Samsung 2012 Game 1
This is the final of the Samsung Cup in 2012 between Lee Sedol and Gu Li. Lee won 2-1 and this is the first game. Lee takes White and in fact all games in this final were won by White.
This game will soon be analyzed by An Younggil on gogameguru and I, Dieter, have the intention to analyze it first, to see whether my thoughts are sound. Anyone can join this analysis and is most welcome to do so.
This game ended after 305 moves as a halfpointer, so we can expect an extensive endgame analysis.
The game has been analyzed at the now defunct gogameguru ( https://web.archive.org/web/20151023094851/https://gogameguru.com/go-commentary-gu-li-vs-lee-sedol-17th-samsung-cup-final-game-1/)
Upper right: 4-4 Point Low Approach Low Extension. SL says that is common if White has a stone in the lower right. This is not true here.
Bottom left: is a simple variation of the large avalanche joseki. At I have the impression White has command of the game. Black's bottom doesn't seem to have the potential to develop into something grand.
Upper left: is a variant of a well known joseki. deviates from the usual pattern. Let's see what would happen if White followed it.
If Lee had played move 28 at here, then the usual pattern would flatten out Wite's position overall and the expansion of had become dame. Black could next continue with reinforcing at a or play actively at b and the flow of the game would be reversed.
threatens a ladder and threatens to kill the white stones. Thanks to the white strength below, Black must connect at and White lives with . It may look painful for White to live this small, but Black is cut into two weak groups. This is of course the proper way to play in one's own sphere of influence.
is a forcing move, before living at . See kikashi before living. Next is on the run and continues the attack while already keenly looking at an invasion of the bottom. Next is a perfect application of make territory while attacking. further splits the black groups. My feeling is definitely that White has full control over this game.
At Lee defies the common sense that even a moron connects against a peep, because a would work next. This is the result of Lee's taking time to play in response to . Since White now loses control over the centre, perhaps was too greedy.
When Black cuts at here, it is White who has two weak groups to take care of. Black too has two groups but all are running towards the right side, where Black has more control. It looks like the flow of the game has been reversed.
is an instructive/awkward move. I would play instead. allows to undermine White's corner with , but ...
lives in ko. Lee judgment seems to be he can leave this ko and use his sente to work on his weakest group while running havoc on Black's territory at the bottom.
Finally, cuts through one of many ikken tobi and an exchange takes place: White connects his weak groups, while Black makes a super strong tortoise shell and controls the corner.
But Black has a maneuver to live inside and with threatens to kill White's side group. White is unimpressed and cuts off Black's group with .
Still, Black has a ko at and the ko is so big that White captures through at the first opportunity, leading to a major exchange, because ...
... while kills the right side, kills the bottom left. then finishes off the bottom right. When the dust settles, Black has one weak group left, and White will now approach the remaining corner with one eye on that weak group. For me, the game is even, which means White has benefited from the furikawari as he was under bigger pressure before.
Next, the cut at is completely counterintuitive to me. I assume it gives more leverage later but I wonder if Black cannot resist.