CEGOAcademicSystem/Pavol Lisy vs Li Xu

1-10  

, : White chose to avoid the complicated variations.

: The invasion is a bit early. Usually black will play on the left side first.

11-20  

: This move is bad. It should be the attach on top at so that has less aji later. See Variation 1 below.

Variation 1: 1-7  

Up to , has less aji. Later black can play the sequence a-g to further sacrifice .

21-30  

, : This combination is black's most severe choice when he does not have the ladder to the lower left.

: A mistake as this variation makes black thick on the right side, increasing the aji of the marked stone. White should atari from underneath at a. See Variation 2.

: Another mistake. White should atari at and continue with the sequence in Variation 3.1 & 3.2. After variation 3.2, white is much thicker at the top than in the real game up to .

Variation 2: 1-5  

Although the sequence following is locally good for black, up to , white can also be satisfied. White has suppressed black's upper marked stone and his strength on the right side has reduced the possibility of black being able to activate his lower marked stone.

Variation 3.2: 11-16 ( = )  

Compared to the real game up to , white's extra thickness at the top is worth more than black's extra strength on the right.

31-40  

: This is the wrong direction. As black is already very thick here while white's stones are quite thin, adding stones here helps white more than black. Black could instead consider playing at a. See Variations 4.1 and 4.2.

: Also the wrong direction. Black is building from thickness, instead of using it to attack.

Variation 4.1: 1-7  

Up to , the weakness of white's stones can be clearly seen.

If plays at , then black can play the double approach at .

Variation 4.2: 1-7  

is a nice point. White's shape at the top becomes overconcentrated.

If plays tenuki, then black can play and attack white's stones.

41-50  

: The high approach is uncommon, but in this game it is okay.

: The tighter pincer at a would be better for fighting.

51-60  

: Keeping the black stones connected is important. Usually a is the shape point, but because white is thick in the upper right, he could cut directly with , b, c. The fight would be hard for black.

: This shoulder hit is a good move for defending black's weak group and shows Lisy's sensitivity when it comes to finding the right shape point. It is hard for white to deal with this move.

61-70  

: The sequence to is too slow. Black's group is already difficult to attack, so he should tenuki and play . See Variation 5.

: This move is too ordinary. Black could consider extending to a as in Variation 6.

Variation 5: 1-9  

Through the sequence to , black can gain a territorial advantage and is easier to play.

Variation 6: 1-3  

Black should extend to to restrict white's left side as much as possible. He can then try to take advantage of the slightly unsafe white group in the top right by stealing sente to destroy the left side territory.