Let's just say I still have lots of room for improvement in my tournament play.
First game against European 2d, I lost.
Second game, against American 1k, another loss.
Third game, against 2d, lost.
Fourth game, against 4k, giving 4H, lost.
Yes, that is 0-4. It happens. Will study my game records and get stronger. I feel good about getting tournament experiences and having good games to review. Now I just need to figure out how to win in tournaments ^^
Friday, July 25, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Boston Tournament
Today made arrangements so that I can go to Boston on Sunday to play in the MGA tournament. Looking forward to a day full of go and serious games.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Back to Basics Yet Again
And yet again, I find myself going back to basics. Corner shapes. Been there before, will be there again, and trying to regain my earlier mastery of L-groups, J-groups, and variants. Or should it be called mastery if I have forgotten so many details?
Anyway, I am studying basic corner shapes and pondering the fact that go study always end up going back to basics. How peculiar. And I never seem to have mastered any of the basics as much as I should. How annoying!
Maybe it's time to reread Lessons in the Fundamentals of Go, just need to find some spare time somewhere.
For now, a L-group problem for fun and entertainment, black to play.
Enjoy!
Anyway, I am studying basic corner shapes and pondering the fact that go study always end up going back to basics. How peculiar. And I never seem to have mastered any of the basics as much as I should. How annoying!
Maybe it's time to reread Lessons in the Fundamentals of Go, just need to find some spare time somewhere.
For now, a L-group problem for fun and entertainment, black to play.
Enjoy!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
More of the teaching game against minue.
Second interesting situation in the game:
Here, we had a fight in the upper left, which got good result for black, and black needs to figure out what to do now. Sounds easy, eh?
I looked at the board, and decided that I wanted to pull out my F10 stones. Mostly for lack of finding better moves, not because I was convinced it was the right thing to do. The game goes downhill very fast from there. Bad bad bad idea.
What I didn't recognize, was how light my F10 stones were. I used them to get good corner result. They served their purpose and are disposable now. Instead, the focus point of the game is somewhere else.
Let's pretend black will pass, where would white like to play? White would love to get move A. Black just has to prevent white from doing so, and black's game is fine.
Black has pretty easy way of checking the top, for example this:
Game is good for black now.
Moral of the story: Don't try to save light stones by making them heavy.
The game review has more followups and variations.
Second interesting situation in the game:
Here, we had a fight in the upper left, which got good result for black, and black needs to figure out what to do now. Sounds easy, eh?
I looked at the board, and decided that I wanted to pull out my F10 stones. Mostly for lack of finding better moves, not because I was convinced it was the right thing to do. The game goes downhill very fast from there. Bad bad bad idea.
What I didn't recognize, was how light my F10 stones were. I used them to get good corner result. They served their purpose and are disposable now. Instead, the focus point of the game is somewhere else.
Let's pretend black will pass, where would white like to play? White would love to get move A. Black just has to prevent white from doing so, and black's game is fine.
Black has pretty easy way of checking the top, for example this:
Game is good for black now.
Moral of the story: Don't try to save light stones by making them heavy.
The game review has more followups and variations.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Interesting Moves
I played a game against my teacher Minue with two interesting board situations. This was a 2H game. Here is the first board situation. Black to move.
This was where I wasn't sure what would be the correct move for this board. I ended up playing C12:
When I self reviewed the game, with some friends, I did not really like that move, and thought I should have played L17 or E16 instead. Minue didn't agree and said C12 wasn't bad, so that wasn't my big mistake this game. Although E16 got a 'This move is ok too'.
The interesting moves he showed me here were those:
I never pondered that follow up, will have to experiment with it. The other move I could consider was this one:
Interesting ideas.
My big mistake was later during this game, but that will have to be posted another day. Stay tuned for further developments!
This was where I wasn't sure what would be the correct move for this board. I ended up playing C12:
When I self reviewed the game, with some friends, I did not really like that move, and thought I should have played L17 or E16 instead. Minue didn't agree and said C12 wasn't bad, so that wasn't my big mistake this game. Although E16 got a 'This move is ok too'.
The interesting moves he showed me here were those:
I never pondered that follow up, will have to experiment with it. The other move I could consider was this one:
Interesting ideas.
My big mistake was later during this game, but that will have to be posted another day. Stay tuned for further developments!
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Focus
Lesson of the day: stay focused!
Yes, I know that has been a lesson many other days. Today, it hit home when I had killed a group, was comfortably ahead, and listened to my kids playing instead of thinking about the game.
He threatens to connect to his dead group and I totally make an unrelated move, taking a few points, but allowing him to get back to life.
What was an easy game, now turned into a 'grab every point you can!' one and I ended up winning by a few points. It helped that his resurrected group consisted of 30 stones surrounding zero points. Gotta love stone efficiency!
And gotta love focus or lack thereof. It is bad form to lose focus during game, just because one is winning. I guess after focus, I might revisit 'Winning a won game.'
Yes, I know that has been a lesson many other days. Today, it hit home when I had killed a group, was comfortably ahead, and listened to my kids playing instead of thinking about the game.
He threatens to connect to his dead group and I totally make an unrelated move, taking a few points, but allowing him to get back to life.
What was an easy game, now turned into a 'grab every point you can!' one and I ended up winning by a few points. It helped that his resurrected group consisted of 30 stones surrounding zero points. Gotta love stone efficiency!
And gotta love focus or lack thereof. It is bad form to lose focus during game, just because one is winning. I guess after focus, I might revisit 'Winning a won game.'
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Simul Game
Yes, I know, I have been absent from this blog for too long. I seem to have an overabundance of life lately. Not in a bad way, just in an overwhelming way. One good part of life was becoming an American citizen yesterday. Wow! Huge step, I am no longer Dutch.
But back to the weiqi work shop in the Woodlands. The last day, our teacher gave a simul. We paired up to decrease the number of boards. The group was way too big for individual boards. The pairing up worked out quite well. It was nice to have someone to talk about the game and discuss best next move.
Of course, we ended up losing the game, but we had a great grand finale, in which we suicided our own corner. Well, technically it was a ko, but we had played all our ko threats as timesujis.
And yes, that was the Tsumego of the Day I posted last month. Enjoy watching us mess it up.
But back to the weiqi work shop in the Woodlands. The last day, our teacher gave a simul. We paired up to decrease the number of boards. The group was way too big for individual boards. The pairing up worked out quite well. It was nice to have someone to talk about the game and discuss best next move.
Of course, we ended up losing the game, but we had a great grand finale, in which we suicided our own corner. Well, technically it was a ko, but we had played all our ko threats as timesujis.
And yes, that was the Tsumego of the Day I posted last month. Enjoy watching us mess it up.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Tsumego of the Day
Just a little endgame fun in our (cynewulf and me) simul game . White to play and laugh.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Quote of the day
Background: driving around with my 16yo after lifting weights. A discussion is going on about being right and wrong and whether people are willing to admit to being wrong. I think more about the subject and offer my 'One good thing about my playing go is that I have learned to be more humble.'
My darling son replies 'Well, if playing go makes you humble, you should play much more go!'
My darling son replies 'Well, if playing go makes you humble, you should play much more go!'
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Before I Post Any Games
I had to share this picture which my friend gottago sent to me. All thanks to the durians my friend tillydilly got for me. It's wonderful to have good friends, who are willing to drive for hours on end with durians in car.
What is a durian, you ask? Well, it is generally considered the King of Fruits, at least by people without a sense of smell. It is a tropical fruit which grows on trees. One durian is the size of a bunch of coconuts, and totally covered in spikes. It uses those spikes to jump out of trees and kill people. How can one not love a fruit like that?
The durian has been described as "A rich custard highly flavoured with almonds gives the best general idea of it, but there are occasional wafts of flavour that call to mind cream-cheese, onion-sauce, sherry-wine, and other incongruous dishes. Then there is a rich glutinous smoothness in the pulp which nothing else possesses, but which adds to its delicacy. It is neither acid nor sweet nor juicy; yet it wants neither of these qualities, for it is in itself perfect. It produces no nausea or other bad effect, and the more you eat of it the less you feel inclined to stop. In fact, to eat Durians is a new sensation worth a voyage to the East to experience. ... as producing a food of the most exquisite flavour it is unsurpassed."
Of course, other people aren't as in favor of it, and wrongly describe it as "... its odor is best described as pig-shit, turpentine and onions, garnished with a gym sock. It can be smelled from yards away. Despite its great local popularity, the raw fruit is forbidden from some establishments such as hotels, subways and airports, including public transportation in Southeast Asia."
An Indonesian go friend told me about them, and of course, a few years ago, I had to find one to try. I loved it!
Anyway, last weekend, Sean got two for me. I told people about them, and opened them on Monday morning. The reactions were interesting. More people than I expected were willing to try it, but there were a lot who stayed far away from it. Weird.
There were remainders, so I gathered them up in a ziploc bag to take it home. I made Bill promise not to tell Rich I had them in the car with me. I mean, some information is better not shared. We hadn't been on the drive for more than ten minutes, when Rich goes 'Karen!'. I had the feeling that I knew what he was going to ask. His tone of voice cued me into what he might be referring to. 'Did you bring any durian?!?!' Geez, it was in a ziploc bag, how could I know his sense of smell was so good????? I made up for it by sharing the durian with my carpool mates, some for Lihu's mom, some for Bill's wife, and some for Rich's goat...
Now if only I could get someone to bring a mangosteen to those workshops!
What is a durian, you ask? Well, it is generally considered the King of Fruits, at least by people without a sense of smell. It is a tropical fruit which grows on trees. One durian is the size of a bunch of coconuts, and totally covered in spikes. It uses those spikes to jump out of trees and kill people. How can one not love a fruit like that?
The durian has been described as "A rich custard highly flavoured with almonds gives the best general idea of it, but there are occasional wafts of flavour that call to mind cream-cheese, onion-sauce, sherry-wine, and other incongruous dishes. Then there is a rich glutinous smoothness in the pulp which nothing else possesses, but which adds to its delicacy. It is neither acid nor sweet nor juicy; yet it wants neither of these qualities, for it is in itself perfect. It produces no nausea or other bad effect, and the more you eat of it the less you feel inclined to stop. In fact, to eat Durians is a new sensation worth a voyage to the East to experience. ... as producing a food of the most exquisite flavour it is unsurpassed."
Of course, other people aren't as in favor of it, and wrongly describe it as "... its odor is best described as pig-shit, turpentine and onions, garnished with a gym sock. It can be smelled from yards away. Despite its great local popularity, the raw fruit is forbidden from some establishments such as hotels, subways and airports, including public transportation in Southeast Asia."
An Indonesian go friend told me about them, and of course, a few years ago, I had to find one to try. I loved it!
Anyway, last weekend, Sean got two for me. I told people about them, and opened them on Monday morning. The reactions were interesting. More people than I expected were willing to try it, but there were a lot who stayed far away from it. Weird.
There were remainders, so I gathered them up in a ziploc bag to take it home. I made Bill promise not to tell Rich I had them in the car with me. I mean, some information is better not shared. We hadn't been on the drive for more than ten minutes, when Rich goes 'Karen!'. I had the feeling that I knew what he was going to ask. His tone of voice cued me into what he might be referring to. 'Did you bring any durian?!?!' Geez, it was in a ziploc bag, how could I know his sense of smell was so good????? I made up for it by sharing the durian with my carpool mates, some for Lihu's mom, some for Bill's wife, and some for Rich's goat...
Now if only I could get someone to bring a mangosteen to those workshops!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Back Home
Last night, I came home from an awesome weekend, filled with the best friends, awesome food, lots of laughter, good wine, and oh, we played go too.
Some highlights:
Everything about the weekend was excellent. More details to follow later, have to go lift some weights first.
Some highlights:
- The beautiful weather;
- The walks;
- The fantastic food;
- The exciting games;
- Survivor Go;
- The joys of durians;
- The midnight walk;
- The camaraderie;
- The aikido at the lake;
- The simul which caused much weeping and wailing, and gnashing of teeth;
- Hanging out with good friends, both old and new ones;
- The fresh lychees;
- Laying on the grass, gazing at the stars, enjoying the lake and the people around me;
- The 1 am seven person rengo;
- The trash talking;
- Did I mention the food? ;
- The late night sipping of good port and sharing stories;
- The geocaching;
- The picnic at the cemetery.
Everything about the weekend was excellent. More details to follow later, have to go lift some weights first.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Moving Into a Cave
I really should stop having a life and move into a cave.
With a goban.
And internet.
So I can mindless web surf instead of study. Wait... Never mind.
Still trying to get through all ten counting lectures before tomorrow. Showing myself being both an overachiever and an optimist. It would be easier without ten handicap stones (three extra kids today) and too many shiny things in my inbox and my house. Stuck at lecture seven for the last five hours.
Maybe I will have to throw clothes in a suitcase too at some point, or at least go books.
With a goban.
And internet.
So I can mindless web surf instead of study. Wait... Never mind.
Still trying to get through all ten counting lectures before tomorrow. Showing myself being both an overachiever and an optimist. It would be easier without ten handicap stones (three extra kids today) and too many shiny things in my inbox and my house. Stuck at lecture seven for the last five hours.
Maybe I will have to throw clothes in a suitcase too at some point, or at least go books.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Two Days
Only two days till I will leave. I baked brownies to take (hi cyne ^^)
I would like to tell about all the hard studying I did to prepare for the workshop, but I would be lying. Working my way through the counting lectures in preparation, I just wish my life wouldn't keep interfering.
Will be a great weekend!
I would like to tell about all the hard studying I did to prepare for the workshop, but I would be lying. Working my way through the counting lectures in preparation, I just wish my life wouldn't keep interfering.
Will be a great weekend!
Monday, April 28, 2008
It's Official!
Took long enough, but after Boston, I finally made it into the official ranks of AGA danhood. Barely so, but I'll take it. I am 1.00839 now, so I'd better play well next time and increase that a bit.
Boston somehow motivated me to get back into being obsessed with baduk (well, as much as I can be with all the stuff in my life going on at the moment) Decided that reading novels will be out for a while, it's go problem books all the way. And I am studying Appreciating Famous Games, although it's slow going. Very enjoyable though.
Boston somehow motivated me to get back into being obsessed with baduk (well, as much as I can be with all the stuff in my life going on at the moment) Decided that reading novels will be out for a while, it's go problem books all the way. And I am studying Appreciating Famous Games, although it's slow going. Very enjoyable though.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Quote of the Day
Just a reminder of something we should know, but not always easy to remember.
"Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment. Full effort is full victory."
-- Mahatma Gandhi
Of course, this means that full effort is required, which I have to admit is not always happening in my online games. Something to work at!
"Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment. Full effort is full victory."
-- Mahatma Gandhi
Of course, this means that full effort is required, which I have to admit is not always happening in my online games. Something to work at!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Quick Boston Update
Game 1: against 2k, giving 2H, won by 8.5 points.
Game 2: against 2d, i took black, no komi, lost by 2.5 points because of sloppy yose in byo yomi.
Game 3: against 3k, giving 3H, lost by resign when I was 10-15 points behind still and not enough end game left.
Game 4: against 4k, giving 4H, lost by resign when I couldn't find any more chances and I was too much behind.
More later, sleep first.
Game 2: against 2d, i took black, no komi, lost by 2.5 points because of sloppy yose in byo yomi.
Game 3: against 3k, giving 3H, lost by resign when I was 10-15 points behind still and not enough end game left.
Game 4: against 4k, giving 4H, lost by resign when I couldn't find any more chances and I was too much behind.
More later, sleep first.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Boston Go Tournament Tomorrow!
Tomorrow, Boston Spring Tournament!
Will be interesting, I haven't been playing as much as usual. I guess I will either play well and win many games, or play horrible, and lose many. Both ways, I will learn many things, I am sure. Wish me luck! Or maybe just calmness and focus.
Will be interesting, I haven't been playing as much as usual. I guess I will either play well and win many games, or play horrible, and lose many. Both ways, I will learn many things, I am sure. Wish me luck! Or maybe just calmness and focus.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Oza Game Six: The Shame!
This game was ...
bad.
I could come up with many excuses, about being tired, about trying too hard, about it being the last game. But the story is, that I just played some bad moves without enough thinking. Or without thinking at all.
My favorite review quote: "White A is just unthinkable. If I were white, I wouldn't be able to sleep that night, full of anger, having played this humiliating move"
This summarizes the game, it mostly teaches me to take a deep breath, focus and be present. Not just play the first likely move. Or unlikely move. This game is more about lack of discipline than about lack of go knowledge.
The good news is that I had a great time at the oza, meeting many people I had only met on line before. On Monday, we did some sightseeing of Baltimore, which was fun in itself. And I learned lots from all my games, now I just need to apply it.
bad.
I could come up with many excuses, about being tired, about trying too hard, about it being the last game. But the story is, that I just played some bad moves without enough thinking. Or without thinking at all.
My favorite review quote: "White A is just unthinkable. If I were white, I wouldn't be able to sleep that night, full of anger, having played this humiliating move"
This summarizes the game, it mostly teaches me to take a deep breath, focus and be present. Not just play the first likely move. Or unlikely move. This game is more about lack of discipline than about lack of go knowledge.
The good news is that I had a great time at the oza, meeting many people I had only met on line before. On Monday, we did some sightseeing of Baltimore, which was fun in itself. And I learned lots from all my games, now I just need to apply it.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Oza Game Five: Moyo Madness
Yes, I know, I have not been posting. Got kind of distracted by kicking out my husband. Which was good decision, but had me pay less attention to go for a few weeks. Life is good now though, the lack of negative energy in the house is amazing, and I hope my go will reflect that. Some day ^^
I almost decided to skip my Oza game 5 and 6, but I want to add them for completeness. I'll keep it pretty short though.
Game five story in a nutshell: he made big moyo, I tried to stay calm and not panic. The important word being 'tried' Somehow, it didn't quite work out that way ^^ Here is one of the positions.
The calm thing to do would be to play at A, get thick and attack the B group. Sendol showed this:
Not quite what happened in the game. I guess this is where I lost my calmness, and things kind of detoriated. I ended up losing by 6.5 points. I will share my sendol review of the game. It has many interesting variations. Too bad I didn't find them during the game. Enjoy!
I almost decided to skip my Oza game 5 and 6, but I want to add them for completeness. I'll keep it pretty short though.
Game five story in a nutshell: he made big moyo, I tried to stay calm and not panic. The important word being 'tried' Somehow, it didn't quite work out that way ^^ Here is one of the positions.
The calm thing to do would be to play at A, get thick and attack the B group. Sendol showed this:
Not quite what happened in the game. I guess this is where I lost my calmness, and things kind of detoriated. I ended up losing by 6.5 points. I will share my sendol review of the game. It has many interesting variations. Too bad I didn't find them during the game. Enjoy!
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