Can the ability to play go be passed ...

By Rob Van Zeijst

Can the ability to play go be passed from one generation to the next? Many top pros teach their children how to play, but playing the game well, and teaching it well or passing on the passion for it, are different things. Few offspring become talented enough to follow in their father's footsteps.

A notable exception is Naoki Hane, the current Kisei, who surpassed his 9-dan father, Yasumasa Hane. Minoru Kitani, the famous teacher whose students have dominated the Japanese go scene for the past 30 years, had a daughter, Reiko, who was a top female go player. She married another top pro, Koichi Kobayashi, and their daughter, Izumi, is also a top pro. Izumi recently married Cho U, a top pro from Taiwan. Will their children become top players? This is a question on everyone's lips.

Also married to a 9-dan from Taiwan, Kaori Chinen took the Women's Honinbo title from Izumi last week. However, the same week, Izumi's husband Cho U captured the Meijin title from Norimoto Yoda four games to two in the best-of-seven series. He also is the current Honinbo.

Meijin Title

This is the start of the sixth and deciding game played between Yoda (white) and Cho.

Diagram 1: The moves 6 through 15 are a popular pattern among young pros these days. White 18 aims at Black's upper right corner group. Black concedes with 19. He could have played more aggressively. However, White is now forced to make a base on the right with 20 and 22. Black's corner group is not completely alive, but that is a trade-off to get sente (take the initiative). Where should Black play next?

Diagram 2: It is strange how pros and teachers describe the same idea in different ways. Some say open up the board; others say make the board smaller. However, they both mean "play in an area where there are few stones." Black 23 conforms to this requirement. The move has two aims. It attacks White's upper left, and strengthens Black's stones on the upper edge. This leads to a long exchange to 39. Black seems to have the initiative and was leading because of the unusual 32-33 exchange. However, White 42 is a wonderful move, but the exchange 43-44 and the jump at 45 weakened White's group here. As White could not really defend the corner, he switched to the lower right to defend his right side.

Double-wing formation

Diagram 3: As discussed over the past few weeks, the black double-wing formation has a lot of potential for expansion. Therefore, it is important to restrict its expansion at the right time. White 1 is another way of doing this. Black usually responds with A or B, and sometimes with C.

Diagram 4: What happens if Black answers with 2? White 3 is a good response. In the sequence through 7, the black marked stone becomes isolated.

Diagram 5: Black can also play at 4, but 5 is a good response. Black's effort to capture with 6 and 8 spells trouble because of the sequence 9 through 13. White A and B are dangerous threats now.

Solution to last week's problems

Solution 1: The marked stone on the right is Black's last move, which threatens to build a huge moyo. Try doing an accurate count at this point. Black's total territory is more than 50 points, while White's is just over 40. White first invades on the left, and in the sequence through 11, ensures life. With 14, Black is even forced to defend against cuts at A and B. Since his marked stones are strong, White does not need to defend, and he reduces Black's territory with 15 and 17. White is now clearly in the lead. What went wrong? We will have a look at that next week.

Solution 2: Black 1 is correct. White 2 and 4 are rebuffed by 3 and 5. Black has gained two eyes.

Reference 1: Black 1 is wrong. Why? Because white 2 and 4 create the position called a bent 4 in the corner. According to Japanese rules this group is dead by definition.

Problems

Problem 1: Look at Diagram 2, count the territory and assess the position. Who is leading? Since it is Black's turn, ask yourself these questions: Can he make a large moyo? Can he attack? Does he need to defend? Now, determine where he should he play.

Problem 2: Look at Solution 1 and find a better way for Black to defend against White's invasion.

Problem 3: In reference 1, Black is dead. Why?