Get Strong at Attacking 4906574602, 9784906574605

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Get Strong at Go Series, Volume 10

GET STRONG AT ATTACKING by Richard Bozulich

Kiseido Publishing Company Tokyo, Santa Monica, Amsterdam

Published by Kiseido Publishing Company CPO Box 1140 Tokyo, Japan

Copyright © 2000 by Richard Bozulich

All rights reserved according to international law. No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic, or electronic process, nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or otherwise copied for public or private use without the written permission of the publisher.

ISBN 4-906574-60-2

Cover: Go-Board Tadanobu. Oban print by Sadafusa, published by Kikuya Ichibei in 1840. From the collection of Mizuguchi Fujio. For the background and story of this and other Japanese prints (‘ukiyo-e’) see Japanese Prints and the World of Go on the kiseido web site at http://www.kiseido.com/.

First Printing November 2000 Printed in Japan

Contents Perel

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Some Important Terms and Concepts. .....

Introduction: How to Attack

136. Provilems 274 wc% topro?Bo

—

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Preface The techniques of attacking, along with tesuji and life-and-death, are part of the middle game, but, whereas you will find an abundance of literature on the latter two subjects, books that focus solely on creating or spotting vulnerable stones, then illustrating how to correctly attack them, are hard to find.

This book is aimed at helping to alleviate this lack. Accurate analysis — spotting tesujis and killing or rescuing stones — is certainly the backbone of middle-game strength, but creating or finding vulnerable stones, then attacking them correctly is an equally important technique and one that many amateurs are deficient in. The 136 problems in this book illustrate: * the importance of securing your stones before attacking; * in which direction to attack, taking into account the strength and weakness of your own stones and those of your opponent's; * when it is advantageous to confine your opponent's stones or when it is better to gouge out their eye space; * how to execute leaning attacks, that is, attacking stones in one part of the board in order to build strength to capture or threaten stones somewhere else;

* splitting attacks, where stones are separated into two groups and both are put under siege; * that the ultimate purpose of attacking is not to kill your opponent's stones, but to threaten them so as to secure territory or to build influence. The answers to the problems in this book are.not definitive. Go is not an exact science and many professional players differ on what moves are best. The reasons for this is mainly a matter of style. However, the moves I label correct are good moves that any professionals would consider playing. The problems in this book were taken from many sources: from my own games, games that I have observed, professional games, as well as positions presented in other books. I must thank Rob van Zeijst who has provided me with analyses for a large number of the problems here. I must also thank Fukui Susumu 9-dan and Nobuta Shigehito 6-dan for their comments on many of the problems and their instruction games, from which I extracted many of the problems presented here. Richard Bozulich November 2000

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Some Important Terms and Concepts We must first introduce some Japanese and English go terms used in this book. Most of them can be found in any beginner’s book, but we define them here for the benefit of readers who may not be familiar with them.

aji Ajirefers to latent possibilities that exist in a position. Although these possibilities may never be realized, their existence influences the course of the game and enables certain moves to be made. In Dia. 1a the marked white stone in the corner is dead, but it still has aji. Because of its aji, White need not fear Black’s pushing through at A,so he can jump to 1, rescuing his three stones at the top.

If Black does push through and tries to confine White to the top with 1 and 3 in Dia. 1b, White ataris with 4. After Black defends with 5, the aji of the

marked stone comes to life and White captures Black’s stones on the right with 6 and 8.

atari Atari is a threat to capture a stone or a group of stones on the next move.

The white stone in Dia. 2a is in atari. If White doesn’t defend by extending to A, Black may capture it with 1 in Dia. 2b. The result is shown in Dia. 2c.

Dia. 2c

Some Important Terms and Concepts

gote Gote is amove which does not require an answer; a defensive move. Compare sente.

hane Hane is a diagonal move played from a friendly stone in contact with an enemy stone. White 1 in Dia. 3 is an example of a hane.

ko Kois a situation of repetitive capture. In Dia. 4a, Black can capture a white stone, which he does with 1 in Dia. 4b. At this point it you might think White could immediately recapture at A in Dia. 4c, but this would lead to an endless cycle of capture and recapture. To avoid this, there is a rule which stipulates that the player whose stone is captured must make a move elsewhere before he can come back and recapture.

Dia. 4a

Dia. 4b

milal

Mai refers to two points of approximately equal value. If your opponent takes one of them, you can (and usually must) take the other. The points A and B in Dia. 5 are miai, so White is alive. If Black plays A, White makes two eyes by playing at B. Conversely, if Black B, White makes his second eye at A.

Some Important Terms and Concepts

moyo Moyo is a framework which maps out a large area of potential territory. Some moyos are huge, while others are modest in size. In Dia. 6, the four white stones in the upper left map out a moyo. The four black stones in the upper right map out an even larger moyo from his corner enclosure along the upper right side and the top right. If Black were to play at A with his next move, he would have mapped out a huge moyo in the upper right quadrant

of the board.

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sabaki

When your stones are outnumbered in one part of the board, your aim

will not be to make territory; rather, you will want to make good shape, rich in eye potential, so that your stones, if attacked, can easily make eyes in the area where they are attacked or can easily escape into the center. This is called sabaki. When making sabaki, it is not unusual to sacrifice some of the stones which are under attack. Here are two related concepts.

light

Stones are referred to as ‘light’ if they can be sacrificed to help other stones make good shape. A move played in the vicinity of stones that are to be sacrificed is called a ‘light move’. Moves that make sabakiare called ‘light’.

—iVii—

Some Important Terms and Concepts

heavy Stones which are heavy can’t easily make eye shape and are vulnerable. If a group ends up as heavy, it has failed to make sabaki. Here are some diagrams which illustrate these concepts.

In Dia. 7, Black has mapped out a moyo at the top. If White wants to reduce this moyo, he can begin with a probe at 1. If Black blocks at 2, White will cut with 3 in Dia. 8 and play the forcing moves of 5 and 7. Next —

White 1 in Dia. 9 looks like an efficient move because it defends the two cutting point at A and B. In spite of this, it is bad. Black will peep with 1 and 3 in Dia. 10, and White is left with a clump of stones lacking eye-making potential after Black 5. These stones have now become ‘heavy’.

Dia. 11

Dia, I?

Since White 1 in Dia. 9 results in a heavy shape, it has failed sabaki. The correct way for White to play after Black 6 in Dia. 8 is with 11. White 1 is ‘light’ because it doesn’t defend the cutting points at and treats the marked stones lightly — that is, White is willing to them for the greater good.

— vill —

to make 1 in Dia. A and B sacrifice

Some Important Terms and Concepts

For example, if Black does cut with 1 in Dia. 12, White can make a shape with eye-making potential with the sequence to 8. White has made sabaki.

Dia. 13

Black could also cut at 1 in Dia. 13. White would then defend at 2. Black must extend to 3 and White jumps to 4 — a wedge has been driven between the two black positions at the top. He also has at least one eye at the top and is out into the center. White has succeeded in making sabaki.

sente A move that must be answered; an offensive move. Compare gote.

tesuji A skillful move which accomplishes some clear tactical objective, such as capturing a group, rescuing one of your own groups, linking up your stones, separating your opponent's stones, or making good shape.

thick A thick position has few or no defects, i.e., cutting points. Thick positions are useful in that they can be used for attacking. Conversely, thick positions are hard to attack and it should be impossible for the opposing side to make sabaki against it. thin Stones which are weak or widely separated are called thin. Unlike thick groups, stones which are thin are easily attacked.

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Introduction: How to Attack Attacking usually occurs in the middle game, but there are many occasions where attacking opportunities arise in the opening, especially in handicap games. This is because a player who has a handicap starts with an advantage so that he can quickly establish strong and secure positions. And strong positions are the key to successful attacks. Here is the fundamental principle of attacking:

* Attack from a position of strength. If the stones that are used in your attack are weak, they could end up being the ones attacked. Consider Dia. 1.

Dia. 1

Black caps with 1 and it seems as if he is building influence in the center while forcing White run away with 2 and 4. Black keeps up the pressure with 5, but suddenly White plays a forcing move with 6 and jumps to 8, splitting the marked stones from their allies on the left. Black now has two weak groups and it is hard to tell who is the attacker and who is the one being attacked. Both sides are in for a hard fight and the outcome is far from clear. (Taken from Problems 50 and 135.) If Black already had a stone at 8, Black 3 and 5 would be a devastating attack and White would be crushed. —_

X

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Introduction: How to Attack

Another important attacking principle:

* The ultimate purpose of an attack is to threaten your opponent’s stones in such a way that you gain profit, either by securing territory or by building influence. In other words, don’t try to kill the stones you are attacking. Chase them, harass them, tease them, torment them; but don’t make any great effort to kill them. If it turns out that you are able to kill them, all the better, but don’t

make that your ultimate goal. Dia. 2 is an example. Black has strong positions at the top and on the right, which he uses to attack the four white stones at the top with 1. White runs away with 2, 4, and 8,

hoping to link up with his secure position in the upper left corner, while Black presses with 3 and 7. Note that the value of each of White’s moves is zero. In contrast, Black is building influence that radiates throughout the board. Clearly, Black’s moves must be good! Black 5 and 9 exploit the aji of his four dead stones in the corner, and Black 11 forces White to defend at 12.

Finally, Black plays 13 and his influence dominates the center and works beautifully with his wall below. This is a textbook example of an attack.

oe Dia. 2 Dia. 3 Some players might be tempted to try and kill the white stones with the atari of Black 1 followed by 3 in Dia. 3. But White would threaten the black stones on the left with 4 and 6, then make shape with 8 after Black defends with 7. The black stones in the center are now thin and it is White who has taken the initiative in the center. Black 1 and 3 are completely unreasonable.

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Introduction: How to Attack

The above two principles will go a long way in helping you become an effective attacking player. But it is necessary for you to learn some basic attacking techniques as well. =

Attacking with Caps and Knight’s Moves Two of the most common are capping moves and the knight’s moves. We've already seen examples of these in Dia. 1, namely, Black 1 and 3 (both are good moves, but Black 5 there is not). Look at Dia. 4 (Taken from Problem

16).

Dia. 4

White has just jumped into hostile territory with his marked stone. Black can get a clear advantage if he attacks correctly. The two main candidate moves are A and B, but a lot of players would also consider jumping to C or extending diagonally with D. The first thing you must do when faced with a situation such as this is to have a clear idea of your goal. It is unreasonable for Black to expect to kill this stone. A reasonable goal would be to let it live, but confine it to the top. With this goal in mind, Black C is rejected because White can jump to A and his stones are out in the open. Extending diagonally with Black D is also not consistent with Black’s goal because White again escapes into the center with E. What about capping at Black A? This cap is the kind of severe attacking move that often succeeds, but here White will be able to break out by extending diagonally to D. Black’s stones on the left will become strong and he will secure the territory there. But White will escape into the center and Black’s wall on the left will not have been used effectively. =

Introduction: How to Attack

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This leaves only the knight’s move of Black B. It will drive the white stone toward the black wall on the right, enabling Black to build a wall on the outside and force White to live in gote.

Leaning Attacks Another attacking technique is the ‘leaning attack’, that is, attacking

stones in one part of the board in order to build strength for capturing or threatening stones somewhere else. Here is an example. The three marked white stones in Dia. 5 are under siege, but Black’s stones are not strong enough to trap them. Therefore, he switches to the top and attaches with 1. If White defends with 2, Black hanes with 3. After White

defends with 4, Black comes back to finish off the marked stones with 5. They can no longer escape and they don’thave enough room on the right to live.

Dia. 5

Dia. 6

Of course, White might decide to extract his marked stones by turning at 2and jumping to 4in Dia. 6. In that case, Black will play 3 and 5, taking the territory at the top right. Black is satisfied with this result. (Taken from Problem

49.)

Gouging out Eyes Depriving your opponent's stones of their base is another effective technique for setting up an attack. Dia. 7 on the next page provides an example.

— xill —

Introduction: How to Attack

Dia. 7

The nine white stones on the right side are out in the center and they cannot be separated. But Black can peep at 1, and White is forced to connect at 2. Black links up to his stones below and the white stones are without eyes. They must now find security in the center, so White expands his presence in there with 4 and 6. But White 6 is not really sente, so Black can lean on the marked white stone at bottom with the shoulder hit of 7. This move could also be called a splitting or a double attack. Fierce fighting will ensue in the center as White struggles to save his stones above. Black clearly has the initiative.

In the 136 problems that follow, consider these principles and techniques as you try to find the best moves.

—

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Problem 1. Black to play

How should Black marked white stone?

attack

Problem 2. Black to play

the

This time the marked white stone

is under the star point. In which direction should Black attack?

Problem 4. White to play

Problem 3. Black to play

Black has just extended with the

White’s marked stones in the lower right are vulnerable. How

marked stone. How can White take

should Black attack them?

the initiative at the bottom?

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Get Strong at Attacking

Problem 1: Correct Answer The white stone is outnumbered three to one. In such cases, it is important for Black to press his advantage and immediately attack. In this position Black 1 is the correct direction;

this move drives White toward Black’s strong position at the top. Next, Black caps with 3 and the sequence to White 6 follows naturally. Black has built a moyo on the lower right side in sente. He can next reinforce his position at the bottom with A or take up position at the top with B

Problem 1: Correct Answer

Problem 1: Failure

Problem 2: Correct Answer

Black might make a checking extension from above with 1, but this stone is inefficient because it is too

close to Black’s strong enclosure above. In other words, Black’s stones are Overconcentrated.

The checking extension of Black 1 is the correct direction. The distance

from the small knight's enclosure is perfect and Black 1 and 3 put severe pressure White’s stones. Later, Black will aim to enclose the corner with A.

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Problem 2: Failure Black 1 is in the wrong direction. White extends to 2 and, since this stone is two spaces from Black’s cor-

m

Problem 3: Correct Answer

Peeping with Black 1 is severe. Next—

ner enclosure, White’s stones are not

under much pressure. Moreover, Black’s position below is thin.

Problem 3: Failure Locally, Black 1 is a strong move, Problem 3: Continuation White must connect with 1. Black but it only focuses on reinforcing 2 is a vital point which prevents Black’s moyo at the bottom. White seWhite from making shape in the cen- cures his stones by making shape ter. After White jumps to 3, Black at- with 2, and Black’s attacking chance tacks the whole white group with 4. vanishes.

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Problem 4: Continuation Problem 4: Correct Answer Black has to run away with 1 and Attaching with White 1 robs the black stones of their base and gives 3, but White jumps to 2 and extends White the territory in the lower right to 4, mapping out territory along the bottom and attacking the black stone corner. Next — in the lower left corner. In addition,

the black stones at the bottom right are still without a base. With two vulnerable positions under attack, Black is at a serious disadvantage.

Problem 4: Failure Confining the three black stones with White 1 is a dubious move. Black attaches with 2 and easily makes life in the corner after descending to 4. Even if White attacks the stone in the lower left corner at A,

he can’t expect a big profit. The sequence in the previous diagram is superior to the one here.

Problem 4: Failure

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Get Strong at Attacking

Problem 5. Black to Play

Problem 6. Black to Play

Instead of jumping to A as in the Correct Answer

of Problem

This is a continuation of the Cor-

1, White

rect Answer of Problem 2. How should

plays 1 on the left side. How should

Black attack the two white stones on

Black attack?

the right side?

Problem 7. Black to Play

Problem 8. Black to Play

White has invaded Black’s moyo The marked white stone on the the marked stone. How should with right is isolated within Black’s stronghold. How should Black at- Black attack it? tack?

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Problem 5: Correct Answer Black attacks by capping with 1. White will run

away. with 2. Next,

Problem 5: Continuation White wedges in with 1, but, after the sequence

to White 9, Black se-

Black plays the knight’s move of 3, cures the lower left corner with 10. then jumps to 5. The white stones are After White jumps to 11, Black builds in trouble. Next — a moyo at the bottom with 12.

Problem 5: Failure

Problem 6: Correct Answer

After exchanging 1 for White 2, Capping with Black 1 is the key Black could gouge out White’s base point. If White runs away with 2, and take some territory with3 and 5. Black will gouge out White’s base But Black loses the initiative in the with the sequence to 7. White’s

center, and he is left with bad aji in stones are now floating in the center, the upper right corner.

providing an easy target to attack.

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Get Strong at Attacking

Problem 6: Variation 1 White could block at 1, but with

the sequence to 8, Black has secured the territory in the lower right. White still has to play 9 to secure his stones, so Black ends in sente.

Problem 6: Variation 2 White could establish a position in the lower right by blocking at 3. With the sequence to 10, Black sacrifices two stones and builds a moyo in the upper right. To secure this moyo, he must capture the marked stone by playing at 12, but he might first want

to rob the white stones of their second eye by playing at A.

Problem 6: Variation 3 Instead of 2 in Variations 1 and 2,

Problem 6: Variation 3

Black could link up his stones to the bottom the sequence to 4, but this strategy is a bit weak-spirited.

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Problem 7: Correct Answer Capping with Black 1 is severe. 2 in the Correct Answer, jump to 2 here. Black What happens if White tries to esout White’s base by cape? 5. White attaches with

Problem 6: Variation 5 Instead of

White might again gouges playing 3 and

6, but his stones are still eyeless, while

the black stones at the edge can link up to their allies above or below with A or B. Problem 7: Continuation The diagonal move of 2 on the right is White’s best chance, since Black is weaker there. But Black continues to attack with the knight's move of 3. White must now push with 4 and 6, inducing Black to strengthen his position at the top with 5 and 7. After the sequence 15, White’s stones are still in trouble. For Black’s part, he has strengthened his stones in the upper right and built influence

in the center. In contrast,

White has gained nothing.

Problem 7: Continuation

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Problem 7: Wrong Answer 1 Capping with the marked stone is a good move, but to continue by pushing up with 2 and 4is the wrong direction. White escapes into the center with 5. Black’s territory in the upper left is still not secure, since a 3-3

at Attackin

Problem 7: Wrong Answer 2 The diagonal move of Black 1 is bad. The sequence continues to Black 7, but White’s stones have made it into the open when he plays the knight’s move of 8. Black has made little progress with his moves.

point invasion at A still remains.

Problem 8: Correct Answer Since Black’s marked stone is in place, he should first exchange 1 for White 2 before jumping to 3. The two white stones are now heavy and vulnerable.

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Problem 8: Correct Answer

Get Strong

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Problem 8: Failure 1 Neglecting to exchange 1 for 2 in with moves such as 1 and 3, but Black the Correct Answer and immediately can build up his moyo at the top by extending to 1 would permit White attacking with 2 and 4. White could to secure his stone with 2. Not only have also played the marked stone at has Black lost the territory he should A to geta lighter shape, but his stones have gotten in the corner, his marked stone has lost much of its value bewould still be vulnerable. cause it is no longer attacking effectively. Problem 8: Continuation White will try to secure his stones

Problem 8: Failure 2 Black 1 is usually a severe pincer,

Problem 8: Failure 2

but, since Black already has a pincer in place (the marked stone), it is redundant. The usual response to Black 1 is to jump to A, but in this case White secures his stones in the corner with the sequence to 6.

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Problem 9. Black to play

Problem 10. Black to play

White has just slid under Black's corner enclosure with the marked stone. How should Black attack

White has just jumped out into the center with the marked stone. How should Black play?

White’s position on the right?

Problem 11. Black to play

Problem 12. Black to play

White has just extended to 3. How should Black continue?

White has invaded inside Black's sphere of influence with the marked stone. How should Black respond?

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Problem 9: Correct Answer Black 1 and 3 stop White from making eye shape. White links up

Problem 9: Variation When Black blocks with the marked stone (3 in the Correct Anwith 4 and 6, but even if he jumps to swer), White might cut with 1. But A, he doesn’t have two eyes yet. Black can link up to his allies above Black is also threatening to wedge in with the sequence to 6. White is now with B. split into two weak groups.

Problem 9: Failure 1

Black 3 in the Correct Answer is the Problem 9: Failure 2 key move. It is a mistake for Black to Black 1 lets White settle his group extend to 3. Black can live with the se- with 2. White now has nothing to quence to 12 and Black’s moyo in the worry about. Black 1 at A is also bad. upper right has been erased. White would respond with B.

=

Get Strong at Attacking

Problem 10: Correct Answer Black 1 is the key point. It keeps the white stones at the top separated from their ally on the right side. White first exchanges 2 for Black 3, then returns to take care of his stones at the top by moving out with 4. Black attacks with 5, then plays another move against White’s stones on the right. It is hard to predict how this fight will continue, but the white stones on the right are being severely pressed and if White tries to save them, it could spill over and affect the five white stones at the top.

Problem 10: Variation

Problem 10: Failure

In some positions building a wall with the sequence to Black 5 can be White might immediately play the good strategy, but here these moves diagonal move of 2. Black could first exchange 3 for White 4, then quell the enable White to link up his stones marked white stone with 5. Although and isolate Black’s stones in the upthis stone has some aji, Black can look per right. Although they are strong forward to some profit on the right enough to live, White will be able to make profit by threatening them. side. Instead of 2 in the Correct Answer,

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Get Strong

Problem 11: Correct Answer Black should cap at 1, forcing White to jump to 2. This induces Black to reinforce his moyo above with 3. Jumping to White 4 is natural. Black now invades the top with 5.

at Attacking

Problem 11: Continuation White has to play forcefully and pincer with 2. If White attaches with 4, Black presses the white stones with the sequence to 13. White then makes shape with 14 and Black secures the upper right with 15.

Problem 11: Variation

White 2 is another response to 1. Black jumps to 3 and White pincers with 4. Black makes shape with 5and

Problem 12: Correct Answer

Bumping against the white stone 7, after which Black attacks with 9 with Black 1 is the strongest move.

The sequence to White 4 can be exthe territory on the right with 13. If pected. Next, Black stakes out the terWhite 12 at 13, Black will play at A. ritory at the bottom with 5. and 11. After White13, Black secures

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Get Strong

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Problem 12: Continuation

Problem 12: Caution Black 5 in the Correct Answer is an so he has to escape into the center. He important move. Black must not play peeps with 1, then jumps to 3. Black 5 on the third line because White can calmly defends with 4. With 11, jump to 8 and his stones are safely White is out in the center, but Black out in the open. Moreover, White is 12 keeps the white stones above and threatening the attachment of A, so White might have to defend against below separated. it. White’s stones are still insecure,

Problem 12: Failure

Problem 12: Failure The knight's move of Black 1 is the standard response to the white approach move, but White can make sabaki with the sequence to 6. If Black 1 at A, White will jump to 5. Either way, Black’s thickness above has been neutralized.

1 —

Get Strong

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Problem 13. White to play

Problem 14. Black to play

Black has invaded at 1. How should White respond? Note the presence of the marked white stone.

White has just played the marked stone, leaving his three stones in the upper right to fend for themselves. How should Black attack them.

Problem 15. Black to play

Problem 16. Black to play

The white stones in the upper right are still eyeless. How should Black attack them?

How can Black use his wall on the right to attack the marked stone?

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Get Strong

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Problem 17. Black to play

Problem 18. Black to play

AP Toca eH

p| A +@@ Abus, lind ENSs

Black wants to keep the two white stones in the lower left unsettled. How should he play?

How should Black attack the three marked stones?

Problem 19. Black to play

Problem 20. Black to play

Both the black and white marked

How

should Black attack the

marked white stone?

stones are floating in the center. It is Black’s move. What should he do?

=

—_

Get Strong

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Problem 13: Correct Answer White 1 prevents Black from linking up to his stones below. If Black 2, White plays on top with 3 and Black crawls with 4. White 5 is now the key move, forcing Black to come back to correct the defect in his position by playing 6, but White confines the black stones with the knight’s move of 7. Since White 1 is on the vital point, Black’s stones have no chance of making two eyes.

Problem 13: Failure After Black 4 in the Correct Answer, White should not draw back to 1 here. Black would then hane at 2 and link

up his stones with ones above

with

the

se-

Problem 13: Variation

Problem 13: The Joseki

Instead of trying to

When the marked stone is in place, Black 1 might play on the out- is the start of a midside with 1. But after dle-game joseki. (See White 2 and 4, Black is Get Strong at Invading, live on the side, Black

left with three burdensome stones which can

quence to 8. Black’s in- be easily attacked. vasion has succeeded.

aol eee

Problems 27, 30, 33, 36,

39, and 42.) After White

2, Black 3 or A are joseki moves.

Get Strong

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Problem 14: Continuation Problem 14: Correct Answer White escapes into the center Black 1 is the best way to attack in with 2. Black peeps with 3, then dethis position. Black now aims at A. fends the territory at the top with 5. This is a basic example of how to secure territory while attacking. White’s stones on the right are still vulnerable.

Problem 14: Failure Attacking with Black 1 and 3is in the wrong direction. Black’s aim is to build a moyo

towards the left, but

White secures his stones with the sequence to 6, leaving the black stones in the lower right thin. Next, White can aim at the shoulder hit of A to reduce Black’s moyo.

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Problem 14: Failure

Get Strong

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Problem 15: Correct Answer Black first peeps with 1, then makes a shoulder hit with 3 to split White into two groups. If White 4, Black extends to 5, leaving White with two isolated and eyeless groups.

Problem 15: Variation In answer to Black3,White might immediately jump out to 4. The sequence continues to White 8, but Black leans on the white group at the top by attaching with 9. If White 8 at

If White tries to save one of them, the

A, Black will still attach at 9. If Black

other will fall. This isa good example of a double attack.

needs more white group also lean on bottom with

Problem 16. Correct Answer

strength to attack on the right, Black the white group at the forcing move at

the can the B.

Problem 16. Correct Answer The knight's move of Black 1 is the most effective way to attack. The white stone at the top is now in a pinch.

—J—

Get Strong

Problem 16: Continuation Trying to break out into the center with White 1 seems reasonable, but

Black can confine White to the top with the sequence to 12. White barely lives in gote with 13 and 15, but Black can now build a moyo in the center with the shoulder hit of 16.

at Attackin

Problem 16: Variation 1

Against the knight’s move

of

White 1, Black attaches at 2. He then sacrifices this stone and confines

White to the top with the sequence to 8. The white stones are alive, but just like in the Correct Answer, Black gets a thick wall and he can then create a

moyo by attacking the white stone on the right with a shoulder hit at A.

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Problem 16: Variation 2

Problem 16: Wrong Answer 1 Jumping out into the center with

The diagonal attachment of Black 1 looks like a normal move, but White 1 is not good. After Black 10, itis slack. White jumps to 2, and Black White can’t live because there are no doesn’t have a good follow-up, so defects in Black’s position to exploit. White’s stones have escaped.

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Problem 16: Wrong Answer 2 Problem 16: Wrong Answer 3 The diagonal move of Black 1 is Capping is another common atalso slack. After 2 and 4, White’s tacking technique, but, after Black stones are out in the center. caps with 1, White escapes with the sequence to 12. Black has failed to make any significant gains, and White has the cut at A to exploit.

Problem 17: Failure 1

Many players would instinctively attach with 1, but White could make

Problem 17: Correct Answer Descending to Black 1 is a solid shape with the sequence to 6. Black move. White has to jump to 2, so_has to linkup with 7, so White will be Black can take up a position at the able to attack the black stone at the bottom by extending to 3. bottom with a pincer at 8.

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Problem 17: Failure 2 If Black extends with 2, White can

Problem 18. Correct Answer Black caps with 1. If White peeps

settle his stones by sliding to 2. Black

at 2, Black 3 confines the white stones

has failed.

to the top. White lives at the top in gote with the sequence to 18, so Black can switch to the right side and attack the two white stones there with 19.

Problem 18: Variation If White tries to escape with 2, Black keeps his stones confined with the knight’s move

Problem 18: Failure

of 3. If White 4,

Black 5. If White continues to run away, Black can lean on the white stones on the right by attaching at A, so White will suffer a loss on the right or lose his stones at the top.

The knight’s move of Black 1 lacks forcefulness. Black runs away with the sequence to 6, and the wall Black makes is ineffective because of the two white stones on the right.

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Problem 19. Correct Answer Problem 19: Failure Black should play the knight's Capping with Black 1 is a terrible move of 1. If White runs away with 2, move. White moves out into the cenBlack drives White into his marked ter with the diagonal move of 2. If stones with 3. White’s stones are lost. Black3, White plays 4 and neutralizes the marked stone. Black has suffered a big loss.

Problem 20. Correct Answer Black should attack with the knight’s move of 1. After the exchange of 2 for Black 3, White makes shape with 4, but Black secures the

Problem 20: Failure Black 1 is in the wrong direction. It induces White to save his stones,

corner and a thick position with 5. while leaving Black's stones seriously White is in trouble.

injured.

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Problem 21. Black to play

Problem 22. Black to play

The position in the top right arose from a basic joseki. How should Black attack the marked stones?

What should Black do about the marked stones at the top? Pay attention to Black’s four stones on the left.

Problem 23. White to play

Problem 24. Black to play

Black has staked out a moyo on

White’s marked stones are vul-

the right side with the marked stone. What should White do?

nerable, but Black’s stones at the top are also thin. What should Black do?

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Problem 21: Continuation 1 White 1 is an important defensive

Problem 21: Correct Answer

Black 1 may seem like a strange

point, but White

move, but it is quite effective.

secures

the right

side with the sequence to 6.

Problem 21: Continuation 2

If White tries to get more room in the corner with 1, Black will attach

Problem 21: Failure 1

Black 1 is slack. White can secure with 2, then take the corner himself his stones with the sequence to 4, and with the sequence to 8. White still Black’s territory on the right is not as doesn’t have two eyes, so he must es- secure as it was in the Correct Answer. cape with 9. After 10, Black secures White is now threatening to keep the right side with 12. This result is Black’s positions separated by movsimilar to the previous diagram. ing into the center with A.

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Problem 22: Correct Answer Problem 22: Failure Black should cap with 1. If White Chasing White into the center jumps to 2, Black secures the corner with Black 1 and 3 weakens the with 3. The important point here is marked stones in the upper left. Not that the marked stones can’t be easily only are these stones in trouble, but attacked after Black 1, while White’s the marked white stone in the upper stones at the top are still vulnerable. right corner still has aji.

Problem 23: Correct Answer White should cap with 1. If Black jumps to 2, White will peep with 3, then jump to 5, staking out the territory on the left side. Black’s stones are heavy and Black must continue to defend them.

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Problem 23: Correct for Black Black should have reinforced his stones at the bottom with 1. Now it is White who must defend with 2. Next, Black can extend to A. If White omits 2 and extends to B, Black will attack White’s stones at C and D.

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Problem 24: Correct Answer Black should first go after the marked white stones on the right by capping with 1, then drive them toward the top with 3 and 5. After White 6, Black then puts pressure on the white stones on the left with 7 and 9. With 15, Black ends in gote, but his stones at the top are no longer thin and he has built a moyo in the center. Black has an overwhelming advantage.

Problem 25. Black to play

Problem 26. Black to play

White has just extended along the left side with 1. What should Black do?

The four marked stones seem to be secure, but Black has a way to uproot them. How should Black attack?

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Problem 27. Blackto play

Problem 28. Black to play

White has played lightly with the The marked white stones are marked stones. How should Blackat- floating in the center, but Black’s tack them? group in the upper left is also without eyes. What should Black do?

Problem 29. Black to play

Problem 30. Black to play

Black’s marked stones are in dan-

Black’s position in the upper right

ger, and he can't capture the marked _ is thick, while White’s stones at the

white one because the ladder is unfavorable. What should Black do?

top are thin. How should Black attack?

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Problem 25: Correct Answer Black should attack the white stones at the bottom with 1. White

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Problem 25: White’s best move

Black ends in sente, so he can con-

Instead extending to 1 in the problem diagram, White should have jumped to 1. His stones are now secure. Many joseki books give only

tinue by building a moyo in the center by making a shoulder hit at 7.

the extension to White A as the next move, but White 1 here is preferred

can live with the sequence to 6, but

because it aims at the outside.

rH t PP Problem 26: Continuation

White must defend with 1, but Black makes shape at the top with the Black 1 is the vital point. It aims to sequence 4; the white stones are left cut at A. This is a typical example without two eyes, so White must eswhere it is strategically best to gouge cape into the center. Black can make out the opponent’s’s base. profit by threatening these stones. Problem 26: Correct Answer

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Problem 26: Variation 1 Attacking the marked stone with 1 and 3 doesn’t accomplish much. Black links up to his stone at the top

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Problem 26: Variation 2 White 1 and 3 is another way for White to defend, but his stones are still under attack after Black 2 and 4.

with 2 and 4, so White must come

back to defend the cut with 5. Black can now attackat the vital point of 6.

Problem 27: Correct Answer Capping with Black 1 is the best way to attack. White will probably Problem 26: Failure

_

Black1 is aslack move. White easily makes a living group inthecorner with the sequence to 6.

live, but, even if he does, Black will

build a large moyo below while attacking, and White will get minimal territory.

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Problem 27: Failure 2 Black can capture the two marked 2 and makes eye shape with the se- stones by cutting at 1, but White can quence to 6. White will now have no force with the sequence to 6, then trouble making a living group in the make shape with the knight’s move center and Black has no prospects of of 8. White should have no trouble getting eyes for his group. It is now making a moyo. his privilege to play at A and Black’s three stones at the top are in danger of being cut off. Problem 27: Failure 1 If Black cuts at 1, White ataris with

Problem 28: Correct Answer Black 1 is a calm and solid move which ensures that the black stones

in the upper left are linked to their allies below. White’s stones must es-

cape into the center. White 2 is reasonable, but it provokes Black 3.

White’s group at the top does not have eyes, so he defends with 4. Next, Black goes on the attack with 5 and 7. The white stones in the center will escape, but Black has made a Problem 28: Correct Answer

huge territory at the bottom.

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Problem 28: Bad for Black

Problem 28: An all-out attack

Black 1 is a forceful move, but it

strengthens White’s weak group. After 7, White will jump to 8, threatening to cut at A or to invade

the

bottom.

Black 1 is an all-out attack, but

White will fight like a trapped animal after Black5. Itis hard to predict what will happen, but, if White survives,

Black’s territory at the bottom could be wiped out. The sequence in the Correct Answer gives Blacka sure win.

Problem 29: Correct Answer Black should atari with 1, then

Problem 29: Continuation

cast a net with 3. White can capture After White 8, Black makes good the stone at 1 with 6, but he gets shape with 9 and ends in sente, since squeezed in the sequence to 7. White is forced to connect at 10.

—

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Problem 30: Variation 1 Pushing up with White 2 is only

Problem 30: Correct Answer

Black 1 is the vital point in this po-

natural, but Black blocks with 3, forc-

sition. Next —

ing White to turn at 4. Next, Black peeps with 5 and White’s stones are left heavy and separated from the marked one on the left. White is in trouble. See Problem 136 for the continuation.

Problem 30: Variation 3

The diagonal move of White 1 is another possibility. Again Black wedge in with 4. The sequence to 14 peeps with 2. After exchanging 4 for is inevitable. White has secured the White 5, Black caps with 6. If the top, but Black’s thickness in the cen- fighting spreads to the left, the ter is strategically overwhelming. marked stone will be weakened. Problem 30: Variation 2 If White attaches with 3, Black will

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Problem 30: Variation 4

Problem 30: Failure Turning at 1 is not a good move force White to run along the second because White is able to make terriline. After the sequence to 12, Black's tory by running along the fourth line wall in the center is superior to and the marked stone works well in protecting White’s left flank. MoreWhite's territory at the top. If White

slides to 1, Black will

over, the two white

stones on the

right side neutralize Black’s wall.

Problem 32. Black to play

Problem 31. Black to play

How can Black use his thickness to attack the marked white stones?

White has just played the marked stone. How should Black continue?

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Problem 31: Wrong Answer Capping at 1 is ineffective be3 are severe. White’s stones can live, cause Black is not using his thickness but Black will have built up influence below. White breaks through Black’s in the center. He can then stake out a position with 2, and Black is left without a good follow-up move. moyo by extending to A. Problem 31: Correct Answer

The knight’s moves of Black 1 and

Problem 32: Correct Answer The marked stones are thick, so

Black should jump to 1 and drive the white stones toward that strong position. White will probably live in gote, but Black is satisfied with the moyo he has staked out at the bottom.

Failure Black 1 is overly defensive. White will immediately take the initiative and attack the marked stone with 2. With his thick position at the top, Black’s territory is overconcentrated.

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Problem 33. Blackto play

How should Black marked white stones?

attack

the

Problem 35. Black to play

After White plays the sequence to

Problem 34. Black to play

How should Black marked white stones?

attack

the

Problem 36. Black to play

Because of the two marked black

5, his stones at the top are not com-

stones, White’s

pletely settled. How should Black continue?

top right are in danger. How should Black attack?

a

three stones in the

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ida Bia a Problem 33: Correct Answer Black attacks with 1, and White must defend with 2. Black 3 is now the key move. White must defend by playing around 4. If White neglects to play here, Black A will be severe. Black now switches his attack to the right with 5 and 7. The white stones on the left are in danger and Black is building a moyo in the center.

Problem 33: Failure After White 2, Black 3 looks like a strong move, but White will attack the black stones at the bottom with 4 and 6. White A now threatens to kill

them, so Black must defend in gote. White’s stones on the left are secure,

so he can attack with a peep at B.

Problem 34: Continuation 1 If White extends to 4, Black cuts at 5. If Black insists on saving his stones at the top with the sequence to 12, Problem 34: Correct Answer Black casts a net with 13, trapping the Black first peeps with 1, then at- white stones on the right. If White tacks the three white stones at the top cuts at A, Black extends to B and with the clamp of 3. White’s stones can’t get two eyes.

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