:: Igo Hatsuyôron 120 (2021)

Variations of Our Solution (IIIb)

Tricking KataGo (Triple-Ko)

VAR (C) (A)

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White answers Michael Redmond's kikashi with the atari.

Please note that Black got an additional Main Semeai Liberty for his large right-hand group at .

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Black uses this liberty to close his upper left corner, while giving atari at White's three stones.

Compared to the subvariation, where is played at , instead of at , Black gained three points from capturing White's single stone in the corner. You will easily realise that is a lost move in this case.
Additionally, Black's connection at erases his shortage of liberties below, so making the reinforcement at superfluous. Black gains another point here.

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White continues with the Main Semeai.

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Black gives atari at White's two stones.

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White does not connect her two stones, because she would lose two tempi in the Main Semeai by this move.
There are too many open spots on the board (especially her three stones in the upper left corner in atari), which could be exploited by Black.

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Black captures White's two stones in the lower left.

Alternatively, he might play at in the left centre immediately.


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Please note that White would not benefit by playing the wedge in the left centre, instead.
There are still too many open endgame spots on the board.

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White starts the endgame at the left side of the board "early" by saving her three stones in the upper left.

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Black is able to play the large endgame move at the lower edge.

Black must not play any reduction.

After her decision point White will hane at , forcing Black to connect at before the end of the game.

Capture Variation:

Compared to the superordinate variation ...

  • Black gained an additional four points of territory in the upper left corner.
  • Black gained an additional three points of territory in the lower left corner.
  • White's got an additional three points of territory in the upper right corner.
  • White captured two Black stones there, so gaining foru points.

In total, gains and losses compensate for each other.

White + 3 => White + 3

Semeai Variation:

Compared to the superordinate variation ...

  • Black gained an additional four points of territory in the upper left corner.
  • Black gained an additional three points of territory in the lower left corner.
  • White's got an additional three points of territory in the upper right corner.
  • White captured two Black stones less in the upper right corner, so losing four points.

In total, White lost eight points.

Jigo => Black + 8

Copyright © 2021 Thomas Redecker.

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