BQM 355

Context  

Calvin: Here is how the game started. is uncommon, but I don't see anything specifically wrong with it. At this point, I expected black to play at a, after which I would extend on the left side, which would return to a common 5-4 point joseki.

Actual game  

Calvin: However, black played , which I consider bad. I thought a bit before playing the intuitive move . (I also considered at and , but what I read didn't seem favorable for white.) seems to make black kind of thin, and I think may be a mistake. I'm not sure white got the best result here. It is true that now seems to be in an odd location, but it is also not easy for me to find a good place for . (Maybe at a?)

Better?  

Calvin: In my self-review, I considered that might be better. Even if black gets ahead with , white lives easily in the corner and preserves the aji of a. If at , at and I think white's okay. But it's also gote. But this is a kyu judgement, which is why I ask the question.

Tachi  

Bill: Generally, the move to make look bad is , to see the exchange, - , as merely strengthening White. But what if cuts?

Attack  

Bill: How about this? White gives up the corner and attacks the stone.

Aji  

Bill: If , White can simply make thickness, leaving the aji of behind.

Hanging connection  

Bill: Your connection was fine, but I would have preferred . I doubt if Black has anything better than , although it is an admission that was bad.

Awkward  

Bill: Black would like to play the nobi at , but is awkward for him.

Hanging connection  

Bill: Hmmm. If Black reverts to , even though it is an admission that was not good, I think that the connection at a or b is better than .

Mingjiu's idea - the 2-2 is big for territory  

Calvin: Thanks for your comments, Bill. It's good be able see these alternate plans. I was fourtunate enough to get at ask Mingjiu Jiang 7p this question, and he said that it is very big for white to take immediately. (Of course, as is his teaching style, he isn't going to mention what happens if black cuts at a if don't ask, and since I didn't I'll have to look in that myself. But since white has the option of capturing now, it seems safe enough.)

Bad shape for black  

Calvin: If black had protected at , makes a shape that is not desirable. One would rather have at a. So this result is good for white, too.