:: Igo Hatsuyôron 120 (2026)

News From the Main Semeai World

Early Reduction of White's Upper Right Corner

During the Hanezeki Sequence




VAR (.2)   (cont.)

: ( 2720)
After the wandering of the Hanezeki's Tail through the centre of the board ( / ), the Crosscut Sequence ( / ), and some initial moves of the Nakade Sequence (, Black plays the placement at in the upper right corner.

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White's block separates Black's intruder from his allies below.

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So Black starts connecting to the left along the upper edge.

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Finally, White has to connect.

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Black initiates the Guzumi Exchange.

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The Main Semeai continues, taking a well known path.

And soon and so forth ...

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White does not connect the Atari at her two single stones below the Nakade.

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Black starts a Ko in the left centre, but which he will be unable to win.

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White re-captures the Ko.
For the sake of simplicity, we will let White connect the Ko much later.

It does not make sense for Black to fight a Ko here, as White can use her moves in the Main Semeai as Ko-treats.

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The Main Semeai continues.

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Black lets White capture his three stones at the upper edge.

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White captures now.

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White connects the Ko in the left centre.

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Black creates a Ko-shape at the right edge.

This shape is a bit tricky, so White must be on her guard. The order of moves matters here !

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White chooses the Capture Variation.

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Black re-captures.

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White plays Joachim's Oki in the Hanezeki.

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The time has come to capture the Ko at the right edge.
White must do so latest now !

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For the sake of simplicity, Black does not start a Ko-fight here.

He would lose this fight anyway, as both sides have an identical number of Ko-threats (Black: to / White: to ).


White wins the game by 3 points (Komi = 1) !

Copyright © 2026 Thomas Redecker.

Design by Jan van Rongen, modified by Thomas Redecker.

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