Middle Game Discussion 1

Black to play  

In the game, White had at . In my opinion, this is a rather bad shape which does not fix the weaknesses on the upper side.

Suggestion  

My suggestion is for White to play . This move should fix the weaknesses better. Another alternative would be a, but I suspect it is not as good as , because Black can play the peep at .

The powerful move  

Please take some time to muse through . It thoroughly exposes the weakness of . White has no good reply because the ladder is favourable for Black.

Continuation  

To prevent the vital stones from being captured, must connect. So and naturally pushes down, rendering a totally useless move. Now, White finds it very difficult to decide whether to play at a or b.

Black is very thick  

If chooses to play safely, then the atari at feels extremely good for Black, and connects. White is sealed in, and Black is extremely thick outside.

Painful for White  

If plays the hane, then the atari at is also very painful for White. After , cannot cut at a, neither can be played at b...

White captured  

is a mistake, which allows the attachment tesuji at . After , the game is as good as over.

White almost collapses  

Black continues to push at , and return to connect at . On the upper side, White has three distinct weak groups, so it is almost as good as saying White has totally collapsed.

Suggestion  

Dieter: I favour the firm capture at a :

Aji  

How large is the aji of the marked black stone ?

unkx80: Um... yah, will think again another time.