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RelyingOnTrickPlays

 

Respect Your Opponents Ability
   

Understand that your opponent probably had a reason for playing where he did, and don't blindly ignore moves that appear stupid at first. Additionally don't disrespect your opponent's ability by playing moves that rely on them severely screwing up to be effective, such moves are insulting and highly irritating. Finally, always play honest moves against a weaker opponent, avoid trick plays. It is your duty to use your strength to show them the correct way of playing.



OK, maybe a sidenote here. Yesterday I played a 9-stone teaching game against a beginner who won't remain at beginner level much longer. At a certain stage I said: "Look, I'm going to invade here (sansan), although it is a move that should not work. But if I continue to play properly, I lose this game (I was 30 points behind). Maybe my invasion will succeed, but it will be a nice exercise on how to punish an overplay." And so we went on. With some hints, the whole corner developed into a ko, and with the compensation of the ko threat, and the yose, I closed the game down to a two point loss. He was very pleased.

So, trick plays are very instructive teaching tools. If however, you use them only to crush weaker players, you're doing damage to your own game and to the game of your opponent.

--DieterVerhofstadt



This is a copy of the living page "Respect Your Opponents Ability" at Sensei's Library.
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