Diagram 1: In games between beginners, we often see players systematically building huge walls in an effort to grab a piece of territory. The moves shown here are representative of that. Is there any way to take territory more efficiently?
Diagram 2: Black can argue that his territory is solid. However, White's stones are spread out and lay claim to a greater piece of territory. White's stones are placed more efficiently and he will likely win the game for that reason.
Diagram 3: Who do you think is moving more efficiently? Black moves much faster and establishes a presence in three corners, while White takes just one corner. On the other hand, the white corner is much stronger and White is likely to capture all the territory in that area. Black, meanwhile, might sustain some damage to one or two corners. However, in general Black's stones are more efficiently placed to surround territory.
Diagram 4: And what about here? As we have stated before, it is easier to surround territory in the corners than in the center. Therefore, White will likely win this game.
Diagram 5: Who gets the better part of the deal in this exchange? Doesn't White have a much larger territory than Black?
Diagram 6: Black 7 is a clever move. It makes miai (a situation in which if White plays one, Black plays the other) of playing at 8 and 9 to make a base. White 10 and 12 are clever moves to ensure Black can't link up his stones. However, after white 14, black 15 cleverly makes use of White's weaknesses. White has to defend with 16--this move connects his stones--after which Black protects his stones and territory with 17 and again with 19. This group is large enough to make two eyes.
An area that appeared to be White's territory became Black's territory. Some conclusions we can draw:
1. Territory can be made more easily in the corners than in the center.
2. Making jumps is more efficient than keeping the stones connected in order to surround territory.
3. Making territory on the third line is easier than on the fifth line on a 9x9 board.
Solutions to last week's problems
Solution 1A: Do you remember life and death? If it is White's turn, he should play at 1 to make two eyes. Since Black can't play either at A or B, White is immune to attack.
Solution 1B: And if it is Black's turn, he should play at the same point. After black 1, White can't move as Black would immediately capture him. If White doesn't play (or plays elsewhere), can Black actually capture the group? If he plays at 3, white 4 will capture two black stones.
Solution 1C: However, Black can answer with 5. This puts the White stones in atari--White has only one liberty left at A. If White does plays there though, he captures black 5, but he'll only have one liberty left (the one where black 5 is taken). It is Black's turn next, so he can take the entire White group.
Solution 2A: White 1 is a good move. After black 2, he doesn't need to answer. Even if Black were to play at 4, White can resist with 5 to make two eyes--Black can't play at A or B. This situation is similar to Solution 1A.
Solution 2B: If it is Black's turn, he can kill the white group by with 1 and then play at 3. Even if White captures a stone with 4, Black just plays at 5 to prevent White from escaping.
Solution 2C: If White plays at 6, black 7 will put his two stones in atari and he will have to defend at A. But even if he doesn't play at 6, eventually, his marked stone will come into atari and he has to defend at A. Either situation reverts back to Solution 1B.
Solution 3:After black 1, White should block at 2. And if Black plays 3 and 5, White should defend with 4 and 6--6 is necessary otherwise Black can cut off and capture white 4. Black can play at 7 and 9, but White doesn't need to defend any longer. He is alive: A is one eye and the whole area around B constitutes a second eye. Want to find out more? Come to Ben's Cafe in Takadanobaba (03-3202-2445 or www.benscafe.com), where the English-speaking go community congregates every Sunday starting at 11 a.m. You can enjoy free lessons until 1 p.m.
Van Zeijst is a four-time European go champion and European representative at the Fujitsu World Championship.