Do you ever get writer's block? ...

By Rob Van Zeijst

Do you ever get writer's block? One writer says writer's block is nothing more than a fancy word for fear. She believes that a good dose of Zen-style detachment helps. Attachment to whatever we have--worldly possessions, friendships, dreams, or go stones, for that matter--interfere with one's judgment over the best course of action to take. Modern psychologists and psychiatrists as well as religions teach us, in various ways, to take an impartial attitude. In go, this attitude helps us to realize that sacrificing stones can be beneficial.

Last week, we started a game for the Meijin title between current Meijin Cho U (Black) and challenger Satoru Kobayashi, in which Black makes active use of sacrifices. Let's see what happens.

Diagram 1 (1-45 represent moves 47-88): After sacrificing the marked stones at the top left, Black starts developing the right and lower sides with 1. Note that he does not attack the marked white stone because that would give White an excuse to sacrifice it. White tries to limit Black's territory by making a group with 8, etc. However, after the exchange 36 and 38 for 37 and 39, White forms another group. Note again that Black does not directly attack these stones, but slowly "strangles" them with 45.

Reference 1: Let's have a look at the outcome of Black' s sacrifice of his five stones. The end result appears good for Black, but how can we be certain? One idea is to use the QARTS (Quantitative Analysis of Relative Territory and Strength) system in which a value is assigned to stones. In general, a weak group is a liability and has a value of minus 20 points. Therefore, Black would lose points if he tried to save his stones. White's territory defined by his marked stones is worth about 20 points, so Black did not lose more than 20 points. However, by sacrificing the stones, he built up strength at the top right. On top of that, he has three stones on the lower half of the board, against one for White.

We will continue this game next week.

Hints for improving your game

As in the above game, some stones play their best role when sacrificed. Seen from another point of view, trapping weak stones can be amazingly difficult and even capturing stones can be a hindrance.

Diagram 2: This famous sacrificing strategy was worked out before White played at 4 and black 3 lost its significance. In this variation all ladders favor White. 18 and 20 are a clever combination. After black 33, White can capture the black stones through the sequence white B, black C, white D, but Black would exchange A for white E, and switch elsewhere. Later on, he can play F in sente, too. This is a terrible result for White.

Diagram 3: However, if White pushes with 34 through 40, Black makes a geta (net trap) with 41. Again, White can break out with 42 through 56. However, Black presses forward with 57 through 62, then defends with 63. White managed to kill all of Black's marked stones, but the final outcome is a huge success for Black. It is safe to say the game is over.

Solutions to last week's problems

Solution 1: In a six-stone handicap game, White often employs the 1, 3 and 5 strategy to apply pressure to Black's marked stone and start a battle. Of course, Black can rescue the stone, but sacrificing it is also a possibility. Black 6 through 12 at the top and 14 through 20 at the bottom are one example of how to sacrifice the marked stone in a profitable way. By simply counting the territories, you can see Black's combined territory far outweighs White's, and Black also has sente (initiative).

Solution 2A: Black 1 is an excellent move. White can take this stone with 2 and 4. But Black has two ways to use the stone at 1.

Solution 2B: The easy way is to black 5 and 7, capturing the two marked stones, while White captures the marked black stone.

Solution 2C(white 8 connects where the marked stone is captured): A different approach is to push with 5. White will capture with 6. Black can then play 7 to force White to connect where the marked stone was taken. Black can now play at A or elsewhere. This variation presumes Black has a stone(s) somewhere around B.

Solution 2D: This is how White can try to ruin Black's strategy.

New Problems

Problem 1: The moves through 13 are a joseki. However, white 14 is a trick move. Black should play at C, but if he does so right away, White would respond with D. Black should use White's weaknesses at A and B. How should Black proceed after white 14?

Problem 2: Look at Solution 2D and work out possible moves for Black after white 4.

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