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Don't Be Greedy
Path: LifeAndDeath · Prev: ApproachingALifeAndDeathProblemTheRightWay · Next: KyuDisease
Keywords: Life & Death
In life and death situations, don't make small nearby plays until you know that the group is alive. Sometimes this is just a matter of slowing down and considering the possibility that the group you're trying to snake into the opponent's territory might not be alive in sente. The above might sound at first to run contrary to the proverb "Play kikashi before living". The difference is that a good kikashi play is a big sente play (typically one where gain something by making it even though the opponent counters - for example, influence - ?) or an internal threat - where if your opponent didn't respond you would very clearly make life, typically by capturing a few stones. Ignoring a vital point in your big eye and charging forward into opposing territory is a doomed play - unless you can break inside and make another eye there. If you're just pushing against the walls, trying to cut gradually across an ikken tobi or keima, this isn't likely the case. Here is an example of what I am talking about. Author: KarlKnechtel HolIgor: Although your example is correct and life is more important than several points, the advice against being greedy is far more general and most often is applicable in the cases when it is better, for example, to throw away several stones than to struggle with a heavy group. One has to play lightly and be ready to give something away. dnerra: I wonder whether this page should be linked from Controversial Statements -- I think I am greedy... :-) If you have read out that you can make a small one point gain while living, instead of just living -- then my advice would clearly be: Take the one point gain! If it turns out badly, then you have made a reading mistake, and you should know better next time! Remember, just giving away one point every 10 moves makes you 2 stones weaker... Of course, there are also a lot of cases where my advice would be clearly wrong. If living safely makes your position stronger, denies the opponent sente moves etc., means you can possibly attack another group later on -- then of course, you should play patiently and secure life. Path: LifeAndDeath · Prev: ApproachingALifeAndDeathProblemTheRightWay · Next: KyuDisease This is a copy of the living page "Don't Be Greedy" at Sensei's Library. (C) the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0. |