Worry and fear are destructive to ...

By Rob Van Zeijst

Worry and fear are destructive to our personal lives and our work. But we endure those emotions all the time because we believe there is a payoff. When we set goals, we worry about the obstacles we may encounter. Sometimes the obstacles assume such huge proportions we are consumed by fear. This situation is created because we generally believe what we see. By changing the way we look at things, we can change things for the better.

In go, beginners often worry about their stones being taken. If they let go and even purposely sacrifice stones, their game will improve.

A few weeks ago, we started a game for the Meijin title between current Meijin Cho U (Black) and challenger Satoru Kobayashi in which Cho actively sacrifices stones to set up a superior position. This week we will see how a large white group is captured.

Diagram 1 (1-47 represent moves 89-135): With 1, Black starts a large-scale attack on the marked white stones. In addition, black 5, 15, 33 and 35 keeps White from connecting. In the end, White's stones, including 2, 4, 34 and 40 through 46, die, because there is not enough space to make two eyes. White A is useless because of the sequence black B, white C and black D. Therefore, White resigns.

Hints for improving your game

Sacrificing stones can be potent way of playing, especially if these stones keep their potential to be a nuisance.

Diagram 2: The moves 1 through 4 are the beginning of a joseki. However, black 5 is a trick move.

Diagram 3: If White plays 6 and 8, the remaining moves follow automatically. White has no choice but to play at 16 and on. However, Black squeezes with 17 through 23.

Diagram 4: After White connects with 24, Black sets up the next squeeze with 25, 27 and 29. He finishes his wall with 31 and 33 and can even exchange A for white B whenever he wants (e.g., as a ko threat). Black sacrifices six stones and White makes 19 points. However, Black's wall of steel is overwhelming.

Solutions to last week's problems

Solution 1: Before playing at 3, it is best for Black to cut first at 1. White will connect with 2. Black can now exchange 3 for 4 in sente (keeps initiative) and defend his cutting point by playing at A or B.

Reference 1: If Black plays at 1 right away, White descends to 2. If Black blocks at 3, White can next cut with A or pretend to save his marked stone with B or C while aiming to cut at A later.

Reference 2: In response to 1, white 2 is greedy. Black 3 is timely as White has little choice but to connect at 4. Black now has two choices. He can play at A, followed by white B and black C, and threaten 5 and following or he can play at 5 immediately. After this move, White cannot escape as the sequence through 11 illustrates.

Solution 2A: In response to the unexpected cut of the marked white stone, black 1 is a safe move. All White can do is capture with 2 and 4. Black grabs the corner with 3 and 5. However, White can still try to exploit the aji (potential) of his corner stones by playing at B, followed by black C and white D.

Solution 2B: If Black is unhappy with the result in Solution 2A, he can follow the marked stone with 1. Now, the hane (diagonal connecting stone) at 2 becomes sente and Black has to capture with 3, allowing White to capture a black stone with 4 and 6. Territorially, this is not so good for Black, but in certain situations, the right-hand side may be more important.

New problems

Problem 1: Look at Diagram 2 again. Where should White play after black 5?

Problem 2: This is an interesting position that came up in a game shown on TV. In response to 1, White came up with a great strategy to sacrifice his marked stone while attacking Black's marked stone. After black 11, how can White sacrifice his corner stones while stopping Black from using the marked stone to escape into the center? Note that this is a pro level problem, but do your best.

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

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