One of the greatest annual go spectacles ...

By Rob Van Zeijst

One of the greatest annual go spectacles took place last weekend at the Edmont Hotel in Iidabashi, Tokyo. Thirty-two male-female teams from 22 countries participated in the 15th International Amateur Pair Go Championship, with prizes for the best eight teams.

As there were prizes for the best-dressed teams, too, some wore their national costumes. On Saturday, the preliminary round plus a friendship match was played, while there was a side tournament on Sunday with teams from all over Japan. Parent-child teams, sometimes with very young children, often dressed as if they were ballroom dancers--a true spectacle.

As there are few restrictions about the players' strength, and there is a dearth of female players, some countries had female players with only six months of experience. In other words, for all of you in foreign countries who read this, if you want to experience this wonderful tournament firsthand, you probably can.

The final in this tournament was played very passionately between North Korea and South Korea, with the former finally taking the honor. However, of the eight top teams, five were from Japan.

Meijin Title

Meanwhile, let's look at the sixth and final game in the Meijin title match, in which challenger Cho U takes the title away from Norimoto Yoda. Cho now holds three titles: Meijin, Honinbo, and Oza. Let us see how Cho (Black) won this game.

Diagram 1: Read the commentary for Solution 1 first. With 1 through 7, Black chooses to expand his moyo (framework) on the lower edge, while making solid territory in the corner. His territory has expanded by at least 15 points. White first attacks with 8 through 12, and then puts pressure on Black's top right group with 14. Black 15 through 19 expand Black's territory while reducing White's. Black is doing well. So White plays 20 through 30 to isolate Black's group on the left, then attacks it frontally from 32 on. However, after black 43, Black hasn't suffered much damage. White is in trouble and he needs to do something drastic.

Diagram 2: To reduce the double wing formation, white 1 can be a good move. Black can respond in a variety of ways, with 2 probably being the most popular. If White wants to play lightly, jumping to 3 is good, inviting 4 and 6. White can defend against the cut in a variety of ways, e.g. at 7. His aim is to isolate either of Black's marked stones.

Diagram 3: White 3 also has a dual aim. If Black defends with 4 against the threat of getting his marked stone cut off, 5 looks like a tesuji--and indeed, if Black responds with 6 and 8, White succeeds in a tremendous way up to 9. This is a disaster for Black.

Diagram 4: After white 5, Black should fight back with 6. The 7/8 exchange is painful, but after white 9, Black has plenty of chances to attack.

Solution to last week's problems

Solution 1: Black's territory (crosses) is about 20 points at the lower edge, and another 12 points here and there, for a total of 32 points in solid territory. White has 20 points on the right, 9 at the top and another 6 points (he captured one stone), for 35 (triangles). Adding his 6.5 point compensation for Black going first gives a total of 41.5 points. In terms of solid territory, White is leading. However, White's stones marked as B are weak. Furthermore, if Black can connect his A stones to his moyo below, he will get increased synergy.

Solution 2:Black 2, 4, and 6 are correct, but instead of connecting at 10 as in the game, 8 is better. This way, Black can capture one stone in sente with 14 and 16 before defending at 18.

Solution 3:Black's group is dead by definition. Why? The logic is that Black cannot play and live, but White can go kill it at any time. White waits until the game is finished before playing 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 (Black's moves don't matter for this situation). Black can capture with 10, though.

Solution 4: White comes back at 11. Black 12 creates a ko, but White captures first. In theory, White could have taken away all ko threats before starting this ko. Therefore, White should win this ko. Therefore, why bother playing the ko if he can win it anyway? And therefore, Black is dead.

New Problem

Look at Diagram 1 and evaluate how much should White reduce Black's territory? In what area should he play and where is the right spot to begin?

Want to find out more? Come to Ben's Cafe in Takadanobaba, Tokyo (03-3202-2445), where the English-speaking go community congregates every Sunday. You can enjoy free lessons, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Ben's Cafe can be accessed at www.benscafe.com.

Van Zeijst is a four-time European go champion and European representative at the Fujitsu World Championship.