![]() StartingPoints Referenced by
|
Stupid Moves
Difficulty: Beginner Keywords: Tactics
Have fun with some blunders here. [1] Number 1
A group with an eye wins a capturing race against a group without an eye but loses it against a group with two eyes.
The problem here seems to be that White wants it all. Instead of trying to defend two stones, which are not directly relevant for the capturing race, White should just start reducing Black's liberties straight away. Black will capture the stones but arrive too late to save the corner.
Black can try this to kill White. If White misreads the position, playing
But of course, White should not respond to
Black does not choose to live gently (i.e. thinking of winning the ko) and then throws in at Bill: This is a complex and difficult position, with different options for ko, seki, and independent life. Proper play depends upon the rest of the board, not only the ko threat situation, but the sizes of other plays. I think I know correct play when neither player has a ko threat and the other plays on the board are of moderate size.
Black makes a large ko.
Earlier,
Capturing with [2] Number 2
Strange thing but
[3] Number 3
This happens quite often with weaker players. Black decides to save the marked stone and plays [4] Number 4
Amazing how often this happens at my level (5k* IGS).
[5] Number 5
What a silly move
Much more fun!
Can White kill or is there a ko in the corner?
Robert Pauli: I'd say there is no ko. W has no problems to capture. [6] Number 6
Definitely I'm not Black! I just decided to test Black...
... and when I played [7] Number 7
I've seen this happen often with beginners, and done it myself a couple of times too.
White just played [8] Number 8: Fool's Seki
Looking through some of my old games I've found this funny ko threat. HolIgor [9] Number 9
Robert Pauli: Since in symmetric positions best play "absolutely certainly" is in the center, and a and b doubtless are miai, I left the scene . . . This is a copy of the living page "Stupid Moves" at Sensei's Library. ![]() |