There is a common stock market warning

By Rob Van Zeijst

There is a common stock market warning: "Past performance is no indication of future gains." This is true of go. The sad truth is that many people believe the last move played gives some hint about the next move. Try to disregard your opponent's last move, especially in the beginning of a game, and make your own evaluation. Many high kyu and low dan players solve tsume-go (life and death) problems easily, but they have difficulty improving their game. Why? In my experience, they forget what is urgent and what is profitable in the long run. They try to make a quick buck rather than long-term investments. So we have to ask ourselves, are we in the game for the next few moves or for the long haul? Let's put this into practice.

Diagram 1: Last week, we started the fourth and final game between Cho U (black) and Yu Bin for the LG cup. This is the position we ended up with, with Black's last move at A. White should ignore this move for now and consider moves that are more urgent. Where should he play? My question is, should White do something to help the marked stones or is there a more urgent move?

Diagram 2: Those inclined to panic might play at 1 as they perceive the marked stone as a threat to their group in the upper left. Some might challenge A so as to enlarge their eye space (see Reference 1). Because the black marked stone is an attempt to push out into the center, aggressive players see the black group as weak and smell blood. These players will want to cap at B. Others, perhaps licking their wounds from previous failed attacks, might play at C in a simultaneous effort to build territory while launching an attack.

Reference 1: After black A, should White be afraid that Black would play at 1? If he does, White can play at 2. Black, intent on killing the white group, could play at 3. But white 4 would lead to 5, and this would be followed by white 6 through 10. White would capture one stone and make an eye. In short, black A is no danger to White.

Diagram 3 (1-27 represents 57-83): After black 1, white 2 is urgent. Why? To start with the conclusion, it sets off a series of events leading to the strengthening of White's marked stones, weakening of Black's marked stones and grabbing the initiative in the center for White. The sequence is in stark contrast to Reference 2. I hope this illustrates the implications of urgency. We will continue this game next week.

Reference 2: After white 1, Black might play at 2, which could trigger the sequence through 9. Black 10 and 12 defend against the cut at A--White's cutting stones will die if followed by the sequence black B, white C and black D. As you can see, White's marked stones are also up against the wall, literally. Also, White's territory on the left is no match for Black's center influence.

Solutions to last week's problems

Solution: After discussions regarding the 1-2 point in the past few weeks, this problem should be a no-brainer. Black 1 forces White to connect at 2, while 3 prompts White to capture the two marked stones with 4. Next, Black secures enough space with 5 to make two eyes. A and B are miai, i.e. if A is white, B is black and vice versa.

Reference 3 (white 4 is played where the marked stone was captured): If Black plays at 1, expecting White to connect at 3, he will be left out in the cold after White's hane (diagonal connecting stone) at 2. Black 3 captures two stones, but white 4 recaptures one stone.

Problem 1: Using the technique demonstrated in Reference 3, where should Black play to kill the white stones?

Problem 2: Look at Diagram 3. First, determine in what area White should play his next move. Next, determine the exact location.

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.