320,When should a player resign? .....

By Rob Van Zeijst

When should a player resign? There is no simple answer. Beginners may play until the end, regardless of the difference in territory and captured stones. This sometimes means they lose by more than 50 points when large groups of stones die. As players become stronger, they develop a sense of whether the game is close, whether they are ahead or behind and whether the margin is small or large. Once players reach the dan level, they should be able to make a rough count within about five to 10 points of the final score. The stronger the player, the more accurate he will be. Top pros can count within one or two points of the final score at least 50, and perhaps 100, moves before a game ends. If the gap is large and they feel victory is impossible, they generally resign. However, even top pros may not always do so.

Bitter feelings

With one game apiece in the 43rd Judan final, challenger Cho Chikun (Black) was ahead of titleholder O Rissei in the third game when he fell for a trick play. Cho chose not to resign, probably because he could not get over his humiliation at making such a mistake. In the end, he lost by 19! points. Let's look at this game.

Diagram 1: Extremely territory-oriented, Cho staked out a huge moyo with 1, 3 and 11. Taking sente with 20 and 22, White drove into Black's moyo with 24. After black 25 and 27, how should White develop his position? The joseki book says at 34, as shown in Reference 1. However, in the game, 28 is a good move. Faced with strong black position, White's aim is to settle his stones quickly. The moves through 42 are a joseki that is sometimes used (see also Reference 2 and 3). We will continue this game next week.

Reference 1: In this position, the joseki book recommends playing at A, 5 or 1. Since A or 5 would allow Black to make too much territory in the upper right with B, white 1 is the usual choice. The sequence through 5 is normal. As there is a cutting point, Black needs to reinforce his position with C. Otherwise White can attach at D and lay waste to Black's territory in the upper right. This sequence is rarely played in pro games.

Reference 2: In reality, because of his strong position in the top right (the marked stones), Black will play 2 and 4. White can connect underneath with 5 through 11, but after capturing with 12, Black has strong positions everywhere, while White is thin and without eyes. Even playing at A does not guarantee eyes. Moving out with B is possible but it is a one-sided fight with White merely running away.

Reference 3: In the game, the cut at 9 is a good move. It may look strange, but after 13, White is alive and has aji (potential) to play at A, followed by black B (capturing white 9), white C, black D and White playing at 9 to capture black 8. This would wipe out a lot of Black's territory while making more eye-space.

Reference 4: If White simply connects at 9, black 10 takes care of all of Black's weaknesses. After 11, White has the same shape as in the actual game, but has lost his aji. For example, if white plays at A, then black B. A white cut at C is rebuffed by black D, followed by white E, black F, white G, black H, white I and black J, setting up a ladder to capture White's stones.

Solutions to last week's problems

Solution 1: If White crosscuts 4 and 6 and the ladder is good for him, Black should play 7 and 9. White has no choice but to connect with 10, but 11 sets up a ladder. Since Black's position is so thick, White is in a terrible position.

Solution 2: After the moves through 6, there are many possibilities for both players. The joseki book mentioned only a few, but in games between top pros, many variations can be found.

Solution 2A: First, the moves through 14 are a run-of-the-mill variation. Black A or white B are big moves that can be played later. Black can also aim at C and D later.

Solution 2B: Another basic variation is 7 in combination with 9. White can now respond with A or B.

New Problems

Problem 1: Look at solution 1. If the ladder is bad for Black, how should he play?

Problem 2: In Solution 2A, instead of white 10, 12 and 14, there are other variations. Can you think of alternatives?

Problem 3: In Solution 2B, what happens if White follows up with A? Or with B?

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

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