InvincibleTheGamesOfShusaku/Game 26 analyzed with KataGo

Moves 1 to 10  

We now know that opening on a 3-5 point like is not putting enough emphasis on the corner according to AI. Likewise, a pincer like would today never precede a move in an open corner.

Moves 11 to 20  

gets applause by Ishida, who says the three space pincer works excellent here. KataGo is less enthusiastic. Instead it wants to poke at White's shape at A. The open corner is also among the better options.

used to be joseki but nowadays has disappeared. Instead one invariably answers such a pincer at .

Moves 21 to 30  

inducing gets more applause by Ishida and I agree Black's stones are flowing naturally. So much that KataGo wants White to play at the right side instead and sacrifice the top.

Moves 31 to 40  

A splitting move like today is regarded as a little passive and shoulder hits like A are in fashion.

is allowing Black to swallow the marked stone naturally. AI prefers activating that stone with at B instead, so as to split Black.

Moves 41 to 50  

gets a bit of explanation

White 44 comment  

Ishida comments that here would be met with , hence futile. Still, KataGo thinks this is the right move. Without underestimating the pros, the follow-up is quite surprising.

Tesuji  

steals Black's base. If at ...

Tesuji  

...Black is separated.

Moves 51 to 60  

KataGo doesn't second . It agrees with Ishida that is a well timed leaning maneuver.

Moves 61 to 70  

When captures, KataGo wants to launch the ko at A, rather than settling for the top with . Because of the placement at B, White can kill the top if Black doesn't answer, so even a big threat like C can be ignored. Black would have to live at the top, giving White a free connection.

As the book mentions White plays to remove aji but it is too slow.

Aji  

After for example Black can live at the top but White can then connect underneath and destroy most of the shape Black had gained by winning the ko.

Moves 71 to 80  

is criticied in the book. Ishida thinks White should have played underneath to avoid the game sequence. KataGo thinks is the correct move in this position.

Moves 81 to 90  

The commentary has White running fast into defeat. KataGo on the contrary thinks that by the game is almost even.

With however White loses his grip on the game again.

Keeping up the pressure  

attacks Black's shape while threatening to cut off some stones. After Black takes territory on the left, White can attack Black's dragon. This is more active.

Moves 91 to 100  

White's marked move was taking into account the central balance of power but it allows Black to take the initiative at , tackling White's vital point while creating shape for himself.

The book says that by , the game is over. KataGo thinks the gap is 2.5 points. And this loss was only suffered over the past few moves, not during the fuseki.

Ishida's final comment "Though this game was not as humiliating for him as the previous one, Sentoku was never given a chance." doesn't correspond to KataGo's assessment throughout.

Endgame considerations  

A quick territorial count indeed gives about 15 points advantage for Black. The reason the game is closer than that must lie in the comparative strength and potential points. Black has particular bad aji at here. White can destroy all the territory here in sente.

White can also make points while attacking Black's top group, starting at A. Since White can keep sente, we can expect the big move B to fall to him.