PillboxThePlayer/GameThoughts2008-03-10-00

Moves 1 to 10  

Herman Hiddema: is a strange move. With , black has taken the corner but left a large hole on the left. White still has the option of playing the other kakari at a. With the exchange, black gains more than white. After , black is much stronger on the left side, while white only leaves himself the move at b, for now. Better play directly.

pillbox: Thank you for your comment. I realize now what you mean. I played will the intent to follow up with m or n, as I did later in the next diagram with ( on the diagram). Only after your comment do I see that this was not a good plan, as it only caused black to fortify on the left.

Moves 11 to 20  

pillbox: After , I feel I should have played on the right side, perhaps at A or B.

Herman Hiddema: does very little for white. It makes a few points, but it does not put pressure on black. It allows black the option to play hane at the head of two with a move at a. Locally, playing the move at a yourself is much better shape for white. I agree with you on moves after . and are the wrong side. White is strong on this side after the move , so playing from this side is the wrong direction.

Moves 21 to 30  

Herman Hiddema: is to easy on black. White should play the double hane at 2, which threatens al sorts of nasty things with the cuts at a and b. is better directly at c, if you want to play locally, but globally tenuki would be better.

pillbox: Typically I fear playing the double hane, but I see now that it is a very good option in this situation.

Moves 31 to 40  

pillbox: I have no idea what is trying to do. The fact that I played this move haunts me.

pillbox: After , I realized that I should have been attacking exactly where protects. I admire Black for having the presence of mind to play this, as this is the kind of move I will often omit during my games. This could very well be my favorite move of the game, and I'm jealous that it was not mine.

Moves 41 to 50  

pillbox: Looking at it now, and seem to be less than optimal moves. While they cast influence against Black's wall, they do not necessarily perform efficiently.

pillbox: After looking at this for a while, I feel that perhaps at A and at B; but I'm not sure how much stronger that would be.

Moves 51 to 60  

pillbox: I spent a long time thinking about . I felt at the time that it was paramount to make the connection. But now I cannot be sure.

Moves 61 to 70  

unkx80: is too conservative and can actually be played at a, although I think a better Black move may be at and allow White to live in the 3-3. should play at b or c to increase the chances of survival. should be played at , and I think at has some chance of living? The life and death here is not very trivial, but I feel that White has very little chance to live after .

Moves 81 to 90  

pillbox: I had a nightmare about this sequence last night. This failed invasion will haunt me in my dreams for some time, I fear. Perhaps somebody can explain where I went wrong?

Moves 101 to 110  

pillbox: After , I realized that my opponent was very aware and protective of his cutting points. This is where I started to look for somewhere to resign.

pillbox: I think now that at would have been better.