:: Igo Hatsuyôron 120 (2021)

Variations of Our Solution (Ib)

This is an extraction from the "Variations of Our Solution (I)" (47).



Order of Updates

After we had finished our work on the 2020 update of our website, we first analysed "Dany's Ko: Joachim's no-ko-threats", i.e. Joachim's discovery that White moves around Black's bamboo joint in the upper right are no valid ko-threats.

Afterwards, we took great care to confirm our assumption that the guzumi must be played at the latest before the Crosscut Sequence in the left centre, and must by no means be delayed as much as the original KataGo version (2019) had still assumed.
Now that White had occupied the guzumi point, Joachim developed many ideas for variations in the top left corner, all with the aim of capturing Yamada's tsuke. One of these variations ended with a triple-ko (resulting in the game becoming "no result"), which KataGo (2019) did not avoid. For this reason we called this chapter "Tricking KataGo (Triple-ko)".

In mid-December 2020, Friday9i provided us with a first version of the special network for Igo Hatsuyôron 120 that he had further developed / trained – KataGo (2020).

KataGo (2020) not only confirmed Joachim's assessment of "Dany's Ko: Joachim's no-ko-threats", but also found another, fourth, ko-threat for White in the upper left corner.

KataGo (2020) now basically played the guzumi "early", confirming our assumption in this regard.
In the case of the guzumi "delayed" by Black, however, this version was still vulnerable to "Tricking KataGo (Triple-ko)", which led to this position being given extended treatment during further training of the network.
In the case of the "classical" atari in the top left, KataGo (2020) found some improvements for White, but without caring – typical of its approach – about the absolute level of White's final score.

During our further work on "Tricking KataGo (Triple-ko)", with the tsuke of Yamada Shinji played, Joachim found various improvements for Black.
This was in particular the finding that White must capture the nakade "early" in order to decisively improve her position on the left and in particular to avoid shortage of liberties for her subgroups there. Further improvements for Black in the fight in the upper left corner were also later confirmed by KataGo (2121i).

In June, I started to analyse the main path of Our Solution with the then current new network.

If the Guzumi is played at the earliest possible moment, KataGo offers an alternative variation in which White does not answer this move locally, but instead stabilises her position at the bottom against the growth of the hanezeki's tail.
Subsequently, there is no longer a Main Semeai; the sequence looks much more like a "real" game. However, nothing changes in the final result; White also wins this alternative line by two points.

In the course of this analysis, I discovered that the crosscut after Yamada Shinji's tsuke could also be played the other way round, starting with an inward tsuke.
However, KataGo did not seem to have studied this sequence extensively during its training, which is understandable given its approach, as the original order of moves works best for White. About half of a series of self-play games contained erroneous continuations! A higher number of playouts was not to be equated with fewer mistakes.
It was hard work to identify KataGo's mistakes in these self-play games. I felt transported back to the early days of our work on Igo Hatsuyôron 120, when no programme support was available. This is because the assessments of KataGo as an artificial intelligence are not necessarily reliable when you are in a part of the variation tree that has not been sufficiently searched during the training of the special network.
KataGo (2021i) as of end of July performed incomparably better after these games had been added to the material for further training. However, even with this updated network, it was not possible to achieve 100% freedom from errors.
You will find the details in "Solution KataGo (2021i)".

With "Tricking KataGo (Triple-ko)", KataGo (2021i) now captures the nakade "early", and handles the fight in the upper left corner better than before, as it encountered this position sufficiently during its extended training.

KataGo (2021i) found several improvements for "Dany's Ko: Joachim's no-ko-threats", in particular ending Dany's Ko "early". This implies that Dany's atekomi does not work any longer for White.

For "No Early Kikashi (2021)", KataGo (20201i) found improvements for White, as well as for Black.


Colours of the Boards' Edges

Darkgrey = 6 Main Semeai Liberties:
Black has fallen below the Punishment Semeai Liberty Level. White will choose the Capture Variation, capturing not only the hanezeki's tail, but also Black's large group int he upper right.

Darkred = 7 Main Semeai Liberties:
Black is bound to follow the Main Semeai, as he must not lose a single tempo in the Main Semeai. Black can play outside the Main Semeai area, only if White did so just before.

Brown = 8 Main Semeai Liberties:
Under certain cirumstances (depending on the number of territory reducing moves Black has to play to get a satisfactory score in the Capture Variation), White must be careful to not lose a single tempo in the Main Semeai, and so might be restricted in her movements on the baord.

Pink = 9 Main Semeai Liberties:
Under certain circumstances (and still nine Main Semeai Liberties at White's decision point), White might fall prey to Joachim's Final Ko in the Semeai Variation.

Lightgrey = 10 or more Main Semeai Liberties:
Under certain circumstances (and still nine Main Semeai Liberties at White's decision point), White might fall prey to Joachim's Final Ko in the Semeai Variation.
If Black still has ten Main Semeai Liberties at White's decision point, Black's large group in the upper right will survive the Semeai Variation, resulting in White losing the game by a very large margin.

Lightbrown:
Capture Variation.

Darkbrown:
Semeai Variation.

Cyan:
Analysis mode. Special restrictions apply (e.g. a ban on giving atari at Black groups, or capturing Black groups that are in atari).


Colours of the Boards

Golden:
The moves displayed on the board were either played by KataGo in a self-play game or favoured in "Analysis Mode".

Brown:
The moves shown on the board were chosen by human amateurs, partly based on KataGo's assessment.




    Variation Tree    

KataGo's 2021 Solution

@ 58ab+2 +4Jumps back to the second line
@ 58ac+2 +4Protects his cutting point directly
@ 58ad+2 JigoOccupies a White liberty at the left
@ 58acPushes at the top
(.1) @ 58ae+2 +4Plays the wedge in the left centre
(.2) @ 58af+2 +6Pushes at the left edge
@ 58acBumps in the left centre
@ 58abSolidifies his formation in the left centre
@ 58ag+2 +4Pushes at the top
@ 58abCaptures White's stone at the upper edge
@ 58aaBlocks immediately
@ 58ah+2 Plays the guzumi "early"
@ 58aaPushes at the bottom, lengthening the hanezeki's tail

@ 58ai+2 +4Attaches at the inside in the upper left corner
@ 58aj+10 +6Plays hiki at the upper edge
@ 58ak+10 +6Defends indirectly, also occupying one of White's liberties
@ 58ajConnects solidly
@ 58am+10 +10Extends into the corner
@ 58an+10 +10Connects his single stone at the bottom
@ 58am+11 +6Plays hane at the upper edge
@ 58aj+40 Gives atari at White's two stones
@ 58ao+3 Descends to the second line
@ 58ap+2 +4Plays hane from below
(.1) @ 58aq+2 +4Crosscuts immediately
(.2) @ 58ar+2 +4Peeps at the upper edge
@ 58as+2 +4Plays the crosscut at the top
@ 58arConnects her two stones in the lower left
@ 58at+1 +3Continues in the upper right immediately
@ 58au+1 +3Connects solidly on the outside
@ 58atConnects solidly in the corner
@ 58av+2 +8Descends to the upper edge
@ 58atPlays KataGo's bad-shape move in the left centre
@ 58aw+2 +3Continues with the Main Semeai
@ 58ax+2 +3Jumps to the upper edge
@ 58awAttaches at White's just played stone
@ 58at+2 +4Plays a protective move in the upper left corner
@ 58arInserts a kikashi in the upper left corner
@ 58ay+1 +3Connects her single stone in the right centre
@ 58az+2 +8Descends to the upper edge
@ 58ayDefends his territory in the left centre
@ 58arPlays KataGo's bad-shape move in the left centre
@ 58ba+2 +8Plays KataGo's solid connection
@ 58ar+1 +5Captures White's single stone in the right centre

(.3) @ 58bb+2 +4Captures Black's single stone in the lower left
@ 58bc+1 +1Gives atari at Black's nakade
@ 58bd+2 +2Defends his shape in the left centre
@ 58be+2 +1Gives atari at White's two stones in the lower left
@ 58bf+1 +1Connects her single stone in the right centre
@ 58beConnects her two stones in atari
@ 58bdCaptures White's single stone in the right centre
@ 58bg+1 +1Plays KataGo's bad-shape move in the left centre
@ 58bdContinues with the Main Semeai
@ 58bh+1 +1Connects her two stones in the lower left
@ 58bdContinues with the Main Semeai
@ 58bcGives atari at White's two stones in the lower left
@ 58bi+1 +3Connects her two stones in the lower left
@ 58bj+1 +3Pushes at the left edge
@ 58biPlays the central attachment in the left centre
@ 58bk+2 +4Connects his stone in atari
@ 58bi+1 +5Descends to the upper edge
@ 58bcConnects at the left edge
@ 58bm+1 +3Connects her single stone in the right centre
@ 58bn+1 +3Defends his territory in the left centre
@ 58bm+2 +8Plays a protective move in the upper left corner
@ 58bcPushes into Black's lower left corner
@ 58bo+1 +1Blocks the lower left corner
@ 58bp+1 +1Plays Dany's atekomi
@ 58boPlays the central attachment in the left centre
@ 58bcConnects at the upper edge
(.1) @ 58bq+2 +4Pushes at the left edge
@ 58br+2 +4Descends to the left edge, blocking the corner
@ 58bs+17 Defends his territory in the left centre
@ 58brPlays a protective move in the upper left corner
@ 58bqConnects solidly in the upper left corner
(.2) @ 58bt+2 +4Plays the central attachment in the left centre
@ 58bcPlays KataGo's bad-shape move in the left centre
@ 58bu+2 +4Plays KataGo's solid connection
@ 58bcDescends to the upper edge
@ 58bv+2 +10Secures another eye for her central group
@ 58bcPlays the centra attachment in the left centre
@ 58bwJigoContinues with occupying shared liberties
@ 58bcPlays inside White's eye
@ 58bx+1 Captures the hanezeki's tail
@ 58bc++ Occupies a liberty of Black's group at the right
@ 58bbGives atari at Black's nakade while connecting her stones

@ 58by+2 +1Defends his formation in the left centre
@ 58bz+2 +1Continues with the Nakade Sequence
@ 58ce+2 +1Descends to the upper edge, defending his upper left corner
@ 58cf+2 JigoPushes into Black's lower left corner
@ 58ceConnects her two stones in the lower left
@ 58cg+2 +1Defends his territory in the left centre
@ 58ceCaptures White's single stone in the upper right
@ 58ch+2 +2Defends his territory in the left centre
@ 58ceBlocks immediately
@ 58ci+2 +2Connects below
@ 58ce+2 +2Connects above
@ 58bzDefends his territory in the lower left corner
@ 58ca+2 +2Connects her two stones in the lower left
@ 58bzCaptures Black's two stones at the top
@ 58cb+2 +1Defends his territory in the left centre
@ 58bzCaptures White's single stone in the right centre
@ 58cc+7 +4Connects above
@ 58bzConnects below
@ 58cd+3 ++Defends his territory in the left centre
@ 58bz+2 +2Gives atari in the left centre
@ 58byPlays the hasami-tsuke in the lower left corner
@ 58cj+2 +4Descends to the upper edge
@ 58byDefends his territory in the lower left corner
@ 58ck+2 ++Captures White's two stones in the lower left
@ 58byCaptures White's single stone at the top
@ 58cm+1 +1Connects her two stones in the left centre.
@ 58byPushes into Black's lower left corner from the left
@ 58cn+1 JigoCaptures White's two stones in the lower left
@ 58co+1 JigoConnects her single stone in the right centre
@ 58cnPlays KataGo's bad-shape move in the left centre
@ 58cpJigo JigoCaptures White's single stone in the right centre
@ 58cpJigo JigoCaptures White's single stone in the right centre
@ 58cnAnswers with the solid connection in the left centre
@ 58by+1 JigoBlocks immediately
@ 58cq+1 +1Connects her two stones in the left centre.
@ 58cr+1 +1Connects above
@ 58cq+2 +1Connects below
@ 58by+1 JigoConnects her single stone in the right centre
@ 58bbGives atari at White's two stones in the lower left
@ 58cs+2 +4Plays the crosscut in the upper left corner
@ 58bbConnects her two stones in the lower left
@ 58ct+2 JigoDefends with the guzumi in the left centre
@ 58cu+3 +5Plays atari from the outside
@ 58ctAnswers with the inside atari
@ 58cv+2 JigoPlays the wedge in the right centre
@ 58ctDefends her territory in the upper right corner
@ 58cw+2 JigoDefends her territory in the upper right
@ 58ct+1 +1Occupies a liberty of Black's group at the right
@ 58bb+1 +1Defends his territory in the left centre
@ 58cx+1 +3Connects her single stone in the upper right
@ 58cy+1 +3Defends his territory in the left centre
@ 58cx+2 +4Descends to the upper edge
@ 58bbPlays KataGo's bad-shape move in the left centre
(.1) @ 58cz+1 +5Saves her single stone in the left centre
@ 58da+1 +5Descends to the upper edge
@ 58cz+2 +4Connects his stone in the left centre
(.2) @ 58db+1 +7Plays the wedge in the upper right
@ 58bb+1 +7Pushes from above in the bamboo joint

(.4) @ 58dc+2 +4Plays hasami-tsuke at the bottom
@ 58dd++ Plays the large hiki at the top
@ 58de++ Connects in the lower left
@ 58df++ Blocks to the left
@ 58dePlays in the middle of his eyeshape in the left centre
@ 58ddGives atari in the lower left
@ 58dcGives atari at White's just played stone
@ 58dg+2 +4Blocks the upper left corner, also giving atari at White's stone
@ 58dcDefends his lower left corner
@ 58dh+2 JigoPlays a forcing move at the first line
@ 58di+2 JigoStarts mutual destruction of opponent's territories
@ 58dhStarts mutual occupation of opponent's liberties
@ 58dcPlays a forcing move at the fourth line
@ 58dj+1 +5Connects her single stone in the right centre
@ 58dk+1 +5Blocks the upper left corner, also giving atari at White's stone
@ 58djProtects at the top
@ 58dc+2 +4Gives atari in the upper left
@ 58dm+2 JigoBlocks the upper right corner
@ 58dn+1 +1Destroys Black's territory at the left side of the board
@ 58dmOccupies opponent's liberty in the Main SEmeai
@ 58dcPlays kikashi in the lower left corner
@ 58do+2 JigoBlocks the upper right corner
@ 58dp+2 JigoReduces White's territory in the upper right
@ 58doOccupies an opponent's liberty in the Main Semeai
@ 58dcPushes into Black's territory in the left centre
@ 58dq+1 +1Blocks the upper right corner
@ 58dc+1 +1Reduces Black's territory in the left centre

(.5) @ 58dr+1 +3Plays the wedge in the left centre
@ 58ds+1 +3Defends his formation in the left centre
@ 58drBlocks his upper left corner at the left edge
@ 58dt+1 +3Defends his formation in the left centre
@ 58drDefends his formation in the upper left
@ 58du+1 +1Answers from the left
@ 58drAnswers from below
@ 58dv+1 +1Captures Black's single stone at the lower edge
@ 58dw+1 +1Captures White's single stone in the right centre
@ 58dvTakes a liberty of White's stones at the left
@ 58dxJigo JigoConnects her single stone at the upper edge
@ 58dv+2 +4Connects her single stone in the right centre
@ 58drContinues with the Main Semeai
@ 58dy+1 +3Connects his single stone at the bottom
@ 58dz+1 +1Captures White's single stone in the right centre
@ 58ea+2 +4Plays KataGo's solid connection in the left centre
@ 58dzConnects at the lower edge
@ 58dyTakes a liberty of White's stones at the left
@ 58dr+1 +1Captures White's two stones in the lower left
@ 58aiExtends into Black's upper left corner
@ 58eb+2 +2Extends into the corner along the upper edge
@ 58apGives atari at White's single stone
@ 58ec+3 +3Crosscuts at the top immediately
@ 58apGives atari in the corner
@ 58ed+2 +2Connects his single stone at the bottom
@ 58ap+2 +2Descends at the upper edge

@ 58aiPlays hasami-tsuke from the inside
@ 58aaCaptures Black's single stone in the lower left
@ 58ee+2 +4Gives atari at the nakade
@ 58aaPlays the attachment of Yamada Shinji
@ 58ef+2 +4Gives atari at the nakade
@ 58aaPlays crosscut in the corner
@ 58eg+3 +1Gives atari from the outside
@ 58eh+1 +3Connects her two stones at the lower edge
@ 58ei+1 Captures Black's single stone in the lower left
@ 58ehSecures a second eye for her centre group
@ 58egConnects her single stone in the right centre
@ 58aaGives atari at White's stone in the corner

Copyright © 2020 Thomas Redecker.

Design by Jan van Rongen, modified by Thomas Redecker.

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