Light play example 2

  Difficulty: Advanced   Keywords: MiddleGame, Shape, Tactics
[Diagram]

After the probe

This is one of the common sequences after the probe W1 in Black's enclosure. How should White continue after Black attacks at B6?

[Diagram]

White 1 is light

W1 is light, because it doesn't place too much importance on the white+circle stones.

[Diagram]

Black tries hard

Black here seems too interested in cutting White. After B5, it is clear that Black has bad shape. The cutting points at a and W6 are both serious.

[Diagram]

Black is too keen to capture

If Black concentrates on capturing White's two stones, White will be happy. The ponnuki with W4 gives White good shape; and Black has a problem.

Black has changed the order of play by cutting immediately at B1. That goes against the 123 principle. In this case Black has no good way to continue. Black at b isn't interesting, but there is nothing better.

[Diagram]

White plays heavily

White should be reluctant to play W1 here, in order to connect together securely. This is heavier, and the exchange of W1 for B2 is a local loss.

Bill: Calling W1 heavy seems unwarranted, since it occurs almost as frequently as the immediate jump in professional play.


This is a copy of the living page "Light play example 2" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2009 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.
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