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July 2003's Go Answer of the Month


Here are three pairs of answer diagrams. In each of the three original problems, Black was to play. Which (if either) of each pair is a "success for Black" diagram and which are good for White?

This is intended as a positional judgement question - which diagrams does Black like and which does he (relatively) dislike?

The diagrams are taken from "Tricks in Joseki".

Dias A1 & A2

Dia A1   Dia A2

Dia A1 is a correct diagram, "Black 7 makes great shape". This obviously isn't an absolute statement and must be taken in the context of the position from which Black started where he was outnumbered 5-4 and white had just played the 'cut' at the 4-4 point. Black clearly has good outside influence. If Black wants to he still has forcing moves to reduce the size of White's corner, forcing White to capture the two single stones in atari.

Dia A2 is obviously a failure diagram. White has massive outside influence and Black only a small corner. The two stones above are cut off.

Dias B1 & B2

Dia B1   Dia B2

Dias B1 and B2 are both correct diagrams. In B1 Black has managed to cutoff and capture two white stones for an enormous corner.

Dia B2 is a variation in which White has two weak groups on the outside. This means his corner group is relatively stronger and more profit should arise from chasing (even if not capturing) the weak groups.

Dias C1 & C2

Dia C1   Dia C2

Dia C1 is a failure diagram. Black hsa been split into two groups and his central stones are overlooked on both sides whilst the corner stones are not big.

Dia C2 is a success diagram for Black. This I find harder to see, as it appears that the white group in the corner lives. However it is either cut off from both outside edges or, if White plays to connect on the left edge immediately, Black can connect his corner stones out - thus leaving White with little profit. Black's central stones are not as heavily overlooked.


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