BQM 366

    Keywords: MiddleGame, Question

This is a position from a game I recently played at my local go-club against an opponent who is very fond of the attach-and-extend joseki?:

[Diagram]
Black to move  


I was quite happy with my positon (playing black) as I considered the two white moyos to be easily invadable whereas black already has some territory at the left and is not too far from turing the right side into black territory as well - but I usually tend to overestimate my positions, so my question is: How do you think about this position and what should black to now?

In the game I chose to invade immediately (I always have problems with my timing) and the game continued as follows:

[Diagram]
Game continuation  


So again: Is the black invasion ok or would something else have been better? Did white respond proplerly, was B3 correct or should have black played above W2 and in particular was the solid connection at B5 correct or should black have played more lightly? What should black do now?

[Diagram]
Game continuation  


In the game I thought that the white stones at the right had become a little weak as well and so I tried to settle my stones by attacking them with the invasion B3 which (more or less) worked in the game but retrospectively I am not so sure anymore that this was the proper way to play ...

So could someone please shed some light on such positions, in particular I would be interested in some general advice on the timing of invasions.

Many thanks in advance!


[Diagram]
Preparation  

Bill: I think that Black's invasion was premature. B1 secures the corner and prepares to invade on top.

There is more to say, since Black's play after invading is heavy, but for a brief comment I think the idea of preparing an invasion is important to note.

xela: A principle that I find useful is that when there are two places to invade, and the opponent can't defend them both with a single move, then there is no need to invade yet. When the opponent defends against one invasion, then it is time to think about the other one. (There must be a proverb for this sort of thing, but I can't think of it right now.)

[Diagram]
Good reply  

Bill: One argument against my suggestion is that White has a good reply with W2, which enlarges White's framework while reducing Black's, and which makes an invasion more difficult. So Black may wish to make an immediate invasion at a.


Bill: Deep invasions are usually to be avoided, but one may be good in this case, because of the large open space. It is important, however, to avoid becoming heavy.

[Diagram]
Heavy  

Bill: B1 is heavy. Black has no eye shape, and sacrifice does not look like such a good option.

[Diagram]
Attack  

Bill: After W2, B3 - B5 can cut, but after W6 Black has to worry about a cut at a. And he still has no eyes.

[Diagram]
Light  

Bill: B1 is light. There are many possibilities, including sacrificing the black+circle stones. (Usually you should avoid deep invasions, but when you do make one, you should often sacrifice stones.)

[Diagram]
Sacrifice  

Bill: For instance, if W1, B2 crosscuts. After B6, something has to give. The white+circle stone becomes isolated.

[Diagram]
Eye shape  

Bill: If W1 blocks, B2 - B4 makes a base with eye shape.


[Diagram]
Black to move  

BobWhoosta: This is a complete addendum, and also off topic, but I feel it should be addressed. While the position may LOOK equal, the positioning of the black+circle stones reveals one thing: Black's position is FLAT.

Through the course of the game, white will have options to continue flattening black (a b and c all look good on the right, while d e, and f look nice on the left). Notice that as white is high, he is more centrally oriented, and any invasion by black should create a nice position for white, which he can develop quite naturally through any of the above mentioned moves (also the obvious g and h). I think black's position actually may be superficial- as aside from i or a (which again looks overconcentrated, doing the same work twice) he has very little prospects for enlarging his territory in a natural manner- and white has the long term prospects for development. Therefore white has a nice advantage already, and may have gone beyond komi.


BobWhoosta: Going a little further into the realm of speculation, let's see where black could improve. Of particular note is the overconcentrated area on the left side. More difficult to see is the overconcentration on the right side, although I believe that is still the case.

[Diagram]
Moves 1-10??  


Thus far, no complaints.

[Diagram]
Moves 11-20??  


And then after the a b c d exchange we have the position originally given.

My first problem is with B17. It is the first overconcentrated move. B15 is strong, so black should be looking to use this to develop the black+circle stone appropriately. Therefore a pincer (either at W18 or e) would be the best use of space.

The position after B17 creates a difficulty for black. W18 is in such a nice position, it is hard to find a move to play. I would suggest possibly an invasion in the lower area immediately or at f (made more difficult by W18), but basically ANYTHING but B19!! Look at how the joseki plays out, and how the B11 stone is used TWICE by the formations. It's overworked, and overconcentrated. In addition, black is flat on the right. My conclusion: advantage to white.


BQM 366 last edited by BobWhoosta on February 17, 2011 - 20:35
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