Research on identical twins who were ...

By Rob Van Zeijst

Research on identical twins who were separated at birth and brought up in different environments, seems to indicate that our genes have a greater impact on the way we live our lives than any other factor. Not only do the majority of these twins share the same taste in a wide variety of things, they tend to hold similar jobs, marry similar spouses, and hold similar views and opinions. What happened to free will? Is it possible that the choices we believe we make out of our own free will, are preprogrammed by our genes?

The knowledge that we are preprogrammed may not help us in our actual lives, but at least on the go board we can still foster this illusion of choice. As we can usually attack stones from a number of directions, it is often a mistake to decide too early and limit our possibilities. In other words, sometimes making no choice is the better choice.

However, before delving in the possibilities of choice, let us first have a look at the sixth game in the best-of-seven Meijin Title between current Meijin Cho U (White) and challenger Satoru Kobayashi. After losing the first three games, Kobayashi has been fighting an uphill battle to win the last two games.

Diagram 1: With 7, Black already declares war. The usual idea is shown in Diagram 2. Instead of 8, White could also play kosumi at A. After black 13, White's first instinct is B, but a Black approach at 31 is severe. However, Black then seizes the initiative with 15 and on, finally to extend to 29. Instead of the regular move at 30, black 29 is combative, aiming at invading at 31, etc. We will resume this game next week.

Diagram 2: After the pincer at 2, Black jumps to 3 and 5, exchanging 7 for 8, before counter-pincering at 9. At that point, White can run away with his stone at 2 by exchanging A for B and jump to C, or he can play at D, giving Black a choice. Black will often opt for E, after which White can fight with F or slide with G.

Hints for improving your game

A very easy mistake to make is playing a sente move (move that has to be answered) the moment the opportunity arises.

Diagram 3: Black 1 is sente, as White has to answer. Therefore, it must be a good move, right? Wrong! This move eliminates all kinds of aji (potential) in White's position.

Diagram 4: For example, if Black has a stone around A, he can force the sequence 1 through 6.

Diagram 5: Next, Black can play the tesuji combination of 7, 9 and 11. White now has the option to capture at A, but then Black plays at B, starting a ko. On the other hand, if White extends to B, he faces a ko when Black plays at C. Either way, White's corner is at risk.

Conclusion: Do not play moves just because they are sente. They may strengthen the opponent and take away aji. This is called aji-keshi.

Solutions to the problems of 2 weeks ago

Solution 1A: The important stone is the marked one. Black can catch it by crosscutting with 1. If White plays atari with 2, now is the time to cut with 3. This allows White to capture with 4, but Black seizes the marked stone with 5.

Solution 1B: If White answers with 2, Black now plays atari from the other side with 3. Again, Black gets hold of the marked stone with 5.

Solution 2A: Black can kill the white group with the sequence through 9. White can now respond with A followed by black B, and vice versa. It is important for Black not to make the unnecessary exchange C for A first, as this will make White alive.

Solution 2B: After the sequence through 9 in the previous diagram, if White plays at 10, Black sacrifices two stones with 11. After White captures with 12, Black comes back at 11 (now shown) to turn this into a false eye.

New problems

Problem 1: The exchange black 1 for white 2 is a case of aji-keshi for Black. How should he have played?

Problem 2: This problem looks similar to the previous one. However, it is surprisingly difficult.

Black's corner stones are in trouble. However, Black has a plan. He starts with the 1 for 2 exchange and, of course, exchanging A for B would be severe aji-keshi. However, then, how should Black play?

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

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