Haha, so much for my go playing. Much life is happening, much of it is good, but somehow it takes up a lot of time! I have been trying to get ASR games in the little bit of time I have left, but have not been very successful in meeting up with others in my group. I'd better get some more games in or I will go right back to gamma next month. Oh well.
Because I can't get ASR games I have been playing relaxed and reasonably fast games on wbaduk. Which would be wonderful if I didn't manage to keep getting killed in positions where I thought I would be fine.
Interesting playing style they have, tons of cutting and fighting. When I try to do it right back at them, I either get killed or I lose an arm or a leg or even more often, an eye.
If anything I am even more convinced of the value of studying capturing races more seriously. The easy ones are , well, easy but the more complicated ones mostly give me a head ache and a desire to take up chess.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Go for Broke
Yesterday we drove through the Green Mountains of Vermont to the 'Go for Broke' tournament in Middlebury. It is a small tournament, but always an excellent atmosphere.
My first game I had to give 4 handicap stones to a 4k. Hmmmm. At the end of middle game I still was too much behind so decided on a shobute invasion in his 'too big and maybe too open' territory. It was a bloody and complicated fight and in the end we got into a complicated capturing race. I won by luck. Did I mention I am in the process of studying capturing races more thoroughly?
Second game was an even game in which all kinds of stuff went wrong early on and featured yet another capturing race. There was blood all over the place but in the end I won by a small margin. Just for the record. I HATE the ING talking clocks but they are more bearable if you put them in Chinese since it's easier to tune out a language I don't understand.
The last game was another even game against another player who had gone 2-0 so far. Ugly stuff happened and at the end of the middle game I was too far behind and no aji to explore so I resigned.
End result: 2-1 which was enough to get my into second place and a beautiful Japanese print poster. Thanks to Pete Schumer for organizing an always fun tourney.
It was a good tournament and I am looking forward to sitting down and reviewing my games. Not today though, today is cleaning day in which I try to uncover my kitchen table. Fancy that. There must be a table somewhere under that stack of dishes!
My first game I had to give 4 handicap stones to a 4k. Hmmmm. At the end of middle game I still was too much behind so decided on a shobute invasion in his 'too big and maybe too open' territory. It was a bloody and complicated fight and in the end we got into a complicated capturing race. I won by luck. Did I mention I am in the process of studying capturing races more thoroughly?
Second game was an even game in which all kinds of stuff went wrong early on and featured yet another capturing race. There was blood all over the place but in the end I won by a small margin. Just for the record. I HATE the ING talking clocks but they are more bearable if you put them in Chinese since it's easier to tune out a language I don't understand.
The last game was another even game against another player who had gone 2-0 so far. Ugly stuff happened and at the end of the middle game I was too far behind and no aji to explore so I resigned.
End result: 2-1 which was enough to get my into second place and a beautiful Japanese print poster. Thanks to Pete Schumer for organizing an always fun tourney.
It was a good tournament and I am looking forward to sitting down and reviewing my games. Not today though, today is cleaning day in which I try to uncover my kitchen table. Fancy that. There must be a table somewhere under that stack of dishes!
Friday, February 04, 2011
Unexpected Move
I am really enjoying my more frequent playing and I get lots of opportunities to learn new things. Too bad I hadn't read Go Game's Guru article 5 Tips for Dealing with Unexpected Moves yet when I played this game. My opponent surprised me by playing A in reply to my pincer.
Even although I did stay calm (tip 1) I did not particularly respect my opponent ('This must be a mistake or a misclick or just no clue what he is doing'). I didn't really take my time to figure out his plan or read out everything. I just started playing in reply and hoping for the best. At first it seemed to be ok.
Until it wasn't ok anymore. Oops. This was a very bad not good result at all.
By now I have done some preliminary research and Kogo's says that this indeed is an existing move (who wouldave thunk!?) 'A special strategy, if White has something like the High Chinese Fuseki on the lower side..'
I also found the move in some pro games but haven't really figured out yet what to do next time. I guess it should be on my 'moves to study' list.
The game can be found here.
Even although I did stay calm (tip 1) I did not particularly respect my opponent ('This must be a mistake or a misclick or just no clue what he is doing'). I didn't really take my time to figure out his plan or read out everything. I just started playing in reply and hoping for the best. At first it seemed to be ok.
Until it wasn't ok anymore. Oops. This was a very bad not good result at all.
By now I have done some preliminary research and Kogo's says that this indeed is an existing move (who wouldave thunk!?) 'A special strategy, if White has something like the High Chinese Fuseki on the lower side..'
I also found the move in some pro games but haven't really figured out yet what to do next time. I guess it should be on my 'moves to study' list.
The game can be found here.
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Promoted!
In January I have been playing in the ASR league which is divided up in different layers: Super, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Epsilon. Every month the league promotes the top 4 players in a class and demotes the lowest 8 players.
I started out in Delta and first thought I would just play the minimum number of games to stay in my group (which is four games) and get enough points not to get demoted. Of course in the end my natural competitive instinct kicked in and I decided to try for promotion after all.
A few days before the end of the month I looked for a few more games and managed to get myself in the top 4 players.
This month I am a proud member of one of the Gamma groups. I bet promotion from this one is going to be harder though so we'll see what happens.
I started out in Delta and first thought I would just play the minimum number of games to stay in my group (which is four games) and get enough points not to get demoted. Of course in the end my natural competitive instinct kicked in and I decided to try for promotion after all.
A few days before the end of the month I looked for a few more games and managed to get myself in the top 4 players.
This month I am a proud member of one of the Gamma groups. I bet promotion from this one is going to be harder though so we'll see what happens.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
The Most Stupid Misread EVER!
Today I played an ASR game on KGS and read the ladder which would catch my stone. I read it perfectly. No, does not hit his stone. I am fine.
He played it anyway.
Hmmmm, how can he misread such a simple ladder? Checked again. No he MUST be wrong. It is soooooo not hitting his stone. I play a few more ladder moves.
Well one of us MUST be wrong. It can't be me, can it? This is such a simple ladder. No of course it must be him.
I read it again.
No, it is not hitting his stone. It is hitting the edge of the board instead. Duh!!!! I am DOOMED!!!
The joys of misreading a 29k ladder ^^
He played it anyway.
Hmmmm, how can he misread such a simple ladder? Checked again. No he MUST be wrong. It is soooooo not hitting his stone. I play a few more ladder moves.
Well one of us MUST be wrong. It can't be me, can it? This is such a simple ladder. No of course it must be him.
I read it again.
No, it is not hitting his stone. It is hitting the edge of the board instead. Duh!!!! I am DOOMED!!!
The joys of misreading a 29k ladder ^^
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Against All Odds: Playing Go!
Still lots of life going on but surprisingly enough I actually have managed to fit go in way more than I did last year. I have been playing in the Advanced Study Room League although I need more games to promote to a higher group and the month is almost over.
I had been playing on wbaduk but got discouraged when there was a lot going on and somehow I lost all my games (go always reflects my state of mind.) Today I finally played there again and WON a game though so maybe there is hope. It can't have to do anything with the fact that I meditated earlier today, right?
I managed to play the Boston tournament a few weeks ago which was awesome to be able to devote a whole day to go.
This is a good start of the year. I hope it will continue like this!
I had been playing on wbaduk but got discouraged when there was a lot going on and somehow I lost all my games (go always reflects my state of mind.) Today I finally played there again and WON a game though so maybe there is hope. It can't have to do anything with the fact that I meditated earlier today, right?
I managed to play the Boston tournament a few weeks ago which was awesome to be able to devote a whole day to go.
This is a good start of the year. I hope it will continue like this!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Massachussets Go Association Tournament
Last Sunday we drove down to Boston to play in the MGA tournament.
I won 2 games and lost 2 games which means it was a perfect tournament, right? The funny thing is that I was confident about my even games but not so confident about giving handicap. Which was not reflected in my results.
Hmmmm, I guess I am getting better at giving handicap. Or I just got lucky ^^
I won 2 games and lost 2 games which means it was a perfect tournament, right? The funny thing is that I was confident about my even games but not so confident about giving handicap. Which was not reflected in my results.
- First game against 1d: I lost;
- Second game against a 2d: I lost;
- Third game against a 2k, giving 2 handicap stones: I won;
- Fourth game against a 3k, 3H: I won (close game though);
Hmmmm, I guess I am getting better at giving handicap. Or I just got lucky ^^
Monday, January 03, 2011
Happy New Year!
May your year be filled with love, happiness, good friends and sente.
I finally joined the Advanced Study Room League. It is an interesting system and I am looking forward to getting some good games in.
The League divides group of players into Layers
The league is made out of multiple layers; Super, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Epsilon. The superclass floats above the league and is only available for 6d+ (link). The regular league works with the pyramid system. The pyramid means that for every layer you move down you double in size of classes. So Alpha splits into 2 Beta classes, Beta splits into 4 Gamma classes etc. Layer sizes might vary according to the number of entrants we have that month.
The layers are subdivided into Classes
A class consists of 14 players. The lowest layer in the league can have 20 players. This is done because often new players sign up but don’t play a lot. This way we can give new players the chance to still enjoy the league.
Every month we promote the top 3 players in a class and demote the lowest 6 players. The top 6 places in the league are always safe from demotion.
What I like most about the League is their focus on teaching and learning:
With a spread of ability in the majority of the classes, that there will always be stronger players to play that can be learned from, and weaker players that can be taught. At the end of each game, it is hoped that the stronger player will take the time to review the game for the weaker player. If the players are of even strength, much can be learned by reviewing the game together.
Every month is a new league and there are still many slots open for January. If you are interested log on to KGS, join the Advanced Study Room and sign up. It is for all level players so don't worry about being too weak, these games will help you get stronger.
I finally joined the Advanced Study Room League. It is an interesting system and I am looking forward to getting some good games in.
The League divides group of players into Layers
The league is made out of multiple layers; Super, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Epsilon. The superclass floats above the league and is only available for 6d+ (link). The regular league works with the pyramid system. The pyramid means that for every layer you move down you double in size of classes. So Alpha splits into 2 Beta classes, Beta splits into 4 Gamma classes etc. Layer sizes might vary according to the number of entrants we have that month.
The layers are subdivided into Classes
A class consists of 14 players. The lowest layer in the league can have 20 players. This is done because often new players sign up but don’t play a lot. This way we can give new players the chance to still enjoy the league.
Every month we promote the top 3 players in a class and demote the lowest 6 players. The top 6 places in the league are always safe from demotion.
What I like most about the League is their focus on teaching and learning:
With a spread of ability in the majority of the classes, that there will always be stronger players to play that can be learned from, and weaker players that can be taught. At the end of each game, it is hoped that the stronger player will take the time to review the game for the weaker player. If the players are of even strength, much can be learned by reviewing the game together.
Every month is a new league and there are still many slots open for January. If you are interested log on to KGS, join the Advanced Study Room and sign up. It is for all level players so don't worry about being too weak, these games will help you get stronger.
Monday, December 13, 2010
The Rollercoaster of Online Games
This morning no cats were around so I knew I could play a nice, focused game. Not sure who I was kidding but that was the mindset I had in the beginning.
I log on, find an opponent, and get black in our nigiri. We cruise along for a while. I make mistakes, he makes mistakes, life is fun. He makes his biggest mistake still and I manage to kill his group.
How regrettable for him. I relax into a 'I won the game' state of mind and stop paying attention to pesky details like white playing move A.
No reason to actually look at my opponent's moves, right, since I won the game already. I ignore his move and atari two of his stones at B.
He must have been very happy to bring his group back to life, I know I was laughing about the silliness of it all. So much for winning a won game. So much for certain victory. So much for 'black cannot lose now'. Gottalove reality checks.
My revenge came a few moves later when he did the exact same thing I did. I played A and he replied at B, giving me the game back. How generous of him.
I can't help but think that there is a life lesson in here somewhere, if only I could find it...
The whole sgf can be found here.
I log on, find an opponent, and get black in our nigiri. We cruise along for a while. I make mistakes, he makes mistakes, life is fun. He makes his biggest mistake still and I manage to kill his group.
How regrettable for him. I relax into a 'I won the game' state of mind and stop paying attention to pesky details like white playing move A.
No reason to actually look at my opponent's moves, right, since I won the game already. I ignore his move and atari two of his stones at B.
He must have been very happy to bring his group back to life, I know I was laughing about the silliness of it all. So much for winning a won game. So much for certain victory. So much for 'black cannot lose now'. Gottalove reality checks.
My revenge came a few moves later when he did the exact same thing I did. I played A and he replied at B, giving me the game back. How generous of him.
I can't help but think that there is a life lesson in here somewhere, if only I could find it...
The whole sgf can be found here.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Now What?
Today I played Chinese opening and black and at move 10 white surprised me. While I was thinking about the right reply, white resigned so I didn't get to try out anything.
What do you think would be best move for black now?
What do you think would be best move for black now?
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Lesson Learned
Today I learned that I should NOT have my cat around when I play go. See, this cute fluffy cat. Looks like a little angel, doesn't she?
This morning I played an online game.
She started walking all over my keyboard.
I pushed her off.
She came back.
I pushed her off.
She came back again.
I glared at her.
She purred and made herself comfortable.
I pushed her off.
She managed to make a MOVE in my go game for me on her way off. YIKES! Not a very good move either. Heck, it was a really bad move.
To add insult to injury, she spilled my tea all over me.
Lesson learned: She is not allowed in the room anymore when I play go. At least not today. Tomorrow I might feel sorry for her again when she is lonely and start the whole thing over.
I won the game anyway, but only barely so. No thanks to her!
This morning I played an online game.
She started walking all over my keyboard.
I pushed her off.
She came back.
I pushed her off.
She came back again.
I glared at her.
She purred and made herself comfortable.
I pushed her off.
She managed to make a MOVE in my go game for me on her way off. YIKES! Not a very good move either. Heck, it was a really bad move.
To add insult to injury, she spilled my tea all over me.
Lesson learned: She is not allowed in the room anymore when I play go. At least not today. Tomorrow I might feel sorry for her again when she is lonely and start the whole thing over.
I won the game anyway, but only barely so. No thanks to her!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Hooray! Gogrinder on the Move.
For years I have been using the gogrinder application on my computer to study go problems and basic corner shapes. I have found it an extremely useful application, so I was thrilled to find out that gogrinder now has been released for the iphone / ipod touch.
It works easily and intuitively and I have enjoyed using it. It comes with two problem collections, but it is very easy to add your own problem collections via an application called ggbundler. This can be found on the iphone gogrinder web site. I timed myself and it took me less than 10 minutes to find out how to upload my own problem collections, download the application, and start using it. I now can study whatever problems I want on my ipod touch.
The program has less options than the computer version, but I didn't find that to be a big issue. I would like to be able to order my problems in whatever order I like (like on the computer) but I can live with the iphone order. What I like better on the iphone is that I can ask for a hint and it will show me the next move, while on the computer I have to go back to the start of the problem to do so.
It is sometimes hard to hit the right stone location on the iphone, even with the cool magnifying glass, but that is more an ipod issue than a gogrinder issue. It hasn't interfered with my go studies.
For a mere $2.99 you can take all your go problems with you in the bus, in waiting rooms, during boring meetings, anywhere and increase the size of your go muscles. I am very happy with it.
It works easily and intuitively and I have enjoyed using it. It comes with two problem collections, but it is very easy to add your own problem collections via an application called ggbundler. This can be found on the iphone gogrinder web site. I timed myself and it took me less than 10 minutes to find out how to upload my own problem collections, download the application, and start using it. I now can study whatever problems I want on my ipod touch.
The program has less options than the computer version, but I didn't find that to be a big issue. I would like to be able to order my problems in whatever order I like (like on the computer) but I can live with the iphone order. What I like better on the iphone is that I can ask for a hint and it will show me the next move, while on the computer I have to go back to the start of the problem to do so.
It is sometimes hard to hit the right stone location on the iphone, even with the cool magnifying glass, but that is more an ipod issue than a gogrinder issue. It hasn't interfered with my go studies.
For a mere $2.99 you can take all your go problems with you in the bus, in waiting rooms, during boring meetings, anywhere and increase the size of your go muscles. I am very happy with it.
Thursday, November 04, 2010
L Plus 2
I have been playing on wbaduk, and have had some interesting life and death situations. Maybe more death situations than I would like to admit but that is another story. For now want to share this L+2 group followup.
In this game I was white and had a beautiful L+2 group, totally surrounded by black, but as we all know, healthy and alive.
We were in endgame and I had played one hane to the outside and felt comfortable leaving my group for perceived bigger moves.
He hane-ed from the other side, which I read as not sente, since if he extended I could just atari and connect and I would still be alive.
I played tenuki and he extended his hane stone. I was all prepared, atari-ed, expecting him to connect. Only he didn't! I can't believe he didn't just play the move I wanted him to play! Instead he counter atari-ed at A.
After I took, he played kosumi and we ended up in a seki (side note: even although I didn't add black stones to the left of the group, there were a lot, so couldn't really do anything there to increase liberties on that P1 stone. )
Hmmm, interesting. I looked at it later and could find no way to not end in seki but instead live with points. I clearly didn't read deeply enough when I decided to ignore his initial hane, since the seki made that move a lot bigger than it was otherwise. And here I thought I knew 'everything' about L+2 groups...
In this game I was white and had a beautiful L+2 group, totally surrounded by black, but as we all know, healthy and alive.
We were in endgame and I had played one hane to the outside and felt comfortable leaving my group for perceived bigger moves.
He hane-ed from the other side, which I read as not sente, since if he extended I could just atari and connect and I would still be alive.
I played tenuki and he extended his hane stone. I was all prepared, atari-ed, expecting him to connect. Only he didn't! I can't believe he didn't just play the move I wanted him to play! Instead he counter atari-ed at A.
After I took, he played kosumi and we ended up in a seki (side note: even although I didn't add black stones to the left of the group, there were a lot, so couldn't really do anything there to increase liberties on that P1 stone. )
Hmmm, interesting. I looked at it later and could find no way to not end in seki but instead live with points. I clearly didn't read deeply enough when I decided to ignore his initial hane, since the seki made that move a lot bigger than it was otherwise. And here I thought I knew 'everything' about L+2 groups...
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Boston Tournament
Yesterday I played in the quarterly MGA tournament.
Game 1: I played black against 1d, started an avalanche and a mess and won.
Game 2: I played black against another shodan, started a mess and lost.
Game 3: Gave 4H to a 4k, despaired, made a shobute mess and won.
Game 4: I gave 9H to a ddk, played steadily and won.
End result: three wins, one loss, fifth place.
Game 1: I played black against 1d, started an avalanche and a mess and won.
Game 2: I played black against another shodan, started a mess and lost.
Game 3: Gave 4H to a 4k, despaired, made a shobute mess and won.
Game 4: I gave 9H to a ddk, played steadily and won.
End result: three wins, one loss, fifth place.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
The Woodlands: Porch and Simul
Apart from the abundance of go at The Woodlands, there is The Porch. Early morning, when you wake up, you wander to the porch to drink tea with other early birds. People will be playing go and it is the best place to eat pancakes with maple syrup.
Afternoon tea is much better on the porch than it is inside the building, especially with wonderful loose leaf tea.
On Monday she gave a simul against all of us. You know, one of these games where you put down your handicap stones, start fighting, have this beautiful moyo. That moyo which 20 moves later is struggling to make two eyes, or at least one and a half so it might be able to win the capturing race... Or maybe you just found yourself a perfect place to resign.
She won all her games. Such power!
Afternoon tea is much better on the porch than it is inside the building, especially with wonderful loose leaf tea.
On Monday she gave a simul against all of us. You know, one of these games where you put down your handicap stones, start fighting, have this beautiful moyo. That moyo which 20 moves later is struggling to make two eyes, or at least one and a half so it might be able to win the capturing race... Or maybe you just found yourself a perfect place to resign.
She won all her games. Such power!
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