When should a player resign? ...

By Rob Van Zeijst

When should a player resign? In a previous article, we learned that even top pros do not always quit when they are far behind. Even though they are aware of the board position, they just do not like to give up. Eio Sakata, a player who dominated the 1960s, had a few games (I counted five) that he lost by more than 20 points but, even so, he played on until the bitter end. On the other hand, there are pros like Hideo Otake, who would throw in the towel if he was dissatisfied with one or more of his moves, irrespective of his chances of winning.

What should amateurs do? When time limits apply--as is usually the case when playing on the Internet--there are players who refuse to quit even though they are far behind. This is because they hope their opponent will run out of time or make a serious mistake. They want to win, and are not fussy about the impression they make. It is a valid way of winning. But this kind of aggressive player is likely to run out of opponents as most players want to play for fun, to match their skills or to make friends

Frustrated feelings

This is the continuation of the game that we started April 14 between Cho Chikun and titleholder O Rissei for the Judan title. Cho (Black) was leading, when he fell for a trick. Frustrated, Cho refused to resign and lost by 19! points.

Diagram 1 (1-57 represent moves 43-99): Black sets up a center moyo with 1, 3, 5, 9 and 11. Before deciding whether to answer the black invasion at 13 and 15 by blocking at 38 or A, White plays 16 and 18, which leads to a tremendous battle. After Black plays at 37, White grabs his chance, blocks at 38 and 40 in sente, and connects his stones with 44 and 46. Black is in trouble and has to move out with 47. 48 was a mistake on White's part and Black puts him on the spot with 49, the vital point of White's shape. White lands up with a dango, inefficient solid mass of stones, with 50 through 64 (58-64 are in Diagram 2).

Diagram 2 (58-90 represent moves 100-132; white 64 connects at 59): Black seems to have pulled off a decisive feat. However, Black is still cut off, so he struggles on before making a comeback with 89. What is going on after white 90?

New Problems

All these problems have a common key.

Problem 1: Black plays and captures the marked white stones. How does he do this?

Problem 2: Black to play and make two eyes. Where should he play?

Problem 3: Where should Black play to capture the three marked stones?

Problem 4: Even though the white stones are dead, they still have endgame potential. How can White squeeze some value out of these stones?

Problem 5: Look at Diagram 2. How can Black kill White's group at top left?

Solutions

We will solve Problems 1 and 2 this week. The other three problems we will tackle next week.

Solution 1: Black 1 is the correct move. This extends his liberties by one because after the 3-4 exchange, White cannot play at A as this puts his marked stones in atari.

Reference 1: Black 1 seems the obvious move. However, with 2 and 4, White starts a ko. After 5, White captures the ko (by playing where the marked stone was captured). This is no good for Black..

Reference 2: Black 1 looks like a possible move but with 2 and 4, White sets up a ko around A. White does not need to play at 6 immediately, but since this sets up white B and C, Black needs to play at A and D to capture White's stones.

Solution 2: The jump to 1 is a nice move, making the second eye. White 2 is clever. If Black blocks with A, it becomes ko, but if he keeps his cool and plays at 3, Black wins the capturing race to 7.

Reference 3: Black 1 makes more eye-space, but 2 is the vital spot. After black 7, White plays his next move where the marked stone is and Black is dead.

Want to find out more? Come to Ben's Cafe in Takadanobaba, Tokyo (03-3202-2445, www.benscafe.com), 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.