

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6

2

4 5

1

3

a

7

b

Diagram 4 (Black gets sente)

Instead of blocking at 3 inDiagram 1, White can cut belowwith 1 and 3. However, in thesequence through 7, Blackskillfully builds thickness in sente.If White leaves out 7, Black getsa ko with a and b.

4

3

2

1

Diagram 5 (Ladder)

If White grips a stone with 1,Black catches a stone in a ladderwith 2 and 4. This result is out ofthe question for White.

3

1

2

4

5

Diagram 6 (Overbearing play

by White)In response to the invasionrepresented by the triangledstone, White 1 is the mostaggressive response. However,Black has nothing to fear. Blackcan move out with 2 and thenattach with 4. This is a settlingmaneuver worth learning. If White

blocks with 5

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a

7

9

6

8

11

12

10

Diagram 7 ( Black lives)

Black doesnt need to be subtlehere. 6 followed by the cut at 8are good moves.Then, after giving atari with 10and making shape with 12, Blackis completely alive. It goeswithout saying that, as was thecase in Diagram 2, living this wayis only profitable if the wholeboard position is such that White

cant make much use of the outerthickness being created.In the current position, Black canaim for a later cut at a, or formoving out with the stone 8.

5

4

1

3

2

Diagram 8 (A sharp

attachment)Instead of the invasion at 1 in theBasic Position, Black can alsoattach at 1. If White defends frombelow with 2 then Black haneswith 3 and extends to 5. Thisposition is exactly the result asDiagram 4. Whats important issummoning the fighting spiritnecessary to get inside Whites

area. However, if Black playsdifferently instead of 5

2

1 3

Diagram 9 (Ponnuki)

Playing Black 1 and 3, allowingWhite the ponnuki with 2, isntgood.

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11

9

7

1

4

10

5

2

3

8

6

Diagram 10 (Too shallow)

Invading high with Black 1 isntenergetic enough. After Whitedefends with 2, Blacks intrusioninto Whites area is too shallow

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1

W H I T E 1 I S A N A T T E M P T T O C O N F U S E T H E W E A K E R P L A Y E R .

H O W S H O U L D B L A C K D E F E N D ?

Confusing the weaker playerMoves like White 1 are what Black hates to see. But if its a move you dont see often, its likely to be unreasonable.

Proper Black AttitudeThe triangled stone can participate in the fight, so Black doesnt need to back down. Its necessary to choose themost forceful possible resistance

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9

4

3 1

2

8

7

5

6

Diagram 1 (Proper play by White)Instead of 1 in the Basic Position, playing the san-saninvasion as in the current diagram is proper play forWhite. The sequence from Black 2 through the Whitejump to 9 isjoseki.

4

5

3

1

2

Diagram 2 (Black 1 and 3 are good moves)To return to the problem set by the Basic Position,blocking with Black 1 is a good move. Its natural forWhite to start a fight with the cut at 2, but Black hasan excellent response in the descent to 3.If White pulls back to 4, then pushing with Black 5 isvital.

8 a

6

7 9

Diagram 3 (Black gets ideal shape)White has little choice but to resist with the hane at 6,but Black can play at 7, which makes an emptytriangle, but in this case is a good move that makes amiaiofa and 9.If White protects the top with 8, then Black grips astone with 9, creating a perfect relationship with the

triangled stone. On the other hand

4

1 3

2

Diagram 4 (If White protects the right)If White makes a tigers mouth with 1 to protect theright side, Black responds by giving atariwith 2 thenplaying the hane at 4.

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10

8

7

5

a

9

6

b

Diagram 5 (White is crushed)Even if White tries diving under with 7, after Blackblocks at 10 the White stones go down for the count.After this, even if White gives atariwith a, Black justextends to b, and White gets nothing. If instead Whitetries giving atariwith b to build up a wall, the loss inthe corner is too big.

6 4 2

a

1

3

Diagram 6 (Black falls for the trap)What Black needs to guard against in this sequenceis the following: if Black misses the empty triangle of7 in Diagram 3, and proceeds directly to gripping astone with 1, this plays directly into Whites hands.White cuts at 2 and gives atari with 4. When Blackconnects with 5 at a, White connects at 6 and can beproud of the thickness this sequence has created.

2

1 3

Diagram 7 (White 3 is good)Instead of drawing back with 4 in Diagram 2, blockingwith White 1 is also a forceful move. Now if Blackpulls back with 2, the attachment at 3 is a nice tesuji.

9

8 7

4

5

6

Diagram 8 (Black is captured)Continuing from the previous diagram, trying to resistwith Black 4 is unreasonable. White blocks with 5 anddescends to 7, both good moves. Then when Blacktakes the 2 stones with 8, White jumps to 9.Blacks corner stones die. Does this variation meanWhite 1 in Diagram 7 is a success?

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4

1

2

3

5

Diagram 9 (Black counterattacks)Black can counterattack with the attachment at 1. Ifwhite comes out with 2, then Black can force with thepush at 3 and grip a stone with 5. This is fine forBlack.

1

2

5 3

4

6

Diagram 10 (Vulgar play by Black)Lets look at one more variation. Instead of thedescent with Black 3 in Diagram 2, suppose Blackgives atariwith 1 in the current diagram. White has nochoice but to extend with 2, but now for Black tocontinue with 3 and 5 is a big failure. Black has nogood way to organize his group. Therefore, instead of

5

6

2

1

5

4

3

Diagram 11 (White is fine)It is better for Black to connect as with 1. When Whiteresists with 2, Black can play 3 and 5, gaining a holdon the right side, but only the right side. However,then White jumps out with 6 and has every reason tobe satisfied. Black 1 in Diagram 10 is just not a goodmove.

1

2

3

4

Diagram 12 (Strong move by White)What if Black draws back with 1? At first, this seemslike it would be a peaceful move, but White can put uppowerful resistance by first giving atari with 2, thenblocking with 4. Black is split in two. Continuing after

White 4

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10 8

9

6

12

Diagram 13 (Blacks group floats)Black has no choice but to scratch out life in thecorner by cutting at 5 and continuing with 7.Simply pulling back with 8 is a good move for White.Black pushes with 9 then must capture a single stonewith 11. White can then play 12 and Blacks centralgroup is floating. This is an unpleasant result for

Black.

1

2 3

4

Diagram 14 (Black dies)So what happens if Black leaves out the capture atmove 11 in the previous diagram, and instead movesout with 1? White descends to 2, then plays the haneat 4, and the Black corner dies.

2

8

4

5

6

7

Diagram 15 (The wrong approach for White)Instead of 4 in Diagram 12, if White blocks at 1 in thecurrent diagram, the situation becomes completelyreversed. Black plays the atariat 2 and the sequencethrough 8, getting excellent outside influence.

2

4

3

1

Diagram 16 (White counterattack)In response to Whites attachment at the triangledstone, Black 1 is an attempt to play peacefully. Thatis, if White now crawls at 3, we return to the sequencein Diagram 1. However, Whites hane at 2 is veryforceful. If Black blocks with 3, then the extension to 4

is a good move. Continuing

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6 5 a

11

Diagram 17 ( Blacks position is flat)About the best Black can do is to capture a stone with5 and 7, but then White 6 and 8 are strong moves.After Black connects at a and White connects at 10,Black has no choice but to live with 11. In thisdiagram, Blacks position is flat, low andunsatisfactory.

3

6

4

1 5

2

Diagram 18 (Blacks shape collapses)If Black responds to the hane at the triangled stonewith 1, then White takes charge of the san-san pointwith 2 and then Blacks position falls apart. Black hasno choice but to connect at 5, but after White cuts at6, its clear that Blacks position is not good.

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a

b

1

W H I T E 1 I S A B R A Z E N I N V A S I O N . H O W S H O U L D B L A C K A T T A C K ?

Force White to live smallUnder normal circumstances, a strong player would lightly erase some of Blacks area with a or b, but in ahandicap game the stronger player often must make moves such as the invasion at 1, which is a bit unreasonable.

Proper Black AttitudeIts not possible to actually capture White, but Black should be able to force White to live small and taking theinitiative elsewhere is a clear plan.

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3

1

5

2

4

Diagram 1 (A thick course ofaction)Attaching with Black 1 is a goodstart. In response, extending to 2and bumping up against a stonewith 4 is about the best White cando.Blocking with 5 is the moststraightforward continuation forBlack, a good, thick course ofaction.

13 12

11

7

9

10

68

Diagram 2 (Black turns to theattack)When White hanes with 6, Blackcalmly protects with 7 and 9. AfterBlack extends to 9, living with 10is about the best White can do,letting Black take the initiativeand attack the bottom with 11 and13. This attack is very strongbecause of the thick, powerfulwall Black has just built.In the sequence starting from 1 inthe previous diagram, Blackhasnt seemingly put up any kindof resistance, but in handicap go,its important to play patient, thickgood moves like this, that dontleave behind any bad aji.

6

4

b

5

2

a

1

3

Diagram 3 (White races ahead)

Instead of 11 in the previousdiagram, if Black gets lured intoanswering all of Whites movesand defends with 1 in the currentdiagram, White can play thequick, light sequence 2 through 6.The idea behind White 2 and 4 isthat if Black attacks with a, Whitecan respond with b, looking forways to make the best of the

coming ko.

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1

3

2

Diagram 4 (Black can resist)If Black doesnt like thestraightforward style of playshown in Diagrams 1 and 2,Black can also extend to 1. IfWhite plays at 2, now Blackcannot miss the opportunity tograb the key point with 3.

5

9

4

67

8

Diagram 5 (Black should not besatisfied with gote)White must play the sequencefrom 4-8 in order to live, but Blackmust repair the hole in his shapewith 9. Ending in gote is notsatisfactory. Now Black cant turnto the attack with a move like 11in Diagram 2

6

5 4

a

3

2

1

Diagram 6 (Complications)

Instead of the diagonal move ata, answering the triangled stonewith the attachment at 1 isprobably not a good idea for theweaker player in a handicapgame.After White pushes and cuts with2 through 6, there are manychances for Black to get lost inthe ensuing complications. Lets

look at best play for both sides

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11

7 8

10

12

13

9

14

Diagram 7 (Good aji)

The sequence from 7 through theconnection at 11 is good aji forBlack. White can scratch out lifewith 12 and 14.

16 17

15

Diagram 8 (A capturing race?)Continuing, resolving the shapewith 15 is a good move for Black.After White 16, it looks like acapturing race is developing, but

22

23

25

20

24

Diagram 9 (Both sides live)Eventually in the sequence from20 through 25 both sides live, butBlack ends in gote.Whats more, its unlikely thatBlack will be able to play throughsuch complicated variations in ahandicap game. So Black 1 inDiagram 6 is a dubious move.

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3

a

1

5

2

4

Diagram 10 (Black attacks

strongly)To go back to the originalposition, playing the diagonalmove with 1 is a more severeattacking move than theattachment at a. But its still notpossible to capture White. Thepeep at 2 is a survival tesuji.Assuming Black connects at 3and continues with 5

13

7 6

11

12

10

89

Diagram 11 (Black ends ingote)After pushing with 6 andattaching at 8, White can liveeasily. Black has no choice but toblock from the outside with 9, andthen will need to connect with 11.White 12 ensures life and thenBlack needs to reinforce with 13,ending in gote.Comparing the result in thisdiagram with the result inDiagram 2, this diagram is locallybetter for Black, but Black has anextra move in Diagram 2.

1

2

6

5

3

4

Diagram 12 (Whitecomplicates)Instead of drawing back with 4 inDiagram 10, White can vary bycrawling to 1 instead. Nowblocking with 2 and 4 is very badfor Black. After connecting with 6Black captures the triangled

stone, but

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11

8 9 d a

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10 8 9

Diagram 13 (White connects)With 7, White skillfully connects.Trying to resist with Black 8 isfutile, as White eventuallyconnects underneath with 11. Inthis position, Black is obviouslyoverconcentrated, while Whitesstones are all working togetherharmoniously. Theres noquestion who has gotten thebet

how to play against stronger players- vol 1

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