Cosmic game

Moves 1-10  

The black moves in the fuseki already show a certain disregard for immediate territory.

Moves 11-16  

The first remarkable move is : a dual purpose move, extending from the lower left, and making a strange shimari in the lower right. Of course, both formations are open for later invasions. is played in the same spirit.

I guess, that Black has two good reasons for playing like this:

• White will most likely only invade one of the open areas, automatically strengthening the other!
• It speeds up Black development, because he saves one move on the lower side.

However, these plays are not too unusual as part of a moyo strategy. is the first real cosmic move.

Thad: I don't see the significance of . Can someone clarify?

moves 21-30  

Playing the high pseudo pincer at is natural, considering the presence of . After Takemiya answers with to fight for central influence.

I don't know whether this formation has a name, but I would like to call it "the eagle's wing" (see reference diagram below), because I always associated and with a bird's wing. Indeed, Takemiya's stones often seem to fly!

To understand the joseki after in the upper right corner, it might be useful to have a look at the 4-4 point, double low approach. Of course, things are a little different, having the support of already installed.

Black comes out at the 5-5 point and again emphasizes central influence and is prepared to sacrifice and , an idea which is mentioned at 4-4 point, double low approach.

Moves 31-40  

In the following sequence, Takemiya manages to cut White off from the right side and, what is even more importand, fromm the center.

In addition to that, his sacrifice has gained him sente. He uses the gained speed to play a cosmic boshi, securing his moyo from the top.

Moves 41-43  

After , we can already see a large Moyo on the right side. White may have virtual groups at a, b and c, but he can't make all of these groups alive!

On the other hand, Black still has a (serious?) weakness around d to keep in mind.

moves 71-74  

The black moves at and serve as some kind of inducing moves for an enclosing sequence on the left side. Takemiya forces his opponent in a sequence, which resembles Floris' diagram above.

Again, Black chooses to fall back, sacrificing some stones, but gaining a solid wall.

Moves 81-90  

The cool securing moves at and are especially remarkable. (At least for me...) Playing like this seems slow at first sight, but Takemiya started with a very fast development, so he has gained time for these kind of securing moves later.

Another interesting move is : It reduces a possible white moyo on the top left side, prepares to go in deeper within the next moves and it might even be useful to gain some more points in the center.

Faced with the challenge of W0, Takemiya uses the same scheme again: falling back in order to enclose the side firmly. (You are probably tired of hearing that ...)

moves 91-100  

Black chooses to ignore in order follow up with .

He is prepared to counter the crawling incursion with and W0 in the usual way. (I don't need to repeat that, do I?)

Moves 111-120  

White achieved little with his central invasion. His game was probably lost at that point (but who am I to judge that!). The finish can be found at end of the cosmic game.