Reached 8k Today

Yay, I earned another stone. However, I've been a little behind in this blog. This is due to college, but hopefully I'll put a couple posts during spring break and play more games.

So, far I think my strategic thinking is getting a lot better, because I try to play consistently. I just have to make sure I don't make those huge mistakes. :)

Korean insei Na Hyun beat 2 top professionals straight!

Korean insei Na Hyun beat 2 top professionals straight!

I've read this on 9dan.com. This 11 year old kid is really good at go. I find it amazing that he can beat two professionals back to back. I'm so weak that he could probably crush me easily even with a 9 stone handicap.

I'm looking at a goal of 1 dan by July in the very earliest, by January by the latest. This article made me realize that despite that jump in strength, I still would be tremendously weak against professionals and inseis.

So I'm asking myself, "Can I play on a competitive level someday?" Perhaps, most likely not, but I think I should give it a shot. I learned the game a few years ago, but I never played consistently enough to have steady progress. However, even if I practice every day, I wonder if that's enough.

Well, I should probably walking on my road to shodan, than just sitting around thinking about it... Away I go!

David Dang

Go and the "Three Games"

Go and the "Three Games"

It's been awhile since I made a post. This is due to me going back to school, and I'm trying to get everything in control. I haven't played as much go as I have during break, but I try to play at least a game a day. Here's an interesting read on Go compared to two other games; backgammon and chess. It's great, because it's not a novel. The essay is an interesting read when you have time. I would suggest this essay to anyone, but perhaps more towards beginners learning the game so that one can see the difference between Go and other games.

Game 27: Death by Fire 2

Game 27: 3 Stone Handicap Me(10k) vs Ping(6k)

This was incredible. I challenge this 6k to a three stone handicap game. He changed it, so he got the three stones. So I was playing against a stronger player who got a handicap. I was so mad, but I played calmly (Well at least in the beginning before getting frustrated), and tried my best.

However, I could've easily won the game if I played my best. I think I was a little intimidated that a higher rank had the handicap. However, I don't think my opponent was 6k, because I was able to actually closing the gap.

The game is commented by me below.

(;GM[1]FF[4]CA[UTF-8]AP[CGoban:3]ST[2]
RU[Japanese]SZ[19]HA[3]KM[0.50]TM[1800]OT[1x30 byo-yomi]
PW[Bonaparte]PB[ping]WR[10k]BR[6k]DT[2010-01-19]PC[The KGS Go Server at http://www.gokgs.com/]AB[pd][dp][pp]C[Bonaparte [10k\]: Hello
Bonaparte [10k\]: Good luck
]RE[B+51.50]
;W[dd]WL[1788.045]C[Bonaparte [10k\]: I gave myself the handicap... :(

From here on out, I'm going to look carefully on my game menu so I never do this again.]
;B[cf]BL[1790.587]
;W[fd]WL[1784.137]
(;B[ec]BL[1788.414]
;W[ed]WL[1779.785]C[Thank you for making me stronger.]
;B[fc]BL[1784.904]
;W[gc]WL[1773.299]
;B[gb]BL[1781.124]
;W[hc]WL[1770.846]
;B[dc]BL[1778.752]
;W[cc]WL[1769.121]
;B[cb]BL[1776.999]
;W[db]WL[1764.705]
;B[eb]BL[1772.049]
;W[bb]WL[1763.321]
;B[da]BL[1769.975]
;W[bd]WL[1762.126]
(;B[ce]BL[1767.864]
;W[cd]WL[1758.856]
;B[hb]BL[1764.081]
;W[ic]WL[1755.835]
;B[mc]BL[1760.8]
;W[ci]WL[1750.919]
;B[ef]BL[1757.776]
;W[cl]WL[1745.852]
(;B[ba]BL[1755.916]C[Small move. Black should play elsewhere.]
;W[fq]WL[1739.726]
;B[eq]BL[1752.386]
;W[fp]WL[1737.568]
;B[cn]BL[1750.426]
(;W[ip]WL[1734.893]
(;B[cj]BL[1747.398]C[I think this is unreasonable, because we're kyus. I may not know much about invasions very well, but i think black should've played at a bigger point.]
;W[dj]WL[1732.69]
;B[ck]BL[1746.04]
;W[dk]WL[1731.224]
;B[bl]BL[1744.712]
(;W[cm]WL[1721.37]
;B[bm]BL[1742.882]
;W[em]WL[1714.761]
;B[di]BL[1739.918]
;W[ei]WL[1711.239]
;B[dh]BL[1738.205]
;W[dg]WL[1706.145]
(;B[eh]BL[1736.638]
;W[df]WL[1698.086]
;B[cg]BL[1734.351]
;W[eg]WL[1691.135]
;B[fg]BL[1731.1]
;W[de]WL[1689.519]
;B[fi]BL[1729.224]
(;W[ej]WL[1680.473]
;B[fk]BL[1724.061]
;W[bj]WL[1665.469]
;B[bk]BL[1721.133]
;W[ch]WL[1663.616]
(;B[bh]BL[1717.49]
;W[fh]WL[1661.91]
;B[dl]BL[1714.875]C[This was an unreasonable cut.]
;W[dm]WL[1657.474]
;B[el]BL[1712.751]
;W[fl]WL[1654.915]
;B[ek]BL[1711.371]
;W[gk]WL[1650.753]
;B[fj]BL[1709.977]
;W[gi]WL[1647.609]C[Now black allowed me not only a bunch of stones, but also allowed me to expand towards the center.]
;B[bi]BL[1703.795]
;W[eh]WL[1628.565]
;B[fo]BL[1699.909]
;W[eo]WL[1619.021]
;B[ep]BL[1695.49]
;W[do]WL[1616.955]
;B[co]BL[1692.636]
;W[er]WL[1614.913]
;B[cp]BL[1684.839]
(;W[nq]WL[1607.422]
;B[hp]BL[1682.061]
;W[hq]WL[1599.137]
;B[ho]BL[1678.362]
;W[io]WL[1593.094]
;B[dr]BL[1675.576]
;W[qn]WL[1565.691]
;B[in]BL[1673.659]
;W[hn]WL[1561.667]
;B[fm]BL[1665.68]
;W[gj]WL[1554.606]
;B[hm]BL[1664.151]
(;W[fn]WL[1524.545]C[I misread it here. I should've just went with my instincts.]
;B[gn]BL[1662.024]
;W[gm]WL[1520.328]
;B[iq]BL[1658.639]
;W[jq]WL[1510.529]
;B[ir]BL[1656.795]
;W[hr]WL[1507.579]
;B[jr]BL[1653.32]
;W[kq]WL[1500.791]
;B[fr]BL[1651.459]
;W[go]WL[1494.053]
;B[gr]BL[1645.883]
;W[gq]WL[1486.535]
;B[es]BL[1643.123]
;W[hs]WL[1483.97]
;B[ko]BL[1641.252]
;W[jp]WL[1470.316]
;B[jn]BL[1638.467]
;W[kr]WL[1461.837]
;B[ro]BL[1634.079]
;W[qo]WL[1441.009]
;B[qp]BL[1631.789]
;W[rn]WL[1439.816]
;B[rp]BL[1630.428]
;W[pr]WL[1438.389]
;B[np]BL[1626.26]
(;W[mp]WL[1436.06]C[I was too cautious about the two stones linking up.]
;B[oq]BL[1623.594]
;W[mq]WL[1412.724]
;B[or]BL[1620.241]
;W[no]WL[1393.277]
;B[oo]BL[1614.313]
;W[nn]WL[1384.152]
;B[on]BL[1612.822]
;W[nm]WL[1380.575]
;B[om]BL[1611.329]
;W[qk]WL[1379.329]
;B[nl]BL[1609.259]
;W[lm]WL[1377.712]
;B[jk]BL[1606.875]
;W[jl]WL[1368.66]
;B[il]BL[1604.235]
;W[kl]WL[1364.376]
;B[ij]BL[1602.07]
;W[hk]WL[1359.993]
;B[ik]BL[1600.645]
;W[jm]WL[1355.44]
;B[im]BL[1593.765]
;W[lk]WL[1338.431]
;B[jh]BL[1591.148]
;W[lh]WL[1329.916]
;B[ml]BL[1589.323]
;W[mm]WL[1297.804]
;B[ll]BL[1586.825]
;W[kk]WL[1290.23]
;B[pl]BL[1583.968]
;W[ql]WL[1264.62]
;B[hh]BL[1575.272]
(;W[ji]WL[1225.454]
;B[ki]BL[1567.538]
;W[ii]WL[1219.565]
;B[hi]BL[1561.561]
;W[ih]WL[1218.3]
;B[ig]BL[1559.197]
;W[kh]WL[1204.273]
;B[jj]BL[1556.77]
;W[ii]WL[1202.946]
;B[li]BL[1554.808]
;W[mi]WL[1201.403]
;B[mj]BL[1552.275]
;W[mh]WL[1195.467]
;B[lj]BL[1549.162]
;W[mk]WL[1193.966]
;B[oj]BL[1544.802]
;W[nk]WL[1192.401]
;B[nj]BL[1542.794]
(;W[ol]WL[1189.236]
;B[pk]BL[1540.282]
;W[pj]WL[1187.57]
;B[ok]BL[1538.253]
;W[pm]WL[1171.943]
;B[nl]BL[1534.95]
;W[ml]WL[1170.754]
;B[qj]BL[1531.757]C[It was very frustrating that I overlooked me group on the lower right.]
(;W[pi]WL[1168.38]
;B[qi]BL[1530.069]
;W[ph]WL[1166.373]
;B[qh]BL[1528.619]
;W[pg]WL[1163.422]
;B[qg]BL[1527.018]
;W[qf]WL[1157.282]
;B[rf]BL[1523.415]
;W[qe]WL[1155.477]
;B[re]BL[1522.019]
;W[qd]WL[1154.421]
;B[rk]BL[1518.751]
;W[rl]WL[1152.809]
;B[rj]BL[1516.734]
;W[pn]WL[1137.457]
;B[rd]BL[1508.016]
;W[qc]WL[1135.05]
;B[of]BL[1506.026]
;W[pf]WL[1133.404]
;B[nh]BL[1503.78]
;W[ni]WL[1130.253]
;B[oi]BL[1502.321]
;W[oh]WL[1129.266]
;B[ng]BL[1500.791]
;W[nf]WL[1119.157]
;B[mg]BL[1497.201]
;W[lg]WL[1115.43]
;B[mf]BL[1495.3]
;W[lf]WL[1114.304]
;B[ne]BL[1493.739]
;W[me]WL[1111.77]
;B[md]BL[1490.574]
(;W[le]WL[1110.524]C[I lost this group... At this point I was thinking how to com back from behind through unreasonable means.]
;B[jd]BL[1488.51]
;W[pc]WL[1104.413]
;B[od]BL[1486.069]
;W[rc]WL[1101.895]
;B[ob]BL[1483.396]
;W[oc]WL[1099.891]
;B[nc]BL[1481.851]
;W[ie]WL[1075.547]
;B[je]BL[1479.961]
;W[jc]WL[1065.519]
;B[kd]BL[1477.768]
;W[ld]WL[1061.698]
;B[lc]BL[1472.719]
;W[kc]WL[1058.941]
;B[jf]BL[1468.544]
;W[kj]WL[1050.38]
;B[ji]BL[1465.416]
;W[if]WL[1039.665]
;B[id]BL[1457.925]
;W[hd]WL[1037.917]
;B[hf]BL[1455.505]
;W[he]WL[1036.825]
;B[gf]BL[1453.902]
;W[gg]WL[1035.089]
;B[hg]BL[1450.326]
;W[ff]WL[1033.699]
;B[fe]BL[1448.607]
;W[ee]WL[1031.811]
;B[ge]BL[1447.344]
;W[gd]WL[1030.362]
;B[kb]BL[1442.424]
;W[jb]WL[1028.827]
;B[lb]BL[1441.076]
;W[pb]WL[1027.781]
;B[oa]BL[1439.014]
;W[og]WL[1024.57]
;B[nf]BL[1436.959]
;W[pa]WL[1020.59]
;B[nb]BL[1427.64]
;W[sd]WL[1019.161]
;B[sg]BL[1412.47]
;W[nr]WL[1012.756]
;B[os]BL[1410.263]
;W[aj]WL[1007.45]
;B[ai]BL[1405.085]
;W[bg]WL[1005.46]
;B[ak]BL[1400.942]
;W[be]WL[1004.22]
;B[lp]BL[1397.418]
;W[lq]WL[1001.076]
;B[mo]BL[1395.791]
;W[kn]WL[993.711]
;B[jo]BL[1393.204]
;W[ln]WL[991.787]
;B[op]BL[1385.927]
;W[qq]WL[980.538]
;B[ol]BL[1381.444]
;W[ka]WL[960.557]
;B[kg]BL[1370.894]
;W[la]WL[950.447]
;B[kf]BL[1366.324]
;W[ma]WL[944.811]
;B[ke]BL[1357.545]
;W[ab]WL[921.559]
;B[ia]BL[1352.105]
;W[ja]WL[919.713]
;B[ib]BL[1350.315]
;W[gs]WL[908.656]
;B[fs]BL[1345.041]
;W[ns]WL[905.838]
;B[hn]BL[1339.12]
;W[hl]WL[900.992]
;B[lo]BL[1329.393]
;W[ag]WL[890.986]
;B[gp]BL[1322.788]
;W[fo]WL[884.761]
;B[gh]BL[1320.577]
;W[fg]WL[880.425]
;B[se]BL[1316.593]
;W[sc]WL[877.823]
;B[ra]BL[1310.216]
;W[rb]WL[872.573]
;B[qa]BL[1307.378]
;W[sa]WL[862.7]
;B[sb]BL[1302.161]
;W[rg]WL[860.491]
;B[rh]BL[1299.495]
;W[sa]WL[859.018]
;B[dh]BL[1275.697]
;W[di]WL[850.104]
;B[sb]BL[1273.712]
;W[ds]WL[838.92]
;B[cs]BL[1269.491]
;W[sa]WL[836.121]
;B[pe]BL[1222.623]
;W[qb]WL[831.027]
;B[ca]BL[1220.073]
;W[aa]WL[822.746]
;B[ah]BL[1212.78]
;W[bf]WL[820.591]
;B[]BL[1212.78]
;W[rr]WL[783.318]
;B[qs]BL[1208.499]
;W[rs]WL[781.556]
;B[ps]BL[1206.447]
;W[rm]WL[777.683]
;B[sl]BL[1201.644]
;W[]WL[747.472]
;B[]BL[1201.644]TW[qa][ra][sb][ac][bc][ad][ae][ce][af][cf][ef][cg][dh][fi][fj][ek][fk][dl][el][gl][ll][fm][km][iq][ir][jr][lr][mr][is][js][ks][ls][ms]TB[ea][fa][ga][ha][db][fb][ld][nd][le][me][oe][lf][sf][jg][lg][rg][ih][kh][lh][mh][sh][ii][mi][ni][ri][si][aj][bj][sj][qk][sk][al][ql][rl][am][pm][qm][rm][sm][an][bn][pn][qn][rn][sn][ao][bo][po][qo][so][ap][bp][sp][aq][bq][cq][dq][pq][qq][rq][sq][ar][br][cr][er][pr][qr][rr][sr][as][bs][ds][rs][ss]C[Bonaparte [10k\]: why did you give yourself a handicap?
])
(;W[jf]))
(;W[rj]
;B[qi]
;W[ri]C[I would be able to create two eyes if I did this.]))
(;W[pk]
;B[ok]
;W[ol]
;B[pm]
;W[qh]C[Something like this would've won the game for me.]))
(;W[kf]C[Again I played too aggressively. White is likely to his group die in the center, because I think he can only create on eye.]))
(;W[oq]C[Black has to connect or else he's cut.]
;B[op]
;W[mp]
;B[mo]
;W[lp]
;B[lo]
;W[no]
;B[nn]
;W[oo]))
(;W[gn]
;B[gm]
;W[go]C[This would be a good result for me.]))
(;W[go]C[I don't think I was done here. Perhaps I should've played here.]
;B[fm]
;W[gj]))
(;B[fh]C[Black should've connected, and lose the three stones, and capture the four white ones.]
;W[bg]
;B[dl]
;W[dm]
;B[el]C[Th]))
(;W[ch]C[I think I should've played here.]
;B[ej]
;W[bj]
;B[bk]
;W[bg]))
(;B[ch]
;W[cg]
;B[bg]
;W[df]
;B[de]
;W[eh]
;B[bh]
;W[eg]C[I was seeing this sort of resolution to my invasion.])
(;B[eg]C[Maybe black should play here.]))
(;W[bm]C[Perhaps I should've been more aggressive and double hane.]
;B[cm]
;W[dl]))
(;B[qj])
(;B[pj])
(;B[kq]C[Perhaps Black should put more pressure on white? I don't know if this move would be reasonable.]
;W[mq]
;B[ko]
;W[mo]
;B[km])
(;B[lq]C[Maybe a little more farther away.]
;W[nq]
;B[lo]
;W[no]
;B[pn]))
(;W[jp]C[I misclicked. I should've played here.]))
(;B[jp])
(;B[jq])
(;B[cn]))
(;B[ci]C[I think black should establish a base first.]))
(;B[bd]
;W[cc]
;B[ci]C[A simple joseki would've just worked dandy for black.]))

Game 26: Death by Fire

Game 26: Me(10k) vs Bazilikan (8k)

Go teaches that when up against opposition, one must be calm and rationale and not lose themselves to anger. This applies in real life situation. This includes Texas Hold'em, arguments with friends, and driving. If one loses themselves to anger, they will lose money, friends, and even their life. Go is a game, but it can be used as a tool to see who you are through your game. It is possible to see your own personal weaknesses be the same as your weaknesses in your game.

When I play go angrily, I try to play as aggressive as I can, especially when I lose one of my groups early in the game. In go, groups need to create two eyes in order for them to be not surrounded and captured. When two eyes are not created, the group is called a dead group. Stones that separate groups are called cutting stones. This allows the player to make threats to kill a group that does not have two eyes.

Here is an image of living groups that have two eyes. These groups cannot be captured.



Players who wish to get better at go, work on Life and Death problems. There are problems that require you to make a living a group, and there are also problems that require you to kill your opponent's group. Unfortunately, I was never very good at life and death, which will be obvious in this game.

In this short game. I recently lost my ASR League game against Suai, and then Bazilikan offered to play a game against me. The trouble started when I pincered by white and didn't know how to respond to the peep. Then, it all went downhill, because I did not protect the right cutting point. As a result, I paid a heavy price by losing my group. I did not see clearly, and my group died in gote, which was very frustrating. As a result, I made many moves that I thought were aggressive to try to make up the points. Afterward, I realized they extremely easy to refute, and it was not the type of play I would normally make. Through my anger, I allowed my two groups to die in this game.

However, in the future, I will be more mindful of my temper. So at least, I can give my opponent a decent game.

(;GM[1]FF[4]CA[UTF-8]AP[CGoban:3]ST[2]
RU[Japanese]SZ[19]KM[6.50]TM[1800]OT[10x60 byo-yomi]
PW[Bazilikan]PB[Bonaparte]WR[8k]BR[10k]DT[2010-01-16]PC[The KGS Go Server at http://www.gokgs.com/]C[Bonaparte [10k\]: good luck
]RE[W+Resign]
;B[pd]BL[1795.211]
;W[dp]WL[1793.156]
(;B[pq]BL[1787.784]
;W[dd]WL[1674.164]C[Bonaparte [10k\]: just because it's not ranked
]
;B[cf]BL[1780.702]C[Bazilikan [8k\]: intresting
]
;W[ch]WL[1661.23]
;B[ef]BL[1779.221]
;W[fd]WL[1647.697]
;B[eh]BL[1777.363]
;W[ck]WL[1638.755]
;B[jc]BL[1773.275]
;W[dg]WL[1636.237]
;B[df]BL[1767.368]
;W[eg]WL[1626.615]
;B[fg]BL[1766.251]
;W[ff]WL[1610.321]
;B[dh]BL[1757.456]
;W[cg]WL[1602.008]
;B[ci]BL[1737.215]
;W[fh]WL[1588.155]
;B[gg]BL[1735.603]
;W[di]WL[1577.703]
;B[ei]BL[1733.665]
;W[bi]WL[1565.846]
;B[dj]BL[1683.547]
;W[cj]WL[1555.017]
;B[bg]BL[1670.532]
;W[bh]WL[1552.708]
;B[bf]BL[1664.027]
;W[ee]WL[1550.909]
;B[cd]BL[1652.889]
;W[cc]WL[1549.237]
;B[bd]BL[1646.652]
;W[bc]WL[1548.314]
;B[dc]BL[1643.104]
;W[ec]WL[1546.158]
;B[de]BL[1641.985]
;W[db]WL[1542.339]
;B[gf]BL[1639.378]
;W[fe]WL[1540.866]C[Bazilikan [8k\]: im recrating this on my goban
]
;B[ac]BL[1592.814]C[Bazilikan [8k\]: do i hear death in gote anyone?
]
;W[np]WL[1491.966]
;B[po]BL[1582.89]
;W[kp]WL[1486.608]C[Bonaparte [10k\]: I'm awful at life and death
]
;B[ah]BL[1566.66]
;W[bj]WL[1478.015]
;B[be]BL[1554.446]
;W[ag]WL[1474.682]
;B[af]BL[1552.389]
;W[ad]WL[1473.388]
;B[pj]BL[1537.098]
;W[qc]WL[1451.227]
;B[qd]BL[1528.362]
;W[pc]WL[1449.004]
;B[oc]BL[1527.07]
;W[ob]WL[1448.016]
;B[nc]BL[1526.064]
;W[nb]WL[1447.136]
;B[mc]BL[1523.753]
;W[rd]WL[1446.425]
;B[re]BL[1522.666]
;W[rc]WL[1445.572]
;B[qf]BL[1515.314]
;W[qm]WL[1439.367]
;B[qn]BL[1509.833]
;W[pm]WL[1437.302]
;B[qk]BL[1507.846]
;W[on]WL[1432.065]
;B[oo]BL[1506.115]
;W[no]WL[1430.467]
;B[om]BL[1501.17]
;W[nm]WL[1424.259]
;B[ol]BL[1498.568]
;W[pn]WL[1423.117]
;B[cq]BL[1477.782]
;W[dq]WL[1420.611]
;B[cp]BL[1476.454]
;W[co]WL[1419.808]
;B[bo]BL[1474.36]
;W[cn]WL[1419.213]
;B[bn]BL[1473.276]
;W[cm]WL[1417.151]
;B[dr]BL[1466.893]
;W[er]WL[1415.885]
;B[cr]BL[1466.035]
;W[eq]WL[1414.766]
;B[iq]BL[1461.001]
;W[qo]WL[1413.512]
;B[qp]BL[1459.467]
;W[rn]WL[1412.284]
;B[rp]BL[1453.93]
;W[oq]WL[1411.165]
;B[pp]BL[1452.708]
;W[pr]WL[1410.307]
;B[qr]BL[1451.813]
;W[or]WL[1409.454]
;B[kr]BL[1443.101]
;W[rr]WL[1408.112]C[Suai [6k\]: ouch :l
]
;B[sr]BL[1434.329]
;W[qs]WL[1406.298]
;B[rq]BL[1431.321]
;W[rs]WL[1404.68]
;B[sq]BL[1427.663]
;W[hr]WL[1395.505]C[Bazilikan [8k\]: thank you for the game
Bonaparte [10k\]: thank you
Bazilikan [8k\]: tynogo
Bonaparte [10k\]: A shame I didn't give you a good one
Bonaparte [10k\]: :)
Bazilikan [8k\]: its ok
Bazilikan [8k\]: you
tynogo [-\]: gg guys
Bazilikan [8k\]: have the same problom as tynogo
tynogo [-\]: me?
Suai [6k\]: lol white got an interesting moyo o.o or mightve
Bazilikan [8k\]: both of your tenuki's are off time
Bonaparte [10k\]: I ignored urgency
Bazilikan [8k\]: yes
Bazilikan [8k\]: always think
Bazilikan [8k\]: am i ok?
Bazilikan [8k\]: is he ok?
Bonaparte [10k\]: rematch?
Bazilikan [8k\]: whats big?
Bazilikan [8k\]: play tynogo
Bazilikan [8k\]: ill review it
Bonaparte [10k\]: fine
Bazilikan [8k\]: (with me audio)
tynogo [-\]: wait im still in reveiw
Suai [6k\]: :o can one of you guys show me how the top died?
])
(;B[cd]BL[1790.407]C[Bazilikan [8k\]: you too
Bazilikan [8k\]: btw
Bazilikan [8k\]: mind undoing that and playing q3 instead/?
Bazilikan [8k\]: im gonna have to turn my screen sideways otherwise
Bonaparte [10k\]: lol
Suai [6k\]: o.o
Bonaparte [10k\]: why?
Bazilikan [8k\]: because then ill have a good view on both sides
Bonaparte [10k\]: k
Bazilikan [8k\]: yay
]))

Go a Game

Here's my first post for for this blog.

So, I've decided to put some philosophical musing to the game instead of uploading my games so I can look at my comments in a chronological order. Go has many references to life, and every time I play, I learn another concept to life.

I saw this in a person's profile on KGS (Kiseido Go Server) "If Go is like a war, then chess is a a knife fight in a phone booth." Go is a simple game with few rules compared to chess, but the game is far more complex and difficult to master. Computers can dominate grandmasters in chess, but not against go professionals.

For those who don't know what a go set looks like. Here's a picture below.



I decided instead of explaining the rules. Why don't you play it? Here's the link to the go site where I first learned how to play.
Learn to Play Go

In the future, I hope to write about how go relates to life and vice versa. It's quite interesting and when you play enough, you see a reflection of yourself in the game. The only philosophical thing I learned from chess was "You don't kill pieces, you capture them.... so you can kill them later". (I'm kidding)

For the go players at godiscussion.com, feel free comment on your views of go.

David Dang

Game 25: 4 Stone Handicap Me(10k) vs Javaness

Game 25: 4 Stone Handicap Me(10k) vs Javaness

So this is the second game that I played against my teacher, Javaness (Ian Davis). I felt very good about this game, because I performed a lot better than my previous game when I had a six stone handicap. To me, that feels odd, but I guess it shows that I've been getting better.

I'm starting to get a feel for my own style. It's strong attacks with severe moves. I find it kind of interesting. However, I'm looking at other styles to give myself a look into what pros are playing. It's absolutely fascinating.

Anyway, it seems I've gotten out of the habit of going over through my moves on my blog, but I'm kind of lazy. So, I'll start with one and I'll see how it goes.

Move 57 I think I should've hasseled white more, but I was wondering whether having territory between two walls is good. I guess the answer is yes, in the case of the game I played. Over concentration should be what I'm worried about.

Well, I've realized that this will take forever to reach 1000 games, and perhaps maybe I'll be a 1p by the time I finish on the last one. Well... I hope that happens.

David Dang

Game 24: Me (10k) vs Suai (6k)

Game 24: Me (10k) vs Suai (6k)

I couldn't believe I won against someone who is significantly stronger. Especially when I lost the last time I played her. This win put me number one in the ASR League G Class. Hopefully my wins will continue in the league.

In my head I knew I had to rely on my opponents weaknesses early. By relying on light and flexible playing, I should have a good chance. Interestingly, I was able to take the lower right corner, rather than just barely surviving. If my opponent played correct life and death, I think I would've lost this game. I'm kind of disappointed that my win was based upon a mistake, but I'm proud of myself for not overlooking it.

I'm going to be a dan in no time, but it's going to be grueling fun work.

David Dang

Game 23: Bonaparte(11k) vs Yuuki (12k)

Game 23: Bonaparte(11k) vs Yuuki (12k)

It's been awhile since I made another post. I've been taking a break from playing serious games, and did not review many games for awhile. I played a couple of 9x9 games. Those are always fun. I think this might be a good way to introduce people into the game of go, but I think they might lose interest in it after they see a 19x19 board.

This game was reviewed by Ian Davis (Javaness). I think it wasn't urgent for me for me to have this game reviewed, but it did give some key examples of how to play. I was concerned with three things. Invading a double wing formation, when I should tenuki, and shape. Even though I won this game, I wanted to improve by playing correct moves so that I can come away without playing overly optimistic moves.

I think so far I'm doing well for coming back from a break. I think what I am afraid of is not losing, but rather making big mistakes that I should've been able to see. Anyway, I hope to analyze professional games so I have more feel for how the game should come about.

David Dang

Game 22: 6 Stone Handicap Me(12k) vs Javaness(2d)

Game 22: 6 Stone Handicap Me(12k) vs Javaness(2d)

So this is my first teaching game with Javaness. I wasn't sure what was going to happen, but boy, I got whooped in this handicap game. I usually win or at least put up a good fight in handicap games, but this game I was far too aggressive. I think one thing I enjoyed learning about is handling the bottom left corner. My instinct was to cut, but unfortunately I didn't cut his stones.

I will go back into the comments he made, and will come back stronger than ever.

David Dang

38 Games So Far

KGS Analytics
I think this will make things easier for me, so I don't have to comment on every single game I play. KGS Analytics allows you to look at your game, and brings up a bunch of useful stats. So far I'm using this to record how many games I've been playing for the past few days. So, I added up December and January, and I found out I played 38 games in a little under two weeks. That's amazing. I never thought it would add up to that. I can't wait to reach 1000 games!

David Dang

Game 21: 2 Stone Handicap Me(12k) vs Jabuzar(8k)

Game 21: 2 Stone Handicap Me(12k) vs Jabuzar(8k)

I lost a lot of ground in the beginning of the game. I started to become behind after giving up my groups on my left side. I'm starting to become a definite fan of shoving weak groups into walls. Through fighting I was able to save my group and kill another group.

Also through this game, I'm starting to understand moves that both defend and attack. I was able to save my group by attacking another group.

This was my first game falling behind early in a handicap game and coming back to win it in the end. So, yay!

David Dang

Game 20: Me(12k) vs gojoe(12k)

Game 20: Me(12k) vs gojoe(12k)

I think I'm becoming much stronger than a 12k. This game was relatively pretty easy, because I leveraged my stones and learned to sacrifice. However, if black did not make two of his mistakes. I probably would've lost. The link above includes some of my lines of thoughts and comments.

David Dang

Game 19: Me(12k) vs Suai(6k)

Game 19: Me(12k) vs Suai(6k)

What a great game. I think I did pretty well against someone who is 6 stones stronger than I am. This is the best game I've ever done with shapes. I made correct shapes, but I think my fighting game flagged.

Go is a hard game...

David Dang

Game 18: Me(12k) vs KIRI (11k)

Game 18: Me(12k) vs KIRI (11k)

This was a game where I was clearly outplayed. I made poor choices, and instead of trying to push my opponent into a position where it is my advantage, my opponent pushed me into disadvantage position. I think I will look this game over closely. I think there is much to learn from this game.

A couple of questions would be.
Did I finish the joseki on the top left?
Should I have taken the bottom left corner?
Is there a way not to split my upper right group?
Is it possible to choose a different joseki for me in order to defend while attacking in the upper right?

I haven't played a game where I was outplayed so much. Well, I should probably study harder.

David Dang