BillSpightsElfPositionalJudgmentExercises/Game 2 ELf's Solution

Go Seigen (W) vs. Mitsuhara Itaro  

Note: In reviewing no komi games with the Elf commentary, I have observed that often White takes an inferior position early in the game, assuming komi. OC, objectively things are even worse for White with no komi. It has long been known that with no komi White makes inferior plays in order to create chances, but I was surprised how far White went in that regard. Plainly, the results justified such play. For instance, Go Seigen won this game by resignation.

But to develop our positional judgement in the days of komi, we assume a 7½ pt. komi. Therefore, moves that Elf regards as errors by White are not necessarily errors in a no komi game. :)

White 24 combines attack and extension, a 13% error  

is a case in point. As a dual purpose move, it is obviously a good play in a no komi game. :) So why does Elf regard it as an error?

Invade Black's sphere of influence  

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Elf recommends the invasion with . This diagram shows Elf's main line. secures Black's group. Then - is a flow of the stones resulting in White taking territory on the bottom side.

A 22% loss  

may be an error, even in a no komi game. In the game Black played at a, but Elf recommends the play on the 3d line, which makes a base with the stones and forms a moyo with Black's wall to the right. After pushes through the gap, Black plays with sente and then switches to the 3d line attachment against the top left corner.

Double sente  

The main reason I think that in the game may have been a mistake at no komi go, as well, is that Elf treats in its mainline as a double sente (209k playouts). In which case White should have played it right away. is an interesting attack. A pincer, resulting in a run-run to the center, would be bad for Black, given White's strong wall. pushes the fight into the center. Simply taking territory would not be good enough.